03/25/2021
Planning a cranbrook/Jaffary trip April 1st.
Equifix Therapies is here in Creston next week (May 22-29) if anyone needs a horse worked on.
Planning a trip to Fruitvale and Kimberley
Equine Physiotherapy involves the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal and/or neurological conditions in horses. It combines movement analysis with knowledge of the anatomy of the neuro-muscular system in order to identify potential problems.
Animals can’t tell us where their pain is or if they have injured themselves and they are often clever at hiding their discomfort. Schooling problems, behavioural problems or reduced performance can all be caused by pain, muscle weakness or joint stiffness. Equally your animal may have suffered a direct injury and may need rehabilitation to get back to its previous level of performance/workload.
Animals, like people respond well to physiotherapy such that physiotherapy aims to maintain and restore:��- Normal range of movement in the musculoskeletal system where movement is restricted and painful.��- Limit the impact of injury and/or disease process.��- Optimize the healing process and accelerate return to function, independence and/or performance.
Subsequently, Veterinary Physiotherapists are experts in the release of muscle spasm and in the mobilisation of joints to gain pain relief and restoration of normal movement patterns. Manual techniques used include joint mobilisations and manipulations, massage and other soft tissue techniques such as reflex/reciprocal inhibition, myofascial release, trigger point release and acupressure.
Electrotherapeutic modalities such as laser, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, ultrasound, electro-magnetic therapy can also be used in conjunction with manual therapy to enhance its effects.
In addition, many animals require specific exercises to complete their rehabilitation especially after surgery or chronic musculoskeletal problems. Equifix Therapies is able to devise individual exercise programs to help each animal to reach their full potential.
I can also give advice on adaptation to your animal’s environment that will help them perform tasks more easily. This can be especially helpful for older animals or for those who have recently had injuries.
In summary, Equifix Therapies is not an alternative but an essential adjunct to conventional Veterinary medicine.
Equine/Horse Physiotherapy
Conditions treated
• Back, neck or pelvic pain
• Muscle strains or tears.
• Tendon or ligament injuries
• Nerve injury
• Joint problems including arthritis, degenerative joint disease, pain, swelling or �stiffness in joints
• Compensatory problems due to underlying lameness
• Poor performance: Hollowing, lack of engagement, Incorrect lead or disunited �canter
• Changes in behaviour: Napping, bucking
• Rehabilitation after surgery or injury
• Saddle problems
• Rider related problems �What to expect: �During the assessment we shall:
• Take a detailed history of your animal and the problem(s) you have asked me to assess
• Observe the animal stationary to assess for symmetry and conformation
• Do a full gait analysis: This comprises the animal moving in walk, trot and lope �on the lunge and in-hand to complete tight circles and rein back
• Palpate the animal for any abnormalities in muscle tone and/or pain response
• Assess joint range of motion by taking the animals limbs into extension and flexion �and by moving their neck and back to assess spinal mobility
• Saddle fit if appropriate
• From the assessment we then establish if treatment is required and discuss with �the owner a treatment plan
• Post treatment instructions are left with the owner regarding exercise and a �rehabilitation programme set in order to maximise recovery and return to function
• I also advise if i feel another professional E.g. Vet/Saddler should assess the �animal at this stage
• A follow- up treatment/review is provided if needed �Treatment �This will usually consist of a combination of “hands on” techniques, electrotherapy, exercises and rehabilitation such as:
• Joint manipulations/mobilisations techniques
• Soft tissue release techniques such as massage, myofascial release, trigger point �release, acupressure
• Reflex/reciprocal inhibition techniques using the animals natural reflexes to �stimulate joint movement and soft tissue stretch
• Stretches
• Rehabilitation programmes such as proprioceptive pole exercises, core stability �training and strengthening exercises
• Advice and education regarding the condition, treatment protocol, exercise �environment and rehabilitation programme
• PEMT system treatments ��PULSED Electromagnetic Therapy (PEMT) uses a range of different frequencies to help stimulate different cells in the body, helping them to work more efficiently.��SO whilst such therapy can be used to promote general health and well-being, it can also be used for rehabilitation and as a healing assistant, helping to aid the repair of soft tissue injuries, reducing inflammation, for pain relief and even the healing of fractures, as well as pre and post treatment for better performance in horses (before and after racing)
�MASSAGE therapy is so often just associated with the promotion of relaxation/release of tension and the maintenance of general health but it's more important benefits include:
• tone and warm up muscles pre-exercise
• post-exercise cool down to help prevent tightening and muscle stiffness
• improve/promote circulation, thus oxygenating the muscles
• elimination of waste products
• promote lymphatic drainage
• promote venous drainage
which leads to improved joint mobility, improved respiratory function, softness and suppleness of muscles as well as improved general condition (skin, coat, hooves).���MASSAGE is provided both by Equifix Therapies via the PEMT blanket and manually. When applied via the blanket system non-percussive vibrations are delivered by strategically placed modules which work on key muscle groups at a pre-set pressure and sequence. Massage can be Cycloidal Vibration Therapy (CVT) which is multi-directional or Cyclonic which is two-way. However a machine cannot tell you whether a muscle is still tight or detect changes (whether positive or negative) that may be occurring so the hand massage allows me to literally feel what is happening as a horse soon gives his responses to varying pressures!
MAGNETIC therapy,has been used "since time began" as a method of pain relief. It is a completely non-invasive therapy to promotes the body's natural healing processes. It is not the magnets that actually do the healing but they create an environment in the body that helps to speed up the natural processes of removing inflammation and restoring circulation. It is proof that this is achieved when the blood stream and nerves are stimulated as the blood passes through the magnetic field.
• EUROPEAN DNA ANALYSIS
In biology living organisms exchange information, on so called bio photons. These are light particles that are permanenty transmitted and received by each cell. The DNA-Analysis works with ultra-fine sensors that scan the bio photon field of a person, animal, or a single cell association, for example a stand of hair. The information thus obtained is compared with a database and analyzed.
Instruction:
For the DNA-Analysis of your horse simply cut a pencil thick strand of hair from the mane and pack it in a plastic bag, for example a freezer bag. Send me the hair sample with the completed consent forms. I will contact you when the sample has arrived and the DNA analysis is completed.
Please note
* I do not need the hair root. Simply cut the hair, no tearing is required.
* before taking the sample DO NOT wash the mane with any cleaning agents.
* Take the sample from an inconspicuous area.
You will know everything that is happening your horses body
* whether your horse is in good general health (preventative-analysis)?
* what causes can be behind problems (also chronic problems) and why can’t these problems
* be solve through conventional veterinary medicine?
* whether your horse suffers from emotional stress or trauma
* how to identify development deficiancies in foals early and how to act accordingly?
* what can you do to maintain and increase your horse’s performance?
* how to improve breeding performance and fertility and how to avoid breeding
* complications?
* what types of feed are particularly good for your horse and what types does it not tolerate
The DNA-Analysis lets you look behind the scenes of your horse’s biology and what factors are controlling your horse’s health and performance.
Tribute Equine Nutrition Dealer
