Equilibre

03/08/2026

Better late than never – just found this one sitting in my “must share” pile from a few weeks back.

Some really important guidance in Horse & Hound this week, with a few words from Lorna in there too – on a subject that matters more than owners often realise: how do you choose who treats your horse’s musculoskeletal health?

It’s becoming more common to see people offering treatment with little or no relevant training behind them. Understandably, most owners assume that if someone is offering a service, they must be qualified to do it – but that isn’t always the case, and it’s the horse who carries the risk.

Before booking anyone for your horse’s musculoskeletal care, it’s worth checking they’re either a member of a recognised professional association (such as the
National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP)) or listed on a recognised voluntary register (eg RAMP-Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners).

Membership isn’t just a badge – it means proper training, professional accountability, appropriate insurance and a requirement to keep knowledge current.

Just as importantly, a practitioner with the right training will recognise when something falls outside their remit and refer you back to your vet. That’s not a limitation – it’s exactly what should happen, and it’s often the clearest sign you’ve chosen well.

A worthwhile read if you’re making this decision for your own horse.

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/calls-for-equestrians-to-do-their-homework-when-choosing-musculoskeletal-therapy-929047

09/07/2026

This is great news for our profession. Much still to iron out but we have a real commitment for reform.

There has been a significant milestone for Veterinary Physiotherapy today.

Earlier today, DEFRA published “Our vision for a thriving veterinary sector” – proposals for the biggest reform of veterinary regulation since 1966. Veterinary Physiotherapists are named explicitly within the plans, alongside veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and other allied veterinary professionals, as part of a new statutory licence to practise framework.

This is a direct response to the consultation NAVP, and our colleagues at other representative bodies, submitted evidence to earlier this year. It reflects years of work across our profession to build the standards, governance and clinical rigour that regulation demands.

There is more detail to follow, and more work ahead as the framework takes shape. NAVP will be engaging closely with RAMP, AHPR, DEFRA and the new regulator throughout this process, and we will keep our members informed at every stage.

For now, this is a moment to recognise how far Veterinary Physiotherapy has come, and how much further we can go with the statutory recognition our members’ training has always deserved.

National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists

22/05/2026

Introducing the new Equilibre logo. Take a look at the video reveal and let us know what you think.

Every decision in this logo was deliberate.
Every element earns its place.

The full story is on the website for anyone who wants to read it in full.

https://www.equilibrevet.co.uk/logo

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In brief...

The Equilibre logo was built from the same foundations as the name itself – balance, freedom and the horse at the centre of everything. Two horse heads face inward in perfect symmetry, representing a dual qualification in veterinary medicine and physiotherapy: two complete disciplines, two clinical perspectives, both directed toward the same patient. At the crown of the composition, a balance beam – with the horses' own anatomy forming the pan of the scales. At its core, a rod of Asclepius in its veterinary form, a stethoscope and an acupuncture needle: the clinical tools and philosophy of the practice, threaded into a single mark.

The flowing manes sweep inward – muscle and energy rendered in line and curve – representing freedom of movement, the goal of every treatment – and together they form something that was never designed but became inevitable as the logo evolved. Every element was placed with intention. Every detail earns its place. The full story is on the website...

17/05/2026

Important surveillance update from Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance on the April 2026 equine influenza outbreak – particularly the evidence of transboundary spread in vaccinated animals. Sustained vigilance remains the only reliable strategy.

07/05/2026

Please share for Strangles Awareness Week. Use the B•E•S•T strategy to help us control Strangles.

💛🐴 Strangles Awareness Week starts today!

➡️Throughout this week, we will be sharing practical advice and inspiration to help spread the word, not the disease.

🔹With nearly 500 lab confirmed cases across the UK last year, rising outbreaks make it more important than ever to get involved.

🔹Strangles can affect anyone, but being proactive can make a real difference in protecting horses, owners, and yards from the impact of an outbreak.

🔹Whether you are a horse owner, yard manager, or equestrian professional, this week is about coming together to tackle a disease that does not discriminate.

💪 Simple steps really do matter, and there are four key ways every owner can consider when looking at the BEST ways to steer clear of infectious disease.

25/04/2026

12/04/2026

06/04/2026

This logo was only ever meant to be a stop gap. New logo coming soon…

05/04/2026

Live CPD Webinar
Puppy Gait with Dr Kirsten Hausler
📅 Wednesday 8 April 2026
🕖 7pm (UK time)
🎓 NAVP Live CPD
Join Dr Kirsten Hausler for an in‑depth live session exploring puppy gait development, biomechanics, and early identification of gait abnormalities. Perfect for vet physios, students, and anyone working with growing dogs.
👉 Book here: https://www.navp.co.uk/events/

04/04/2026

THERAPY FOCUS: Acupuncture

Veterinary acupuncture is a versatile, evidence-based therapy used within equine practice to help manage pain, dysfunction and reduced performance. Grounded in neurophysiology, it works by stimulating specific points to influence the nervous system, reduce pain and support the body’s natural healing processes. It may be used as a stand-alone treatment or alongside physiotherapy and conventional veterinary care.

Its adaptability makes acupuncture particularly valuable in horses with complex or long-standing issues, where pain or compensation have become established. This includes chronic conditions and cases involving multiple areas of the body. Acupuncture can help arthritis cases by treating multiple regions simultaneously, reducing pain, easing muscle tension around affected joints and supporting mobility and comfort. In my experience, it has also proven especially useful in horses with reduced neck flexibility or underlying cervical pathology, where stiffness, altered posture and secondary muscle pain can significantly affect performance and ridden behaviour.

Because acupuncture addresses both local and systemic effects, it is also well suited to horses showing subtle changes rather than overt lameness – those that feel “not quite right”, struggle with symmetry, or fatigue more quickly than expected. Treatment plans are always tailored to the individual horse. In the UK, acupuncture is performed only by veterinary surgeons, ensuring treatment is grounded in clinical assessment, accurate diagnosis and an understanding of the wider health of the horse.