Pegasus Veterinary Physiotherapy

15/11/2025

I think I see at least 2 of these names every week! Is your dogs name on the list?

14/11/2025

All of my horsey clients should be able to fill this in! Pole work is so important ❤️

🧐DO YOU DO POLE WORK EXERCISE?🧐

Are you a horse owner, rider, trainer, or therapist who uses polework in training, riding or rehab?

Dr Vicki Walker, Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire, Professor Hilary Clayton, Dr Jo Winfield, Professor Jane Williams and Dr Rachel Murray
are studying international polework practices — and your experience advance our understanding on pole work exercise.

SURVEY ➡️ https://uwe.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5i05P0WNAvWtEeq

🕒 Takes less than 10 minutes

🐴 Focuses on just one horse

🔒 No personal data required

Your contributions will help advance evidence-based horse training!

Thank you 🙏 for supporting equine science!

14/11/2025

Days like today make me wish I was a dog.

Specifically Coco, all snuggly on her bed with her jimjams on and a blanket 😍.

Remember, the cold and damp can cause arthritis symptoms to worsen. Keeping your pets dry and warm (or drying them off after a walk) can help manage any pain or stiffness they are feeling ❤️.

I have some availability in November but December is chocker! So any last minute appointments, get in quick!

13/11/2025

Myth: If my dog’s gait looks normal, they’re not in pain.

Fact: Dogs are experts at compensating - they often mask pain by shifting weight or altering movement subtly. Gait analysis and behavioural changes (reluctance to jump, hesitation on stairs) often reveal pain earlier than a limp.

If you're interested in tailored advice for your dog, our Teleguidance service is for you!
https://caninearthritisteleguidance.co.uk

09/11/2025

I’ve had a lovely week off work for my birthday, and as much as I’ve tried not to do much on here, it never happens!

Thank you for all the well wishes, it means a lot that I have such lovely clients. I’ve had some chill time and spent some time with my family.

But most importantly, I spent two day finishing my practical work for my hydro qualification at the lovely Operation K9 Ltd Hydrotherapy Centres. Now I just need to get my bum in gear and finish my course work!

09/11/2025

Core stability provides the strength and co-ordination for control, balance, posture and carrying weight. It can improve self carriage, enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury.

The core muscles include:
- The thoracic sling
- Abdominal muscles
- Pelvic stabilisers
- Deep ventral muscles

Ridden exercises to strengthen your horse's core focus on engagement of the hindlimbs to lighten the forehand. These include frequent transitions and half halts that encourage your horse to collect and push from behind.

Hill work and pole work using raised trot and canter poles are also valuable exercises.

In-hand exercises to strengthen the core include carrot stretches, backing up, walking over raised poles and back lifts.

Comment Pilates if you'd like to know more.

08/11/2025

I’ve seen a lot of ‘fun swim’ places opening/advertising recently and with the turn in the weather people are looking for different ways to exercise their dogs that don’t involve walking in the dark.
But are fun swims all they’re cracked up to be?
Honestly, no. Most of these places are run by pet owners, people who have little to no qualifications or training on how to safely swim a dog. I understand not every dog needs hydrotherapy, but knowing how to safely swim a dog is so important. So here’s what you should look for in your fun swims.

🌟Trained professionals- hydrotherapists or veterinary physiotherapists
🌟Registered centres/staff (there are many out there, IRVAP, ICH and NARCH being some)
🌟Single dog swims, it’s not safe to have more than one dog in the water at a time
🌟Life jackets or harnesses, wet dogs = slippy dogs, if your dog experiences an emergency in the water, a harness or life jacket could save their life
🌟Sorry, but no owners allowed. Owners can cause over excitement, which can be dangerous in the water
🌟Also sorry, but no swimming with toys. Toys make great motivation, but allowing your dog to swim with one on their mouth can cause them to swallow or breathe in water, which can be disastrous.
🌟Safe water entry! As fun as it looks, letting your dog jump into water can cause so many issues, some more severe than others…

So, I’m not being the fun police, I’m all for fun and fitness swims. Swimming is an amazing, low impact, high intensity form of exercise, it’s great for older dogs with reduced mobility, young dogs that need more exercise without the extra strain on their growing joints, and dogs who love the water with owners who don’t love the cold and smelliness that comes with lake swimming 😂.

But please, make sure your dog is safe with a qualified person who knows what they are doing, just in case ❤️

06/11/2025

How your horse bends

They can bend in a number of ways.
⚡ Using his neck
⚡ Using his back
⚡ Engaging his muscles
⚡ Moving his ribs
⚡ Employing his tail
⚡The sliding function of the scapula
⚡ The action of the thoracic sling
⚡ By abduction and adduction
⚡ By leaning in
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Want to know more about how your horse bends and exercises you can do to improve his suppleness and balance?
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You need to watch our on-demand recorded webinar BENDING BIOMECHANICS available in the Horses Inside Out Academy

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06/11/2025

Admin day today, my secretary Willow is on hand to help as well.

Any messages will be replied to and reports sent out as soon as they are done today!

Thanks for your patience ❤️

04/11/2025

🐾💧 Why Cold & Wet Weather Can Make Arthritic Pets Struggle More 💧🐾

As the colder, damper days set in, many pet owners notice their older dogs and cats becoming stiffer, slower to get up, or reluctant to go for walks. ❄️
It’s not your imagination — the cold and wet really can make arthritis symptoms worse.

Here’s why 👇
🌡️ Cold temperatures cause muscles and soft tissues to tighten, reducing flexibility and increasing joint discomfort.
🌦️ Drops in barometric pressure can make inflamed joints swell slightly, leading to more stiffness and pain.
💤 Less movement on wet days can mean joints don’t stay as mobile — and that can quickly lead to more soreness.

✨ How physiotherapy can help:
✅ Gentle, targeted exercises to keep joints moving safely
✅ Massage and stretching to reduce stiffness
✅ Laser, heat, or hydrotherapy to ease pain and improve mobility
✅ Advice on home comfort, warmth, and activity levels

If your pet is feeling the chill this season, we can help keep them comfortable, mobile, and happy. ❤️

📞 Get in touch to book an assessment or chat about how we can support your arthritic pet through the winter months.

🐶🐱 Because every step should be a comfortable one.

04/11/2025

1000% this. Controlled exercises is so underrated in rehab.

31/10/2025

The true horrors for a vet physio 😂