Sarah Heaton Veterinary Physiotherapist

09/02/2026

Equine Therapist of the Year sponsored by Equicantis

Behind many happy, comfortable horses is a skilled equine therapist quietly doing the work, improving movement, supporting recovery, and helping horses feel and perform at their best.

This award is about recognising those equine therapists who put horse welfare first. They take the time to really understand each horse, work alongside vets and owners, and make a genuine difference through their hands-on care.

Whether they work independently, run a one-person practice, or support yards and riding schools across the country, equine therapists play a vital role in keeping horses healthy and comfortable.

If you know an equine therapist who goes above and beyond, someone you trust with your horse, who explains what they’re doing and why, and who truly cares, we’d love to hear about them.
Nominations are now open for Equine Therapist of the Year, sponsored by Equicantis.

👉 Please share this post, tag an equine therapist in the comments and nominate someone who deserves recognition via our website

09/02/2026

31/01/2026

The last day of January 2026 and what a month it’s been. 🤩

Busy busy busy!!!! It’s always a great way to start off the year. It makes me reflect on when I first started my self employed business all those years ago and how I would always dread January as I’d be so quiet and would worry how I would get through the month….. or months ahead. I am so very grateful for all the wonderful clients I have who trust me with the care of their horses.

Also for how far my business has come. A job I love….. I mean who wouldn’t want to spend all their working day with horses!!! But also a business that allows me to be flexible enough to spend time with my family.

The year so far has seen quite a few new clients and the re start of my weight training journey with the help of the fabulous

I’m really enjoying training outside at the ranch gym even though it’s mostly freezing!!!

I am having great results with the Winback TECAR machine treating tendon and ligament injuries and Osteoarthritis. The laser has also had some work treating a bull with a non healing wound and also my own horse star who sustained a degloving wound to his distal limb. Look out for posts on the progress of these wounds.
For now I’m going to enjoy my coffee and finish planning the month ahead with the help of

If you would like an appointment feel free to get in touch. Limited availability for February now and March is already looking quite busy

Have a great weekend!

💉💊

24/01/2026

Bookings being taken into March already.

18/01/2026

Hey to all our new followers (and hello to those who’ve been here a while!) 👋
With the number of treadmill sessions lately, I’ll be honest, it’s a job just to get content posted. But we’ve had a bunch of new faces, so it’s time for a proper re-intro and a bit about who we are and what we do.

Who’s behind the Hydrotherapy Hut and YEC?
Mostly me, Gemma Womersley 🐴.
Lifelong horse girl, always hands on, done pretty much every job you can imagine in horses: breaking and backing, building and fixing sport horses, racehorses, showjumping, and years of coaching.

My main interest nowadays is biomechanics and how horses and riders work 🧠. I’ve always loved finding the why, whether that’s rehab or performance.
I qualified 18 years ago as an EMT 🩺, initially for our own riding school and competition horses, with more and more time spent on rehab for clients and my own horses.

Owning YEC has meant I get to see, on a big scale, just how many owners struggle with keeping horses sound, strong, and happy, especially when life and the British weather get in the way 🌧️.

After racking up a few injuries of my own (classic, right?), it made sense to put my energy into building a place where you can actually improve your horse, not just get by.

That’s how The Hydrotherapy Hut was born. Adding to our Yorkshire EC venue as somewhere you can have fun, train, and challenge yourself, but also really fix things. Whether your horse needs to get stronger, sounder, develop a better body partnership, or make a proper comeback from injury, we’re here for it 💪.

What do we actually offer?
• 💦 Water Treadmill therapy. It’s amazing, but hands down the hardest thing I’ve ever had to market. It really isn’t too good to be true!
• 📅 Sessions 7 days a week, because I’m a workaholic and you lot keep me busy
• 🏡 Livery stays from just a few days to weeks, so you don’t have to manage the daily logistics
• ⭐ £20 taster sessions before you commit
• ⚡ Fitness, weight loss, schooling improvement, and reflex work, and of course, rehab
• 🧼 Proactive hygiene protocols. We’re on private water supply, which we drink ourselves, and so we are used to strict testing daily, plus it’s changed weekly (all 6000L, yes really!)
• 🏥 Programmes with your vet or physio. I love working with your farrier, coach, whoever your horse needs
• 📈 Sessions monitored and assessed closely, our treadmill can go above stifle height and a 12° incline when required. Every horse gets in house reports on every session and regular re-assessment
• 🤝 Professional network. We have some really awesome equine pros we can help you reach and work with. Horses need a village sometimes and we’ve always got someone to help
• 📋 Fully insured, IRVAP and IAAT registered. If it matters to your insurance, it matters to me too

What do I believe in?
• 📚 Education: I’ll always explain what we’re doing, what I’m looking for, and how that links to your horse’s needs and goals
• ✅ Honesty: If your horse isn’t suited to the treadmill, I’ll say so, whether it’s mentally or physically. Since July 2024, only two horses genuinely weren’t candidates and we’ve done a lot of sessions
• 🛠️ Tailored approach: Every plan is different. Most horses start weekly for 6–8 sessions, but I’ll help find what suits your horse, your budget, and your time
• 🫶 Support: Whether you’re working on rehab, keeping an older horse ticking over, building topline, or just managing winter, you’re not doing it alone

What’s it actually like?
If you’re nervous about trying the treadmill, you’re not alone.
Owners often worry their horse won’t settle, but honestly, most surprise you!
I’ll break down everything I’m watching for: posture, rhythm, hips, stride, and the “why” behind each step. You’ll see for yourself what changes and why it matters, and I’ll help you carry that through to ridden work or day to day management.
If you want to see what’s involved, or have a horse that’s tricky about water, you’re always welcome to come and watch first, ask questions, or just message.
We also offer dry treadmill sessions for those horses that aren’t quite ready for water yet, and yes, you can park right outside if you’ve got a “wayhay!” horse that needs a quick in and out 🚗.

How to book & what to expect
• 📲 Booking is super easy at equinewatertreadmillyorkshire.co.uk or just text or WhatsApp 07748 115588
• 📝 First time? Fill in the quick consent form (only once!)
• 🔁 Follow ups are easy; you don’t have to re do paperwork
• 🗓️ We run 7 days a week so there’s nearly always a slot to suit
If you want more of any topic, or have a burning question, drop a comment or text.
I know I don’t always post as much as I should, but that’s only because I’m actually doing the work.

Thanks for sticking with us, and I hope you get as much from the treadmill as I do! 🐴💙

14/01/2026

If anyone has a few spare minutes and would like to nominate an equestrian business (including myself) for an award now is the time.

Nominate your chosen equestrian professional, business or charity who has gone above and beyond. Self-nominations are also accepted.

13/01/2026

2nd week into January and I’m back in full swing of physio appointments and school run juggling.

I have a few appointments still available for January.

I am also taking on new clients.

Just a reminder of some of the areas I cover-

I am Harrogate based so all surrounding areas extending out to York, Selby, Bradford, Leeds, Lancashire, Yorkshire Dales and into Cumbria.

I specialise in treating horses for routine or rehab appointments and wound management.

Winback TECAR and Laser treatments available.

07/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/16KoPYN4Gw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🐴 Should you exercise horses in extreme cold?

Light to moderate exercise is often fine for healthy, well-conditioned horses, even in cold weather. However, extreme cold changes the equation. Risks include:
• airway irritation from breathing very cold, dry air
• slipping and soft-tissue injury on frozen or icy footing
• cold-stiffened muscles and joints
• dehydration (yes, in winter!)
• snow/ice balls in hooves

As a general guideline, the colder it gets below freezing - especially with wind - the more you should reduce intensity and duration. If conditions are severe, skipping the ride is often the safest choice.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution. You can always make up the ride; you can’t undo an injury.

🌡️ Factors that should influence your decision

Temperature and wind chill
Wind chill significantly increases cold stress. A still –10°C is very different from –10°C with strong wind. Severe wind chill raises the risk.

Footing
• frozen ruts
• deep, heavy snow
• icy packed snow that forms hoof “snowballs”
Unsafe footing is one of the biggest winter injury risks.

Your horse’s condition
• age (very young or old horses are higher risk)
• fitness level
• pre-existing respiratory or joint disease
• coat length (clipped vs unclipped)
• acclimation to cold

Type and intensity of work
High-intensity work increases cold air intake and sweating, both problematic in extreme cold. Heavy sweat on a cold day can lead to dangerous chilling during cool-down.

Facilities available
• indoor arena vs outdoor only
• windbreaks or shelter
• heated or at least unfrozen water available for drinking
Indoor footing and reduced wind exposure greatly reduce risk.

🚫 When it’s usually best to skip riding
• wind chill is dangerously low
• footing is icy or deeply frozen
• your horse is sweating heavily even at low effort
• your horse has a respiratory illness or cough
• you cannot thoroughly dry them after exercise
• you cannot safely cool them down before returning to turnout or stable
“Skip it today” is often the smartest horsemanship choice.

If you must exercise – take precautions

Warm up slowly and thoroughly
• 10–20 minutes of walk
• gradual trot transitions
• allow muscles and joints to loosen
Cold, tight muscles are injury-prone.
• Consider quarter sheets for clipped horses

Avoid hard breathing work
Keep intensity low to moderate to minimise large volumes of icy air rushing into lungs.

Watch sweat carefully
• use breathable coolers (wool or fleece)
• avoid heavy, prolonged sweating
• plan extra cool-down time

Cool down completely
Walk until:
• breathing normalises
• chest feels dry
• coat is mostly dry under cooler
Never turn out or stable a horse who is still wet and hot in the extreme cold.

Hydration and forage
Horses drink less in winter, offer:
• lukewarm water if possible
• salt or electrolytes (if appropriate)
• ample hay (internal heat source)

Post-work rugging
For clipped or thin horses:
• swap coolers to dry rugs once fully dry
• avoid over-rugging sweaty horses

🐴 The bottom line
You can exercise horses in cold weather, but extreme cold calls for discretion. Consider temperature, wind, footing, your horse’s health and fitness, and the type of work planned. When you do ride, keep it lighter, and stay longer in warm-up and cool-down.
Your horse won’t lose fitness from a few missed winter rides - but an injury or respiratory flare-up could linger for months.

02/01/2026

Appointments available in January 🐎

Start 2026 as you mean to go on.

30/12/2025

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas. I am working today on some rehab cases but will be off for the rest of the week. I will be back to work on the 5th January 2026!

I have some availability for January appointments. Ideal for those who have been hunting over winter or for those who want to hit the ground running in 2026.

🐎 Winback TECAR Radiofrequency available for maintenance and rehab cases.

🐎 Laser for wound therapy

🐎 Maintenance treatments

🐎 Prescription exercise plans - detailed plans with use of