Newmarket Equine Physiotherapy

10/11/2025

New Research on effects of a 6 week dynamic mobilisation program https://www.facebook.com/share/19J5gT6awt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

**🔬NEW RESEARCH PUBLISHED🔬**

EFFECTS OF A 6 WEEK DYNAMIC MOBILISATION EXERCISE PROGRAM ON THORACOLUMBOSACRAL KINEMATICS IN SPORTS HORSES

V. Walker*, R. MacKechnie-Guire, C. Leedham, G. Tabor, I. Deckers, J. Paddison, C. Maddock

New research led by Dr Vicki Walker, supported by colleagues from Hartpury University published in the Equine Veterinary Education.

👓Available as Open Access https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/eve.70013 (read without subscription).

Background: Dynamic mobilisation exercises (DMEs) are prescribed to support locomotor function, but knowledge of their longitudinal effect on thoracolumbosacral (TLS) spinal kinematics is limited.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of a 6 week DME program on TLS kinematics during
standing reflexes, walking and trotting.

Methods: Thirty nine work matched horses were split into two groups: DMEs and controls. Horses' straight line trot was assessed at week 0 and week 6 by a veterinarian (≤1/5AAEP grading scale) and physiotherapist who assessed muscle hypertonicity and assigned palpation scores. Surface mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs) and reflective markers (19 mm) were positioned at head, thoracic (T)6, T10, T13, T18, lumbar (L)3, L5 between left and right tuber sacrale (TS) and left and right tuber coxae. Sternal and croup reflexes were quantified using optical motion capture (240 Hz) and straight line walking and trotting kinematics using IMUs (100 Hz). Mixed models assessed relationships between vertical displacement during reflexes and differential flexion–extension (FE)/lateral bending (LB)/axial rotation range of motion (ROM) at walk, trot and predictors: week, group, movement and covariates: asymmetry values and palpation grades (p ≤ 0.05).

Results: No significant changes in vertical displacement in the reflexes or FE ROM during walk and trot were observed in the DME group (p >0.05). Vertical displacement in the croup reflex at T13, FE ROM at T13–T18 during walk, FE ROM at T18–L3 and LB at T6–T13 during trotting decreased at week 6 in both groups (p < 0.02). Head and pelvic asymmetry values and palpation grade had significant relationships with kinematics during reflexes and walking and trotting (p < 0.05).

Main Limitations: Horses only had straight line gait assessment.

Conclusions: DME had limited impact on TLS kinematics over 6 weeks; however, the findings highlight the influence of gait asymmetry and palpation grades, underscoring the importance of addressing these factors alongside exercise prescription for optimal functional outcomes.

09/11/2025

Made the Newmarket Journal💪

07/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bcu3QfrFT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

CONFORMATION: FROM A BIOMECHANICAL PERSPECTIVE

PROF HILARY CLAYTON

Thursday 6th November 2025 @ 19:00 HRS GMT

Have you ever wondered whether it’s better to select a horse with a long or a short back, a more or less angulated hock, high or low withers? Would you like to know which conformational features make it difficult for a horse to progress beyond the intermediate levels of competition? Are you curious about how training might change a horse’s posture and body shape? If so, you might enjoy this well-illustrated 2-hour session as it explores the pros and cons of a variety of conformational features of the neck, back and limbs in relation to how they affect the movement and performance of sport horses.

TO BOOK: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/conformation-a-biomechanical-perspective-with-prof-hilary-clayton-tickets-1619777200209?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/11/2025

Pelvic Fractures

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19geHt4K7r/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Dr. Larry Bramlage and Dr. Kevin Haussler share details on pelvic fractures in racehorses following the death of 2025 Breeders' Cup contender She's Quality: https://tinyurl.com/349439ry

02/11/2025

🤣

23/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EVGYUEA1E/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💡A systematic review and meta-analysis by the Universities of Bologna and Turin delivers fresh insights into how horses and ponies allocate their time each day and what this means for their welfare and management.

By integrating data from fourteen different studies between 1979 and 2020, and analysing the time budgets of 364 horses under wild, natural-living, and stabled conditions, the research team set out to understand the influence of management, social settings, diet, age, and s*x on core behaviours—feeding, resting, standing, and moving.

They found that free-ranging horses spent significantly more time feeding (about 56% of the day) than stabled horses (38%), and that horses kept in groups or grazing also dedicated more time to eating than those fed hay indoors or kept alone.

Female horses and ponies were observed to feed and rest for longer periods than males or larger horses.

In contrast, horses in confined or isolated settings stood still much more and moved less, patterns that in the wild would be unusual and may signal compromised welfare.

The study confirms that management systems allowing horses to exhibit natural foraging, social bonding, and voluntary movement are strongly linked to better welfare outcomes.

Based on these findings, the authors advocate for husbandry that replicates natural conditions as closely as possible such as providing constant access to roughage, group turnout, space for exercise, and varied environments for physical and behavioural health.

The review also highlights the importance of detailed monitoring and encourages further research using emerging technologies to support ethical and sustainable equine care.

📖 Time-activity budget in horses and ponies: A systematic review and meta-analysis on feeding dynamics and management implications,
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, M. Lamanna, G. Buonaiuto, R. Colleluori, F. Raspa, E. Valle, D. Cavallini.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105684.

23/10/2025

Steamed hay for the prevention if severe equine asthma exacerbations
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AFJRzgfJ8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Check out this recently published infographic summarising "Steamed hay for the prevention of severe equine asthma exacerbations" by Clara Raïsky, Berta Mozo Vives, Laurence Leduc, Antoine Symons, Hamid Tavanaeimanesh, Hélène Richard, Tristan Jute, Christian Bédard, Mathilde Leclère 👇

You can read the full article on the Wiley Online Library - https://bit.ly/4nnHRtH

22/10/2025

Huge thanks to everyone who nominated me. I’m delighted to share that I was awarded a Certificate for Excellence in Musculoskeletal Therapy and an Outstanding Achievement Award in Equine Hydrotherapy at the inaugural IRVAP Excellence Awards 2025. These awards mean so much to me as a Newmarket-based therapist; I’m truly humbled and grateful to my wonderful horses and clients for their continued trust and support.

14/10/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EXQ6RuCie/?mibextid=wwXIfr

29/09/2025

Which type of thoroughbreds would suit a particular equestrian sport when finished racing? An interesting study!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16KNhjUsS9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A recent study by Bacon et al., published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, explores which factors help off-the-track Thoroughbreds succeed in eventing careers, offering some interesting insights for breeders, owners and trainers.

The study examined how prior racing performance influences the eventing competition level achieved by retired Thoroughbred racehorses in Australia.

Key findings indicate that horses successful at longer race distances and those with more time off the racetrack tend to reach higher levels in eventing.

However, superior racehorses—those with the most wins and earnings—were actually less likely to reach advanced eventing levels, likely due to a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries accumulated during longer, more intense racing careers.

Genomic testing for 'stayer' racing lines with analysis of myostatin (MSTN) gene variants and other markers linked to stamina, could potentially be used by breeders and trainers to improve predictions about which thoroughbreds are better suited for post-racing careers in eventing.

The study acknowledges strong associations between certain MSTN genotypes (already connected to optimum racing distance performance) and musculoskeletal qualities relevant for cross-country stamina and event condition.

“Genetic variation in the Myostatin gene (MSTN) has been extensively associated with race distance performance, [so] it is highly plausible that the musculoskeletal effects of MSTN variation are also favourable for higher levels of eventing due to similar physiological requirements.
As eventing levels increase, so too do the distance requirements for cross-country as well as the musculoskeletal demands needed to avoid incurring time penalties. Long format events further add to this effect, whereby the distances travelled during the cross-country phase are even more extended.”

By integrating genomic testing, breeders and trainers could screen for innate physiological advantages earlier, refine rehabilitation and retraining plans, and potentially match retired racehorses earlier and more accurately with new performance careers that minimise reinjury risk while maximising athletic ability.

Elouise K Bacon, Danica Parnell, Gary Muscatello, Jaimie McElroy, Brandon D Velie, How prior racing performance influences competition level in off-the-track Thoroughbred horses’ post-racing eventing careers.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105679

21/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ANqf6JkCd/?mibextid=wwXIfr

An important concept.
Support, suspension and direction of motion.

The DDFT trumps everything.
Too tight or too loose and problems start. Just right and all is good.

Think about the DDFT being too tight where will problems start?

Or too loose? Think caudal foot collapse.

Dr Redden has a lot to share about the DDFT.

Credit R Redden.