FlexiPets Physiotherapy

06/03/2026

Sweetie - the sweetest little sausage!

Over the past 6 weeks we’ve been focusing on some gentle core and hindlimb strengthening to help with a bit of age-related weakness, in addition to massage, laser and gentle mobilisations for stiffness and muscle tightness.

The progress over the last 6 weeks has been fantastic. Sweetie now has lovely relaxed muscles through her back and shoulders, and her hindlimb muscle mass has improved noticeably. Now that she’s feeling more comfortable, she’s able to sit properly rather than squat, and walk in a four beat gait rather than pace (move both sides of the body together).

Well done Sweetie and Mum 🧡

05/03/2026

Let’s talk about PSSM, specifically Type 1.

As many of you know, my Finn has PSSM Type 1 also variants of MIM and RER. That’s a more in-depth and complex conversation for another day, although some of the same principles apply.

I’ve heard PSSM described as “the latest fashion.”
I strongly disagree.

For many years now, I’ve been an advocate for awareness around PSSM, MIM, and RER. I’ve owned and managed multiple horses with these conditions, so this isn’t something I speak about lightly or because it’s trending - it’s something I’ve lived with, researched, and navigated first-hand.

PSSM has been around for a very long time. It has been identified in many breeds (with only a few where it hasn’t yet been found), and in those breeds other variants are actually more prevalent than Type 1.

What’s changed isn’t the existence of the condition - it’s our awareness of it.

So why are we seeing more diagnosed cases?

In my opinion, a large part of it comes down to environment, feeding, and the way we manage horses today.

Many horses simply do not get enough natural movement. They are stabled for long periods, then exercised in more concentrated sessions to compensate. They have limited freedom to move at their own pace, graze, wander and regulate themselves. That lack of autonomy is inherently stressful - and stress in itself is another huge topic.

Feeding practices also play a role. Horses are often fed more to compensate for time spent stabled and to ease boredom. A lot of modern feeds are heavily marketed, but when you look closely at the analysis, many contain high levels of sugar, starch, grains, fillers, and processed ingredients. Unless you know how to read and truly understand feed labels, it’s easy to trust what the bag promises. I’ve been there myself and unfortunately, my horses paid the price.

High sugar and starch levels along with unnecessary fillers are something I personally believe are unsuitable for any horse and particularly problematic when managing PSSM.

Horses were not designed to consume highly processed, genetically modified, cereal-based feeds. This is why I swear by Simple System Horse Feeds for all my horses, PSSM or not.

The same applies to pasture. Much of the grass in the UK, especially ryegrass, has been cultivated for productivity, not equine suitability. Horses were never designed to live on rich, lush pasture all year round. They evolved to walk for miles each day, browsing a variety of forage types, often lower in energy and sugar.

When you combine restricted movement, high-sugar diets, stress and rich grazing, you create the perfect environment for PSSM horses to become symptomatic including tying-up episodes.

Effective management for these horses often looks like the opposite of what has become “normal” modern horse keeping.

So no I don’t believe PSSM is a fashion.

I believe we’re diagnosing it more because our management systems have changed. In many ways, we’ve humanised how we keep horses and sometimes that doesn’t align with what their physiology was designed for.

And that’s a conversation worth having.

If you need help navigating or want to learn more about PSSM, MIM or RER I will attach my group below.

📸 Fine Photography By Georgia-Emily

27/02/2026

Little Lou INSISTED she help me write her big brother’s notes today 🥰

20/02/2026

✨WHAT HEIGHT IS YOUR DOG BOWL?✨

Feeder height directly influences posture and weight distribution.

When dogs eat from the floor, the head and neck are held in sustained flexion. This shifts the centre of gravity forwards, increasing load through the forelimbs, shoulders and cervical spine. Over time, that forward loading can contribute to excessive strain… particularly in dogs with arthritis, weakness or postural dysfunction.

A raised feeder encourages a more neutral spinal position ✨

✔️ Reduces cervical flexion
✔️ Decreases strain through the forelimbs
✔️ Shifts the centre of gravity slightly backwards
✔️ Promotes more balanced weight distribution
✔️ Promotes neutral posture through the spine and limbs

This is particularly important for dogs with spinal or forelimb issues, but it isn’t just useful for injured dogs- it can be a simple preventative strategy to reduce everyday mechanical stress.

N.B the bowl height should be a height that encourages a straight line through the neck and spine, not so high the dog is having to extend the neck to reach into it. Usually elbow height is about right, but this is dependent on breed/conformation

18/02/2026

Just look at this gorgeous boy 🥹😍🥰

18/02/2026

13/02/2026

A couple of the lovely horses treated this week, both holding areas of deep postural tension through their bodies.

Through gentle bodywork and postural releases, we worked to soften protective patterns, encourage relaxation, and allow the nervous system to truly switch off.

When you watch closely, you’ll see the signs:

Soft blinking eyes
Lowered head carriage
Leaning into the contact
Deep sighs
Droopy, relaxed lips
Licking and chewing

These moments matter.

Because when a horse feels safe enough to let go of tension, real therapeutic change can begin; improving comfort, movement, and overall wellbeing.

Bodywork isn’t just physical… it’s emotional too.

And sessions like this are a quiet reminder of why I love what I do so much 🤍

11/02/2026

Love receiving updates of clients getting stuck into their “homework” (rehab plans) 🌟

In this case some inhand hillwork (sorry parents!) alongside polework and other exercises to build strength, stability and suppleness.

The horses get stronger, and the humans get an unexpected leg day 😅💪

10/02/2026

The post-physio sedation effect… a sign that the nervous system has down-regulated and muscle tension has reduced 😌

Eric had his first physiotherapy today and presented with notable tightness through his neck and shoulder regions, which can impact comfort in ridden work, bend, and overall way of going.

His treatment session focused on reducing muscle tension, improving mobility, and restoring soft tissue function. Techniques used included:

• Myofascial release: to reduce fascial restriction and improve tissue glide
• Targeted soft tissue therapy: particularly through the trapezius, brachiocephalicus, and subclavius muscles, which play key roles in neck movement and forelimb function
• Gentle cervical mobilisations: to improve joint range of motion
• Positional releases & lateral stretches: encouraging relaxation and length through the topline
• Laser therapy over trigger points: supporting pain relief and tissue healing

Following treatment, Eric was already much looser through these regions, with improved comfort on palpation and movement.

Physiotherapy isn’t just for injury, it’s a valuable tool for maintaining performance, preventing compensation patterns, and supporting long-term musculoskeletal health 🐴✨

05/02/2026

Highly recommend KB Equine Services - freelance for anyone needing help with their horses 🌟

04/02/2026

This lovely boy is being seen for arthritis management once a month… laser of sore joints, massage for compensatory muscle tension, joint mobilisations to reduce stiffness and we finish with some strengthening exercises🤍🤎