BK Veterinary Physiotherapy

12/02/2026

I’ve had a few conversations recently about symmetry, coordination and in-hand polework, so I thought I remind everyone about in hand polework sessions at your yard on a small, informal basis.

These sessions focus on calm, progressive groundwork with the aim of improving body awareness and highlighting asymmetries without drilling or fatigue.

They’re suitable for horses returning to work, those that feel one-sided, or anyone interested in improving movement quality from the ground. The emphasis is on simple things done well, observation, and giving owners practical tools they can repeat at home.

I’m happy to do these at clients’ yards, for 1–3 horses:
• 1 horse: £50 (approx. 30 mins)
• 2 horses: £30 each (approx. 40 mins)
• 3 horses: £20 each (approx. 45 mins)

If this sounds like something that might be useful for you and your horse, feel free to message me for a chat or more details 🐴💙

📞 07880327662

09/02/2026

Laminitis… can you recognise it if your horse gets it??

Laminitis is a common, extremely painful and frequently recurrent condition in horses, ponies and donkeys. Laminitis damages the laminae in the feet, which can eventually lead to pedal bone rotation. In some severe cases, the pedal bone can pe*****te through the sole of the foot. Horses in this condition require euthanasia.

Recognising this condition early is imperative to good recovery and to prevent irreversible damage to the laminae.

What are the signs of laminitis?
- Sore, ‘pottery’ gait
- Walking slower than usual
- Choosing softer surface
- Reluctancy / difficulty picking feet up
- Sore when turning
- Increased digital pulses
- Shifting weight when resting
- Heel to toe impact
- Lameness, worse on hard ground
- ‘Rocking back’ (shifting weight to hind limbs)

The most common cause of laminitis is insulin dysregulation, caused by obesity or PPID.

To confirm a diagnosis, your vet may want to perform blood tests, +/- take radiographs of the feet to check the position of underlying structures. Bloods are usually taken to test for increased levels of ACTH (suggesting PPID/Cushings) and Insulin. They will also use hoof testers to percuss and squeeze the foot, assessing for signs of discomfort.

Your vet will further advise you regarding pain relief and a management plan 💊🥕🏠💉

Here is a website link to the British Horse Society page regarding laminitis for further information:

https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/horse-health/equine-diseases/laminitis/

If you are concerned your horse is showing signs of laminitis, please give us a call on 0161 643 7724.

05/02/2026

𝐈𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?

Hacking is brilliant for fitness and mental wellbeing, but on its own it can sometimes reinforce compensatory movement patterns.

Adding groundwork or gentle schooling just once a week helps maintain muscle mass, improve symmetry, and encourage correct movement patterns. Simple, well-planned exercises can make a big difference to long-term soundness — without the need for intense schooling.

Think of it as movement maintenance to support your hacking routine 🐴 🩵

04/02/2026

Dedicated horse owners and likeminded professionals 💪 🤝

31/01/2026

Blanketing wet horses ℹ️

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞?

I have seen statements on this subject floating around social media and I felt it was time to step in and set the record straight!

𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞.

For as long as I can remember, this practice has been taboo, you just shouldn’t do it. However, the University of Kentucky came out with an extension publication a few years back on why this generalization is false and I want to share that information with you along with some of my own relevant research.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐝?

The thought here is that by blanketing a wet horse, you trap the cold water next to their skin, which will actually make them colder. And if this actually happened, I would agree that this practice would be detrimental. However, if you have ever blanketed a wet horse with a blanket that has fill or added insulation, you know that within a matter of hours your horse will be warm and dry again.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐲?

Well the fill in the blanket will wick away and absorb the moisture and the body heat from the horse will help it evaporate.

𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

The moisture or humidity underneath the blanket could increase the risk of skin conditions or rain rot. As a result, you should change out the blanket as soon as you can to allow the blanket to adequately dry.

Also, if you use a sheet without fill, there is no insulation to absorb the moisture and this practice COULD be problematic. I found this to be true even for a dry horse. Two winters ago I performed research and placed temperature and humidity sensors underneath blankets of different weights including sheets with no fill. During the winter, I found that while the temperature under the sheet was warmer than the environment, the humidity under a rain sheet was far greater than the humidity under medium or heavy weight blankets as there wasn’t any fill to absorb the moisture. This is problematic because when high humidity occurs alongside cold temperatures, it can feel much colder, as humid air conducts heat away from the body faster than dry air. These results demonstrate the value fill can add to a blanket - not only to provide insulation but also to regulate humidity. Based on these factors, I would not recommend blanketing a cold, wet horse with a rain sheet.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Blanketing a dry horse is the gold standard. And if you are able to dry off your horse before you blanket, please do so. However, we know this isn’t always feasible, especially for those who don’t live with their horses or have to deal with unpredictable weather. And in those scenarios, blanketing a horse with a blanket that has fill is a much better option than letting a cold, wet horse shiver.

Cheers!
Dr. DeBoer

30/01/2026

Say hello to Spud and Rolo 🐶 ♥️

30/01/2026

He’s not lame… he’s just not right — especially in winter”

Look at him go! 🩵 Even with his enthusiasm and love for hunting and jumping, Reggie’s owner notices that he struggles a little more in the winter months — stiffer transitions, less swing through the back, and a bit more effort required to move freely.

Cold weather and reduced turnout can highlight subtle differences in horses who have historic weaknesses or underlying issues, like SIJ issues, arthritis, or a hunter’s bump. Regular physiotherapy and consistent movement help him stay strong, confident, and keen — ensuring he and his owner enjoy every ride, every jump, every outing.

Being “not lame” doesn’t always mean completely comfortable. Supporting your horse through the colder movement restrictive months keeps them happy, keen, and performing their best ❄️💪

28/01/2026

As I have recently discovered with my mission to be a better rider, no stirrups is very helpful to combat this 🥴🥵

28/01/2026

𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐲

Lily injured the fibrocartilage in both her hind limbs, which was causing discomfort and explosive behaviour on movement. The vets prescribed extended box rest. Specialised shoeing would have been beneficial to support her hind limbs, but the vets weren’t sure she could tolerate standing for the farrier.

Her owner reached out, and together we made a plan.

Just 9 days later—great news! 💕
𝑳𝒊𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒘𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍 4 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕-𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅. 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑𝒆𝒅!

I am so pleased for Lily and her owner. With physio and new shoes she has been able to get in and out the stable to graze 20 minutes a day and hasn’t bolted. A lovely reminder that early physiotherapy, combined with a strong vet and farrier team, can make all the difference in recovery and confidence. 🐴💪

23/01/2026

🐎 Saddle fit & back pain – a timely reminder as seasons change

As we move out of winter and towards spring, it’s a good time to think about something that often gets overlooked: saddle fit.
A saddle that fitted well a few months ago may no longer suit your horse - and subtle changes over winter can have a big impact on comfort and performance.

❄️ Winter weight changes
Many horses gain or lose weight over winter depending on workload, rugging, forage, and management. Changes in:
• topline
• shoulder shape
• rib coverage
can alter how a saddle sits and distributes pressure. A slightly tighter or looser fit can lead to muscle soreness and back pain.

🩺 Signs your horse’s saddle may need checking
Watch out for:
• resistance when being tacked up
• girthiness or ear-pinning
• hollowing, bucking, or reluctance to go forward
• uneven sweat patterns
• back sensitivity when grooming
These are often early signs of discomfort.

✅ What to do
• Have your saddle checked regularly, especially at seasonal changes
• Reassess fit after weight gain, weight loss, or changes in workload
• Monitor your horse’s back and behaviour closely

Comfortable horses move better, perform better, and stay sounder for longer. Seasonal changes in weight and coat mean that saddle fit should not be a “set and forget” decision.
If you’re concerned about your horse’s back, performance, or comfort, our team is always happy to advise. 0808 168 5580. A small check now can prevent a big problem later.

23/01/2026

As part of my horse’s return to work after a prolonged period off, I’ve started the early stages without a bridle. This won’t suit every horse or situation, but it’s been a useful tool for this phase.

Riding bridleless has improved my awareness of my seat, helped keep the work slow and rhythmical, and highlighted asymmetries rather than masking them with the hand. I have had no choice but to listen to my horse and been unable to argue with the level he is telling me we are at. I’ve also been using proprioceptive bands around the abdomen and hindquarters during light work to support body awareness and coordination.

The focus has been on simple things done well — rhythm, clear transitions, pole work, and relaxation — rather than outline or performance. I feel that this has benefitted me, my position, and awareness way more than I realised. What started as abit of fun, I think might become a thing 🩵.

As always, reintroduction to work should be individual, progressive, and horse-centred.