Veterinary Physiotherapy Anna Srutova

01/12/2025

💥 Back pain is unfortunately very common in ridden horses. It can lead to stiffness, discomfort and compensatory movement patterns and is typically identified even in horses that were deemed sound by the owner (Jeffcott et al., 1999; Dyson, 2011).

If you want to explore 5 simple management strategies that will help you prevent unnecessary back pain in your horse, just comment “BACK” and I will send you a link to my little evidence-based e-book “5 Ways to Prevent Back Pain in the Horse”. 🐎

01/12/2025

Review on intra-articular corticosteroids in horses:

Whilst one treatment might be beneficial, repetitive injection of the same joint results in cartilage degeneration.

Two recent papers in the EVE Journal were punlished on the effects of corticosteroid injection sin joints. They were meta-analysis, meaning they took information from over 600 papers about this topic into account. This means the outcome of a meta-analysis is more reliable as an "overall opinion of scientists" than a single paper. Both papers show clearly that 1 injection in a joint (when needed, because acute joint inflammation is present) might be beneficial, but that more than 1 injection in the same joint will cause cartilage damage and degeneration of the joint. Think about that when you do "regular joint maintainance" or inject multiple joints without a clear indication.

Your vet should know this information!

21/11/2025

Formula 1 🏎️ vs Formula 7-18-6-5 🐎?
Both have a lot of horse power (or a lot of horse to power).

Let’s break down the horse spinal formula:
C7 – T18 – L6 – S5 – Cd15–21
Total: ~54 vertebrae - that’s a lot to take of!

🦴 CERVICAL (C1–C7) – 7 vertebrae

• Function: Flexibility, head/neck movement, balance
• Characteristics: most mobile segment, Atlas & Axis = 1&2 uniquely shaped vertebrae allowing for nodding (atlas) and rotation (axis)
• Common issues: Poll tension, nuchal ligament damage/displacement, cervical OA, malformations, nerve root pain

🦴 THORACIC (T1–T18) – 18 vertebrae

• Function: Stability, rib cage attachment, shock absorption
• Characteristics: Long spinous processes
• Common issues: Kissing spines, facet joint pain, saddle soreness

🦴 LUMBAR (L1–L6) – 6 vertebrae

• Function: Power transfer
• Characteristic: long flat transverse processes, limited lateral movement
• Common issues: Lumbar tension, LS pain, facet joint pain

🦴 SACRUM (S1–S5) – 5 vertebrae

• Function: Connects spine to pelvis via sacroiliac joint (LSJ) = major force-transfer point from the hindlimbs
• Characteristic: fused vertebrae
• Common issues: SIJ dysfunction

🦴 CAUDAL/TAIL (Cd15–21)

• Function: Balance, communication
• Common issues: Tail injuries, misalignment

Common Variations

• Caudal vertebrae number varies
• Lumbar–sacral transitional vertebrae
• Different dorso-spinous process spacing

Don’t forget to MOT your horse after the season 🐎 message me at for an appointment 📍east of Suffolk 🇬🇧

09/11/2025

I hear many people say that they would rather work with animals than people and how lucky I am.

👀 But is this true?

👏🏼The yes: Yes, I am truly lucky to have the best job I could wish for (if you also count luck as years of hard work and dedication).

🫶🏻The No: No, it is not just work with animals. Being a physio is as much a job with animals as it is with
people. I have gone into the field with this expectation and I love that aspect of it. Majority of pets and
animals are at the mercy of their owners and I love being the advocate for the animal and helping to
guide owners to help them in the best way possible. There would be no rehabilitation without a dedicated owner in the first place.

🐴🐾If your horse or a dog comes first, you are totally my type! Let’s work together and make you a rehabber of your own animal. I am one DM away 💬

📍East Suffolk, UK
Follow me on ❤️

03/11/2025

Splint bone fracture in the horse ⤵️

Horses have two narrow bones alongside the cannon bone in each limb:
🦴Metacarpal II & IV (front legs)
🦴Metatarsal II & IV (hind legs)
Otherwise known as the splint bones.

📜These are remains of ancient toes and are supported by the suspensory ligament, running in between them at the back of the cannon bone.

🐎A splint bone fracture is a common injury, and can occur at any part of the bone, but typically happens at the lower third of the bone. This is usually due to direct trauma such as kicks or knocks.

🩻 In the picture you can see a splint fracture in one of my patient that was surgically removed.

23/10/2025

More ebooks & guides available in my little e-shop for you in both English 🇬🇧 and Czech 🇨🇿 now ❤️

🔗 https://payhip.com/Vetphys

Don’t forget to grab a copy of my free lameness guide for horse owners 🐎

23/10/2025

When I was in primary school, a teacher once asked why I only ever drew horses.
I wish I told her — “Wait until you see my car!” 👀

What is the part of you that never grew up?
Mine is still shouting “look horses!” every time we pass some. 🐎🐴