Helen The Physio

03/02/2026

This could be very exciting for owners of horses who are badly stressed by travel

Transdermal melatonin may be able to reduce physiological stress biomarkers in horses, specifically those induced by the stressors of transportation

Transportation acts as a serious physiological stressor for horses, triggering acute metabolic and hormonal changes that can compromise their welfare.

In a recent study, a team of researchers discovered that the application of transdermal melatonin successfully lowered cortisol levels, suggesting it is a viable, non-invasive tool to mitigate equine transport stress.

The primary impact of transport on horse welfare is the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which lead to a elevation in serum cortisol levels.

This hormonal surge is accompanied by metabolic disturbances, including increased glucose levels due to cortisol-driven gluconeogenesis and heightened markers of muscular strain like creatinine and bilirubin.

These changes reflect the physical toll of prolonged confinement and the effort required for horses to balance themselves during the ride.
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Transportation also leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, specifically causing lower potassium and higher sodium levels.

The study notes that the resulting sodium-to-potassium ratio in transported horses approaches levels seen in pharmacological diuresis, which raises significant concerns for post-transport health issues such as colic or metabolic disorders.
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The team explored transdermal melatonin as a potential welfare management tool, finding that it effectively reduces cortisol concentrations in horses.

While melatonin does not eliminate all transport-induced effects, its ability to attenuate HPA activity suggests it may help protect horses against the cumulative oxidative and hormonal stress associated with transit.

Full paper - Effect of transdermal melatonin on circulating cortisol and blood chemistry in horses exposed to transport stress. W.L. Crossland, E.O. Aviles-Rosa, E.B. Perry, C. Crowell, E. Webberson, J. Brown, J. Fassbender.

21/01/2026

Dear friends, patients, clients, & referrers,
Helen is about to fly to South Africa for her sister’s wedding, and will do her best to have her phone off from Friday 23 Jan - Sunday 8 Feb.
Our marvellous Physio, Molly, and our terrific administrator, Carol, will be continuing the awesome work that they do. They are both part-time, so responses may be slower than what we like (we aim to respond within a working day), and there may be a small waitlist for appointments.
Molly works Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Carol monitors emails on Tuesdays, Wednesday evenings, and Thursdays.
Please email office@helenthephysio.com with all enquiries, as Helen’s phone may not pick up texts.
Helen knows that she has 8 people still waiting for reports, from her most recent Lower North Island circuit. She will write these up on the flight! Sincerest apologies for the delay - 7am starts and 9pm finishes are not conducive to admin!

16/01/2026

Proud to be the New Zealand distributor of this terrific therapy garment

K9 HipLign™. Four sizes. One purpose.

Supporting stronger movement and better mobility for dogs at every stage and of most sizes.
Modeled by our Furbassadors. Built for real life.

Follow us here, on our FB page, FB Group (“Assisting Dogs with Hip Dysplasia”) as well as http://K9MOTION.COM for more help with canine mobility issues!

14/01/2026

‘A life worth living’ is now a catchphrase in animal welfare, and when applied in practice, allows us to get the very best from our horses by being aware of their natural behaviours, or ethology.

Because horses are sentient beings, we should be shifting from thinking of the horse as ‘object’ to the horse as ‘subject’. This means recognising the horse as a living being with a right to a worthwhile life.

This subtle difference acknowledges the horse’s sentience, and is the reason why, in more modern literature, the horse is not referred to as ‘it’, but rather as he/she/him/her/his/her.

This subtle shift in pronoun, subconsciously alters the way we perceive horses which is an important perceptual step forward for their welfare.

Modern Horse Training: Equitation Science Principles & Practice, Volume 2 by Andrew McLean (available for purchase on our website).

07/01/2026

Massive day 1 back at work, in CHB, 6 horses and a human! It was a seriously hot day but I saw such an interesting range of horses: small kid’s pony having maintenance treatment, high performance quarter horse with a scapulothoracic sling imbalance affecting left turns, a gigantic warmblood needing some creative saddle ‘fitting’ (obviously I’m not a trained or qualified fitter) and treatment for ‘wonkiness’, a horse with a head flick, a horse with a haematoma, and an all rounder horse for maintenance care.
And had to make time for Rhubarb to have walks and do his hydrotherapy homework. Forgot his harness and lead, but luckily a rope halter can work in a pinch 😂 And as I sat by the river writing notes while Rhubarb cooled off, I thought to myself, I really should bring my own togs!

07/01/2026

Happy 2026! Hope you had a wonderful break and time with your loved ones.

I’m starting the planning for my January Lower North Island Equine Physio Clinic, starting in Masterton on 16 Jan and finishing in Palmie on 20 Jan. A short trip because I’m flying to South Africa for my sister’s wedding shortly after that.

Our lovely new administrator, Carol, will be sending out emails today. Contact us ASAP if you are keen for a Physio appt for your horse!

06/01/2026

‘Twas the night before work
And all through that eve,
Rhubarb barked hourly at sounds
Only he could perceive.

Come 5am his humans
With much grumbling arose,
While Rhubarb, so weary,
Remained in repose.

‘We’re glad SOMEONE’S sleeping!’
Said with sarcasm so slight,
That if you weren’t properly listening,
Just miss it, you might.

A happy and prosperous
And peaceful New Year
From Johan, Helen, and Rhubarb
With sleepy good cheer.

15/12/2025

09/12/2025

Dear Lower North Island clients

What a year it has been! I am fitting in a final trip up to Cambridge and around the lower North Island, starting on Monday, right after working at the National Young Horse Showjumping Champs from Thursday-Sunday. I really love my work as an Equine Physio, but I am definitely going to look forward to, and need(!), a wee break over Christmas and New Years. I’ll be back on circuit in the latter part of January, and I am still sorting out my Feb and March dates.

My likely December dates:
Palmerston North region to Whanganui on Tues 16 Dec;
Taranaki Wed 17 Dec (fully booked) and Thurs 18 Dec (2 spaces remaining);
Whanganui to Pauatahunui on Fri 19 Dec
Wellington to Featherstone on Sat 20 Dec
And continuing through lower Wairarapa and back to Napier over 21-22 Dec.

If you would like me to contact you to be on the list for next week, or for January, feel free to reply to this email or to text 0220198090.

If I don’t see you: I wish you a really wonderful Christmas and start to 2026!

Best regards and many thanks for a super 2025 🥰

Helen The Physio
Performance, Recovery, Quality of Life
0220198090
office@helenthephysio.com

01/12/2025