The importance of why physiotherapists should work closely with the vets is all too often highlighted when horses present for physiotherapy with mild performance issues.
I have had two horses present, one owned by a regular client, whose horse I see on a routine basis, which events and a second, which I had not seen before, but this horse had several visits from another therapist, who had not made any comment.
Both owners were experiencing changes in performance but not really describing lameness. On my examination, both horses presented with a mild hind limb lameness, with muscle atrophy (wastage) over the femoral gluteal area. Both palpated sore over the lumbar/sacral region.
Sometimes it is too easy to just treat the lumbar sacral pain and see if the horses improve. I am luck to have a regular clinic at my yard, where the owner, vet and I can examine the horses together in order to take the necessary action. Both clients were invited to a session and both were diagnosed with mild spurs in the metatarsal region.
They were treated by the vet on the day and now will follow a lameness management programme with me to help the horses get back to full performance and help them maintain their soundness over time.
They will have a further clinic date in three months, where the vet and I will discuss how the cases have improved (or not). The future program of care to help these horses stay performing to their best ability is then set out.
Cases that don’t improve are seen much quicker. A potential secondary problem is highlighted very quickly and an appropriate program of care/treatment given. This methodology gives the best outcomes for owner and horse and a more healthy prognosis going forward.
