Veterinary physiotherapy for back pain in the horse
Authors: G. Tabor
Journal: UK-Vet Equine
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Veterinary Physiotherapy for Back Pain in the Horse Back pain represents a significant welfare and performance concern in equine practice, yet its management requires a coordinated, multimodal approach that extends beyond pharmaceutical or diagnostic interventions alone. Tabor's 2022 review synthesises the veterinary physiotherapist's role within this landscape, detailing how systematic assessment and individualised treatment protocols—encompassing manual therapy, electrophysical modalities, and targeted exercise prescription—address both pain and functional restoration. The foundational treatment principles centre on achieving pain-free movement whilst restoring segmental mobility, postural stability, and appropriate muscle activation patterns; critically, the review also emphasises the often-overlooked contribution of rider biomechanics, as a chartered physiotherapist can evaluate whether the rider themselves is exacerbating the horse's dysfunction. Following initial pain management and range-of-motion work, successful rehabilitation hinges on progressive re-education of movement patterns and subsequent muscular strengthening to ensure sustained function and ridden performance. For equine professionals, this integrated framework highlights that managing back pain effectively demands collaboration across disciplines—veterinary surgeons, physiotherapists, farriers, and coaches must communicate to prevent recurrence and optimise athletic longevity.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Work with chartered veterinary physiotherapists as part of your equine care team; they assess both horse and rider biomechanics to address back pain comprehensively
- •Expect physiotherapy protocols to progress from pain management and manual therapy toward active rehabilitation with specific exercises to restore strength and correct movement patterns
- •Your riding position and effectiveness directly affect your horse's back health—a physiotherapist can assess and correct rider issues that may be contributing to or preventing recovery from back pain
Key Findings
- •Veterinary physiotherapy for equine back pain combines manual therapy, electro-physical treatments, and therapeutic exercises tailored to individual patients
- •Treatment principles focus on pain relief, restoration of range of motion, postural stability, and muscle activity
- •Rider assessment and intervention can prevent negative influence on horse movement and function
- •Structured rehabilitation including movement re-education and muscle strengthening restores functional capacity for ridden work