Some common areas of vulnerability for equine athletes are the spine, the pelvis and sacroiliac joint, the shoulder, the carpus, fetlocks, hocks and stifles, with different joints being variously affected by degrees of load and range. Physiotherapists play a significant role in treating and managing these conditions.

The Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) has highlighted key messages from the 5 facts article featured in the April edition of InMotion and produced this infographic.

Click on the image below to access a printable A3 file. 

About the authors.

Hallie Hill APAM has worked in sports physiotherapy in various private practices and with the Australian Defence Force at RMC Duntroon/ADFA. She completed her Master of Veterinary Physiotherapy through the University of Liverpool in 2019 with a particular interest in back pain and performance in racehorses. She has been working in Sydney treating racehorses since 2017 and is also on the dressage exemption committee and a para equestrian classifier with Equestrian Australia.

Katrinka Geelen APAM Katrinka is a qualified Physiotherapist and representative for the APA Animal Physiotherapy Group. She has a Masters degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy and founded OPTIMA Animal Physio, a Sunshine Coast based physiotherapy service specialising in the treatment and rehabilitation of domestic, working and performance animals.

Dr Lesley Goff APAM MACP is one of the world’s leading Animal Physiotherapists, balancing her animal physiotherapy practice with presenting at vet/physio conferences and lecturing/teaching to physiotherapists and equine science students.

Lynne Harrison APAM MACP is an internationally qualified physiotherapist and has worked for over 10 years as a Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist in the UK and Australia. Lynne worked in Spinal and Upper Limb Physiotherapy for many years after completing her Master of Science in Veterinary Physiotherapy at the University of Liverpool, UK. Lynne has now transferred this knowledge to the equine patient.

Madeline Buck APAM is an experienced physiotherapist and athlete, having competed for Namibia in Show Jumping and Dressage equestrian sports. While in Namibia, Madeline worked alongside other physios focusing on neurological rehabilitation by participating in Hippotherapy (physical rehabilitation with horses).

This infographic is a Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) initiative supported by FlexEze – partner of the PRF.