Anushka

Anushka – Exercise Prescription and Notes 29/08/24 Subjective: Anushka was visited for an initial consult due to Vet finding back pain on palpation. History is that anushka was previously dressage based with a start of jumping at a dealers yard before being bought. Saddle, teeth etc up to date, good foot balance. Overweight BCS 6.5/9. Currently not in work, turn out. Camped out posture hindlimbs keeping pelvis in extension, dropped back in thoracic region. Base narrow hindlimbs. No obvious swellings. Gait: Anxious and spooky to start, settled into good walk rhythm after couple of runs, inconsistent walking pattern to start. Mostly straight moving all limbs. Right forelimb toe in. Initially increased tuber coxae drop right hindlimb with increased metatarsophalangeal drop left hind, indicating increased weight bearing left hindlimb and offloading right hindlimb. Undertracks slightly left hind. Right hind toe drag. On the lunge head and neck held outside bend consistently. Canter transition stilted, ears back and back tense and dropped with minimal movement. Left forelimb lameness on lunge and soft surface. Looks unbalanced on circle. On the forehand. Circling, neck bend looks good, stiff laterally, foot placement is clumsy, foot flight is good, timing is outside usual 4 beat rhythm. Back up is stilted and lacks lumbar flexion – head held high. Main palpation findings: Increased tension shoulders and extensors in forelimbs from increased load bearing. Hypotrophic thoracic epaxials and reactive trigger points and spasming into lumbar region. Gluteals unaffected as hypotonic and similarly hamstrings hypotonic. Hindlimb retraction limited bilaterally. Range of motion: Neck good, Forelimb retraction limited right forelimb, protraction is minimally restricted bilaterally, more so left forelimb. Spinal range of motion attempted but very uncomfortable, pelvic range not attempted due to visual assessment on lunge and posture indicating pelvis is fixed and reactive. Do the following Exercises each day : stretches, hip holds, back up and haynet changes Exercises below, aim for 3/4x a week 30 minute sessions. Heat pad and massage pad will be useful. Long reining will be much better than lunging, example plan is at the end. horsestohoundsphysio@gmail.com www.horsestohoundsphysio.co.uk 07729002162 horsestohoundsphysio@gmail.com www.horsestohoundsphysio.co.uk 07729002162 horsestohoundsphysio@gmail.com www.horsestohoundsphysio.co.uk 07729002162 horsestohoundsphysio@gmail.com www.horsestohoundsphysio.co.uk 07729002162 horsestohoundsphysio@gmail.com www.horsestohoundsphysio.co.uk 07729002162 horsestohoundsphysio@gmail.com www.horsestohoundsphysio.co.uk 07729002162 Example Plan Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Support Stretches Back ups Heat and massage pad Stretches Back ups Heat and massage pad Stretches Back ups Stretches Back ups Heat and massage pad Exercises Long rein, letters exercise Long rein polework – 20-30 mins Turnout/Rest Long rein, letters exercise Long rein polework – 20-30 mins Long rein polework – 20-30 mins Turnout/Rest Short bursts of trot can be used, no canter work yet. After 2 weeks, increase to 30-40 mins horsestohoundsphysio@gmail.com www.horsestohoundsphysio.co.uk 07729002162