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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