Lameness problems in horses can have very different etiologies; hoof ailments, joints and tendons difficulties or problems with muscles . The most commonly affected are back and neck muscles. Rehabilitation treatments give the best results with this kind of issues.

Horse can display back pain in very different ways, which at first glance seems totally unrelated to problem:

• Discomfort or dissatisfaction while cleaning  and saddling
• Stiff movements, especially at the beginning of training
• Reluctant to move to one side
• Head tossing while riding
• Headshaking
• Teeth grinding
• Kicking and resisting to go forward

It is necessary to assess and examine the condition of the horse while moving and standing still. Painfull areas, muscle tension as well as passive joint range of motion can be examined while the horse is standing still. In order to examine the way he uses his body, equine conformation is assessed while the horse is standing and moving. If necessary, checkups can be also completed with thermal imaging.

The treatment is done in the stable or some other pleasant and well-know surroundings, at least 2 hours after training. It includes massage, acupressure, stretching, electrotherapy, magnetic therapy, ultrasound and light therapy (infrared light, low-level laser therapy). Depending on the type of the problem treatment may last from 45 to 90 minutes. It is recommended to rest and avoid training for the next 24 to 48 hours.

Results and improvements are visible after a few days; movements are more flexible, easier, pain is reduced. By reducing pain and discomfort, the horse’s mood and willingness to work significantly increases. Their energy level balances out, so that nervous horses become calmer and those with lower energy become more vivid.

Check ups, if needed, should be made after 10 to 14 days. It would be ideal to do the treatments once a month for maintenance and prevention, for all horses.  As for the horses in sport, ridding scools, and  for hippotherapy it would be optimal to do the treatment before or after intensive strain due to training or competition.

The following conditions may indicate the need for treatment;

• Disorders of the spinal column and cord (discopathy, herniated or prolapsed disc, degenerative myelopathy, etc.)
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Osteoarthritis
• After spinal or orthopeadic surgery 

Treatments may be used for therapeutic purposes, when the conditions mentioned above lead to mobility difficulties or as a prevention in cases where symptoms are not yet obvious. The goal and purpose is to reduce pain, restore mobility, to speed up recovery after injury or surgery and to slow down the progression of chronic inflammatory or degenerative conditions as well as act preventively. Treatments can be used independently or with any veterinary therapy.

Each treatment lasts an average of 45 minutes and is individually adjusted to each dog, depending on the condition, the problem itself and dog’s current mood. All the treatments are completely painless, pleasant and relaxing. The whole body is included in the treatment (massage, acupressure, passive exercise, stretching) with additional focus on the painful areas (muscles, joints, ligaments).

The results can sometimes even be seen after the first visit, but it usually takes 3 to 5 treatments to initiate regenerative processes of the body. The recommendation would be to start the treatments 2 times per week after which it can be changed into weekly visits in order to maintain the improvements or until the problem is solved. Although the treatments are primarily intended to relieve mobility problems, years of experience showed that regular weekly or biweekly visits can significantly improve the general health and vitality along with mobility. Various chronic conditions are significantly alleviated, as a result of regular stimulation of the body’s ability to heal itself  and to maintain the optimal balance.

Senior dogs are prone to bigger problems thus  have more benefit from the therapy.

Regarding the purpose of maintenance and injury prevention, significant results have been achieved with regular treatment for sporting and working dogs.