Equine Injury, Therapy and Rehabilitation (eBook)

Mary Bromiley is a Chartered Physiotherapist. In 1984 she built Downs House Equine Rehabilitation Centre, now located on Exmoor, a world first for the treatment and rehabilitation of both horse and rider. She has written six books, and has been published internationally in six languages. She lectures world wide and for 18 years travelled as therapist to the medal winning New Zealand 3 day event team.

Foreword by Martin Pipe CBEB ix

Preface x

Acknowledgements xii

1 The Musculoskeletal System Explained 1

Introduction 1

Members of the team 5

Interdependence of the body systems 9

Cells 9

Bones 11

Joints 11

Ligaments 12

Muscle 13

Tendons 14

The respiratory system 15

The heart 15

Circulation 16

The lymphatic system 18

The nervous system 19

The skeleton 19

The hind limbs 21

The forelimbs 22

Skeletal muscle 23

Reflex movement patterns 24

2 Injury - Effects, Repair and Causes 26

Common musculoskeletal injuries 26

Injury and repair 31

Possible causes of injury 35

Stable injuries 37

All-weather surfaces and gallops 38

Tooth problems as a cause of injury 39

The foot and shoe as a possible cause of injury 41

Saddles as a cause of injury 44

3 Problem Assessment 47

Soft tissue examination 48

Imaging as an aid to diagnosis 59

Ultrasonic scanning 60

Heart rate computers 61

4 Common Sites of Injury in the Horse 64

5 Therapy 76

First aid 80

Treatment 82

Massage 82

Hand massage 83

Mechanical massagers 86

Cold and heat 88

Cold and its uses 89

Methods of employing ice/water therapy 92

Heat 93

Cellular effects in response to varied stimulation 95

Magnetic field therapy, PMF (pulsed magnetic flow) and static magnet fields 96

Ultrasound 100

Light therapy 106

Laser therapy 109

Light emitting diodes 115

Electrical stimulation of muscle 115

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS) 128

Manipulation 129

6 Rehabilitation 130

Reflex action 130

Muscle re-education 132

Passive movements 133

Rehabilitation aids 134

Hydrotherapy 137

Thalassotherapy 143

Long reining 149

Ridden work 158

Summary 159

7 The Back - Horse and Human 160

The horse 160

The human back 168

8 Common Rider Injuries 175

Rider injuries 175

Types of injury 180

General rehabilitation 184

Appendix I The Veterinary Act 185

Veterinary surgeons, guide to professional conduct 185

Treatment of animals by non veterinary surgeons 185

Appendix II Bandaging 187

Types of bandage 188

Appendix III Cupping 190

Appendix Iv Points for Those Treating Horses 191

Machines 192

General points 192

The owner 193

Appendix V Use of Anti-Concussion Pads 194

Appendix Vi Suppliers of Machines Suitable for Animal Physiotherapy 196

General suppliers UK 196

Bibliography 199

Glossary 202

Index 211

"This is still the original work on equine physical therapy and rehabilitation ... .The many therapies are well described." Doody's Book Reviews