Wales and West Vet Physio

09/07/2026

Here are a couple of before and after shots from today's horses ... it was too hot to use Radiofrequency/ Indiba , so they had their fascia released and a light massage with a bit of Masterson thrown in . The first horse is a Grand Prix horse , the second a lovely Connie that wants to do dressage like the big boys ....
Notice - the improvement in the wither height , the lengthening in the stomach line, the changes in the pelvic angles and how much more open the angle between the jaw and the neck is . Lovely to see and always amazes me at how different they look afterward .

03/07/2026

Have a look at Koper Equine brilliant post about fascia .....

How can Fascia Restrict Movement ?

When it's not moving freely, fascia acts like sticky glue around a joint .... whereas free moving fascia allows the shoulder blade to glide smoothly up and down the rib cage with each stride- like a slick lubricant. The shoulder blade moves freely, and the horse can fully extend its front leg into a long,sweeping stride .

BUT:
If the fascia around the shoulder or chest tightens up, it physically pins the scapula down against the ribs.

The shoulder blade cannot slide. Because the top of the leg is trapped, the horse cannot reach forward making for a short, choppy stride , and the horse becomes heavy on the forehand—not because they have a bone or joint injury, but simply because the tissue won't allow the leg to swing.

By using fascial release techniques- we can free the tissue and then using targeted movement , enable the horse to equinemove more correctly.. through targeted movements , they find a better balance and redistribute tension around the body which improves functional movement- this is tensegrity training .

https://koperequine.com/fascial-integration-in-the-equine-forelimb-a-dynamic-shock-absorption-system/

26/06/2026

This article from Koper Equine illustrates how our thinking about bodywork, massage and physiotherapy is starting to evolve - all about the Fascia .

More nerve endings than muscle
Strong enough to move joints
Stretches over 200% of its length to allow movement

19/06/2026

19/06/2026

Physiotherapy and Pole work !

Every Physio I know loves a pole work session ... but to get the best out of them, and not create more problems than they are meant to solve , they need to be adapted for YOUR horse -Based on your horse's ability to move over a pole correctly.

For example - using poles set to a 16.2hh step length , and asking a 12.2hh pony to walk or trot over them , is likely to overextend the ponies spine and lead to back pain. Not helpful!
.. here's a really useful poster produced by Hartpury recently just reminding us of the key principles .....

If you want help with using poles for a specific rehab purpose - eg to help rehab from stiff hocks , or kissing spine etc ... do ask your Physio for their advice . We are trained in equine rehabilitation.

17/06/2026

Tensegrity and Fascia

Here's a simple visual showing how when fascia is compressed in a body ( or in this case a hand pressing on a tensegrity model) , every part of the body (or model) reacts to the pressure . When the pressure in the body caused by tight fascia is released , the body (or this case the model) can resume its natural position ..... simples!

And below .... the effect is shown on the horses posture . Tight fascia = poor posture . Relaxed fascia = relaxed posture

17/06/2026

How is Fascia like a pair of Jeans ?

Have you ever tried to ride, bend, or run whilst wearing a pair of jeans that are too small? You cannot stretch properly. Your posture changes. You start walking awkwardly just to adapt to the tight fabric. That is exactly what happens to your horse when their fascia gets tight.

Look at Photo 1 (Before)

In the first photo, look at how the horse is standing. He is hollowing his spine and bracing through the neck with his thoracic sling lowered. He looks like his shoulders are hunched up and his head is lower than expected.

This isn't laziness or bad behaviour.

Fascia is a giant, 3D bodysuit of connective tissue beneath the skin. When it gets dry and sticky—from old or current injuries, stable rest, or poorly fitting tack, for example—it acts like an invisible straitjacket. If it gets stuck in the shoulder, it pulls on the tissue all the way down to the hock.

Look at Photo 2 (After)

This is one hour later .... the result of both some Radiofrequency and sustained Myofascial Release (MFR).

I wanted to focus on this horses thoracic sling today as he has been lame in front recently and melt those sticky fascial restrictions so that he can stand more comfortably.

Once the tissue relaxes, the straitjacket comes off. As you can see, the thoracic sling has lifted and his withers are now higher than his croup. He looks like he has gained some weight because his rib cage isn't tight, and he can finally lift his back and find true balance. And check out the size of his shoulder now - it's more rounded and stepping away from the neck so it's no longer glued there- and is really common when horses are either sore in their front feet or have issues in their neck .

What are you noticing in these two photos?
( Apart from the fact I'm a terrible camerawoman !)

Drop a comment below and tell me what differences you can spot.

Take a look at your horse today. Are they standing camped out or under ( we still have some work to do with this horse on this ) or hollowed through the back? It might just be time to unbutton those tight jeans!

Posted with owner permission and grateful thanks from me .