Clinical Assessment

Every treatment begins with a detailed clinical assessment to ensure treatment is tailored specifically to your horse or dog and their individual needs.

Prior to treatment, I will discuss your animal’s full clinical history, including the reason for treatment, previous injuries or veterinary conditions, current workload or performance level, behavioural changes, and your goals or expectations for treatment. This helps build a complete picture of the patient and identify any contributing factors that may be affecting performance, comfort or movement before assessment and treatment.

Static and Dynamic Assessment

I will assess the animal standing and during movement to identify areas of weakness or restriction and helps guide a targeted treatment plan specific to that animal. During static and dynamic assessment I will evaluate:

• Conformation and posture

• Muscular development and symmetry

• Soundness and gait quality

• Weight distribution

• Symmetry and coordination

• Joint mobility and flexibility

• Compensatory movement patterns

• Weaknesses or restrictions affecting performance

Horses and dogs will typically be assessed walking and trotting from the front, behind and side-on. I will also assess the animal on turns and during backing up movements where appropriate. For horses, I may additionally assess movement on the lunge or under saddle if concerns are exercise-related or if a more detailed gait assessment is required.

Palpation Assessment

Following movement assessment, I perform a full hands-on palpation assessment to identify areas of muscular tension, soreness, restriction or sensitivity.

During palpation, I assess:

• Muscle tone and texture

• Areas of tightness or spasm

• Heat or inflammatory changes

• Fascial restrictions

• Pain responses or sensitivity

• Tissue symmetry and mobility

The animal’s response to palpation is continuously monitored throughout treatment to ensure comfort and guide clinical decision-making.

Range of Motion Assessment

Range of motion assessments are then performed on the forelimbs, hindlimbs, neck, back and pelvis to evaluate:

• Joint mobility and flexibility

• Restrictions or stiffness

• Areas of discomfort or reluctance

• Crepitus or abnormal joint motion

• Functional movement limitations

These assessments help identify mechanical restrictions that may be contributing to reduced performance, discomfort or compensatory movement patterns.

Neurological Assessment

Where indicated, a basic neurological assessment may also be performed to assess proprioception, coordination and postural responses. This helps determine whether neurological function and communication between the brain, spinal cord and limbs appear normal and responsive.

Following Assessment

This comprehensive assessment allows treatment to be tailored specifically to the individual animal, ensuring a targeted and effective approach to rehabilitation, maintenance and performance support.

Following treatment, you will receive a detailed report on clinical findings, treatment performed, and any recommendations for ongoing management or remedial exercises to support rehabilitation, strength and mobility.