Rehabilitation after box rest: Lateral Bending

This blog will look at how we start rehabilitation after box rest. In hand training can consist of numerous activity types, long reining or poles for example are common ones, but simple training In-hand with just you and your horse is one of the best rehabilitation programmes you can do to achieve the all important lateral bending after box rest.

What is hand training?

In hand training is just you and your horse in the field, school, yard with the aim of progressing movements and exercise. If you’ve had a horse on box rest this is a great rehabilitation program to begin with. The aim is a logical progression of exercises to influence the body posture of the horse.

The importance of the circle

Getting your horse to walk in circles, in both directions will promote what is called lateral bending. This is the ability of the thoracic spine (middle of the spine) to bend left and right. If they have been in a stable for a period of time lateral bending has been somewhat limited, so this is where the importance of the circle begins.

Another importance of the circle is allowing the hindlimb to come underneath. For example, when a horse turns in a circle, say to the left. The ribs will swing out to the right due to lateral bending to the left. In turn it allows for the inside hindlimb to come under and forward. We all know how important getting the hindlimb coming further underneath is for posture and engagement…so circles are important.

BUT…

When you watch them doing the circle you don’t want the inside hindlimb to cross their body, it needs to come forward and under.

The horse must be moving correctly to be effective. Using a Cavesson is useful so the fulcrum is at the nose instead of the chin. Using the chin as the fulcrum can increase neck lateral bending and this can make the exercise ineffective. Even with a Cavesson your horse might cheat so monitor the amount of neck movement throughout. You are wanting the head/ears to be level and not turning inwards.

One rein is sufficient and using two reins off the bit is clearly a progression. But for the start one rein is completely fine. You also want to use a whip as a cue in the beginning, whilst your horse is learning what to do. The whip is an extension of your arm, its not for punishment! If your horse associates the whip as a negative thing, you will need to gradually train them to not think this way.

How do I teach in hand training to my horse?

It’s all about how you train the horse to move for effective in hand training. We know from research when a rider is on the horse, the horses spinal posture changes. In hand training is trying to replicate the opposite position. You’re aiming for a relaxed head position which in turn will allow the lower lumbar spine to round, in turn the antagonists known as the abdominals, will contract.  But the key is from the start, controlling the head. There are two methods you can try to teach the horse to lower its head:

  1. Negative reinforcement: this is the use of effectively timed pressure and release to teach the horse to lower its head. Its all about long and low. Apply pressure to lead the head down, release to lead the head up.
  2. Positive reinforcement: Using food to reward them when they have lowered and highered their head.

The aim is to do this to a cue, for example clicker training. This doesn’t have to take long to achieve, with regular weekly practice you will see a difference.

What if my horse swings its bum out during circles?

  • So, this can be a common mishap and is not the technique we want to achieve. Poles can be handy here, if you place them in a square you can use the square to walk around which can help.
  • Is the size of the circle correct? You will need to play with the size, the smaller it is the more lateral bend you will achieve in the thoracic spine, but likely you will get neck bending too. To help with technique make sure you’re just getting thoracic bend so you might need to adjust the circle accordingly.
  • You can use pole mazes which I have added below a set up example. Using them for the horse to walk around will help with lateral bending, but remember you’re aiming thoracic lateral bending, not from the neck!

Safety aspects

  • I would not recommend doing this type of training if your horse will just run you over! They need to know basic start/stop commands
  • Use a long line for safety just in case they need to get away from you
  • Aim to keep at least 1 step between you and the horse
  • Location – if it is on concrete they will find this harder for grip purposes so ideally, they need the traction for getting the hind limb engaging.

In conclusion

  • Walking in circles (in both directions) is a great introduction to movement progression following box rest
  • You want thoracic bend not neck bend – ideally use a Cavesson
  • Remember the safety aspects
  • You can train them to cue – it just takes practice and ensure the whip is not for punishment

If your horse is currently having a period of box rest and you want to know how together we can help your horse with a rehabilitation plan, contact us for advice.

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Hip Dysplasia is an abnormal development of the hip joint which is most common in medium and large breed dogs. The exact cause is unknown, but it’s suspected either genetic predisposition, rapid growth rate as a puppy, and/or environmental factors might cause it, such as obesity.

Pain usually presents between 4-12months of age. At birth the dog’s hips are normal but between 4-12months the ligaments can become less taut. As the disease progresses symptoms do calm down due to scarring in the hip joint which stabilises it slightly, however, eventually the condition progresses to Osteoarthritis.  

What symptoms might my dog display if they have Hip Dysplasia?

Your dog might display a combination of the symptoms below depending on how old they are;

  • Difficulty rising from lying or sitting
  • Reduced activity levels
  • Stopping during their regular walks or even resting
  • A ‘Bunny Hopping’ gait pattern (moving the back legs together instead of separately)
  • Reduced range of motion of the back legs
  • Your dog might shift their weight forward to prevent putting too much weight on the back legs so you might see them leaning on their front legs.

How can physiotherapy help?

Treatment and management for Hip Dysplasia can include non- surgical or surgical options. In either case Physiotherapy is beneficial.

Non-surgical/conservative rehabilitation:

The aim of rehabilitation is to provide an adequate environment in the hip joint. This means aiming to minimise any swelling and scarring internally. A Physiotherapist can help by giving advice on weight reduction, minimising joint pain, using manual therapy (therapeutic movement of the joint to break down scar tissue, maintain hip range of movement and reduce pain), massaging the surrounding muscles, using therapeutic stretching/strengthening exercises, electrotherapy, hot/cold therapy and providing tailored graded exercise programmes to improve fitness and quality of life.  All these combined together can support your dog to getting back to their normal routine.

In 2012 a research paper was done looking into the management of Hip Dysplasia in dogs. It found weight management was the most effective component when it comes to managing the condition, alongside restricting activity. The management of Hip Dysplasia is therefore a delicate balance between needing to exercise to increase strength and support the joint, but to not allow your dog to run in the park every day for the ball for long periods. With the careful exercise management, you also need to manage the dog’s weight! So, in conclusion Hip Dysplasia can be a complex disease to manage so advice from your vet or physiotherapist about the balancing act is advised.

Rehabilitation after surgery:

There are occasions where your vet might feel surgery is required so physiotherapy although has the same principles as conservative rehabilitation, the timings of treatment are different depending on what type of surgery your Vet feels is appropriate.

There are 4 main surgery types:

  1. Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis
  2. Triple Pelvic Osteotomy
  3. Total Hip Replacement
  4. Femoral Head and Neck Excision

After surgery your Vet will prescribe medication for pain relief, and physiotherapy can use cold therapy and passive range of movement exercises to get the recovery process started. Hydrotherapy or underwater treadmills can also reduce pain alongside restoring the dog’s ‘normal’ walking pattern but only when pain is manageable and the wound has healed. Usually after 4-6 weeks an appropriate exercise programme can begin. Usually this entails slow, controlled and structured timing of leash walking with a gradual progression to pole exercises. The use of different terrains, inclines and declines will also be used as part of the rehabilitation programme. Physiologically walking your dog on inclines or declines will work different muscle groups at different intensities, so these will begin at staggered times. Stretching, strengthening and balance exercises will also be incorporated to further restore, strength, range and function.

So, if you think your dog has displayed any of the symptoms above or is due or has had surgery for Hip Dysplasia, feel free to get in contact for advice.

The Sherborne Showjumpers

Vault Chartered Physiotherapy is so excited to sponsor the Sherborne Showjumpers. Steph has competed in British Show Jumping nationally and internationally up to 1.35m/2* and started riding at a young age of just 3 years old.

She began her equine adventure as a profession in 2014 and later set up a business page ‘’Sherborne Showjumpers’’ in 2018. On her page she shares her competition results, her progress on producing the youngsters as well as often having a small selection of Connemara ponies for sale.

Take a look at our services to get an idea on what we provide and if you want any advice for your own horse, please contact us.

Please check out the ‘’Sherborne Showjumpers’’ facebook page for more information and to keep an eye out on the teams progress!