Frequently Asked Questions

This will depend on many things, including: - Has your horse previously had INDIBA Radiofrequency? - Does your horse have a current or previous injury? - Does your horse have osteoarthritis in his hocks, cervical vertebrae, etc? Many horses require a short course of INDIBA Radiofrequency in order to experience the best effects possible before moving onto a maintenance programme for treatment. The initial short course consists of 4-6 sessions across 4-8 weeks. This may vary dependent on your horse, as all treatments are tailored to best suit your horse (or pony) to achieve the best outcome possible for your beloved four legged friend!

I often recommend that horses usually have between 1- 2 days off after a physiotherapy appointment, depending on the type of treatment that was given. The amount of time off after physiotherapy is often reduced once your physiotherapist has known your horse for a while as they will be better able to judge that animals response post physiotherapy. There are some animals who always require 2 days off after treatment and some who can be ridden on the day of treatment. Regardless, it is advised your horse is allowed some turnout time to aid the removal of any toxins (e.g. lactic acid) released during treatment. For dogs, I recommend it is best to allow your dog to rest after physiotherapy, but ensuring plenty of water is available for them. It is also advised that your dog is taken for a little walk after the sessions to aid the removal of any toxins (e.g. lactic acid) released due to treatment.

A change in your animal's behaviour, a reduction in performance or just any movements that your animal now finds difficult may be an indication that there is a problem. For horses, this may start with something as simple as being girthy' or upset when being groomed or a sudden reluctance with fying changes or to jump a particular type of fence. For dogs, this may start with something as simple as continually licking the same leg, upset when being groomed or a sudden reluctance to jump in/out of the car. In addition, a lot of our clients will have veterinary physiotherapy to help maintain and improve performance.

Originally, the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order (1962) stated that: any physiotherapy treatments to an animal by a person must be under the direction (i.e prescription) of a veterinary surgeon. As on November 2020, the RCVS released new guidance in the form of chapter 19 in the Code of Professional Conduct which outlined that musculoskeletal therapists (including veterinary physiotherapists) would not have To seek veterinary referral for maintenance care. As such, veterinary referral will only be requested from patients currently under the care of a veterinarian and not for maintenance treatments.

This depends enormously on what your animal has been referred for. Each animal is assessed and treated as an individual and treatment is provided according to that animals specific assessment findings and the owners requirements i.e. what level of performance they need to be rehabilitated back to. At your first appointment your physiotherapist will assess your animal carefully. At the end of this appointment, your physiotherapist will discuss these findings and advise on the most suitable course of action. The frequency of treatment will depend on whether your animal requires hands on physiotherapy or just a progression of a home exercise programme. An estimate will be made of the number of sessions and the frequency so that a treatment plan can be agreed with yourself. Should this change during the course of treatment, your physiotherapist will discuss this with you and advise you accordingly.

Please contact us to inform us that you need to cancel or change your appointment as soon as you know. We do not normally charge for cancellations when we receive more than 48 hours notice, but please tell us as soon as possible and do not wait until the day before if you can inform us sooner, as we may be able to offer your appointment to another animal. (There are some scenarios where this can be negotiated). You will be charged for cancellations made within 48 hours of your appointment.

Payment is due at or before your physiotherapy appointment by either card or cash (we do have a card machine that is available to use). However, after you have had 5 or more physiotherapy sessions, there is the option for BACS payments after your appointment, which must be payed before the 7th day after your appointment. Any late payments will incur additional charges.

Most animal insurance companies provide cover for Veterinary Physiotherapy. They require referral to your Veterinary Physiotherapist from your vet prior to the commencement of treatment. It is your responsibility to contact your animals insurance company prior to commencing treatment to confirm what benefit is available to your animal as each policy is different. Insurance is unable to be used for maintenance treatments.

Animals need to be clean and dry. During sessions with dogs and cats, treats are usually used for exerices so you may want to adjust your days feeding accordingly. Horses to be groomed and hooves picked out. Horses will tend to need the next 24 hours off after their session, so please bear this in mind when booking in. For further details, please see our terms and conditions.