Jennifer Brooks of Horse 'n Hound Physical Therapy, on what P.T. techniques can do for your horse

Part II, August 2013

Jen, once again thanks for sharing your insights with One Source Horse in this second part of our interview.

Q: You are well known for your work with horses with stifle issues. What are some of the key principles of your treatment of stifle problems?

A: With the first stifle horse I treated I was terrified about whether I could do anything to help this horse. So, I started treatment the same way we address knee dysfunction in humans, by going back to basics. Understanding the anatomy and physiology and kinesiology of how the joint functions. Starting with strengthening in a static position called isometric contractions, starts the horse toning the surrounding musculature without imposing painful movement of the joint. Secondly, I address any flexibility issues with tight surrounding structures. Addressing strength, and flexibility around the limb often helps the knee cap, regain an improved position and restore it's dynamic function. It is important that owners think in terms of gradual progressive exercise approach, rather than haphazardly throwing a bunch of exercises, they have "heard were good for sticky stifles", at their horse all at once. This approach often leads to delayed onset of muscles soreness, known as DOMS, that cause the horse to get worse in 24-48 hours after exercise, similar to how you would feel if you sat on the couch all winter and then went to hike a 4K mountain. You would have muscle and joint pain for a few days later. This often leads to frustration with many horse owners, as a result of doing too much too fast. My stifle program offers a very progressive, ascending approach to regaining strength, and flexibility, along with offsetting joint pain. My program also offers owner education about the problems with stifle dysfunction.

Q: Is there something about the way we ride that causes such a high incidence of stifle problems?

A: Yes, many riders do not make their horses track up at the trot to make the horse properly use his hind-end engine. Allowing the horse to just use a "western jog" approach (no offense to western trained horses and riders), but this kind of trot allows the horse to be "forehand driven" and weakens the horse's hind end. This allows the horse to "learn" a poor method of traveling. Repeated enough, it becomes second nature to the horse and then is a hard habit to break. We need to ask our friends and trainers to look to see if the hind limb hoof print is reaching up into the forelimb foot print to make sure our horses are taking large, proper strides behind, to build the muscles of the hind end.

Q: Is there life after stifle injuries?

A: Yes, I have many clients that have cured their horse's stifle dysfunction using my program. But some horses and their imposed lifestyles are more conducive to stifle dysfunction than others. I warn all of my clients that if you tend to take the winter off, and or live in an area without hills, you will have to work harder and stay consistent with this program to keep your horse's stifles from sticking.

Q: How effective have you found other methods (massage, chiropractic, acupuncture and others) for keeping performance or injured horses happy and healthy?

A: I think all of these alternative therapies have their place and can be very helpful. Massage addresses increasing blood perfusion in and out of muscle, helps decrease pain and spasm. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper range of motion to joints and can decrease pain. Acupuncture can assist in overall endorphin release and pain reduction. All of these therapies can be beneficial, but can be more so, when complemented with a PT program of therapeutic exercises . This approach can maintain optimum health and reduce frequency of other alternative therapies. Specific exercise of stretching and strengthening, should be added to horses that need regular chiropractic adjustments, massage and acupuncture to remain pain free, in attempts to maintain good skeletal postures and flexibility demands of their discipline.

Q: When buying a new horse, is there any test that you would recommend to determine structural soundness before you get to the vet check?

A: One simple exercise that comes to mind, to rule in/out stifle problems, is placing the horse on cross ties. Grasp the tail and pull it to the side to make the horse shift its weight onto each hind limb, for 10 second hold. Repeat several times. If you see jittering at the stifle joint, or hear clunks that coincide with a jittering of hind end, then the horse may have a sticky stifle. When weight is transferred on and off of hind limbs, there should be smooth movement at the stifle joint. No abnormal jittering should be noted in the healthy, sound horse. This is not a test that is typically performed by veterinarians during pre-purchase exams, so you may have to do it yourself.

Q: Your company is called Horse 'n Hound Physical Therapy, and you also work with dogs. What do you recommend for keeping our canine best friends as healthy as we can for as long as possible?

A: Research shows that regular gentle exercise (daily, low impact, same amount of time/distance, etc) in humans and quadrupeds offsets the effects of cartilage breakdown, maintains good nutrition and homeostasis of articular cartilage, and reduces joint pain of osteoarthritis. Regular exercise is also known to regulate blood sugar, reduce stress, and condition the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. The research abounds with all the positive findings for the many benefits of exercise. It is also been shown to reduce the effects of aging. All good reasons for all of us to keep our pets and ourselves regularly active. Don't we just feel better that way, as opposed to sitting at our computer all day!?

Q: Is there anything else you want to tell us that we haven't asked about, that our One Source Horse members should know?

A: You are providing an awesome site! With lots of free education. Education is the way to prevention of injury. Keep it up and good luck with your site. OSH members can get more information or contact me directly with questions by going to my website at www.hnhpt.com. I also provide the Equine Stifle Rehab Program for long distance clients, so any one from around the world can order the DVD and program and can start making a difference with their horse's stifle problem.

Thanks again, Jen, for your informative and helpful answers!

Jennifer Brooks, PT, MEd, CERP, CCRP.
You can read more about her and her Physical Therapy practice for equines and other animals, based in Nashua, NH, at her website: Horse 'n Hound Physical Therapy.