Bryan Smart Racing Equine Physiotherpay

Veterinary physiotherapy is a science based profession, which takes a holistic approach to each patient by providing functional assessment following veterinary referral. Physiotherapy for animals can be used alongside veterinary care to assist in the treatment or long-term management of many musculoskeletal or neurological injuries and conditions. It can assist rehabilitation of the animal, with the aims of reducing pain, improving movement, and restoring normal muscle control and function. Physiotherapy can also be used for performance development of the animal athlete, helping to minimise the risk of injury whilst maximising the performance of competitive or working animals.

Physiotherapy is as important for the racehorses as it is for human athletes and we are fortunate to have two fully qualified Veterinary Physiotherapists on the yard. Vicky Smart and her colleague Kate Stringer examine the racehorses on a regular basis providing routine massage, stretching and treatments as necessary. They work closely with the vets and will discuss cases together to try and find the best way forward in order to maximise the athletic potential of each horse and to help avoid more serious injury down the line. Regular massage, stretching and mobilisations can aid recovery from exercise and performance, prevent compensations from building up - which may in turn lead to injury – and the horses really enjoy the hands on treatments which also aids relaxation and improves rest.

Other treatments available include Laser, Ultrasound, H-Wave, Tens and NMS (muscle stimulation). More recently we have incorporated Arc Equine units on the yard and have found them to be extremely effective.

Our cold water jacuzzi spa and solarium are used regularly to treat minor injuries and aid recovery and are useful additions to the physiotherapy treatments available.

Both Vicky and Kate are members of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP) and are fully insured and qualified to treat horses. NAVP run Postgraduate and Undergraduate courses in Veterinary Physiotherapy at three universities around the country.  More information can be found by clicking www.navp.co.uk

Testimonials

Fully professional and a superb team Bryan has at sutton bank stables, amazing to be associated with them all.

Simon Williams

Lovely to see Compton River and the other 2 year olds cantering up in the sunshine this morning - they are looking wonderful - spring is in the air!

Sue Armstrong

'Having had a lifelong love of all things equine in 2012 I decided to get involved in racing flat horses as an owner. On spotting an advert for shared ownership in a two year old with Bryan Smart at Hambleton House I paid a visit. On meeting Bryan and his staff who were all helpful and clearly very knowledgeable I was hooked. The last seven years have been a marvellous journey having had over 20 winners including a Group 1 and a Listed race which is in no small way down to a master trainer. On my journey I have met some wonderful people many of whom are now friends.

Team Smart are truly the custodians of the dream factory!!!'

Albert Welch

5 winners in 5 years!  Best move we ever made was to buy into horses trained by Bryan Smart and his dedicated staff.  No better sight than to see the horses working on the gallops at Hambleton House.

Harry & Freda Moody 

Welfare of the race horses is paramount for the Smarts. Fantastic trainer and a great team including Kevin and Becks!! Highly recommend investing at this yard.

Katherine Page