Question 1

What legislation do you follow?

Accepted Answer

Anderson Equine Sports Therapy works with full adherence to the Veterinary surgeons Act 1966 and the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 2015. This means a few things, here are some of them...   I only treat horses following veterinary referral, with veterinary permission, or with the knowledge of your consulting veterinary surgeon.   It is not within my scope of practice to diagnose or treat illness or injury.   Myself or my sessions are never intended to replace the care of your veterinarian.   Should there be any indication of symptoms or signs which suggest underlying health issues before or during sessions your horse will be referred to your veterinary surgeon and the session will not take place/ will cease.   You can read the legislation in full using these links:   The Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 2015   The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966   Further guidence from RCVS 2020

Question 2

How do I get veterinary consent?

Accepted Answer

Consent for sports therapy sessions to take place can be given verbally or be written depending on your vets preference. Most vets are familar with the process and readily consent to sessions if they deem your horse sound and healthy. If your horse has some ongoing issues or sessions are intended for rehabilitation purposes, your vet will assess and decide if manual therapy is appropriate for your horse. In this instance, I am always happy to speak with your vet should they wish to discuss anything with me before giving consent.   All my clients are required to sign a disclosure form stating they have had explicit and recent permission from their vet for therapy sessions to take place with me. I will not go ahead with sessions without a name, date and signature from my client.

Question 3

How do I prepare for a session?

Accepted Answer

I ask that all my clients are ready for the session to start from the moment of my arrival.   Please ensure:   Your horse is clean and dry... I understand that horses live outdoors and I don't have a problem getting dirty at all. The reason your horse should be clean and dry is to allow me palpate your horse's body accurately. Wet hair (particularly if long) can hide visual aspects of superficial muscle and skin health. It also stops me from assessing the temperature of structures accurately. Aside from an assessment point of view, wet and muddy coats make for an uncomfortable massage for your horse. You can be there for the duration of the appointment... This is especially true for initial consultations. I need you, or someone very familiar with the horse (like a long-term loaner or groom), at the yard for the duration of the session. This is to maintain my own safety as well as your horse's. Once I'm familiar with your horse, you don't have to stay by my side the whole session- feel free get on with your usual yard routine and I'll let you know if your horse and I need anything. You have a suitable area... Please ensure you have a sheltered area for sessions to take place in adverse weather conditions. Of course weather can be unpredictable, if your horse lives out with only natural shelter I am happy to reschedule and waiver my cancellation policy*. Sessions also require flat and level standing in a quiet area. This is also important when trotting up your horse for assessment. If sessions are taking place in the stable, please push the bed up into banks unless it's absolutely necessary to keep the horse on soft standing (i.e box-rest). * I am happy to waiver my cancellation policy for horses who live out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, who do not have access to a man-made shelter should adverse weather occur/ be predicted for the scheduled appointment time. This is at my discretion.

Question 4

How long do sessions take?

Accepted Answer

Each session depends the induvidual horse and their needs. The initial session for new clients/horses tends to take around 1 hour and 15 minutes as time is set aside to take a thorough history of you and your horse. Maintenace sessions take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour but this is adjusted to your horses needs.   If you choose to have a ridden assessment, it takes an extra 20-30 minutes on top of your normal session time.

Question 5

What sort of information do you need to know about me & my horse?

Accepted Answer

You: I'll need to know your full name and contact details, such as mobile number, email address and yard address. I'll also need the name of your vet and/or your veterinary practice and thier contact details (although I'll likely already have them).   Your Horse: In order to provide the most effective and safest service I possibly can, I need to collect information such as age, breed, height and weight, discipline, workload, previous and ongoing injuries/conditions/medication, foaling history, farriery, dentisty and saddle fitting routine, and any behavioural issues. I'll also want to know your day-to-day routine and feeding practises as they're all contributing factors of musculoskelatl health.   Riders also have a profound influence on the horses body so I may ask if you have any previous injuries or asymmetries which could affect your ridden work.   Of course, the information you choose to give me is at your discretion and is always treated confidentially. I collect and store all information in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means it's for my eyes only and is kept under lock and key/password protected.   Follow these links for more information:   Data Protection Act 2018   Goverment Guide to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Question 6

Can young and unbroken horses have sessions?

Accepted Answer

As a genral rule, I am happy to see horses from around 3 years old. This is primarily to look out for my own safety as, generally, by the age of 3 most horses have had sufficient handling experience including having had limbs picked up regularly, being trotted up and asked to stand still for periods of time.   Of course, bodywork is still important for horses under the age of 3. I am happy to discuss treating your horse under the age of 3 as I will always make exceptions case-by-case.   Young horses are often easily disctracted so it's particularly important you have a quiet space for sessions to take place. This also goes for timing - please book an appointment time which fits into your horses usual routine so that they can get best out of the session (i.e avoid times used for feeding or turnout in your usual routine).   If it's your horses first few sessions, they may be shorter and lighter than normal sessions depending on how well your horse adjusts to manual therapy.

Question 7

My horse is on box rest. Can they have a session?

Accepted Answer

Providing I have permission from your vet and I am made aware of your horse's injury and condition, sessions can go ahead and will be tailored to the situation. I'll likely want to speak with your vet (and vise versa) to discuss your horse's condition in detail.

Question 8

My horse is known to kick and/or bite. Will you still see them?

Accepted Answer

As long I'm made aware of your horse's behaviour and the severity of it, I am happy provide sessions as normal as I will be able to take extra safety precautions to keep myself, your horse and yourself safe.   Kicking and biting are forms of communication thus I consider them valuable when assessing a horse. To an extent, I expect this these behaviours as I investigate the horse's body and uncover areas of pain and restriction.   There is an opportunity to disclose any behavioural issues on my intake/consent form.

Question 9

What's your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

I understand that sometimes schedules change and therefore requests at least 24 hours' notice when cancelling or rescheduling your appointment. Appointments cancelled within 24 hours or for which clients are a “No-Show” will incur a charge of 50% of the service amount. Those who are package members are limited to two free last-minute cancellations or reschedules per subscription period (one year). Any more than 2 last-minute cancellations or reschedules per subscription period will incur a 50% service charge based on non-discounted rates.   I am happy to waiver cancellation fees for horses who live out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, who do not have access to a man-made shelter should adverse weather occur/be predicted for the scheduled appointment time. This is at my discretion.

Question 10

How do therapy packages work?

Accepted Answer

When you purchase a Therapy Package you become a Package Member with a year's subscription period. All packages provide over-the-phone support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Members also get priority booking. Once you've purchased your package, it is valid for 365 days from the date of payment. Sessions can be booked in advance or 'as-and-when'.  All members get priority booking and are given more flexibility. Package members are allowed two free last-minute cancellations or reschedules per subscription period (365 days). Click here to see all therapy packages. I can help you find the right package for your horse to help you save and get the best out of my services. Simply get in touch for a chat.

Question 11

Will you take part in charity events?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!   I can issue vouchers for free sessions to be won in charitable raffles or provide anatomy demonstrations at charity events.   Please get in touch if you're running a charity event and I'll help in any way that I can.

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