title: Introduction to Equine Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.
abstract: Physical therapy (physiotherapy, or PT) can be broadly defined as the restoration of movement and function and includes assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation. This review outlines the history, definition, and regulation of PT, followed by the core scientific principles of PT. Because musculoskeletal physiotherapy is the predominant subdiscipline in equine PT, encompassing poor performance, back pain syndromes, other musculoskeletal disorders, and some neuromuscular disorders, the sciences of functional biomechanics, neuromotor control, and the sensorimotor system in the spine, pelvis, and peripheral joints are reviewed. Equine PT also may involve PT assessment and treatment of riders.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, The University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK. Electronic address: cmcgowan@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: McGowan
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Science, The University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cottriall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006736:Horses; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000266:history* / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Horse-rider interaction; Joints; Neuromotor control; Pelvis; Physiotherapy; Sensorimotor; Spine; Veterinarian-physiotherapist team