Amanda Butler Veterinary Physiotherapist

23/08/2026

Strengthening, stability & coordination 🐾💪

This exercise combines forelimbs elevated on a block with controlled side-stepping over raised poles. Elevating the front end encourages weight transfer through the hindlimbs, while the poles challenge proprioception, coordination and controlled limb placement.

A great way to build strength, body awareness and balance—and it can be adapted to suit each individual dog's rehabilitation needs. 🐶✨

05/08/2026

I tried to set the camera up to capture Digby's treatment session, but the moment he caught sight of himself on the screen, all plans went out the window! 😂🐾

Instead of focusing on his physio, Digby spent the next few minutes admiring himself through the camera. Safe to say, someone knows he's handsome! ❤️

Sometimes the best moments happen when the camera isn't rolling exactly as planned. ❤️

03/08/2026

Please take a look and follow me :)

85 Followers, 33 Following, 53 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Amanda butler vet physio ()

03/08/2026

✨ Bobby, completely relaxed at the end of our session. ✨

This video was taken towards the end of our session, with Bobby fully settled in a parasympathetic state—the "rest and digest" mode, where the nervous system can regulate, tension can release and the body can truly process.

Nervous system regulation can have a profound effect on movement quality, allowing horses to move more freely and comfortably.

Sometimes, the most powerful part of physiotherapy happens after we leave the stable, giving horses the time and space to absorb the session in their own way.

Today's session was incredibly special, and Bobby really seemed to understand why I was there. These quiet moments are often where the real magic happens. ❤️🐴

03/08/2026

Working on a Sunday isn’t all that bad 😍
I genuinely love my job and had the most beautiful day yesterday 😍💙

27/07/2026

🐴 **Let's talk about compensatory patterns...**

A three-legged stand isn't just about balance—it's about observing **how a horse chooses to load each limb**.

When we see shifted weight function or unilateral weakness, it's easy to prescribe the same exercises to both sides. But if we don't first ask **why the horse is compensating**, we risk reinforcing the stronger side rather than encouraging the weaker limb to work more effectively.

Research has shown that horses with unilateral limb dysfunction redistribute load across the other limbs to reduce stress on the affected limb, highlighting the importance of identifying compensatory strategies rather than simply treating the compensation.

Any **new lameness, change in gait or new clinical signs** should always be assessed by the attending veterinary surgeon. Where appropriate, further veterinary investigation or referral should be considered before progressing rehabilitation.

**This is why I always question *why* before prescribing an exercise.**

21/07/2026

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say a huge **thank you** for trusting me with your horses and dogs. It’s a privilege to be part of their rehabilitation, performance, and wellbeing journey, and I truly appreciate every one of you for supporting my small business.

If you've been happy with the care you've received from **Amanda Butler Veterinary Physiotherapy**, I would be so grateful if you could take a couple of minutes to leave me a review. Your feedback means the world to me and really helps other owners feel confident in choosing my services.

You can leave a review on either platform:

⭐ **Google: https://g.page/r/CRsdK-94vFA8EAI/review

⭐ **Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DNrxsKBLS/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Whether it's a few words about your experience, your animal's progress, or how physiotherapy has helped them, every review makes a huge difference.

Thank you again for your continued support. I genuinely couldn't do what I love without such wonderful clients and their amazing horses and pets.

Amanda Butler
Veterinary Physiotherapist 🐴🐶💙

“Restoring mobility, function and quality of life”

Fully insured, regulated and registered.

Covering Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and surrounding areas.

BSC, PGDIP, NAVP

https://www.abvetphysio.co.uk

21/07/2026

✨ **Let's talk nervous systems...**

Sometimes the biggest change isn't in the movement—it's in the state of the nervous system.

Bob arrived in full **sympathetic mode** ("fight or flight").

👀 Head high.
💨 Shallow breathing.
💪 Tight muscles.
⚡ Constantly scanning his environment.

When a horse is in this state, the body is focused on protection, not recovery.

As veterinary physiotherapists, we don't just assess muscles and joints—we assess the horse in front of us. The nervous system influences muscle tone, movement, pain perception and recovery, so it deserves just as much attention.

By the end of Bob's session... ❤️

🌿 Softer eyes.
🌿 Lowered head.
🌿 Relaxed posture.
🌿 Slower, deeper breathing.

A horse that's shifted into a more **parasympathetic** ("rest, digest and recover") state.

No, he's not "just sleepy." His body has simply moved into a state where it can let go of unnecessary tension and become more receptive to healing.

I think we spend too much time trying to fix bodies, and not enough time asking if the nervous system feels safe enough to change.

Sometimes the body doesn't need forcing—it just needs the opportunity.

💚 That's where the magic happens.