Melinda - Velvet Equine Veterinary Physiotherapy

08/08/2026

🐴 Rest days are part of the training too!

We often think progress comes from doing more, but your horse’s body also needs time to recover and adapt to the work you’re asking of it.

Muscles need recovery time after exercise, particularly following harder schooling sessions, jumping, competing or an increase in workload. Without enough recovery, fatigue and muscle tension can gradually build up and start to affect the way your horse moves.

Regular physio can help identify and address these little areas of tension before they become a bigger problem, as well as supporting muscle recovery and keeping your horse feeling comfortable and supple.

Sometimes doing less today means they can do more tomorrow. 🐴💛 #🐴💛

30/07/2026

22/07/2026

🐴 Girthy behaviour, more than just bad manners?

Does your horse pin their ears, swish their tail, nip or move away when being girthed up?

While some horses do anticipate discomfort, girthy behaviour can also be linked to tension through the chest, ribs, back, shoulders or abdominal muscles. Saddle fit, previous soreness and compensation patterns may all play a part.

Physiotherapy can help identify areas of tightness, improve mobility and make the whole process of tacking up more comfortable.

A sudden change in behaviour is always worth listening to — your horse may be trying to tell you something. 💛

06/07/2026

An review/update from Ralph's owner:

🐴 Ralph Update 🐴
I just wanted to share a little update on Ralph… 💛
After his tendon sheath injury, I honestly wasn’t sure how things were going to go, especially with him being 24. But thanks to Melinda and the Indiba treatments, he’s come on so well.
I’m so pleased to say that Ralph is now back in work, sound and happy! Seeing him enjoying his work again is the best feeling.
A huge thank you to Melinda for all her help, advice and care throughout his rehabilitation. The Indiba treatments have been amazing and have played such an important part in his recovery.
I couldn’t be happier with how Ralph is doing, and I’m so excited to have my happy boy back. ❤️🐴

23/06/2026

🐴 Ralph Update 🐴

Ralph continues to make great progress with his rehabilitation and we’re really pleased with how he’s doing. 💛

As part of his treatment plan, he’s been having regular Indiba radiofrequency therapy, which has helped support circulation, tissue healing, and comfort around the affected tendon sheath. He’s tolerated the treatments brilliantly and is looking brighter and moving more comfortably with each session.

Ralph is due to see the vet again next week and we’re hoping for some positive news. With a little more treatment and continued support, we’re hopeful he’ll soon be ready to start returning to work.

For a 24-year-old cob, he’s doing incredibly well and we’re all keeping our fingers crossed for a good report from the vet next week! 🤞🐴✨

26/05/2026

HAY SOAKING SENSE

I need an antonym for my nutribaloney word (nutrition nonsense)

Nutrisense maybe?

Should we still be long-soaking hay in this very hot weather (we're having a heatwave in the UK) for our good doers and those who need to lose weight, or have reduced sugar/fructan (water soluble carbs or WSC) in their diet?

My nutrisense answer is - probably not.

If you're in any doubt as to whether your hay is going off during its soak e.g. it smells different to normal, and/or your horse is refusing to eat as normal, then soak for less time.

For example, you might need to soak your hay just an hour or two rather than all day, for overnight. This is what I am currently doing for my mare.

Generally in the UK we only have a few days of very hot weather, and soaking for less time during that short period will generally be acceptable for most horses and ponies, even it if does increase calorie intake a little.

Furthermore, losses will be quicker with warm water, so this will help reduce nutritive value.

When asked the question ' how long to soak hay' my answer tends to be:
2 to 12 hours, depending on that individual's needs i.e. you can feed enough to avoid more than a 4hour fast during the day, and a 6h fast overnight, whilst maintaining them at a healthy body fat level, and insulin level (if they have EMS/HAL/ID).

(Don't forget that we don't just soak hay to reduce sugars, or sugar and fructan, but also to reduce calories (digestible energy).

We can also introduce straw as a forage to replace some hay or haylage, to reduce calories and WSC, which can help ensure we meet - not exceed - calorie needs. Straw is a useful forage when fed with care (I've posted about feeding straw before).

The thing is, with nutrition - like many other factors in horse and pony care - we need to be flexible and adjustable and ready to adapt according to the environment and our horse or pony's responses.

If you are struggling and need help with your horse or pony's diet, comment feed advice and I'll send you over details of my horse feed check service.

Feel free to share!
🐴🍏

06/05/2026

🐴 Supporting healing with Indiba — Ralph’s story

Ralph, a lovely 24 year-old cob, has been having some support recently for a tendon sheath issue, and he’s been an absolute star to work with 💛

Using Indiba radiofrequency therapy as part of his treatment plan has helped to:
• increase circulation to the area
• support reduction in inflammation
• encourage tissue repair
• keep surrounding structures relaxed and comfortable

For older horses especially, healing can take a little longer, so supporting the body in the right way is key. Treatments like Indiba are a gentle, non-invasive way to help the body do what it’s designed to do, just a bit more efficiently.

Ralph has been feeling brighter, more comfortable, and moving more freely, which is always lovely to see 🐴✨

If your horse is dealing with an injury, managing a long-term condition, or you’d like to support recovery in the best way possible, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to chat 💛

26/04/2026

A few spaces available – Sunday 3rd May

I have a couple of appointments available on Sunday 3rd May (morning & afternoon).

Perfect for:
• routine check-ups
• horses feeling a little stiff or uneven
• post-dental / post-competition support
• or if your horse just isn’t feeling quite right

Sessions include full assessment and treatment, with options to use Indiba and ultrasound where appropriate.

If you’d like to get booked in, just drop me a message on WhatsApp 07990534447
Melinda 💛🐴

22/04/2026

🐴 Building a topline, it’s not just about work

A well-developed topline isn’t just about how a horse looks, it reflects how they’re using their body.

If a horse is struggling to build or maintain topline, it can be linked to:
• underlying discomfort or tension
• poor posture or movement patterns
• saddle fit
• lack of correct muscle engagement

Simply riding more won’t fix it if the body isn’t able to work correctly.

Physio helps by addressing restrictions, improving comfort, and guiding the right exercises so your horse can actually build strength in the right way.

If your horse is finding it hard to develop topline, it’s always worth looking a bit deeper 💛🐴

12/04/2026

🐴 Naughty… or trying to tell you something?

When a horse starts refusing jumps, resisting the contact, or becoming unsettled under saddle, it’s easy to think “behaviour problem.”

But often, it’s the horse’s way of saying something doesn’t feel right.

Discomfort can show up as:
• napping or reluctance to go forward
• tail swishing or ear pinning
• inconsistent contact
•changes in performance
• resistance in transitions

Before labelling it as naughtiness, it’s always worth considering whether there’s an underlying physical cause.

Physio can help identify areas of tension or restriction and get your horse feeling more comfortable, relaxed, and willing again.

If your horse’s behaviour has changed, I’m always happy to chat 💛🐴 #💛🐴