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The West Dorset Magazine, March 25, 2022
Equestrian
‘The best job in the world’: Animal By Karen Bate newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk
When my horse-mad daughter bought her first four-year-old horse several years ago, it was love at first sight. Things went well at first, Florence spent hours building their bond, quietly building on his confidence, instilling trust and gently pushing him forward. But then Mars began to buck whenever she rode. Not little bucks, but huge shape-shifting bucks, which could unseat the most seasoned rider. Florence has been surrounded by horses since she was two years old. She has ridden since she was four. She rang the vet. She rang the saddler. She rang the dentist. She rang the nutritionist. She turned him out for longer. She was stricter with his routine. Mars carried on bucking. Mars threw everyone off. Every single day. Florence rang the vet, again and swallowing the costs, they agreed that Mars was to have a scan. The scan revealed a slight nerve problem in his back, which would respond well with three weekly laser treatments over a three-tosix-month period. Fast forward a few years and Mars no longer has nerve issues, however, he is a delicate flower, and as such Flo wanted regular physiotherapy sessions for her beloved. She was given the number
PET: Shannon with her dogs and, below, a smile from Mars and, right, Florence with Mars
for SR Veterinary Physiotherapy, owned by qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist Shannon Rodway, a member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP), who lives in Dorchester. Shannon arrived, her special magic toolkit in hand, and put Mars (who
frankly is a tricky beast) at ease without needing sedation. Flo felt reassured and Shannon worked on the beautiful Criollo cross. Shannon said: “I really enjoy becoming involved in the work-up process, helping uncover problems or providing routine maintenance. “Some are having post-
operative rehabilitation for various conditions such spinal or ligament injuries as well as fracture repair. “Other patients may be suffering from sprains, muscle strains or arthritis. Whatever the reason, I always devise an individual treatment plan and it is incredibly rewarding to see patient
