A very special year of learning...

Christa Veinotte

I cant quite believe that it is 5 years since I qualified as a veterinary physiotherapist completing a PGDip and then Masters degree at the University of Nottingham. However, my equine learning journey started much earlier; 12 years since I first started taking accredited qualifications in equine learning theory, sports massage and psychology and 25 continuous years of horse ownership care riding and competing.

As a RAMP and NAVP member I must do 25 hours structured learning each year - in 2025 this mounted up to 70 hours including in person dissection at Hartpury University, 1 international and 1 UK based conference.

The incomparable Gillian Higgins

The Horses Inside Out Conference over 3 days included a practical day watching Dr Sue Dyson and Dr Kevin Haussler evaluate horses dynamically and through palpation and watch both Ros Canter and Jeanette Brakewell train horses from novice to international level. Saddle fitting for military horses including helping with saddle slip rounded off one of the best learning experiences I have had since I started training.

Dr Haussler

It is VERY difficult to top that!

But not impossible

This year my focus is back with manual therapies. Some of the most important tools in the box and what truly differentiates us from other practitioners in both assessment and treatment.

I am absolutely delighted to be able to study in Canada with Christa Veinotte, the owner and inventor of Hestaband kinesiology tape. This is a once in a life time opportunity to work with and learn from one of the leading practitioners in the field.

There is more information about taping horses on my main website: https://www.stepbystepvetphysiotherapy.co.uk/kinesiology-taping-for-horses.

Christa in action

The course, over 3 days, is intensive and covers

1. when taping is indicated,

2. which structures to address

3. a scientific rationale for clinical reasoning and effectiveness

lymphatic taping for swelling recovery and post-injury support

There is professional certification on successful completion.

"It's just a piece of tape that changes lives."

In preparation for the course I have been catching up with Hestaband sponsored webinars and covering the literature as well as introducing taping to support the Step by Step and client horses.

Instability in the hocks, particularly in older horses is often seen when I am out treating. This application visibly improved the protraction of the hind limb and lessened the lateral movement of the hock when a slow mo video before and after taping were compared.

For practitioners and would be tapers also check out the hestaband.com website for more information and follow the brand on face book where Christa provides helpful hints and other information about her products.

The lifting effect can be clearly seen in this taping of the proximal fore limb - 3 days after applying, it is still working. This horse had been ridden, from the field each day, The weather was cold but dry. This horse has sensitivity over the rib cage under the girth and is undergoing a different approach to the saddle. We are trying a treeless flexible saddle to allow much more shoulder movement and hopefully, along with body work and taping eradicate this area of discomfort.

A collaborative approach: There is much for me to do in this area and we are just beginning but one of the key areas is the accessibility of the Hestaband product and to customer support through a trained Hestaband supplier in the UK.

I am very excited for where this might take us

Step by Step one client at a time.