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Eurodressage
Interview
Horses for Courses: Anna Johnson Reflects on
Physiotherapy for Horse and Human
By Kyle
Jones
 As
the new University of London, Royal Veterinary College
MSc and post-graduate diploma in veterinary physiotherapy
opens its doors at Potter's Bar to new students, it's
important to reflect on the growth of this specialised
field and what it can teach us. Anna Johnson, a Chartered
Physiotherapist who trained thirteen years ago, now
specialises in sports injuries for animals and humans.
She not only travels with British equestrian teams around
the world, but also treats two-legged patients at Bisham
Abbey and at home in Ibstone, Buckinghamshire.
Animal and human physiotherapy work toward similar
objectives of mobilising restrictions and improving
muscular symmetry, but the techniques, skills, and equipment
can vary considerably. However, the combination of treating
both horses and humans is hugely beneficial according
to Anna Johnson. "Working with horses has improved
both my palpation and observation skills," she
notes, as verbal communication is simply not an option
with the horse.
Her observation of gait in both human and horses is
finely tuned as she relies heavily on a sharp eye to
detect the slightest problem of each horse's limb, foot,
back, or neck. "You don't tend to ask humans to
walk up and down, but working on horses has taught me
otherwise". Her sense of touch has also become
extremely sensitive through working on horses.
Besides relying more on her own faculties to compensate
for limited communication with her horse patients, Anna
also confronts a much different environment than her
peers working in heated hospitals and clinics. Although
she's travelled to some exotic places accompanying Britain's
top riders; such as Sydney 2000 Olympics, two World
Championships, European Dressage championships, and
many eventing team venues, her average day involves
travel, often hostile weather conditions, and temperamental
large animals. "In winter it is windy and often
James Herriot like. I have to see them move outside
and then do treatment inside where it is dry. I'm an
outdoor person so the spring months are pleasurable.
Winter can be freezing and pouring with rain. My hands
get numb. When it is raining I look forward to the luxury
of days when I treat humans inside".
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