ONE of the country’s top rehabilitation centres for competition horses is having an open day. The Peasebrook Equine Clinic at Buckland, near Broadway, aims to return horses to racing, dressage, eventing, showjumping or even to be just part of the family.

Equestrians from across the country are expected to attend the event on Sunday, July 1, with arena displays and trade stands.

Mary Bromily, distinguished lecturer and pioneer of equine physiotherapy and rehabilitation, will officially open the clinic’s new equine spa.

“Mary has revolutionised the way racehorses have been treated and rehabilitated from soft tissue and muscle injury. She singlehandedly linked physiotherapy to the veterinary profession,” said Claire Galer, equine nutritionist and clinic manager.

“We are expecting more than 200 people to attend the event.”

Other demonstrations include one from Kirsty Davis, professional equine sports therapist and event rider who will explain what to look for when buying a horse; Nickie Maddiford, dressage rider; Matt Evetts, polo player for Great Britain; and Dr Hilary Equi-Ami, who will show how to lunge a horse.

Throughout the day there will be spa, treadmill and solarium demonstrations and a team of vets and therapists will be on hand to answer questions.

Claire and her husband Tim – the director of the centre – set up Peasebrook to ensure that each horse receives an individual programme. Combining Tim’s veterinary experience and Claire’s career as an equine sports therapist, the clinic enables horses to be bought back from injury in the safest way.

Claire said: “Physical therapy for horses is a rapidly evolving field. Over the past 10 years there has been a lot of research on treatments including ice, heat, massage, lasers, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and magnetic fields.

“Our centre is unique in that it is based at an equine veterinary hospital. The goal for each horse is to not only help the injury to get better in a shorter period of time, but for it to heal with a greater quality of repair than comparative paddock rest, reducing the chance of re-injury.”