Summary
Overview
Dr. Chris Van Tulleken and Dr. Xand Van Tulleken continue their conversation with Kate Haynes, a chartered physiotherapist who works with both humans and animals, particularly horses. In this extended discussion, they explore the fascinating intersection of human and animal physiology, delving into how Kate's work with horses has transformed her approach to treating human patients. The conversation reveals surprising anatomical differences between human and horse shoulders, the importance of bringing intentional energy to healthcare consultations, and practical exercises for maintaining shoulder health.
The Intersection of Human and Animal Physiotherapy
Kate Haynes explains how working with both humans and animals has shaped her practice, revealing that horses can be either easier or more challenging patients depending on their personality. She discusses how horses develop recognition and memory of their physiotherapist, with some responding immediately to her presence while others require more careful handling. The biggest difference in her practice is that horses lack the verbal communication humans have, making body language and energy even more crucial.
- Kate is qualified to treat any animal but specialized in horses, having treated exotic patients including chickens, lambs, and goats
- Some horses remember their physiotherapist and see them every 4-6 weeks, making treatment easier over time
- Working with animals changed how Kate treats humans - she now looks at patients as a whole biomechanical chain rather than just treating isolated symptoms
" I always kind of go with the approach of I'm here to help you because animals in pain can be quite defensive and that's that can be a challenge but I sort of go in with it was quite a soft approach which it which works "
Horses as Teachers: Reading Energy and Emotion
Kate reveals the remarkable ability of horses to detect human physiological states, explaining that as prey animals, they can pick up a person's heart rate within two seconds. This sensitivity requires physiotherapists to be extremely intentional about their emotional state and approach. She describes specific techniques like scratching the wither (a communication method horses use with each other) to release endorphins and establish trust, demonstrating how understanding animal behavior creates better therapeutic relationships.
- Horses can detect human heart rate changes within two seconds due to being prey animals that must stay alert
- Scratching a horse's wither releases endorphins and communicates friendship, as this is how horses groom each other
- Some horses are vet-phobic, so Kate starts treatment at the back rather than the neck to avoid being mistaken for a vet with needles
" I really think okay you're okay I'm here to help you and I go in a very soft really soft body language I kind of scratch their wither which is the the round bit at the top if you think about the shoulder and you go up a bit there's the wither there if you scratch the wither that's actually a horse communication of I'm your friend "
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