What is Exercise Prescription?

Exercise prescription is a key part of veterinary physiotherapy and refers to the carefully planned and individualised exercise programmes designed to help your pet or horse recover from injury, build strength, and move more comfortably.

These exercises are tailored to your animal’s specific needs, condition, and stage of recovery — ensuring they are safe, effective, and goal-focused. They can be used as part of rehabilitation following surgery or injury, or as a maintenance plan to support long-term mobility, performance, and wellbeing.

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Exercise Prescription for Dogs

For canine patients, exercise programmes may include a variety of controlled movements and strengthening exercises designed to restore mobility, improve balance, and rebuild muscle tone.

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Examples include:

Weight-shifting and balance work to improve stability and coordination.

Cavaletti poles or low obstacles to encourage controlled limb movement.

Sit-to-stand repetitions to build hindlimb strength and core stability.

Controlled lead walking and gait retraining to improve movement patterns.

Targeted stretching to maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness.​

 

Every exercise is demonstrated and adjusted to suit your dog’s comfort level, ability, and response to treatment. You’ll be shown how to safely carry out the exercises at home, with clear guidance and progress checks at follow-up appointments.

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These exercises help to:

Rebuild strength and endurance.

Improve joint mobility and posture.

Enhance coordination and confidence.

Support recovery and prevent re-injury.

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Exercise Prescription for Horses

For equine patients, exercise prescription focuses on restoring correct movement patterns, balance, and muscle symmetry, whether in-hand, under saddle, or during groundwork.

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Exercises may include:

Pole work and raised poles to encourage engagement and coordination.

In-hand or long-reining exercises to improve posture and topline development.

Hill work to strengthen the hindquarters and improve cardiovascular fitness.

Lateral exercises such as leg yield or shoulder-in to increase suppleness and even muscle use.

Dynamic stretching and core stability work to enhance performance and prevent stiffness.

 

Each programme is created based on your horse’s physical assessment, workload, and lifestyle — helping to ensure exercises are both effective and achievable within your daily routine.

 

These exercises support:

Improved strength, balance, and coordination.

Enhanced muscle tone and posture.

Better joint mobility and flexibility.

Reduced risk of strain or compensatory injury.

 

Why Exercise Prescription Matters

Whether for dogs, horses, or other companion animals, exercise prescription forms the foundation of long-term physiotherapy success. It allows your animal to continue progressing between sessions, helps maintain improvements gained during treatment, and empowers you as the owner to take an active role in your pet’s recovery and wellbeing.

Each plan is reviewed and adapted as your animal’s condition changes — ensuring continued progress, comfort, and confidence at every stage of rehabilitation.