It is lunchtime at the James Byrne Racing Yard on the Curragh, in Co Kildare. It is quiet. A lone Jack Russell patrols. Several horses are relaxing in their boxes. They seem to be content, day-dreaming about races to be run. Three young fillies, however, wait with a sense of purpose. They know they have physiotherapy this afternoon. As if on cue, their physiotherapist, Grainne Ni Chaba (28), Ireland's first and only animal physiotherapist, arrives carrying an array of equipment. Her patients are happy to see her. Trust is vital in dealing with animals and Ni Chaba - who is as relaxed as she is energetic - creates an atmosphere of ease.
The first case to be seen is a three-year-old thoroughbred flat filly suffering from a stress fracture at the back of the knee for which she is receiving Pulse Magnetic Field Therapy. The injury has also caused some muscle wastage to the filly's shoulder area and Ni Chaba has been rebuilding it through Electrotherapy, using a machine that sends an electric current through the muscles.
The filly is enjoying her treatment, especially the massage at the end. "The use of hands is very important in physiotherapy; it can help reduce pain and swelling, increase range of motion and muscle function. The most vital tools used in therapy are the eyes, hands and the therapist's temperament as well as the equipment. You observe the horse; the position of the ears, the expression of the eyes to determine the horse's state of mind. The horse's body is a map and obviously when you detect tension in one area it will affect another. Horses are canny, if they are injured they tend to compensate by using another muscle."
Also waiting is a two-year-old bay filly injured while learning to use the starting stalls. "She received severe bruising and a broken rib. Horses don't forget pain. We've had to rehabilitate her into using the stalls again, and she's back in training." Treating the physical injuries, Ni Chaba uses ultra sound, H Wave and massage. Patience has cured the mental pain. The filly is racing next week.
Ni Chaba treats her patients as athletes, which is what they are. And as athletes, they are prone to more intense levels of stress and muscle strain. "Human athletes work on three major areas of fitness: building muscle strength, increasing endurance and improving flexibility. Many horse trainers develop muscle strength and the cardiovascular systems but tend to overlook flexibility. Obviously, speed depends on strength but it also depends on agility. As with any athlete, increased flexibility reduces the risk of injury."
At Castlemartin Stud, the patient is a seven-year-old bay gelding, an experienced National Hunt horse that appears to have slipped and possibly twisted his back. while in motion. He is suffering from gluteral wastage and chronic spasming, and the vertebrae under the saddle area are also damaged. Treatment is comprehensive, including ultrasound and electrotherapy H-Wave, as well as stretching and balancing exercises, "as he is a stiff horse, in need of flexibility." By the end of the session, the gelding appears well aware he has been pampered and settles back to relax in his box to enjoy the sight of his supper approaching.
In a pasture outside, four sales yearlings wander about. One of them has what looks like a wire cut to its rear hind. The vet has asked Ni Chaba if she would consider "lasering" the wound. She agrees. The treatment quickens the healing process and also reduces scarring.
Grainne Ni Chaba became involved with horses in the usual way. As a pony-mad child, she haunted the local stables and helped to muck out in return for riding time. On leaving school, she took a Higher National Diploma in Equine Science in 1995 at the Welsh Agriculture College in Wales. She then went to California where she worked at Santa Anita Racetrack with racing trainer Christopher Speckert. While there, she was first introduced to the idea of using physiotherapy on horses.
After this she spent two seasons with champion trainer Dermot Weld and also rode in ladies races. "I moved to England for the 1997 National Hunt season and had a bad riding accident. It was my physio who, on learning of my love of animals, particularly horses, told me about the National Association of Animal Therapists." An apprentice qualification was on offer.
After completing the course, she went to Florida and worked with Irish trainer Niall Brennan at his racing stables where she broke yearlings and completed a Diploma in Equine sports massage.
In July, Ni Chaba became a full member of the International Association of Animal Therapists and opened Curragh Animal Physiotherapy based at Ballysax House at the Curragh. Many of her patients are racehorses, but Ni Chaba has other charges, including a weight-watching pony. Most unusual of all to date is a prize bull. He injured himself while dismounting from a cow he was covering and is currently received an intensive programme of ultrasound and electrotherapy. All in a day's work.
