UQ equine research sparks interest

Groundbreaking scientific research on back pain in horses is set to begin at The University of Queensland. And it’s attracting international interest.

Leading animal and human physiotherapist Narelle Stubbs will receive financial support from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation for her PhD thesis.

Ms Stubbs has travelled and worked in many parts of the world in her specialist career and has been physiotherapist to both horses and riders in the Australian Equestrian Team since 1998.

She is a partner in Animal Physiotherapy Solutions, a business based in the Gold Coast hinterland, and a part-time lecturer at UQ Gatton, home to the first Masters in Animal Physiotherapy course in Australia.

Her research will span UQ`s Schools of Veterinary Science, Animal Studies and Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, under principal supervisor Dr Catherine McGowan.

Ms Stubbs has been passionate about horses since growing up as a pony clubber at Port Macquarie in NSW. She said very little study had been done on equine back pain despite it having a major impact on the industry.

“A lot of horses suffer back pain which may be acute or chronic but not necessarily make the animal lame. Such pain can result in a massive performance loss,” she said.

“There is a huge wastage factor, particularly with elite animals which lose power in their hindquarters and do not reach their full potential. It can lead to secondary injuries or animals being written off.”

Ms Stubbs said there was a major economic impact in the racing industry. Back pain could make a big difference to performance across horse sports from racing and show jumping to dressage and polo.

“It even impacts on pony club animals,” she said.

“We hope to develop diagnostic and treatment tools for back pain as part of my research and build a base for further study in this field.”

Ms Stubbs graduated in human physiotherapy at the University of Sydney before travelling for eight years, predominantly working and studying in the UK where her private practice was about 70 percent animals and 30 percent human.

She has lectured and tutored intensive sessions in animal physiotherapy in England, Finland, Spain, the USA, South Africa and Australia.

Her UK clients included leading Australian equestrians Andrew Hoy and Matt Ryan. This led to an involvement with the national team at World Games and Olympic competitions.

“Working with elite athletes and animals pushed to their physical limits is very demanding and challenging,” she said. “Physiotherapy has a role in performance enhancement and importantly in helping prevent injuries.”

Ms Stubbs is a co-founder of the Australian Animal Physiotherapy Association, which has championed the need for professional qualifications.

“I was pleased to get involved with the postgraduate program at UQ Gatton on my return to Australia and jumped at the chance to do a PhD in such an important field of research,” Ms Stubbs said.

Media: For more information, contact Narelle Stubbs (telephone 5533 7634) or Anthony Smith at UQ Gatton (telephone 0409 265 587).