About Equilibro
Equilibro is found in 2019 by Dr. Isabeau Deckers with one specific goal; to contribute to the welfare of our sport horses. At Equilibro, we do so by providing physiotherapeutic services within a multidisciplinary framework. Physiotherapy optimises the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, or the 'locomotor apparatus', thus supporting the horse to perform with ease and comfort. Do you consider your horse to be a performer? Then consider a physio!
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Meet Isabeau
BACAP Veterinary Physiotherapist
PhD in the 'Back Biomechanics of the Ridden Horse'
MSc (hons) 'Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Sciences'
MSc (hons) 'Veterinary Physiotherapy'
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Isabeau is a horse fanatic with a particular fascination for the locomotor system of the horse. This and her background as a showjumper motivated her to become an Equine Physiotherapist, for which she completed the Masters 'Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences' at the University of Antwerp (BE) followed by the Masters 'Veterinary Physiotherapy' at Hartpury University (UK). She further specialised herself in the back biomechanics of the ridden horse by means of a PhD at Hartpury University. Isabeau has now been active as an Equine Physiotherapist since 2019, working with horses from all levels and different disciplines (jumping, dressage, eventing, racing, ...). With her work as a Physiotherapist and Researcher, she endeavours to contribute to the welfare of (sport) horses within a multidisciplinary framework.
Publications
Doctoral thesis
Deckers, I. (2024) 'Biomechanical interaction between saddle, rider, and the horse's back'; https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11533491
Published manuscripts
Nankervis, K., Tranquille, C., Tacey, J., Deckers, I., MacKechnie-Guire, R., Walker, V., Hopkins, E., Netwon, R., Murray, R. (2024) 'Kinematic Responses to Water Treadmill Exercise When Used Regularly within a Sport Horse Training Programme: A Longitudinal, Observational Study', 14(16), 2393; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14162393.
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Nankervis, K., Tranquille, C., Chojnacka, K., Tacey, J., Deckers, I., Netwon, R., Murray, R. (2023) ‘Effect of speed and water depth on limb and back kinematics in Thoroughbred horses walking on a water treadmill’, The Veterinary Journal, 300–302, p. 106033. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.106033.
Calzone, S., Wilkins, C., Deckers, I., Nankervis, K. (2022) ‘The Effects of the EquiAmiTM Training Aid on the Kinematics of the Horse at the Walk and Trot In-Hand’, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 111, p. 103868. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103868.
Deckers, I., De Bruyne, C., Roussel, N. A., Truijen, S., Minguet, P., Lewis, V., Wilkins, C. A., Van Breda, E. (2021) ‘Assessing the sport-specific and functional characteristics of back pain in horse riders’, Comparative Exercise Physiology, 17(1), pp. 1–10. doi:10.3920/CEP190075.
Conference proceedings
Walker, V., Maddock, C., Hickson, D., Gamble, R., Leedham, C., Deckers, I., Mackechnie-Guire, R., Tabor, G. (2024) 'Is thoracolumbosacral flexion-extension range of motion in a croup reflex related to thoracolumbar flexion-extension range of motion at walk and trot?', British Equine Veterinary Congress.
Walker, V., Maddock, C., Deckers, I., Leedham, C., Mackechnie-Guire, R., Tabor, G. (2024) 'Is thoracolumbosacral range of motion during a croup reflex related to movement symmetry parameters when trotting in-hand?' British Equine Veterinary Congress.
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Maddock, C., Tabor, G., Deckers, I., Murray, R., Walker, V. (2023) ‘Mediolateral hock motion: relationship with pelvic symmetry and hindlimb muscle development’, Comparative Exercise Physiology, 23(1), p. S17. doi:10.3920/cep2023.s1.
Walker, V.A., Willington, E. and Deckers, I. (2023) ‘Quantifying back movement during sternal and croup reflexes using mounted inertial measurements units’, Comparative Exercise Physiology, 23(1), p. S24. doi:10.3920/cep2023.s1.
Tabor, G., Deckers, I., Timms, E., Paul, J. (2023) ‘Assessing static postural types in sport horses’, Comparative Exercise Physiology, 23(1), p. S36. doi:10.3920/cep2023.s1.
Deckers, I., MacKechnie-Guire, R., Fisher, M., Fisher, D., Nankervis, K. (2022) ‘The effect of a saddle on the kinematics of the thoracolumbosacral spine at walk and trot in-hand’, Comparative Exercise Physiology, 18(s1), p. 86. doi:10.3920/cep2022.s1.
Nankervis, K., Deckers, I., Tranquille, C. A., Tacey, J. B., Newton, R., Murray, R. C. (2022) ‘The effect of walking speed during water treadmill exercise on pelvic kinematics in racehorses’, Comparative Exercise Physiology, 18(s1), p. 80. doi:10.3920/cep2022.s1.
Murray, R. C., Hopkins, E., Tracey, J. B., Nankervis, K., Deckers, I., Mackechnie-Guire, R. and Tranquille, C. A. (2020) ‘Change in muscle development of horses undergoing 20 weeks of water treadmill exercise compared with control horses’, Equine Veterinary Journal, 25(S54), p. 9. doi:10.1111/evj.09_13365.