Equine-Librium, founded in 2007 by Ronel van der Sijde and Marinette Teeling, runs a network of veterinary physiotherapy clinics across South Africa. Our team of 18 fully qualified Veterinary Physiotherapists is spread throughout the country, providing essential care for animals.

Veterinary Physiotherapists are key members of the Veterinary Health Team, offering crucial therapy as part of standard veterinary care. At Equine-Librium, our therapists focus on evaluating a wide range of neuromusculoskeletal issues, primarily in horses, dogs, and cats. However, we’re also equipped to assist other companion animals and wildlife.

Our Veterinary Physiotherapy services cover prevention, recovery, and ongoing maintenance for injuries, trauma, and pathology. Our goal is to enhance animals’ quality of life, performance, and overall well-being.

For competition and working animals, our interventions are vital for injury prevention and ongoing maintenance. Likewise, for pets dealing with orthopaedic issues or recovering from surgery, our specialised therapies are essential.

At Equine-Librium, we’re dedicated to improving mobility, strength, and fitness in your animals while reducing pain and stiffness. With our extensive experience, qualifications, and advanced equipment, we ensure that your beloved animals receive the best treatment. 

Veterinary physiotherapists are trained to treat a wide range of conditions in both dogs and horses.

Some common conditions they address include:

In Dogs:

  1. Orthopedic Issues: This includes conditions like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament injuries, and patellar luxation.
  2. Neurological Disorders: Physiotherapists can help dogs with conditions such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), degenerative myelopathy, and nerve injuries.
  3. Osteoarthritis: Physiotherapy techniques can alleviate pain and improve mobility in dogs suffering from arthritis.
  4. Soft Tissue Injuries: This includes strains, sprains, and muscle tears, which are common in active or athletic dogs.
  5. Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in aiding dogs’ recovery after orthopaedic or soft tissue surgeries, such as cruciate ligament repair or fracture repair.

In Horses:

  1. Lameness: Physiotherapists can help diagnose and treat various causes of lameness, including issues with the feet, legs, or spine.
  2. Back Pain: Many horses experience back pain due to poor saddle fit, muscle imbalances, or underlying conditions. Physiotherapy techniques can alleviate discomfort and improve back function.
  3. Muscle Atrophy: Physiotherapy is used to strengthen and build muscle in horses suffering from muscle wasting due to injury, illness, or lack of exercise.
  4. Tendon and Ligament Injuries: Rehabilitation programs designed by physiotherapists help horses recover from tendon and ligament injuries, such as bowed tendons or suspensory ligament strains.
  5. Performance Enhancement: Physiotherapy can improve a horse’s performance by addressing biomechanical issues, optimizing movement, and enhancing overall fitness.
  6. Post-Surgical Treatment: Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in aiding horses’ recovery after orthopaedic or soft tissue surgeries, such as cruciate ligament repair or fracture repair.

Ronel Van Der Sijde

CEO – Sport Scientist, Equine Physiotherapy, Equine Chiropractics

Ronel founded Equine-Librium in 2007 and was instrumental in building it up to what it is today.
Currently Ronel is the CEO of Equine-Librium College and Clinics. She spends her time taking part in all the different facets of Equine-Librium. Helping to develop and grow regulated, reputable veterinary physiotherapy world wide and provide higher education to the modern veterinary team.
Ronel quote:
“It is an honor to be part of a team who not only have phenomenal qualifications and experience, but share a passion for animals and students!
A team with an insatiable hunger to keep learning as much as possible.
A team committed to make a positive difference by training professionals for the future.”
Ronel lives in Plettenberg Bay with her husband, three dogs, four of her own horses plus more or less fifty other horses. All loved and adored to bits!

MARINETTE TEELING

Principal: Equine-Librium College (Pty) Ltd & Equine-Librium Clinics (Pty) Ltd
Senior Lecturer: Applied and Clinical Physiotherapy

BSc Physio: Stellenbosch University
Master of Animal Studies : Queensland University: Australia
Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education: Rhodes University.

Marinette Teeling graduated from Stellenbosch in 2003, BSc Physiotherapy and completed her Masters degree in Animal Physiotherapy in 2007 at University of Queensland.

She is very passionate about the field of Veterinary Physiotherapy and has served on many different platforms in the development of this profession. She is also keenly involved in dog sports and actively competed with her our dogs in showing, agility, field trials and obedience.

She loves lecturing and strives to “qualify veterinary physiotherapists with a superb understanding of the animals they treat and a sound set of practical treatment skills, to ensure the profession’s name is held high and to show the true benefit of physiotherapy in the animal field”.