REHABILITATION
Progressive, individualized rehabilitation for equine, canine and exotic patients.
OUR APPROACH
Rehabilitation at Animals In Motion is not defined by individual modalities or fixed protocols.
It is guided by understanding how an individual animal moves, compensates, and responds to its environment and workload.
We begin with careful assessment because effective rehabilitation depends on understanding the animal in front of us—not simply the diagnosis.
We consider biomechanics because movement patterns influence how forces travel through the body and how injuries develop or resolve. For this reason, rehabilitation prioritizes movement quality before intensity, allowing coordination and balance to develop before increasing workload.
We pay attention to behavior because an animal’s mental state, confidence, and expectations shape how they move and how they learn new movement patterns. Rehabilitation therefore recognizes behavior as part of the clinical picture, not separate from it.
Programs evolve as the animal responds because rehabilitation is a progression. Advancement is guided by response to load and changes in movement rather than predetermined timelines, emphasizing progression over protocol.
The goal is not simply recovery, but restoring efficient movement, confidence in the body, and the durability needed for long-term soundness and well-being.
WHAT ANIMALS GAIN
Effective rehabilitation restores more than injured tissue—it restores functional movement and confidence in the body.
Through individualized assessment and thoughtful progression, rehabilitation at AIM aims to support:
Improved soundness and movement efficiency
Addressing compensatory patterns and biomechanical dysfunction.
Stronger posture and musculoskeletal support
Rebuilding topline, core strength, and coordinated engagement.
Better balance and neuromuscular control
Helping animals move more efficiently and safely within their discipline or daily life.
Reduced discomfort and improved recovery
Supporting healing through appropriate therapeutic interventions and progressive loading.
A structured return to activity
Providing clear guidance for owners, trainers, and veterinarians as the animal transitions back to work.
Our objective is not simply to resolve a current issue, but to help animals move better, tolerate workload more effectively, and remain sound longer.
CONSULTATIONS
Rehabilitation consultations are done by Dr. Carrie Schlachter and are designed to provide experienced, case-specific guidance for horses that may or may not require onsite care. Drawing on extensive experience in lameness, sports medicine, rehabilitation, herd health, and behavior, each consultation begins with a thorough review of case history, lameness context, and movement assessment.
From this foundation, a rehabilitation plan is developed with clear intent—addressing how the individual horse moves, compensates, and responds physically and mentally to its environment and workload. Recommendations emphasize thoughtful progression over fixed timelines or protocols, with the goal of supporting durable soundness and long-term well-being.
Consultations emphasize:
Whole-horse evaluation within the context of use and management
Clear goals and appropriate progression
Collaboration with owners, trainers, and veterinarians
Not every horse needs to live onsite to benefit from our rehabilitation approach.
ONSITE EQUINE REHABILITATION
Onsite equine rehabilitation at Animals In Motion is designed and overseen by Dr. Carrie Schlachter, with each program developed in response to the individual horse rather than a predefined pathway. Horses are accepted based on clinical need and suitability for a structured rehabilitation environment, where progression is guided by movement quality, response to load, and mental state—not timelines or checklists.
Rehabilitation plans are adjusted continuously, integrating biomechanics, behavior, and use expectations to support long-term soundness and confidence in movement. Daily rehabilitation is carried out by a certified rehabilitation team, with program design, progression, and decision-making directed by Dr. Schlachter to ensure consistency, intent, and accountability throughout the process.
Onsite rehabilitation emphasizes:
Individualized, case-specific programming
Progressive loading guided by response and movement quality
Attention to both mental and physical balance
Daily execution supported by a certified rehabilitation team under AIM oversight
📄 View Equine Rehabilitation Programs (PDF)
Onsite equine rehabilitation is delivered through Animals In Motion in partnership with Melody Oak Farmand Golden Gate Equestrian, with all rehabilitation programming, progression, and clinical oversight directed by Dr. Carrie Schlachter.
CANINE REHABILITATION
Canine rehabilitation at Animals In Motion applies the same biomechanical and behavioral principles used in equine rehabilitation, adapted thoughtfully to the individual dog. Programs are developed with attention to how each dog moves, compensates, and responds to load, environment, and expectation—whether supporting return to performance, recovery from injury or surgery, or maintaining comfort and mobility in aging dogs.
Rehabilitation plans are tailored without simplification, emphasizing appropriate progression, movement quality, and mental engagement. As with all rehabilitation services at AIM, canine programs are designed and overseen by Dr. Carrie Schlachter, ensuring consistency of standards and intent across species.
Rehabilitation principles don’t change — application does.
Canine rehabilitation supports:
Sport and working dogs
Post-operative and injury recovery
Aging dogs maintaining comfort and mobility
EXOTIC REHABILITATION
Animals In Motion provides rehabilitation support for select exotic species on a limited, case-by-case basis. These cases are approached with careful consideration of species-specific biomechanics, behavior, and welfare needs, and are undertaken only when appropriate support and oversight can be ensured.
Exotic rehabilitation services are consultation-driven and integrated within the same principles that guide all AIM rehabilitation work, with program design and clinical oversight provided by Dr. Carrie Schlachter.
