Holly Nicholson
The founder of Eclipse Vet Physio
Holly is a Level 7 qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist whom after three years of undergraduate study towards a First Class Honours in Bloodstock and Performance Horse Management sort out a Masters in Veterinary Physiotherapy in order to further her goals in improving and maintaining animals to the best of her ability.
From a young age Holly has been surrounded by horses and dogs thanks to catching the bug from her grandfather – David “The Duke” Nicholson – a Champion National Hunt Racehorses trainer. The love for Thoroughbreds was then cemented and having lived in The Cotswold’s her whole life surrounded by racehorse trainers and sports horses it was difficult to not fall in love with these gorgeous animals.
It was no surprise that since the age of twelve Holly has been working in the racing industry for trainers and stud yards – with the pleasure of seeing these animals born through to their racing careers and back again to restart the cycles with their own foals. Over the years she has been involved in dealing with fit racehorses and when they are being brought back in to work during racing and foaling, handling weanlings, yearlings, mares and some of the quieter stallions and sales preparation in the stud industry.
During this time she was able to retrain her own Cheltenham Festival winner – Oh Crick – in to an overgrown pony who could turn his head to anything. He was a difficult transition to begin with but the journey has been so rewarding and he has been an asset during the Physio masters. As with the majority of Thoroughbreds, he needs careful monitoring of digestive and muscular health in order to keep him in top condition to allow him to be relaxed in his own body.
Springer spaniels have been part of her entire life – 4 lucky girls have graced the family home. There are an abundance of commercial shoots in the area mean that there are a large amount of gundogs. One of her dogs has also undergone TPLO surgery for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture and by overseeing her rehabilitation Mumbles was able to increase her total muscle mass of the affected hindlimb by 1.5cm in only 4 weeks of hydrotherapy and 8 weeks of physiotherapy of only manual techniques and therapeutic exercises – the usual rate is around 0.5cm increases.
A new canine additional is due in to the family who will help Holly to document the management of young excitable breeds in order to avoid the potential orthopaedic disorders – as much as this may be possible with a hyperactive breed.
Qualifications
First Class Honours in (BSc) Bloodstock and Performance Horse Management
Royal Agricultural University – Graduated 2019
Masters of Science in Veterinary Physiotherapy
Writtle University College – 2022
Meet The Team
Hugo (Fr) b. 2003
Hugo has been a part of the team since 2014 having come straight from Alan King’s yard following his last race in the February of the same year. He is a gorgeous overgrown Labrador of a Thoroughbred and will do almost anything for treats or a scratch. He loves Mumbles as much as the rest of the family and can be seen sharing his food with her at most feed times.
Mumbles (b. 2013)
Mumbles forms the canine part of the logo and can usually be seen sunbathing or lounging around somewhere. She may be a springer but she is calm and composed which has made her TPLO recovery much easier.
Old Friends
River Bride (1988 – 2022)
The origin behind the name
Bridey’s markings looked similar to that of a solar eclipse and she was always part of the journey until nearly the very end. She loved every scratch and treat she could have and as a reminder that with correct management these gorgeous animals can live a long and happy life.
Eclipse Vet Physio 