Dewi Bergman-van Mechelen is not only an equine physiotherapist and chiropractor; she's a recognised force in her field. For over 20 years, she's been the go-to expert for sports horses at every level. She co-founded DD-PHYSIO with Denise de Wilde, a practice that collaborates with the specialists at the Sporthorse Medical Diagnostic Centre (SMDC) in The Netherlands and Hästklinik Florian Lackner (HKF) in Sweden.
We were curious to know more about how they work together and what role gait analysis plays in their joint efforts. Here’s what she had to say!
A: It's about commitment—to learning, to innovating, to planning. Right from the start of my career, I aimed to become the best in the Netherlands, and I made a plan for how to get there. I keep pushing to develop, from being the first to take new courses to adopting the latest tools. Our practice is unique because we have specialists in different areas, which means we can always offer the best treatment possible. That, and our close work with top clinics, keeps us ahead.
A: I participated in the first edition of the Equine Gait Analysis Society (EGAS) course and have been using Sleip since my certification. My interest in this subject began at SMDC clinic. The vets were using the mo-cap system Qualisys for gait analysis, but Sleip is easier to use. We did get similar results from both, but the simplicity of Sleip won us over. Now, it's the clinic's main tool in objective gait analysis. I’m especially excited about the slow-motion videos—they're great for analysing and documenting how horses move.
A: Collaboration is vital, and objective measurements and documentation give us a shared language. But you need to understand what you’re are looking at. If you can't interpret the data correctly, or you do it differently from the vet, you’re bound to fail. Communication and a shared level of knowledge are the keys to successful, collaborative use of Sleip.
A: Absolutely. It's especially useful for horses I see regularly, like every month or every two months. I like how Sleip can pick up on the little things. What I might miss with my bare eye, Sleip can catch. It's all about knowing what's normal for each horse. When something changes, Sleip helps us detect it early. We can then have an informed chat with the owner or the vet about what to do next.
A: Sleip's great for spotting lameness, but it'd be even better if it could also measure asymmetry in stride length, or range of motion of the legs and spine.
A: Monitoring over time is a game-changer. It removes doubt. We used to rely on our own memory and old videos from our phones, but now with Sleip, we've got hard data. It helps us confirm what we suspect and track progress or problems in a much more accurate way.
A: It's essential to start with humility. The early years are about learning and practice. So, my advice would be to spend time at vet clinics and with other physiotherapists; observe and learn. I did so many internships, which really helped me. Being certified is just the beginning—it doesn’t mean that you are instantly ready to handle everything. But I think it’s through experience that your passion will become apparent. Discovering what you love is key—it's what drives you to keep learning and growing in the field. What we're doing now, at this stage of my career, and the building of a group practice—is what I see as the future of this field. Working alone can be limiting, but collaborating with others accelerates learning. Discussing challenging cases with colleagues, whether they’re physiotherapists or veterinarians, broadens your understanding. Together, you grow and know more, and to me, that’s truly invaluable.
Thanks Dewi, for taking the time to answer our questions! Want to learn more about Dewi Bergman-van Mechelen's approach to equine care? Check out our in-depth article here.
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