How much discomfort is acceptable?
During the coldest months of the year, some horses might become a little stiffer. Here are a few ideas on how to keep them as comfortable as possible.
Ice, cold and stiff horses
During the coldest months of the year, some horses might become a little stiffer. Here are a few ideas on how to keep them as comfortable as possible.
Why unwanted behaviour during tacking up can be tricky to solve
Unwanted behaviour while being tacked up can be a tough nut to crack. The behaviour can sometimes persist, even though you've eliminated pain and discomfort. Here's why and what to do about it.
Joint problems don't come out of nowhere
Joint issues rarely appear out of nowhere, but they can be devastating, because the ability of the cartilage to heal is limited. This is why it’s crucial to understand how joint issues happen and what to do about it early.
Observing changes in the back and hind end
The back and hind end take a while to develop, so it can be harder to see changes here than in the front end. Here’s what to look for.
Observing changes in the thoracic sling
As the horse’s training progresses, his thoracic sling will change. If the training is sound, the thoracic sling should become more functional and stronger. Here is what to look out for.
Observing changes in the neck
The neck is one of the areas where changes start to show early. This is why observing the neck regularly can give us a lot of feedback on how our training is going. Here is what to look for.
Observing the changes in your horse
Noticing changes can be tricky. The changes that occur with training are subtle and if we see our horse every day it can be hard to detect them. Here is how to notice change over time.
Why cribbing collars aren't the answer
Cribbing can be a frustrating issue to deal with and just putting a cribbing collar on can seem like a good idea. But here's why cribbing collars can do more harm than good.
Making sense of subtle front limb issues
Why a horse might appear off in front is sometimes a very difficult question to answer. Here are some tips on how to go about your detective work.
The two non-negotiables every rider needs to know
The more we as riders know about our horses, the better decisions we can make. Here are the two essential topics that all riders should be educated on.
Normal does not mean ok
We often mistake the word normal for “everything is fine”. But normal does not mean non-pathological, it just means very common. Here are some examples.
Solving riddles
Here are some tips on how to approach a horse that is not lame, but randomly feels “off”.
How does your horse rest?
How the horse chooses to use his body while resting can tell us a lot about issues he might be having. Pay attention to how your horse stands when he is relaxed.
Don't be afraid of speed work (for healthy horses)
Slow, postural work should be the basis for a balanced horse, but faster gaits have their benefits too.
Elbow pain – more common than you might think
Elbow pain is very common in horses who struggle to use their front end correctly. It is a problem many riders are unaware of, so it's important to educate ourselves on signs of elbow pain.
The girth line needs your attention!
The area where the girth lies is a very important one from a biomechanics point of view. Restrictions here can have a negative effect on front limb biomechanics, which is why it’s important to address any restrictions here on a regular basis.
The transition to barefoot – from a bodyworker's point of view
Taking care of the myofascial system during the transition from shod to barefoot is crucial for long term success.
The trouble with X-rays
Findings of diagnostic imaging do not always match the symptoms. This can make rehab especially tricky.
Whatever problem you're fixing – consider diet too
Diet has a huge impact on overall health. When dealing with any kind of health issue, make sure you consider changes in diet too.