Reading the head position
How the horse chooses to carry his head can tell us a lot about what is going on in his body. Here’s a few tips on reading head position.
Downhill conformation ... or downhill posture?
A downhill conformation is an undesired trait, one that is very often exacerbated by a weak thoracic sling.
The benefits of hand walking your horse
Hand walking can be a great way to build endurance, lubricate the joints and deepen the relationship between horse and rider.
How to make life easier for your hoof care provider
Warming up the horse and doing some gentle stretches before a hoof care appointment can make the entire process much easier for both the horse and your chosen hoof expert.
Digestive issues and back problems?
Here is another example of how everything in the body is connected. Digestive problems and lumbar issues often go hand in hand.
Can breathing issues cause locomotion problems?
While we tend to think of different systems in the body as separate things, they are all actually very connected. So, for example, the immune system is influenced by the digestive system, the fascia is influenced by the hormone system and so on. In the same vein, breathing issues can often transcend the respiratory system and start causing problems elsewhere.
What kind of bodywork does my horse need?
There are many different equine bodywork modalities out there. Deciding which one will benefit your horse the most can be tricky, but at the end of the day, it’s more about the right practitioner than about the right modality.
Metabolic horses need exercise
Movement is a basic need for a horse and it is up to us to provide it. This is especially true for our metabolic horses.
Subtle signs your training might be off
Knowing if your training strategy is working can sometimes be tricky, which is why it is important to be able to read the subtle changes. Here are some signs that you might need to re-think some aspects of your training.
Should we feed from hay nets – or not?
Haynes are great for prolonging feeding time, but they do come with some drawbacks. Here are some things to consider when using them.
Support for stressful situations
Stressful situations can't always be avoided, so it's important to help our horses cope with them as best as possible.
Do we focus too much on head position ... or not enough?
Your horse’s head position is a source of very valuable information, not a problem that needs to be fixed with shortcuts. Here is what a lot of riders get wrong when dealing with head position problems.
Longer days, longer rides?
Spring is a great time to get back to work, but we have to make sure to do it safely, otherwise we are increasing the risk for injury.
Releasing the key areas
Three important junctions in the horse’s spine are key to healthy back mobility. Here are some gentle techniques to help release any tension in these areas.
The first step to recovery is addressing pain
When dealing with dysfunction, addressing pain should be the first step. There is no point in implementing strengthening programmes until the horse is pain-free and can benefit from strengthening.
Red flags for stifle issues
Stifle issues are quite common in horses. Knowing how to read the red flags can help you take action sooner and help your horse recover faster.
Before you buy a horse
Not every horse is right for every purpose. Before you buy a horse, have a long think about your skill level, your ambitions and your financial capability.
When you pick up your horse's leg...
A healthy horse should be able to effortlessly stand on three legs while you pick up the fourth one. If this is a struggle, it is worth investigating.
Checking for stifle stability
Instability in the stifles is a very common, but often underrecognized, issue. Here are some things to look out for in your horse.
Can stressful events cause restriction and stiffness?
What happens in the mind does not stay in the mind. Stressful events can cause issues in the body, especially tension in the ventral chain of muscles.