A lot of training and behavioural issues stem from pain, but sometimes finding the true cause of pain can be tricky. This is especially true because pain does not necessarily reflect tissue damage.

When performance issues are quite subtle, it can be hard to know who to call for help first. While this does depend on the individual horse, here are some general pointers. 

While it might seem that horses need a firmer form of bodywork, or else nothing will happen, this is often not the case. Gentle bodywork can actually achieve more in a shorter time.

Horses have a hard time in the heat, so it’s ok to ease up on our training and spend some time doing fun activities.

Senior horses can benefit from bodywork, but it needs to be adjusted to their specific needs. 

Here are a few ideas on how to strengthen the thoracic sling in a very casual, non-complicated way.

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.

A downhill conformation is an undesired trait, one that is very often exacerbated by a weak thoracic sling. 

Hand walking can be a great way to build endurance, lubricate the joints and deepen the relationship between horse and rider.

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. 

Here is another example of how everything in the body is connected. Digestive problems and lumbar issues often go hand in hand. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Haynes are great for prolonging feeding time, but they do come with some drawbacks. Here are some things to consider when using them.

Stressful situations can't always be avoided, so it's important to help our horses cope with them as best as possible. 

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.

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.

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.