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.

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 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.

Here are some tips on how to approach a horse that is not lame, but randomly feels “off”.

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.

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.

Findings of diagnostic imaging do not always match the symptoms. This can make rehab especially tricky.

Some horses seem chronically tight, even with regular bodywork and appropriate work. In these cases, it makes sense to look at the broader picture and consider other contributors to fascial tightness.

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

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.

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.

Instability in the stifles is a very common, but often underrecognized, issue. Here are some things to look out for in your horse.

Rotation of the hind limb in walk is a very common sight in horses. There are many factors that contribute to it, and if we want to address the issue properly, we need to take a multi – pronged approach.

Just like us, horses carry tension in their neck and shoulders. Here is an idea to start exploring what happens if we ask the horse to let go.

We tend to carry around excess tension in our neck and shoulders. In my experience, horses do the same thing. What happens when we let that go?

The pectorals are an important group of muscles that we tend to overlook. Understanding a bit about how to recognise dysfunction in this area can help us make better training decisions.

The brachiocephalicus can tell us a lot about what is going on in the horse’s front end, so it pays to be able to observe and palpate it.

Did you know that muscle dysfunction comes in two specific flavours? This is why it matters to address both of them.

Not all pain is created equal. Neuropathic pain can have dire consequences on the horse’s well-being and is potentially the main culprit of explosive behaviour.