Dorothy Marks, The Back Lady!

07/12/2024

This is a very good summary of what is currently understood about ECVM - Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation - a congenital pathology that is being increasingly found and that explains alot about some puzzling difficulties and nebulous symptoms.

There has been so much going on around the topic of ECVM, this congenital malformation is one we are diagnosing, managing and studying at Denali Equine in partnership with Rexos Inc, under the guidance of the legendary Dr. Sharon May-Davis. We wanted to give you the top ten points on ECVM facts. (Sorry this is long- Well worth the full read!)

1. ECVM is a congenital condition, meaning they are born with it. We suspect it is a recessive genetic disorder because two unaffected adults can produce offspring with it. There are several groups racing to find the genetics behind this condition. More information on the horizon.

2. ECVM is not a fatal diagnosis. However, it can be. It depends on the severity of the malformation and how well the horse can functionally compensate.

3. Radiographs of the lower neck are necessary to diagnose the condition. These radiographs must be clear lateral and obliques of C6, C7 and ideally T1. These can be done in the field for most horses. However larger generators do get better images.

4. Variability: Horses can be either a bilateral or unilateral malformation of C6, which in 52% of C6 cases can transpose either bilaterally or unilaterally. To C7; T1 and the first ribs are variably affected.

5. Studies show horses with transposition of the ventral lamina to C7 are more likely to suffer from clinical neck pain than horses with normal anatomy. In our experience horses with rib malformations have more severe clinical signs than those with normal ribs (no clear studies yet).

6. The bones absolutely do not tell the whole story. However, bones do not lie. They often indicate the level of soft tissue malformations present. The more severe the boney changes- the more severe the soft tissue is altered around them.

7. Clinical picture: all horses are not lame, but they do all have subtle clinical signs. Most often the clinical signs are not limb related lameness (but can be). These horses can show signs of the pain ethogram, rearing, sporadic behavior, abnormal front limb flight patterns (especially with equipment), girthiness, resistance to go forward, doesn’t like physical touch (brushing, blanketing ex). The signs are so variable for every horse!

8. The common things heard from owners/trainers:
* The horse was always bad from the start (this is concerning for the more severe cases)
* The horse was fine until it wasn’t. We find this is from something changed in the program. i.e., was imported, switched barns, changed jobs.
* They don’t understand why the horse is failing quicker than usual as it gets older. As the horse ages the clinical signs become more apparent. The body can only manage for so long. Think of it this way- the foundation was built wrong from the beginning. Therefore, it takes time for the cracks in your walls or floors to show, it then takes those cracks a while before they become a structural problem in your house.
* A minor incident happened and now they’re not ok. Suspect an injury can cause the horse to spiral out of stabilization or have the ability to compensate. An example could be getting cast or trailering event then the horse was never the same. Example, you do not know your house wasn’t built well until the storm blows it over.

9. These horses have significant soft tissue pathology on necropsies. Therefore, no matter what the data is showing us: If the horse has ECVM, is clinical, and other differentials have been ruled out these horses are clinically affected by the ECVM.

10. On necropsies we have found:
* Missing, malformed and fractured ribs
* Abnormal nerve patterns, these nerves can be totally entrapped and compressed by abnormal muscle patterns. The dorsal scalene can trap the large nerves of the brachial plexus within its abnormal paths. The phrenic nerve can get pulled inappropriately and leave impressions within the ventral scalene.
* Abnormal muscles: dorsal scalene, ventral scalene, iliocostalis, longus coli, re**us abdominal, intercostal muscles, serratus ventails cervicis. All these muscles have critical roles in stability, proprioception, and biomechanics.
* Abnormal vascular patterns
* Trachea abnormalities
* Fascial changes

ECVM is currently a controversial and sensitive topic so we thought we would share a few known quick facts to help you understand this issue better. Please go to our website (www.DenaliEquine.com) to find more information and links to the current studies on this disease. We are researching and studying these horses! We are working on several angles of research right now throughout Non-Profit Rexos Inc. If you would like more information on how you can help, please reach out!

DeClue Equine saddlefitting.us

06/10/2024

I’m very pleased with my new hay soaking station. Since Tango’s asthma returned with a vengence this summer, I’ve had to start soaking his hay again, which means I have to soak hay for all 4 😢
So to make the lifting easier I made this frame which sits over the soaking trough. When I want to take the hay out, I use a rope pulley to lift it, it can then hang there and drip for a bit. I then slide it across, wheel the barrow underneath and drop the net in… Bob’s your uncle, hay ready to spread out for the horses 😊
What ingenious systems do you use for soaking your hay?

15/09/2024

I completely agree with this commentary.

There are so many things that cannot be investigated for that could be causing pain, that it is impossible to claim that pain has been ruled out. Full stop.

If your horse is telling you something is wrong, then believe them.

If you have a gut feeling that something is wrong and you are being told that there is nothing wrong, go with your gut. You know your horse.

Never be pushed into pushing your horse to do something, or to use a piece of tack or equipment, that you are not comfortable with.

Stand up for your horse, love your horse.

I hear this phrase ALL the time and every time I do my heart breaks for the horse in question.

It is a very big misconception in the industry that pain can be ruled out in the horse.

What leads to this statement can also vary drastically from person to person.

The horse might have had a quick muscle palpation, they might have just been scoped for ulcers, or they might have had a very extensive (and expensive!) veterinary work up over days or months.

Regardless, you cannot rule out pain. You might not be able to find a source, but you cannot rule out pain.

Ask any human who has not received an immediate diagnosis for their pain or not been listened to regarding their own health concerns.

Pain does not have a blood test or a specific color or feel.

Pain can be obvious, it can be concealed, it can be complex, it can be poorly understood.

There are certain things, like gastric ulcers, that can be definitively ruled in or out as a SOURCE of pain with a gastroscopy.

But it is the horse’s behavior that says whether pain is or isn’t present. And unfortunately, very often pain in the horse is not a simple thing to diagnose and cure.

When a trainer, owner, rider, or vet says “we have ruled out pain” it is often an invitation to train the horse with harsher methods to overcome performance or behavioral problems.

If the horse refuses to do something, doesn’t cooperate, struggles with tasks, has a change in behavior, or exhibits behaviors that have been scientifically studied to indicate pain in the horse (such as the equine discomfort ethogram and ridden horse pain ethogram)….ALWAYS keep in mind that just because it can’t be located, DOES NOT mean a horse is not in pain.

16/08/2024

This video shows how riding deep and round, aka deep stretching impacts the deep anatomy of the horse's neck, and the damage it can do. Please do share!!

05/08/2024

If there is one book you buy about riding, then make it this one!! Kate writes in an incredibly friendly and accessible way, reading her work makes you feel that she is talking to you personally.... Highly recommended!

Thank you to everyone who has been commenting and supporting recent posts. It is clear there is a growing body of people who love to ride and be with horses but wish to do this in a way that respects the nature and body of the horse. And in order to do this we need to understand what ethical; horse friendly training looks like.

Because, if we want to ride or even lead a horse it does require technical knowledge - as well as good intentions. If we want to sit on a horse this does mean we need to understand the impact we may have on their body, and how to mitigate this. It is a balance of both feel, insight, skill and physical and emotional awareness. This is why we find it both fascinating and challenging, interesting and demanding.

It's also why I wrote a book. Having seriously studied French classical equitation, good horsemanship and body work for many years I wanted to find a way to share this succinctly with other passionate horse people. It’s called Riding in Release and it seems to have found its way all around the world.

Here are some of the things readers say about it:

‘This is written beautifully in an easy to read, down to earth and engaging fashion.
There is excellent engaging description of the many aspects of the horse and its ( and our) physical and emotional needs and how to best address achieving them whilst doing what we want to do. I would recommend this to anyone at ay stage in their horse owning life.
I have passed copies on to further explain what I too am trying to achieve with my horses.’ Amanda

‘This is a beautifully written book and so readable. Kate takes the reader through the background to the French classical tradition of equitation without jargon and this makes her explanations so understandable. And then Kate guides the reader through the practical application of these theories. Your horse will love you for reading this book’ Elisabeth

‘This book is so well written, I found it a joy to read. I love the way the author fuses classical concept with more modern day horsemanship.... showing that good horsemanship is good horsemanship whatever the century!
Through clear description, the addressing of common problems and beautiful photos from both in the school and out and about in the country where a lot of us ride, this books guides you on how to create a wonderful relationship with your horse. Highly recommended.’ Kath

If you would like a copy you can buy it from all those usual places – or from me! Link in the comments.

30/07/2024

Becky Holden has put together this excellent video that explains some of the fundamental principles of Philippe Karl's work in his School of Lightness. These are principles that I aim to follow in all my teaching having ridden with M. Karl for 6 years and studied his methods for 14.

If you would like to learn more, whilst I am not stil within the school, I did pass all the elements of the foundation level exams, and have continued to learn with Veronica Buhn, who is a Master Instructor.

If you are just as disappointed as I am about what is going on in the mainstream competitive arena, then this is a logical, systematic and progressive approach to training that can bring even the most ordinary horse and rider to the highest level work.

25/07/2024

25/07/2024

I am always sceptical when I come across a horse that has a long history of underperformance and intermittent lameness, together with a catalogue of veterinary interventions such as hock injections, suspensory ligament treatment, SI joint injections and so on, and the owner is under the impression from the vet that the horse can come back to some form of competitive / jumping ridden career.

This is why I am sceptical. The sort of injury and damage that is shown here I suspect is alot more common than we think and alot more catastrophic and far reaching than is implied when vets 'treat' the sacroiliac joint problem.

I don't believe this sort of thing can be treated to the extent that it is ethical to even thing of trying to 'rehab' and ride a horse, let alone ask it to jump and be competitive.

Yet horses try their hardest to do what we want, inspite of what must be chronic pain, instability and compensation throughout their bodies.

Vets cannot image for all injuries, or skeletal abnormalities. Just because a vet has done all the investigations and their disposal and declared that there is nothing to be found does not mean that nothing is wrong. It just means that the vet does not have the means to find it. If your horse is telling you something is wrong, believe your horse.

Thank you to Becks Nairn for all the work you are doing to highlight what is going on in so many horses.



Please do share!!

20/07/2024

This is a good video. As a rider I am proactive in managing the traffic when I ride on the roads. I always wear hi viz, I carry a whip that I have attached a piece of an old hi viz waistcoat to the end of that I can use as a flag - and I do use it to signal to drivers. I always aim to make eye contact, I am always aware of how I can escape onto a verge or trot on to a gateway. I will assertively ride in the middle of the road if needed, and with the horse that is uncertain, I will position her deliberately in relation to the other rock solid horse when something more scary comes along.
In years gone by, I have ridden alot on narrow lanes on which I had to park the horse on the verge or squish up against a bank for traffic to go past, so the horse that has done this habitually in the past now almost automatically gets onto the verge and stops when he hears traffic approaching!
What do you do to improve your safety when riding on the roads

04/06/2024

It would be fab if as many people as possible filled in this survey :-)
Please share as well!

Do you have five minutes to help The British Horse Society?

We all know how vital regular hoof care is to our horses, ponies, donkeys and mules. To futureproof this care and the vital farrier industry, the equine charity needs your help to assess the availability of qualified farriers in the UK and the Republic of Ireland via this short survey: https://forms.office.com/e/QjLDuMJqk3

If you’re over the age of 18, we’d love to hear from you. Tell us about your routine hoof care and your experiences when accessing farriery and hoof care provider services for the animals in your care.
Your insight will allow the BHS to work in partnership with other equine welfare charities, and the industry, to make access to the farriery profession easier so that, together, we can futureproof horse care in the UK.

29/04/2024

I would encourage everyone to take the time to listen to this podcast interview with Mary Wanless.

Mary is one of the most influencial people in my life from many perspectives. She is an incredible polymath melding her explorations as a physicist with dance and movement, many approaches to bodywork, psychotherapy and Neuro LIngusiting Programming, and educational psychology to name a few. What and how she teaches has been informed by these and evolved with them. Not only is she a phenomenal riding coach, she is a highly skilled coach trainer.

Warwick Schiller asks some very searching and personal questions in this interview, and I was gripped listening to Mary talking about her life and studies.

Please do share!

‎Show The Journey On Podcast, Ep Mary Wanless - 26 Apr 2024

14/04/2024

What an excellent visual aid to understanding lateral movements

BANANA BALLET

This is one of my favorite drills…

Changing the angle of travel without changing the bend, changing the bend without changing the angle of travel.

When you’re changing the angle of travel within the same bend, for instance, shoulder-in to haunches-in, that’s a great way to test their ability to balance front to back.

When you’re changing the bend within the same angle of travel, for instance, shoulder-in to haunches-out, that’s a great way to test their ability to balance side to side.

You can do this on a straight line, or on a circle.

When keeping the bend but changing the angle, I like to mobilize the shoulders rather than the hindquarters, in order to develop the diagonal/unilateral half-halt.