04/04/2026
Now I have left everyone waiting long enough , its been driving some of you mad , sorry .
Its really interesting what things people did see.
I had many ideas sent of what they thought it could be.
Back issues seemed to be the main thing people were saying.
I was probably quite cruel in the fact it was very subtle signs, and I actually felt it while riding and you couldn't. And I know the horse too. Which does make a difference.
I'll give you some ideas which were said that we're actually a result of the issue not the actual issue or the cause.
He Flinched when I went to stroke him higher up on his neck.
Stiff and not flexing his neck
Opening mouth whilst riding pulling down
Rolling but not rubbing his neck or head on one side properly or comfortably
Not shaking fully from his head.
Not able to pull himself over as they use their heads to help the momentum.
Watch videos again now and you'll see!!
All down to a "Sore Poll" Its was out and had to be put back.
Now you may say , surely you would know if the poll was out, no because as you see nobody did.
I initially when riding him felt he was stiff in his neck and not flexing or giving , but unsure exactly where in the neck head it was.
But 2 days later I had him straight to the chiropractor, not a holistic massage person , or any other therapy that only massages, an actual chiropractor who fixes things.
The therapy comes after.
The issue was his poll needed knocking back in.
Very quickly done by a professional who has had years of training.
Then it was just massage and neck exercises at home and he's great.
Now what upsets me most, is well reputable trainers, instructors , experts i see adverts of the horses they are riding , teaching, selling, and I see issues , which on the whole could be easily fixed.
But instead they don't see it and carry on and then the horse either breaks down or becomes difficult, or new owners have it and eventually issues arise.
Scenario what would happen if wilkie was somewhere else!!
Many with wilkie would have put a grackle noseband or a drop noseband to shut his mouth!
Ok so you do that, his mouth is closed, great looks better to watch, but so he cant release the pressure he's feeling, what does he do next??
He may start shaking or lifting his head, next issue starts, the result being " put a martingale on him" ,
Ok so now we're putting extra things on to mask problems.
Change the bit for a stronger one stopping him pulling his head down.
He then starts being difficult maybe stopping, maybe swishing his tail, maybe bucking.
Then you have a horse who's not only uncomfortable. But you haven't listened, he's become difficult, he doesnt trust you, and now you cant ride him because you're either scared or he won't let you. He gets grumpy on the ground.
You pay a fortune to a trainer, because he's difficult, who uses gadgets, long reins, spurs, whips, gets him going because by this point he's got no choice he's probably given in telling you and he will just do as he's told. Because most trainers are what I class as hard riders.
Hard hands, hard legs, push push push.
Heads strapped in, chins on chest, over bent horses.
Horses are so willing to try they will do it even in pain.
So They can ride him. He looks good to people who cant see. Are blinded by the look. The reputation, the career of maybe showing, sj, eventing, racing, they must know what they're doing look at their page, they're amazing you hear.
But now you have a horse that you're scared of, but they can ride it, ok sell him is an option.
But what has happened and will happen to him with this sore poll.
He's still showing signs but no-one is noticing.
He's told them by showing signs , but no one is actually seeing.
They'll say everything has been checked because they've had a therapist, usually a holistic therapist which anyone can get the qualification on-line.
Its basically anything you can do yourself.
Poor horse felt good for a day or so after a massage just like you would , but the issue is still there.
Can you see just a simple issue not seen, felt, dealt with can snowball.
Look for signs, your horse rushes off in canter, gets faster, its not because its getting fitter, or its ok it just does that.
Its not ok, it usually is running from pain. Not all the time but 9/10 it is.
Crooked tail, a sign of an issue, maybe an old issue corrected and tail will never go back straight but get it checked.
Head shy, could have sore poll, neck, teeth, eye problems.
It should track up straight underneath it , if you are looking at a horse you want to buy and it doesn't quite look right, it usually isn't.
Trust yourself, listen to horse, and actually LOOK.
Do not just believe the professional you are working with because they tell you something.
Question it.
Your horse doesn't have a voice. That's your job.
Unless we actually go backwards to a time we understood the horse and they were not just a accessory to look good, then things will never improve.
Online trained people everywhere are popping up, no experience, just full of the talk. In every profession around, not just horses , unfortunately the world is getting worse, not better for our animals.
Start asking the oldies who sit quietly in the background, have amazing history, good horses who were never sick or sorry. You'll see them, they're usually the ones who say nothing but just watch and shake their heads in despair of this new generation.
My videos were just a brief example of a small issue , I see loads daily and the horse needs help as its sore, yet they're advertised for silly money and inexperienced people buy them, but if i said anything I would just get told that's how they move and they're fine.
I hate seeing it, but unless people are willing to learn see 👀 then nothing will change.
Unless people stop using an inexperienced unqualified professional they'll still be around.
Farriers have a controlled job they lose their licence to practice if they damage a horse, same with a dentist, same with a qualified instructor, a chiropractor, saddler, vet.
Yet all these things now you can train online other than a vet and call yourself a professional.
And they charge more 🙈.
Wake up horse world, our horses need better care it starts on the ground watching and seeing.
Watch videos again , and then the video at the end of a week after. And the difference just one week made after proper treatment.
If you want me to show more videos or are unsure of something please just ask.
