Revive Animal Therapy

14/02/2026

05/12/2025

Behavioural changes in winter 🐴

It is widely accepted that winter and the cold just makes horses “fresh” but I want to give you some deeper ideas to think about before you set about working your horse harder to offset this.

Behaviour doesn’t deteriorate because horses feel good, behaviour deteriorates because they feel worse. Explosive behaviour, “freshness”, rearing, bucking, biting, grumpy faces, tail swishing, barging, being mean to other horses, being difficult around hoof handling, to rug and to tack up are all signs your horse is struggling.

If your horse’s behaviour changes during winter it is because things in his environment and/or his body have changed.

We’re generally looking at their basic needs not being met and/or they’re experiencing more pain or discomfort than they do in the warmer months.

If a horse’s behaviour deteriorates with the cold weather despite nothing else changing we are highly likely looking at a pain issue. I see horses with cribbing or wind sucking behaviours that hugely increase in the winter months despite them still living out 24/7, they are using it as a stress-relief because their bodies are struggling more.

Here are a few points to think about when assessing your own horse’s situation:

🐴 Cold - if your horse has orthopaedic issues they are probably going to feel worse in the cold. This is why I think behaviour deteriorating in winter can be so indicative of pain/discomfort. I used to be such a “never rug an unclipped horse” person, but I now have 2 older unclipped horses with orthopaedic issues who I keep well rugged as I notice a difference in their comfort levels when I don’t.

Coping is not the same as thriving and if you have a question mark about your horse it is worth trying to keep them warmer to see if their behaviour improves. Overweight horses can get a really harsh deal here, leaving horses to deliberately get too cold to get weight off them may be counterproductive, especially if they’re already struggling with orthopaedic issues, try to assess the horse in front of you.

If you have a clipped horse and it is very cold it is worth keeping a rug over them until they are warmed up when you ride them.

Horses who are moving less and eating less fibre will have a harder time staying warm.

🐴 Mud - It is unfortunately something most of us have to deal with in UK winters, hello fellow clay-land dwellers. Moving through thick, sticky mud or across wet, slippy mud is hard on their bodies. Just think how hard it is for your to trudge through in your wellies. Again any horse who is already struggling with physical issues is going to feel the strain and fatigue from moving around through mud and this could exacerbate their issues and cause a deterioration in their behaviour.

Extra fun is when your deep mud turns to rock solid ruts in the ice for your horse to navigate.

We could think about creating mud-free areas, moving onto rested fields or turning out in the yard or arena etc.

🐴 Less movement - Perhaps like many people you are having to keep your horse stabled more than you’d like, your horse is in a smaller turnout space or he is just not inclined to move as much because he is parked at a hay bale and all of the grass has gone. Every system in the horses body thrives on movement to stay healthy so you can see how we can quickly run into issues when we are forced to restrict it.

If you need to add extra movement to your horse’s day it is much better to focus on calm movement like hand walking together and enrichment activities. This is much healthier for your horse than having their mouth/face yanked about because they’re too over threshold to contain themselves on the lunge. Being able to mooch and have a good roll in the arena can go a long way to helping them feel more settled.

🐴 Social concerns - if horses are being stabled more this means they’re spending more time alone and feeling isolated from their herd, this can be really stressful for horses. There is also the added stress of their friends being turned out/brought in at different times. Creating a plan so field mates aren’t left stressing without each other can really help. If two horses are good friends you can hand walk them together and let them groom each other too.

I won’t stable either of my horses any more, when they are “in” they are in a corral or large indoor pen together. Being together and having space to mooch between hay stations meets their needs so much better than individual stabling.

🐴 Weather stress - the weather in winter is generally more unsettled and naturally puts horses more on edge. High winds and relentless rain add to a horse’s stress load.

🐴 Gut health - there are so many factors that affect gut health. Seasonal hormonal changes, changes in diet such as moving from grass onto more hay, changes in the grass itself and higher-stress levels as discussed in the previous points. We want to make sure our horse’s have access to appropriate forage 24/7 so they are getting plenty of fibre, then we need to consider how to support them nutritionally and supplement where appropriate.

So there are several ideas to think about before you reach for your gloves and the lunge line, a horse exploding on the lunge is slamming loads of brace and stress into their already compromised body. There are other ways you can better support your horse which are healthier for his body and his mind. Let’s address the cause the best we can instead of just trying to manage the symptoms. 🐴

01/09/2025

Friday focus…choosing winter forage!

It’s that time of the year when many of us will be ordering our winter forage or thinking about doing so!

The forage our horses eat supplies the majority of their energy, so choosing wisely will be particularly helpful when managing any weight or health issues. This is what they eat the most of alongside grass, so it is this that will make the biggest difference!

As with any part of your horses ration, there are lots of factors to take into account. Are they good or poor doers? Do they need to lose, maintain or gain weight? How much exercise do they get and what are their energy requirements? How long are they stabled and do they have access to grass? Do they have any health concerns or respiratory issues?

For both hay and haylage, the early cuts can be highly nutritious, so would be more suitable for those with higher energy requirements and those that struggle to maintain weight. Sourcing forage higher in digestible energy (calories) will help save money on bucket feeds for the poor doers!

The later, 2nd or 3rd cut, stalkier types should be sought for the good doers as the digestible energy (calories) will be lower than the more nutritious first, early cut types. A few points for thought are below!

Hay

• Meadow hay can be more nutritious that single species hay such as ryegrass
• Hay can be more calorific than haylage
• Hay can be soaked, haylage cannot
• Hay can be dusty

Haylage

If you are feeding haylage, you need to feed MORE of it than hay, due to its higher moisture content, to ensure your horse is getting enough fibre! Hay is typically around 85-90% dry matter, whereas haylage is typically around 60-75% dry matter.

• haylage is a good option for those with respiratory issues
• it varies widely in nutrient content as does hay
• It is not ‘rocket fuel’!
• haylage can be suitable for laminitics
• it can be suitable for good doers!

Straw

• straw can make up 30-50% of the forage ration
• it is the best forage for donkeys and this should make up the main part of their forage ration
• it needs to be introduced very slowly to minimise the risk of an impaction
•full dental function is vital as it takes more chewing, so it would not suitable for those that have compromised dental function
• Oat, wheat or barley straws are all ok to feed, the main priority is that it is nice, clean straw
• Straw can be great to bulk out the rations for good doers and slow down the quick eaters as it takes more chewing

There is so much variation in the nutrient content of forages and it is not safe to assume that hay is better than haylage for laminitic types or that meadow hay or haylage is safer than ryegrass hay or haylage. It is also not safe to assume that the digestible energy (calories) is lower in hay than haylage!

Getting a good forage supplier, preferably one that specifically makes forage for horses will make all the difference if you are feeding for weight and / or health issues. Talk to them and discuss your horses needs with them, they will be able to help you choose the most suitable forage for your horse. Most of these suppliers will have an analysis of their forages for you to look at. You may pay a little more for the right forage, but if there are health or weight issues, the little extra you may pay, is well worth it.

25/08/2025

I’ve often thought this as I was taught liberty work under the name free schooling and it was Free. Schooling. Not just being chased loose around an arena. The horses I learnt from had free choice but often followed the requests from the human, but the humans also followed requests from the horses. It was a conversation, back and forth. It was beautiful and rewarding for all. The horses were relaxed and playful. And it made not just the relationship stronger but the language. The understanding between them. And isn’t that the point?

27/06/2025

Love this post about Amy‘s experience with an arthritic horse. Arthritis needs constant management and is never a linear journey. It can be mentally very tough for owners and I’m always here to support you if need anything, even if it’s just a chat.

Having a horse with early on-set arthritis is an emotional rollercoaster.

Buck is 15 this year and was diagnosed at 7 with hock arthritis. For those who are new here, Buck is a rescue horse who I adopted from the RSPCA when he was 2 years old. He was rescued from a travellers camp and was likely was ridden as yearling. He was emaciated as a baby and malnourised. All of which, set him up for early stage arthritis and life long issues with self-regulating his food intake.

The initial vets told me to retire him then and there at 7 years old. They were only interested in Sports horses and didn't understand why I was so upset when Buck was "just a cob".

Thankfully I discovered that movement was in fact better for him, beyond the track, and correct straightness training and muscle building would actually keep him strong and sound. Over the years I've tried it all, from shockwave therapy to arthrimid injections that worked the first time and made him worse the second, but ultimately movement is the key. Motion is lotion.

Everytime he has a blip I wonder if this is it. Should I stop riding, is it ethical to continue? Movement is best for him but only if he's comfortable. But is adding my weight ethical? Is it beneficial? It means we can do more but puts on more strain, but carrying my weight for controlled, balanced lengths of time and more movement will also help build muscle and help the hocks fuse meaning he would be pain free. Or should I just stick to ground work? But then I can only work him at walk and he loses muscle and gets bored. Sometimes he gets frustrated with me on the ground because he's raring to go and I can't keep up! Sometimes he starts stiff and loosens up in 5 minutes. Sometimes it takes 20. Sometimes he is up and bouncy and raring to go from the second I put on his halter. Sometimes he only wants to do a hand walk and go back out with his friends.

The problem with being, what I like to call, ✨ neurospicy✨ is that I like things to be back and white. And arthritis isn't. I know this because I have it mildly in my ankle since it was reconstructed after my accident, sometimes it's stiff as a board, sometimes it's flexible and free. But I know in myself that it doesn't stop me wanting to do things. I wish Buck could tell me what he wants to do, and I wish I could tell him that sometimes things that he doesn't want to do at the start will get easier and will benefit him in the long run.

11 weeks ago Buck said no to being ridden. It was subtle. A step away from the mounting block at first, then a brace when I sat onto his back, and tension in his muzzle/face when he carried me at a walk. I stopped riding from that day and we switched to work on the ground. I came to terms with not riding him again, all the things we can do instead to keep moving and have fun.

I looked into swimming, and took him to the only straight line swimming pool I could find, and hour and a half commute. He initially wasn't keen, but once he got going he seemed to enjoy it, and from that day he seemed to start improving again. He started cantering on the track, offering forward motion in hand and on the long-lines, and then standing by the mounting block and looking at me as if to say "are you coming?"

Arthritis is up and down and it's not black and white. I never know when my last ride will be and I've thought we were there so many times now and come to terms with it, for Buck to suddenly come right again.

What I've learnt and continue to remind myself to do, is to listen to him, even the most subtle signals. I love being with him on the ground but I also love nothing more than a canter through the woods when he's able and comfortable, as does he!

Having a horse with arthritis is a constant ethical battle, and there's so many factors at play. Each day is different, and staying in the present is the most important part. As long as he's by my side, and he's happy and comfortable, then that's all that really matters and that will always be the heart of any of my decisions of what we do together day in, day out.

We never know when our last ride will be.

31/05/2025

Bit of Kinesio tape (K-Tape) from this week!

We can tell human patients how we need them to move and how to change posture but in our animals it’s not so easy! We can use K-Tape as a proprioceptive aid to encourage more muscle activation in muscles as well as props such as poles or creating tunnels to aid straightness.

29/05/2025

I’m sure I always have more fun than the patients!! 😂

26/04/2025

Joint injections are a big topic and research to see if it’s the right fit for YOUR horse is really important. The rehabilitation after treatment is super important, if this is a route you’re considering for your horse please get in touch for an advice phone call and book an assessment for physiotherapy.

A 2017 study found that racehorses receiving corticosteroid injections were FOUR TIMES more likely to suffer musculoskeletal injuries. These weren’t minor lamenesses, they led to long layups, early retirements, and in some cases, catastrophic breakdowns. That stopped me in my tracks. When we inject a horse to keep them “sound,” are we treating the injury, or are we simply hiding the pain?

Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatories. They offer quick relief, especially for sore joints, but repeated use has a risky side. Over time, corticosteroids can accelerate cartilage breakdown and damage the very structures we’re trying to protect. That’s not just theory, it’s been proven in multiple studies. One 2022 review published in Equine Veterinary Education warned that long-term use of corticosteroids, even in low doses, can lead to irreversible joint degeneration.

And it’s not just steroids. Treatments like IRAP (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein) and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) are widely used, but the science behind them is still emerging. A recent meta-analysis found highly inconsistent outcomes with some horses showing improvement, and others none at all. These therapies show promise, but they are not miracle fixes. Their long-term benefits and risks remain unclear, especially when used repeatedly without a comprehensive rehab plan.

Even alternatives like Adequan and Polyglycan come with caveats. Adequan (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) can help reduce inflammation and protect cartilage in the short term, but does not show lasting curative effects without rest or additional therapy. Polyglycan, often marketed as a joint lubricant, has been linked to increased bone proliferation and osteophyte formation. That means while it might make your horse feel better in the short term, it could be quietly encouraging abnormal bone growth that worsens arthritis and limits joint mobility over time.

It seems that most injections don’t fix the problem, they just silence the alarm bell. And when we quiet that bell without solving what caused it, we set the horse up for further breakdown. They keep working through masked pain, compensating, and eventually injuring something else. What seems like a solution quickly becomes a cycle of damage.

So, what does responsible use look like? It starts with intent. Injections should never be used as routine “maintenance” or as a preventative measure in otherwise healthy joints. There is no such thing as a preventative joint injection. Every time you inject a joint, you’re altering its natural chemistry and potentially weakening its future integrity. Instead, injections should be used after thorough diagnostics: imaging, flexions, lameness exams, and only as part of a comprehensive plan. That means rest. That means thoughtful rehab. That means time to retrain healthier movement patterns so the horse can come back stronger and more balanced, not just numbed. Injections can open a door to recovery, but they are not the recovery itself.

Responsible use also means reevaluating the workload. If a horse needs regular injections to keep doing the job, then maybe it’s the job that needs adjusting. I’m not saying injections are evil. They’ve done wonderful things for horses I’ve known and I’m not saying we should all stop injections forever. But if Beauty’s hocks need to be injected three times a year just to keep her jumping the 1.20s, maybe the 1.20s are no longer where she belongs. Maybe it's time to listen to what her body is telling us.

I’m not a vet. I don’t have a medical degree. I’m just someone who enjoys research and writing, and I would still argue that we need more research to ultimately determine what is "safe" for our horses. However, I do think it's important to be aware of what the science currently says, and having hard conversations about if the potential risk is worth the reward.

Your vet is your best friend in this process. Don’t change your horse’s care plan because someone on Facebook shared a study about joint injections being questionable…or because someone else said they’re harmless. Talk to your vet. Ask hard questions. Understand exactly what these drugs do, how long they last, and what they mean for your horse’s future soundness. Your vet knows your horse better than I ever could, and they want to help you make the best choices, not just the most convenient ones.

Studies used:

Johnson, B. J., et al. (2017). "Association between corticosteroid administration and musculoskeletal injury in Thoroughbred racehorses." Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 250(3), 296–302.

Textor, J. A., & Tablin, F. (2012). "Platelet-rich plasma in equine musculoskeletal therapy." Canadian Veterinary Journal, 53(8), 841–849.

Frisbie, D. D., & McIlwraith, C. W. (2014). "Evaluation of autologous conditioned serum and platelet-rich plasma for treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in horses." Equine Veterinary Education, 26(12), 572–578.

McIlwraith, C. W., et al. (2012). "Effects of intra-articular administration of sodium hyaluronate and polysulfated glycosaminoglycan on osteoarthritis in horses." EquiManagement Clinical Research Reports.

Burba, D. J., et al. (2011). "Evaluation of pentosan polysulfate sodium in equine osteoarthritis." Equine Veterinary Journal, 43(5), 549–555.

Garbin, L. C., Lopez, C., & Carmona, J. U. (2021). A Critical Overview of the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Equine Medicine Over the Last Decade. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 641818.

Boorman, S., McMaster, M. A., Groover, E., & Caldwell, F. (2022). Review of glucocorticoid therapy in horses: Intra-articular corticosteroids. Equine Veterinary Education, 35(6), 327–336.

Nedergaard, M. W., et al. (2024). Evidence of the clinical effect of commonly used intra-articular treatments of equine osteoarthritis. Equine Veterinary Education.