Kate Thornton Equine Sports & Remedial Bodywork Norfolk

09/09/2025

As some of you know, I've recently been looking for a horse 🥰🥳 It's been a long time since I was able to have my own, but I've gotten to a stage where the hard work has paid off and my life dream can once again be true.

However, I find myself surprised/not surprised and definitely saddened looking at some of the videos in sale adverts. SO many examples of horses who are either visibly lame (shocking that this is not only missed, but advertised) and those who are perhaps not overtly lame, but (I feel) showing some quite clear markers of pain (and pain obviously doesn't always originate from limb lameness).

On a more positive note, I can honestly say that I'm blessed with the fair majority of my clients, who don't need obvious signs before they feel the need for investigation (whether that be vet, HCP, saddle fitter, coach, behaviour consultant, bit fitter or myself) - they know, because they listen to their horses and observe.

I've talked often, on courses/demos, presentations, with clients and friends, about the fabulous resources provided by Dr Sue Dyson and the Train with Trust Project.

For anyone who hasn't seen these, Dr Dyson developed a scientifically validated ethogram - a collection of observable behaviours - of the Ridden Horse in Pain (RHpE). The ethogram comprises 24 behaviours indicative of pain, and the explanation, along with case study, is available to view in this video: https://www.24horsebehaviors.org/24-behaviors-film

If, in a 5-10 minute ridden evaluation (post warm up, and comprising ideally walk, trot and canter on each rein), 8 or more of the 24 are observable, pain is likely present. There are some duration guidelines for certain behaviours in terms of the number of consecutive seconds a behaviour would be seen for.

As Dr. Dyson and the Train with Trust Project are so keen for horses to be heard, and musculoskeletal pain to be noticed, the website they have developed is a WEALTH of information and helpful tools. Downloadable field guide, checklists, articles, blogs and also their YouTube channel is full of fascinating discussions (I've been watching them over breakfast for a couple of weeks now - amazing talks) https://www.youtube.com/

Dr. Dyson and Sue Palmer MCSP have co-authored the book Harmonious Horsemanship which delves deeper into the use of the RHpE https://www.harmonioushorsemanship.co.uk/

Horses and ponies may not verbally speak our language, but boy do they communicate. They also, as any organism does, learn to compensate for dysfunction, and if not noticed and appropriately treated, longterm compensatory movement patterns with secondary (and third, fourth, fifth....) musculoskeletal dysfunction can develop (not to mention physical deficit (e.g. gastric issues, dermatological issues to name a couple) as a result of emotional compromise - and pain is an emotion!)

As a bodyworker, I'm obsessed with trying to ensure that I don't miss the signs. My assessments are thorough, within my scope, and as many of you know, I spend quite a bit of spare time studying videos of clients' horses in movement. The signs are there. We need to embrace all education to better equip us with recognition (and be open enough to see not just overt signs, but the more nuanced too)

Fill your boots!! 🥾🥾🥾

www.24horsebehaviors.org

24 BehaviorsFree Downloads Together, we can make the world a better place for horses.24HorseBehaviors.org is operated by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Train with Trust Project (EIN 88-0844535). Please consider a donation today to help us keep animal behavior education free and accessible for everyone. Don...

05/09/2025

A HUGE well done to my Supported Rider, .brown.ahern_eventing and her lovely partner Rosscon Rockfield Boy (Rocky)

01/09/2025

What a lovely way to start the week, giving Seamus a bodywork session 🥰 with 🐎🐎.

31/08/2025

They say (they being my wonderful family and friends) that I should eat lunch. Not something I've ever really done but recently flagging a bit so.... batch cooking. Again, not something I've every really done 🤣 One person in particular (a certain Nicky Donohue) will be particularly surprised 😉😆

I'm sure others who are on the road all day will know - it's something that falls along the wayside when you're going from one appointment to the next and eating doesn't really factor in to the 'plan'!! Anyhow, I'll give it a shot!!

31/08/2025

One of the activities I did with the clients at the August Equicode course was to go through some pre-exercise/pre-sport bodywork techniques. Here is a picture of Gillian and Ted (named for the duration as 'Big Ted' as we had THREE Ted/Teddys present!!).

Here Gillian is performing some friction to the upper forelimbs to help stimulate blood flow (and therefore oxygen and nutrients to the soft tissues), free up any adhered fascia, helping to form part of her warm up. Following the friction, some slow glides following the fibres of the muscles help to elongate and work towards injury prevention. This is important for proximal limb structures - e.g. the gastrocnemius of the pelvic limb which is an important muscle which pays into extension of the hock, and flexion of the stifle (just not at the same time).

We also covered;

🐎Petrissage (crest of neck, TFL/tensor fascia latae, digital muscles) This is an action similar to massaging someone's shoulders, where you 'pick up' the tissue and gradually allow it to release through your fingers, helping to soften and increase circulatory systems to the tissues
🐎 Effleurage - all over! A technique which helps the lymphatic system and other circulatory systems. Before exercise to help awaken nerve endings and also draw bloodflow to the superficial (locomotor) muscles and surrounding fascia. During rest days, the same technique helps to flush toxins via the lymphatic system
🐎Wringing - a technique whereby hands/fingers work alternately to gently stretch and stimulate soft tissue - this can be done to various parts of the body including the neck, back and hind quarters
🐎Stimulating and compressive massage techniques for larger muscles, such as the longissimus dorsi, gluteals, hamstring groups

There are other techniques, such as tapotement, which your bodyworker will likely use if you have them out to do a pre-sport massage on your horse, but these were a few basic methods of helping the warm-up phase of exercise that clients could take home and use ☺

Nice work Gillian! 💪👏🐎

30/08/2025

Very late posting about our August LYNK course at !!

Another amazing group of 6 people and their horses joined us for almost 4 days, where they were fully immersed in all things equine. A large part of the courses involves biomechanics training from Nicky Donohue and Lynda Davey, following the principles of Mary Wanless. In addition, we look at equine physiology and ways in which we can support healthy function and also enhance emotional wellbeing.

We pride ourselves on putting the horses and their humans at the centre of what we do, and in aiming to ensure that their stay is tailored around their specific and individual needs and desires ☺🐎

A few photos (more to come), including some in-hand sessions (as chosen by the riders), what we can achieve with balance mats, K-taping - what it does and the best applications for each horse based on their physique and individual requirements, and also a couple of shots from the last afternoon. This was reserved as a decompression session for all involved, as everyone is pretty tired by this point, so we set the arena up again following the work of Sarah Fisher and ACE Freework, to see what choices each horse made, and give them some complete agency to explore and use their senses whilst we watched and made various observations ☺️

The year is flying by and we're now looking forward to our 4th course of 2025 in September. Dates are in place for 2026, stay tuned!! 👁👂🐎👌

29/08/2025

Not posted for the longest time 😭Simply due to being run off my feet (which I love obviously!), and also my poor Mum fell and broke her ankle in 3 places which needed 2 surgeries 😢 (she is now home and touch wood doing well ❤️)

But I will now get back to being social!! Starting here - these arrived today, super excited to receive them for .brown.ahern_eventing and her lovely Mum

23/07/2025

20/07/2025

Well done to my Supported Rider, .brown.ahern_eventing and Rocky ❤️for completing their Area eventing yesterday at 👏

Quite a change in the weather, but as usual this duo pull it out of the bag 🥰

Looking forward to seeing Izzy and Rocky this week for Rocky's bodywork session

18/07/2025

The beautiful Monty 🥰🥰🐴.

Ive had clients occasionally be (pleasantly) surprised by the fact that I ask to watch their horse move on every session. (I’ve been equally surprised that they are surprised). There are so many clues 🕵️ that can be observed by watching a horse dynamically as well as in static and palpation assessments 🤓 In addition, if a horse is lame, as paraprofessionals we are required to advise a vet check and seek vet consent before we work with the horse.

What can we see? For example (list is not exhaustive!);

🐴 areas of muscular tension/restriction/compromise
🐴 affective (emotional) state
🐴 range of motion
🐴 vertical and horizontal balance
🐴 flight arc of each limb
🐴 symmetry/asymmetry in cranial swing phase
🐴 lateral/medial loading
🐴 fluidity of motion
🐴 pelvic action
🐴 impacts of conformational factors
🐴 tail position and behaviour
🐴 smoothness, ease, maintenance of self-carriage in both upward and downward transitions
🐴 spinal freedom/dorsoventral flexion/extension
🐴 head and neck carriage

The list goes on, and although I’ve not specified “lameness”, the above can be clues of discomfort and pain even if there isn’t an obvious lameness

It’s all part of the picture we need in order to apply the appropriate modalities for the individual horse 🐴 ☺️☺️

11/07/2025

There are so many photos and videos of horses I've loved and horses who I do love, which I could choose to use to celebrate the newly announced World Horse Day. This celebration of the horse will be officially in place as of 2026 but I'm not waiting 😁

I have more I will write about this wonderful species, and their close relations, but with time constraints at the moment, I am simply going to post the last photo that was sent to me by one of my wonderful clients Ros Condon . This is a photo she secretly snapped of me working with her lovely Taittie this week - I don't need to say the words do I?? 🥰 (framed also by her lovely dogs!!)

Would love to see all your pictures of your beloved horses and ponies as we join together to pay homage 🥰 Happy !!

09/07/2025

Makes a lot of sense 🙌 also really drives home the argument that if a horse does something under saddle which result in an accident/fall, calling them “naughty” is hugely over-simplistic and misguided. Bigger picture - let’s take some responsibility for it!

Recent research published in the journal Animal shows a clear link between horse welfare and rider safety.

Horses in facilities with better welfare—characterised by fewer health problems, higher haemoglobin levels, and more positive behaviour towards humans—were associated with the lowest number of rider falls during lessons.

In contrast, horses showing signs of poor welfare, such as chronic pain, apathy, aggression, or anaemia, were associated with more rider accidents.

The study also found that positive, attentive human-horse interactions during care and riding improved welfare, while rushed or minimal interaction worsened it.

Management practices like the frequency of turnout or the teaching strategies employed by riding instructors—were also found to be highly influential.

For example, the facility with the best welfare outcomes provided more frequent turnout and riding instruction that emphasised horse comfort rather than strict control. This approach not only improved horse welfare but also resulted in safer riding environments and a reduced risk of accidents.

This study, though modest in scale, clearly demonstrates that investing in horse welfare brings tangible benefits beyond simply having healthier, happier animals.

Facilities that make even small improvements in management—such as increasing turnout and providing more attentive care—see direct enhancements in horse welfare, which in turn results in fewer rider accidents during lessons and lowers the risk of costly legal claims for riding centres.

Ultimately, prioritising horse welfare is both an ethical responsibility and a sound, practical strategy for creating safer, more sustainable riding operations.

Full Study: L. Gueguen, R. Palme, P. Jego, S. Henry, M. Hausberger,
Differences between facilities in horse welfare profiles: slight differences in management/working conditions may be enough,
animal, Volume 19, Issue 6, 2025