Wendy Felton - BackActive Animal Physiotherapy

17/03/2025

𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗦

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗗𝗬𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗟𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚

What do you do when you buy a pair of shoes? You select the shoes of choice, try them on and then have a little walk around in them to see how they feel and fit. You wouldn’t purchase a pair of shoes without trying them on and walking in them first. We should afford the same level of detail to our horse’s saddle fit when purchasing a new saddle, or having an existing saddle refitted.

“One of my concerns is that there is a belief that you can fit a saddle statically (without riding), and from an evidence-based perspective, that doesn’t make any sense,” says Russell MacKechnie-Guire. “A saddle that looks in balance statically can behave very differently when it is girthed up, has the weight of a rider and the movement of the horse underneath it. Riders need to ensure that they are present/able to ride for a saddle fitting assessment as riders can’t expect their saddle fitter to make an informed, reliable decision based on the horse stood in the stable.

“We know that lateral saddle slip occurs during motion, particularly in walk and canter and only on one rein and there is no way you can get that level of information from just looking at the saddle on the horse in the stable.”

Russell advises that if you’re having a saddle fit done and the saddle fitter doesn’t request that you are seen ridden in the saddle, you should go as far as terminating that assessment; “it is not acceptable to be able to determine the fit of a saddle without seeing it being ridden in and tested under the conditions in which it is going to be used,” he adds. “So, that should be walk, trot and canter on both reins including circles in a dressage saddle and similarly in a jump saddle but with the added bit of actually jumping in the saddle too. The saddle fitter should stand in the middle of the arena to see the side, front-to-back balance and then in the corner on the long side to see the left-to-right balance. I would advise saddle fitters to use smart phone technology to reinforce what they are seeing providing they conform to GDPR with videos.”

There are rare occasions when you can’t ride the horse during a saddle fitting such as if a horse is recovering from injury that prevents it from being ridden, and if the horse is young and unbacked, but otherwise, every saddle-fitting should include a ridden assessment. Owners need to be mindful of this and challenge the saddle fitter if they say they don’t need to see you ride in it.

“Good saddle fitters should automatically ask you to ride in your saddle, and if they don’t it should be a red flag,” says Russell. “You are paying a reasonable amount of money for a saddle and for the fitting, so you want to know that you are getting a thorough assessment to ensure optimal back health. Given what we know with the affect that saddle fit, design and balance can have on the horse, we are incumbent to ensure that we employ the most detailed possible assessment to ensure the best chances of optimal back health with saddle fit.

“We really must work with our qualified saddle fitters in fitting saddles and avoid the temptation of buying online and fitting by a video or pictures or not at all because the hands-on skills that a qualified saddle fitter have are invaluable to ensuring and safeguarding the horse.”

We all have a duty to safeguard our horses and part of that duty comes discussions. Horse owners need to feel empowered that they can have that relationship with their team to ask that question.

“If your saddle fitter says they don’t need to see you ride in it and you feel uncomfortable demanding that they do, you could say that you want to check that the saddle is comfortable for you as a way out of a confrontational discussion,” advises Russell.

Historically, saddles have been fitted to a horse without a pad or numnah underneath, but thoughts on this have changed.

“It’s fine to see a saddle on the horse without a numnah as a baseline visual, but it’s also important to see it with the equipment that the rider will be using with the saddle because your numnah might have an extra layer of wool which may make the saddle fit differently,” says Russell. “A saddle should be fitted with the girth, pad and any other equipment that will be used. It’s a fit to perform test.”

If you’re having a brand-new saddle fitted, you will go through the same fitting procedure (as a refit) of a static and dynamic assessment, but after an eight to twelve week window to allow the flocking to ‘bed-down’, your saddle fitter should come back to reassess the fit and make any necessary adjustments.

02/12/2024

Girth design and fit is just as important as saddle and bridle fit!

**𝟱-𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀**

𝗚𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘀

The girth plays a vital role as part of the equipment used when riding, so when we are considering saddle fit, we need to consider girth fit too.

“Riders spend a reasonable amount of money on a saddle and then don’t always consider the girth shape or design,” says Russell MacKechnie-Guire. “You can reduce the performance of the saddle and the horse by having a poorly-designed girth, so the fit and suitability should be considered similar to the saddle and the bridle.”

𝗚𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

When we think about where the girth pressures are, previously, we believed it was mostly in the sternum region, but in a study in 2013, it showed that the areas of repeatable high pressure are in the region behind the elbows and not on the sternum.

“We used an electronic pressure map placed underneath the girth, robustly measuring the pressure of the girth during locomotion,” says Russell. “The other intriguing thing is that these pressures are related to the movement and timing of the limb, so every time the hoof is loaded, we get pressure behind the elbow which we found in all gaits; walk, trot, canter and gallop, and when jumping. This means that pressure is repeatable every stride. So, if a girth doesn’t fit, or is a poor design in relation to the horse’s conformation, the horse is subject to those areas of high pressure every stride. We found that this can influence joint range of motion, and create asymmetry in the horse and what we know from other research is that horses will develop strategies to alleviate any discomfort caused.”

There are various designs of girth on the market which means horse owners have plenty of options.

“However, what we must be mindful of is designs that claim to alleviate force or pressure on the sternum when they haven’t looked elsewhere on the girth, for example behind the elbows,” says Russell. “If we cut away something, the force has to go somewhere else – you can’t get rid of the forces. That’s something horse owners should consider when interpreting such claims – specifically the social media “literature”, not the scientific literature - because there are a few companies that have cut away parts of the girth which at first glance appears to have “removed” any pressure, which is great, but you still have the total force that has to be distributed somewhere. By removing parts, you are in effect distributing the same “total force” over a smaller area.”

𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Every horse has a different conformation when it comes to the girth area, and assessing it isn’t always easy.

Russell suggests: “Stand in front of the horse if safe to do so, with the horse standing square, and look at how the legs come out of the chest. Look at the distance between the two forelimbs, and if at the top it looks narrow (like a “V”) this would indicate that the base of support is narrow, in which case the horse may need a girth that is of an appropriate design to suit that conformation.

“You then need to stand on the side of the horse (standing square) and visualise the girth groove. Influenced by anatomy (sternum length), some horses have a forward girth groove which creates quite an angle for the girth to be positioned, and some horses can have a rear girth groove.”

In these cases, girth fit and design in important, but it is essential that riders speak with their saddle fitter, as a girth alone is unlikely to prevent the saddle from travelling forwards or backwards.

Always have that discussion with your horse’s saddle fitter to see what is most appropriate for that horse.

𝗘𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱

“We found no biomechanical differences when using elasticated girths, and found, in some situations, some riders could over-tighten the girth because of the quality of the elastic, so our general comment is that, if you don’t need elastic, don’t use it,” explains Russell. “However, there are a group of horses that do appear to prefer (defined as go better by their owners) in a girth that has short (1/2 – 2cm) strips of elastic on each side. We don’t know the reason for that – work is on-going – but if you need/prefer elastic, have short elastic of good quality strength.”

If you have a saddle that slips to one side, you could try a non-elasticated girth to see if that adds stability, or if you have a girth with elastic on one side and the girth allows, change the side that the elastic is on, and see if the saddle still slips. In the majority of cases, saddle slip is induced by the horse, but a girth that has an elastic component may contribute, but it is unlikely to be the cause.

𝗚𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀

If using girth covers, Russell suggests using those made from natural fibres/materials where possible.

“What we have to remember with a girth sleeve, is that, while they can add an element of comfort (or satisfy the rider’s fashion), they can also add a lot of extra bulk, so as the limb is coming backwards, you need to check that you aren’t creating pressure due to the increased bulk of the girth cover,” says Russell.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵

A poorly-fitted or inappropriate girth can cause sores, discomfort, reduce the horse’s performance, and compromise welfare.

“Observe the horse’s behaviour when tacking up, look for reactivity when girthing up such as nipping, ears back, tail swishing and pawing, and any sensitivity after exercise as well as sweat patches under the girth,” Russell advises. “This behaviour is likely indicative of clinical issues that need to be investigated – these subtle indicators when girthing up could be an early indicator that needs looking into, and must not be over looked as “normal.”


𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵

𝗔𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱

The girth shape and design need to be appropriate for the horse, particularly cut away behind the elbows to allow freedom of movement. We also need to consider the conformation of the horse. Some horses are quite narrow in front and we have to be careful of the degree of the anatomical shaping of the girth that it doesn’t actually cause pressure on the pectoral muscles. That is why it’s important to have a girth fit discussion with your saddle fitter.

𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵

The position of the buckles and length of girth is another consideration – have the buckles up as high as possible. The buckles should be up as high as possible to remove them away from the high-pressure area behind the elbows.

𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀

Girths that have a pressure-reducing/distributing material lining are more advantageous than a girth that doesn’t because that can help distribute and dampen some of the forces. We can’t remove the force but we can distribute it more evenly across the girth and reducing the high areas of pressure.

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Also be mindful that training aids or martingale straps wrapped around the girth will add pressure to the sternum area of the girth, so it’s always better to attach them to a ring on the outside of the girth.

𝗚𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵

Check the condition of your girth. It’s not acceptable to be riding horses in a girth that has girth cracks on the inside – that is going to cause discomfort.

Have thoughts, questions or comments, share them in the comments and they will be discussed in next weeks 𝟱-𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗦 - 𝗩𝗟𝗢𝗚

🔭🔭𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿🔭🔭

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀: https://www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲: https://www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/centaur-online/

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗣𝗗: https://www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/webinars-online-cpd-and-education-/

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: https://www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/scientific-research-publications/

05/11/2024

I am opening up my books for a limited number of new clients in the Gloucester area!

☆ Performance assessment
☆ Static and dynamic analysis
☆ Manual therapy incorporating myofascial release, massage, manipulation and mobilisation
☆ Electrotherapies
☆ Exercise prescription and support with exercise programmes

Please call or message 07789 261801 to discuss your requirements.

Here is today's latest new patient, Mylo enjoying a lovely neck extension!

30/10/2024

An outbreak of the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus has been reported in Gloucestershire. This form of the disease is often fatal and hopefully this outbreak will be confined to one premises. Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) can also cause abortion in pregnant mares, respiratory disease and immunosuppression (I.e. more prone to picking up other infections and performance limiting). Vaccination against EHV can reduce the severity of symptoms and limit the spread of this virus. In pregnant mares vaccines should be given in the 5th,7th and 9th months of pregnancy and in other horses and ponies an initial 2 doses are given between 4 and 6 weeks apart with then 6 monthly booster. For more information about this disease or to book vaccinations please contact the office (01452877595)

06/08/2024

Just had to share this amazing image from Becks Nairn . All these muscles attach (and influence tension in) the tendons in the lower limb. Yes, there are that many, and there are NO muscles below the knee/hock!
Tendons vary in length, and form the attachment points of muscle throughout the body to bone, or sometimes other muscles through tendinous sheets called apneuroses.

Organic engineering of the fore limb! Magic

All of the muscles attached to their lower limb tendons, to see how they operate head to my Patreon page.

https://www.patreon.com/Becks_nairn

02/06/2024

24/04/2024

The presenting problem is not always the primary or causal problem!

What is the diagnosis?

This is a common question we are asked. It is a fair and expected question. The trouble is – I don’t always have an answer for you. Why? Body Lameness is complicated and is rarely clear. In order to fix the body we have to know and understand its complexity. We also must appreciate the concept of biotensegrity.

Small areas of dysfunction can cause lameness and dysfunction in completely different regions of the body. I struggle with periodic left foot pain. I randomly (i.e. no specific event, sound familiar?) get a sharp pressure and pain in my left heal or arch of my foot. It feels like plantar fasciitis. I bought the insoles, I changed shoes- I got mild improvement. I was a 2/5 AAEP lameness. It wasn’t until I saw a human physio that I had relief of my foot pain. She quickly looked at me and explained my foot problem was due to a lower lumbar mild subluxation (my back did not hurt!) which lead to a pull on my fascia and change on my medial tibia which lead to the foot pain. Within one session my foot pain was resolved. I likely would have blocked to my foot. I would have definitely had a response to hoof testers. If I were a horse I would have been offered farrier changes and coffin joint injections, likely with mild improvement. My foot was a secondary issue but a primary concern. My back was the primary source of pain and yet a non-clinical issue. Until you discover the root cause, you will never truly resolve the pain.

Horses are the same. I treat horses based on my clinical exam and diagnostic imaging (to the best of my abilities). However, the important part is treating them based on their biomechanical failure points. It’s important to recognize that the body works as a whole and not individual pieces. If there is one region of pain or dysfunction, you must treat the entire area- not one spot. You also must consider how a horse’s biomechanics and biotensegrity play into their movement, posture and overall athleticism. If they cannot sit and use their lumbar-sacral junction correctly they cannot relieve tension in their thoracic sling. If their shoulder girdle is dysfunctional, you need to treat the entire region- the neck does not work independently from the first few ribs or shoulder. It all works together and in balance of each other. Additionally we must consider things like nutritional deficiency/toxicity, diet plans, exercise routines, saddle fit, gastrointestinal issues and muscle diseases. Often horses have some combination of all of these things. To get the best results or treat the difficult cases, we have to look at all areas.

On top of these concepts, we cannot image everything. The assumption that there is only an issue if you can image it, is ignorance. Necropsies have proven this to me repeatedly. We find so many things- nerve impingements, muscle changes, fascia changes, scar restrictions, disc problems, boney changes - all can be clinically significant and not found in the live horse. This doesn’t mean they aren’t part of the problem. The body can frequently compensate with little things over time, and then with age and addition of injuries sudden decompensation occurs- leading to acute pain on a chronic issue.

So when clients ask me, what was the diagnosis? I frequently say things like shoulder girdle dysfunction, lumbar sacral dysfunction, neuritis, rib cage dysfunction. I may sometimes be able to pinpoint specifics like T16 articular facet arthritis or lumbar intertransverse joint stepping. However, I know these individual things are part of a much larger picture of dysfunction. I treat the dysfunctional segments as a whole and that’s how we can get big results, where owners have been struggling. That’s how we can take a behavioral horse, who passed lameness exams but wasn’t right and turn them quickly into a happy relaxed working horse. Results matter to me more than individual diagnoses.

Image below is the brachial plexus- cannot be imaged well, cannot be blocked out, yet can be a huge source of pain and lameness in a horse. It’s frequently affected by other areas causing incorrect pressure, pull or tension on this region. It can be treated. Until you solve why it’s under incorrect forces, you will never resolve its pain.

03/04/2024

NEW QUALIFICATION LAUNCH // Veterinary Physiotherapy
iPET Network has launched three innovative new courses which will help aspiring veterinary physiotherapists and animal sports massage and rehabilitation therapists to get the qualifications in a brand new way.

Working with leading veterinary physiotherapist Wendy Vaughan, Director of The Academy Of Veterinary Physiotherapy, iPET Network is now offering a Level 6 Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy, a Level 5 Diploma in Animal Sports Massage and Rehabilitation and a Level 4 Diploma in Animal Sports Massage, all of which are regulated by Ofqual.

Wendy, who is a IRVAP, RAMP and AHPR registered therapist, said: "I am proud to have worked with iPET Network to develop this trio of qualifications, which will make these fields of veterinary science more accessible than ever, while maintaining all important best practice."

To find out more, click here. https://www.ipetnetwork.co.uk/news-stories-ipet-network/news/post/new-qualification-launch--veterinary-physiotherapy/

iPET NETWORK, FOR PEOPLE, FOR PETS, FOR THE FUTURE.

💻[email protected]
📱0800 433 4700
⌨️www.ipetnetwork.co.uk

30/03/2024

A brand new Level 6 Animal Physiotherapy qualification provider. Email the address given for more info.

An iPET Network Approved Training Provider delivering regulated qualifications:
* iPET Network Level 6 Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy
* iPET Network Level 5 Diploma in Animal Sports Massage and Rehabilitation
*iPET Network Level 4 Diploma in Animal Sports Massage
****WATCH THIS SPACE****
More information coming soon
Register your interest: [email protected]

15/02/2024

DURING MOST EXERCISE, YOUR HORSE USES NUTRIENTS FROM STORAGE, NOT FROM THE LAST MEAL

When a horse uses carbohydrates or fat as an energy source during most types of exercise, he is not using these nutrients as they are fed, or even absorbed in the gut.
Only glucose compounds and single fatty acids can be used in the internal muscle energy pathways.

These come from stores in and around the muscle, which are built up from previous meals that have been digested, processed then stored.

It is how you've trained your horse and what you've fed in the previous few weeks that matters in how your horse processes nutrients during exercise, rather than their last meal.

Feel free to share 🏇🍏🐴

30/01/2024

It's only a few months since I moved slightly sideways, but the last year has proven to be transformational and I have been offered an opportunity too good to turn down!

At the end of February, I will be moving just south of Gloucester to develop and manage a rehabilitation yard. It is on 120 acres in a prime position and with endless possibilities for the owner's vision, which includes not only rehab, but being a centre for ethical and biomechanically beneficial training - providing horses with correct foundation work to enable them to perform their chosen career with the best chance of remaining functionally strong, sound, healthy and happy.

It is in it's infancy, but the plans include the development of several track systems, progressive pens/small paddocks for reintroduction to turnout for horses requiring restricted movement, a physio 'gym' paddock and visiting clinicians, trainers, therapists, educators and other professionals.

I'm really excited to be part of this project, and hope to be able to make a significant difference to all the horses that come our way! Take a look at the website, which will evolve as we do: https://www.hollowfarmequestrian.co.uk/

I will also be taking on a limited number of outside clients for routine physiotherapy sessions - contact me for details.

For my existing clients in the north Oxon/south Warks area, I'm sorry to be leaving, but please don't feel abandoned! I will be arranging regular day trips back for routine treatments and can recommend colleagues for emergencies or ongoing treatment requirements.

Forgive me if I am a little quiet for the next month - I have a lot to do. Exciting times!!

25/01/2024

What is the diagnosis?

This is a common question we are asked. It is a fair and expected question. The trouble is – I don’t always have an answer for you. Why? Body Lameness is complicated and is rarely clear. In order to fix the body we have to know and understand its complexity. We also must appreciate the concept of biotensegrity.

Small areas of dysfunction can cause lameness and dysfunction in completely different regions of the body. I struggle with periodic left foot pain. I randomly (i.e. no specific event, sound familiar?) get a sharp pressure and pain in my left heal or arch of my foot. It feels like plantar fasciitis. I bought the insoles, I changed shoes- I got mild improvement. I was a 2/5 AAEP lameness. It wasn’t until I saw a human physio that I had relief of my foot pain. She quickly looked at me and explained my foot problem was due to a lower lumbar mild subluxation (my back did not hurt!) which lead to a pull on my fascia and change on my medial tibia which lead to the foot pain. Within one session my foot pain was resolved. I likely would have blocked to my foot. I would have definitely had a response to hoof testers. If I were a horse I would have been offered farrier changes and coffin joint injections, likely with mild improvement. My foot was a secondary issue but a primary concern. My back was the primary source of pain and yet a non-clinical issue. Until you discover the root cause, you will never truly resolve the pain.

Horses are the same. I treat horses based on my clinical exam and diagnostic imaging (to the best of my abilities). However, the important part is treating them based on their biomechanical failure points. It’s important to recognize that the body works as a whole and not individual pieces. If there is one region of pain or dysfunction, you must treat the entire area- not one spot. You also must consider how a horse’s biomechanics and biotensegrity play into their movement, posture and overall athleticism. If they cannot sit and use their lumbar-sacral junction correctly they cannot relieve tension in their thoracic sling. If their shoulder girdle is dysfunctional, you need to treat the entire region- the neck does not work independently from the first few ribs or shoulder. It all works together and in balance of each other. Additionally we must consider things like nutritional deficiency/toxicity, diet plans, exercise routines, saddle fit, gastrointestinal issues and muscle diseases. Often horses have some combination of all of these things. To get the best results or treat the difficult cases, we have to look at all areas.

On top of these concepts, we cannot image everything. The assumption that there is only an issue if you can image it, is ignorance. Necropsies have proven this to me repeatedly. We find so many things- nerve impingements, muscle changes, fascia changes, scar restrictions, disc problems, boney changes - all can be clinically significant and not found in the live horse. This doesn’t mean they aren’t part of the problem. The body can frequently compensate with little things over time, and then with age and addition of injuries sudden decompensation occurs- leading to acute pain on a chronic issue.

So when clients ask me, what was the diagnosis? I frequently say things like shoulder girdle dysfunction, lumbar sacral dysfunction, neuritis, rib cage dysfunction. I may sometimes be able to pinpoint specifics like T16 articular facet arthritis or lumbar intertransverse joint stepping. However, I know these individual things are part of a much larger picture of dysfunction. I treat the dysfunctional segments as a whole and that’s how we can get big results, where owners have been struggling. That’s how we can take a behavioral horse, who passed lameness exams but wasn’t right and turn them quickly into a happy relaxed working horse. Results matter to me more than individual diagnoses.

Image below is the brachial plexus- cannot be imaged well, cannot be blocked out, yet can be a huge source of pain and lameness in a horse. It’s frequently affected by other areas causing incorrect pressure, pull or tension on this region. It can be treated. Until you solve why it’s under incorrect forces, you will never resolve its pain.

18/12/2023

"The best thing for your horse is to let them be a horse."

8 Top Tips for Equestrians from Dr. Temple Grandin