The Other Side Equine Fitness & Rehab Center

09/17/2025

When we think about improving a horse’s movement, it’s easy to focus only on muscles, joints, and exercises. But there’s another piece that often gets overlooked: the horse’s mindset.

A horse that feels curious and confident will naturally move with more freedom, better posture, and less tension. Why?
✨ Curiosity encourages exploration—when a horse is interested in their environment, they’re more likely to stretch forward through their topline and take balanced, relaxed steps.
✨ Confidence reduces guarding—horses that feel safe don’t brace against the rider or the ground. This allows their body to use full, efficient movement patterns.
✨ Engagement builds quality practice—a horse who enjoys the process will keep trying, rather than rushing, shutting down, or compensating.

Confidence and curiosity aren’t “extra”—they’re the foundation of good movement. By creating an environment where your horse feels safe to learn and explore, you’re not only supporting their mental well-being, but also unlocking healthier, more athletic movement. 🐴💫

02/13/2025

A short read with good information about tendon and ligament injuries and rehabilitation. Contact us if you need help with this kind of injury for your horse!
[email protected]

The horse’s lower limb is a common site of injury. These injuries include wounds, such as cuts and lacerations, but also damage to soft tissues, including tendons and ligaments. You can find out more about cuts and other types of wounds on our Common horse wounds advice page. Many horses, whether ...

01/30/2025

Have you scheduled your spring saddle fit check yet? With temperatures warming up after a deep freeze here in Colorado, I'm thinking about how our horses' bodies change throughout the year based on weather fluctuations, footing in the pasture and riding areas, seasonal exercise regimen adjustments, injuries, etc. The importance of saddle fit is huge for your horse's comfort and ability to move their bodies correctly! Contact a qualified saddle fitter to ensure you are ready to go when riding season begins!

12/10/2024

🌟 Understanding Gluteal Atrophy in Horses 🌟

Gluteal atrophy in horses is a condition where the gluteal muscles in the hindquarters shrink or waste away, which can affect a horse's performance, movement, and overall well-being. 🐴💪

Common causes include:

Prolonged Inactivity: Horses that are not regularly exercised or have restricted movement due to injury or stall rest can develop muscle atrophy.

Neurological Issues: Conditions affecting the nervous system, such as lumbosacral disease or cauda equina syndrome, can disrupt normal muscle function and lead to atrophy.

Pain or Lameness: Horses with pain or lameness in the hind limbs may compensate by avoiding certain movements, leading to muscle wasting.

Age: Older horses may experience natural muscle loss due to aging, leading to visible changes in muscle tone.

Signs to watch for:

Decreased muscle mass around the hindquarters

Altered gait or movement

Difficulty maintaining a proper stance or performance

👉 Early detection and treatment are key! Regular exercise, physical therapy, and veterinary intervention can help manage and prevent further muscle loss. Always consult with your vet if you notice any changes in your horse's muscle tone or movement. Once diagnosed by your vet, seek an equine physical therapist to help your horse regain muscle mass and strength!

10/24/2024

Board your horse at The Other Side Ranch in beautiful Old Snowmass! Full care with daily turnout, heated tack room, outdoor arena and round pen, large pastures, and access to our covered panel walker!

10/10/2024

🌿 🐴 A relaxed mindset is essential for a horse's well-being. Horses are sensitive animals, and when calm, they are more responsive, trusting, and cooperative. A relaxed horse learns faster, stays healthier, and enjoys a stronger bond with its handler. To promote relaxation, create a peaceful environment with proper turnout, regular exercise, and quiet time. Activities like grooming and groundwork help reduce anxiety, keeping horses calm, happy, and balanced. 💚

08/22/2024

Don't forget about the thoracic sling! So important for so many reasons!

08/13/2024

1. Welcome to The Other Side Equine Fitness & Rehab Center! Where horses can heal and get conditioned for return to riding and improved performance. Here's a short tour:
2. Vitafloor whole body vertical vibration stall. To decrease the stress hormone, cortisol, and increase blood flow to healing tissues or organs.
3. Wash stall. Equipped with infrared lights and hot water for cleaning horses before they go into the underwater treadmill.
4. Hydrohorse heated underwater treadmill. Used for cardiovascular conditioning, as well as exercising injured horses in a safe environment with decreased weight bearing on the limbs.
5. Full spectrum solarium. Increases circulation to support healing/recovering tissues while also calming, warming, and drying horses after their underwater workout. This is also one area where manual therapies, stretching, and postural exercises (baited dynamic mobility, belly lifts, pelvic tilt, etc) are performed.
6. The amazing view right outside our door! And one of our little helpers, of course 😊

Think your horse might benefit from our therapies? Contact us today to find out more!
[email protected]
www.tosranch.com

07/08/2024

We have monthly boarding spots (with or without fitness/rehab services) available at our beautiful ranch in Old Snowmass, CO! Large, irrigated pastures with 3-sided shelters and automatic waterers, as well as safe fencing. Outdoor stalls with runs also available. Access to our heated tack room, outdoor round pen and arena, walker, and many miles of trails on private and neighboring BLM lands! Give your horses the best view and the amazing care they deserve! Contact us for details and reasonable pricing! [email protected]

05/04/2023

Boarding, fitness, and rehabilitation facility has availability! Located in Old Snowmass, CO. Large pastures with shelters and automatic waterers. Hay included. Miles and miles of private trails to ride in the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley! Large arena and round pen. All disciplines welcome!

Individualized fitness and rehabilitation programs use our HydroHorse underwater treadmill, Vitafloor vertical whole body vibration stall, and solarium light therapies, as well as therapeutic exercise and manual therapy, as appropriate!

[email protected], www.tosranch.com