Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics

27/07/2025

This is important when we are reprogramming movement patterns as well!!

27/07/2025

Spectator places available :)
Adelaide Clinic

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27/07/2025

"BUT MY HORSE IS WELL CARED FOR…" A LOOK AT EQUESTRIAN ATTITUDES AND WELFARE

A recent study interviewed riders, trainers, and coaches from the UK, Canada, and the US to explore what equestrians think about performance horse welfare — and why some practices that compromise welfare are still defended.

Participants consistently expressed concern for horse welfare — but some also justified harmful practices as necessary for training or competition.

These contradictions showed up in five key themes:

• Conflicting ideas of a 'good life': Equestrians often have strong opinions on what horses deserve, but struggle to align these ideals with the realities of daily training and competition.

• Objectifying the horse: Horses were sometimes described more as tools or athletes than as sentient partners, making it easier to ignore harmful practices.

• Instrumental care: Management often prioritises performance results over emotional or physical well-being — focusing on what the horse can do rather than how they feel. Horses may be immaculately turned out, well fed, and kept sound, but still expected to tolerate uncomfortable or restrictive training without resistance.

• Traditions: Cultural influence and group norms — “this is how it’s always done” — shaped decisions. Many participants admitted that practices learned early in their training persisted over time, even when their awareness of better welfare practices improved.

• Cognitive dissonance: Even when welfare concerns were recognised, participants often downplayed them. They justified or reframed issues to reduce the discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs and behaviours — for example, believing welfare matters but still using harsh bits or pushing horses despite signs of discomfort.

This study highlights how deeply embedded cultural habits and beliefs can block progress, even when riders want to improve welfare for their horses.

It’s yet another reminder that caring for horses means more than physical upkeep. It means reflecting on traditions and being willing to adapt our practices to support not only their physical health but also their emotional and psychological well-being.

Study: Cheung, E., Mills, D., & Ventura, B. A. (2025). “But my horse is well cared for”: A qualitative exploration of cognitive dissonance and enculturation in equestrian attitudes toward performance horses and their welfare.

26/07/2025

We need to re think nose bands (and but pressure on the tongue!)

1. Why we use them?
2. The biomechanical effects?
3. The welfare effects?

I ride in a bitless bridle so the nose band is part of the communication - recently i have changed styles to one that is not all focused on nose pressure and Jelly is much more responsive. It is at least 2F and sits in place well.

This is also why bridle fit(bitless or bitted) is as important as bit fit!

Under dissection we have seen how the effects of pressure on the face and tongue effects stride length!

The body is a whole - fascia transmits force throughout the entire system.

A new scientific study co-authored by Animalweb’s own Dr David Marlin in conjuction with Anglia Ruskin University students Emily Hopkins and Stacie Whitrod and ARU Writtle Associate Professor of Animal Biomechanics and Sports Medicine and School Research Lead Dr Roberta Blake, has found that tight...

25/07/2025

I would like to give a special appreciation shout out to my husband!💖

He is truly my biggest supporter 🥰

When I am away he looks after all the animals feeding the horses twice a day which often involves rugs and hat nets!! Sometimes it is 10pm at night and 5:30am in the morning as he works shift work where he is hammered!!

P.S. He is not horsey and knew nothing about them before he met me, but thankfully Jelly is the golden child so it helps!!

He welcomes me home with flowers and a clean home as well as all the things around the house he has done while I have been away. 💜

😍I am so grateful and blessed to be so loved, supported and so well cared for!

We never tell the ones we love enough how appreciated and loved they are (Although we tell our horses! 🙃)

25/07/2025

5,441 signatures are still needed! Equipping future veterinarians with updated and diversified sterilization techniques.

24/07/2025

22/07/2025

Day #3 Level 2 Equine Functional Posture Course for Bodyworkers in Woodbine, Maryland, U.S.A.

Beautiful moments of connected, slow and centered movements. 🥰

Fun playing with obstacles and a fresh group of horses from 5 years of age to over 20!!

Fantastic seeing the students transform the horses focus, posture and movement!! 💖

Thanks to Kelley Wachter for use of her lovely horses and beautiful venue!!

Thanks for EquiLearn for hosting me!!

22/07/2025

My favourite clinic horse and I enjoying fans in the humidity at my Equine Functional Posture Course in Maryland, U.S.A!

22/07/2025

Yes!!

21/07/2025

Meeting horses where they are at is so important to create real change 🥰