Velvet Noses Equine

14/10/2025

There is always a lot of interest in 'what's in my bag?' This time nothing but my paperwork, pencils and a tub of Pink Goop. It must just smell good!😄

13/10/2025

It's arrived! - my next read ...📚🤓

05/10/2025

I've attended both of Dr Raquels Biomechanics clinics here in SA and her work is amazing!🤗

🧐 Pssst ⬇️⬇️ free masterclass.

The connection between Posture and Behaviour was evident at a recent clinic I instructed.

This lovely mare came in on the first day unable to hold a straight line, full of anxiety and the owner was constantly concerned she would be pushed or stepped on.

She was unable to stand still and was constantly on high alert with an inability to balance and stabilise.

For a horse this feels totally unsafe. They are not able to respond appropriately to the handler or their environment as they do not have enough control or awareness of their body so therefore they must stay on high alert and be ready to protect themselves.

We utilised a TTouch figure 8 wrap and focused on alignment through squares and other gentle exercises, gradually slowing everything down and showing her how to create a 4 point balanced stance.

🐴The transformation was amazing - she became calm, centred and able to hold herself in balance including just standing. The owner felt much safer in working with her too!

In the Before image you can see her wide stance, weight on the forehand, braced head and neck, dropped core and facial tension.

In the After image you can see a much more balanced stance, lifted core and base of the neck and softer face 💗

Her willingness to load on the float was hugely improved.

A horses safety is in their balance and stability - this means they can respond appropriately to their environment including the handler and creates a calm, relaxed horse.

If you would like to know more about the links between Posture and Behaviour please join me in my Masterclass - Is Your Horse Misbehaving - Or Communicating?

Thursday 23rd October
https://www.integratedvettherapeutics.com/pbmc-oct25

01/10/2025

🌿⚘️🌿🌹

27/09/2025

One of my favs💯 - this exercise I regularly have my clients practice with their horses between Bodywork visits.

24/09/2025

Shutting down the lines of communication with your horse is not good training.😔 It needs to be an open minded two way conversation - understanding, patience and empathy, always.

When “Calm” Isn’t Calm: Why Flooding Is So Harmful

Some training techniques aim to “desensitize” horses by overwhelming them until they stop reacting - a method called flooding.

But stillness isn’t always peace.

Often, that quiet horse is in learned helplessness... they’ve stopped trying because they’ve lost hope of escape.

This can look like:
😔 Dull or hard eyes
😔 Drooped head or tense facial features
😔 Lack of engagement with their environment

This isn’t trust. It’s shut down. Ethical training builds confidence, not compliance ✨🦄

(stock photo from Canva with a similar facial expression to one you might see on a horse experiencing flooding)

12/09/2025

🌞🏵🏵

05/09/2025

Biomechanics plays an essential role in maintaining a horses wellbeing. But they can’t always tell us when they’re experiencing physical difficulties that hinder their performance and to do what we're asking. Attentive owners attuned to their horse can identify that things aren't quite right.🤔

Massage and Bodywork assists the natural healing processes; it facilitates correct movement, helps build strength, improves balance and co-ordination and ensures ongoing comfort.

This is Bailey's first massage session - the beginning of his *hands on* bodywork journey.🐴🙌

26/08/2025

21/08/2025

It was an amazing weekend of learning 🙌 again.
I attended Raquels clinic a couple of years ago and knew I didn't want to miss this one either!