On Track Equine Sports Therapy

Malu also enjoyed his bio magnetic treatment and went from unsound to sound after one session

Toby says thank you Im feeling much better now.. magnets, essential oils and a nice massage is what this senior ordered

this is so cool

Reasons why not to use a flash

Headshaking Horses: Fascial Connections With spring upon us we have our usual onslaught of allergy-related headshaking. However, what if your horse headshakes a...ll year round???? It is upsetting for both the rider and the horse. Furthermore it can often be hard for orthodox veterinary medicine to tackle it. As I have mentioned in previous posts, it could well be that your horse is suffering with what could best be described as "mechanical headshaking". Rather than it being a response to a pollen or other allergens it is as a result of physical irritation. It can often be seen that it occurs during exercise. Whether immediately or as the workload or pressure increases. One of the key nerves that is linked to headshaking is called the TRIGEMINAL nerve. It is the fifth of twelve cranial nerves that come from the brain to supply predominantly the head and neck of the horse. To get from the brain within the skull to outside the skull, these nerves need to pass through openings/holes in the skull. The skull itself is made up of lots of bones, knitted together like a patchwork quilt or more accurately like a set of cogs. All of the bones in the skull move. Some a lot and some not so much but they ALL MOVE. When the skull bones are all moving correctly, these openings/holes in the skull have nice wide gaps for these nerves to pass through. If however these openings are narrowed then the nerve becomes restricted. A restricted nerve can become inflamed and irritated. Irritation can lead to hypersensitivity and HEADSHAKING. The TRIGEMINAL nerve passes through holes in the skull very close to the jaw (TMJ - Tempero-mandibular Joint). Therefore anything that may add tension to the TMJ can lead to changes in these holes and therefore restrict and irritate these nerves. The TMJ and surrounding region is incredibly important. Locally we have the TEETH and JAW. Dental issues, bitting/tack problems, poor diet and bad riding style to name a few can lead to issues in the mouth and so TMJ. In addition the HYOID attaches to part of the temporal bone (the bone that puts the T in TMJ!). The hyoid not only suspends the tongue and larynx/pharynx but is a key component to the FASCIAL SYSTEM. It is the FASCIAL SYSTEM that creates all the wonderfully intricate connections throughout the body. Fascia is a connective tissue like clingfilm/seran wrap that covers every tissue in the body. Ie bones, muscles, tendons, organs, blood vessels etc etc. It is the fascial therefore that connects everything physically. FASCIAL STRAIN can cause tension from one area of the body to spread to another. One example is that it strongly connects the motion of the TMJ with the SI (Sacro-iliac) in the pelvis... It is therefore one of the reasons you will find a right SI problem (off hind) and tension on the right TMJ that causes the horse to bend its head to the right. The problem can also go the other way too. There are other reasons for TMJ and SI issues but fascia is firmly on the list. If you therefore have a headshaker then it is wise to ensure that the WHOLE HORSE is evaluated and as many possible connections are considered and dealt with. So while fascial release is part of our treatment process it is never used in isolation. As with all therapies it needs a multi-faceted approach to release as much tension as possible in as many ways as possible. A thorough evaluation is key to understand which parts need tackling. In some cases further veterinary investigation via ultrasound, radiographs (xrays) or even computed tomography is necessary to help understand the issue. It can be a slow process but in the right cases you can get some very good results. Below are some pictures relating to headshaking taken from Google.

https://thehorse.com/tools/normal-vital-signs/

For everyone who thinks its ok to start riding your horse at 2 yrs. you cant argue science. Its really not ok

Info for all those horses who cant get out of the smoke

Good information for horse owners dealing with all the smoke in the air https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu//guidelines-horses-exposed-

Horses are incredible beings

Reining horses hardly stand a chance February 10, 2017/84 Comments/in Bad Trainers /by Animal Welfare A lot of reining horses eliminate themselves early on, e...ven if they have the ability and the try, because they cant hold up. Timothy Bartlett, DVM, of Vincennes, Ind., has been actively involved in the sport as a president of NRHA and an NRHA judge. An interesting view that it is the horses problem Dr Bartlett, not the trainers or the futurity system. Half a century ago, when Robert M Miller, DVM was cowboying, he says colts were started at four years of age or older. Once in a while, one might be started as a three-year-old. Despite some very hard work, barring accidents, those ranch horses were still sound and working into their 20s. Today, more and more, with big money for futurities, these horses MUST be started as two-year-olds; and some are starting them as young as 18 months, thinking more riding will make them more competitive. Because of this, many of these horses end up with bowed tendons, navicular disease, bone spavins, bone chips, stifle injuries, blown-out hocks, hairline fractures, arthritis, severe back problems, sprained necks and a myriad of other problems and conditions associated with the strain and stress to young developing bodies. Many horses break down in the first year and those that make their 3yo or 4yo end up with debilitating problems at only four or five years of age and live on anti-inflammatory medications and/or painkillers in their feed or through injections. The sad fact is that of the tens of thousands of reining horses bred each year, only one hundred or so make it to the Futurity. [see footnote] The others are lost in the system, and many end up slaughtered as they are damaged beyond repair and have no value to this futurity driven industry. The vets are now recognizing that reining horses have one of the highest incidents of breaking down next to race horses; and sadly the same fate. Dr. Grant Miller, DVM says we have established that repetitive trauma on the joint from the athletic performance can cause degenerative changes to the cartilage and bones. Race horses and futurity Quarter Horses that train heavily in the juvenile stage of their lives often show early signs of hock-related pain. Reiners commonly have hock issues. It seems this futurity driven industry that starts out knowing the pain they will inflict on these young animals actively deny the veterinarians research and evidence and continue their practices. Is this respect and compassion as promoted on the NRHA website? The management of the reining horses can further exacerbate their health issues as most futurity horses are weaned at three months of age then placed on a high growth diet. They are kept in stables 22-23 hours per day as they are prepped for sales and/or go into trainer barns. Extended stabling time would be similar to you going into your coat closet and spending most of your time standing there. There are mental issues and physical suffering that comes with this confinement. Their joints stiffen at an early age, and they suffer similar pain and stress that we would suffer standing still for hours on end cooped up in a confined space. A life of standing in a barn and then being worked hard for half or a full hour is that respectful? There are some trainers that provide pasture time for horses each days, but many dont. They dont have the room, the time nor the desire to have horses away from the barn taking longer to catch and increasing the work load. Raise any issue of abuse or mistreatment with reining horse people, and you will be sprayed with comments attempting to justify they are treated like kings being stabled, rugged, fed, washed. They do not think of the horses mental welfare and the pain he/she suffers standing in an unnatural environment 24/7. They walk away to their comfortable homes, while the horse stands still. The horse skeleton and muscle are structured for continual movement through grazing. They are designed to walk many miles each day. Living in this abnormal stall environment conflicting with their structural make-up and being worked hard, too early, finds many reining horses live on a cocktail of drugs every day of their life to keep them going. The focus has shifted from producing physically and mentally sound horses to being knowledgeable in drugs to keep them seemingly sound enough to ride. The rule book is now saturated with drug testing commentary but little evidence of testing, and only randomly, at some large events. Like any drug testing, the providers are able to keep ahead of the tests much like you see in professional sports people. Managing young bodies Trainers rarely x-ray the horses they are entrusted with, and owners rarely demand x-rays until something has gone wrong. The use of blood tests to identify abnormalities or issues even rarer. If the horse looks in good condition and can be ridden, with or without drugs, alls good to go, and the focus is set hard on the futurity. It has become a custom that horses are injected in the hocks and receive daily medications; never questioning why or changing their program. Many trainers believe they have knowledge beyond science and can just know its ok. Often drugs are administered based on observational symptoms without validation of underlying causes. Some trainers inject horses without the owners even knowing as they attempt to keep horses in their barns. The pressure, stress, and suffering of the horses all in pursuit of winning the big money at the futurity. Imagine if the horses were not allowed to be ridden for just one more year, how many more entries would there be? Imagine how those horses would be if they were kept and worked in a program that was more in line with their skeletal requirements. Imagine if the owners all started to demand x-rays and blood tests and were pro-active in their horse management. Some may say only the best make it, but with the refined breeding programs and the number that breakdown early, you would have to question the program more than the breeding, wouldnt you? Winning no matter what? Robert M Miller, DVM cites the story One of my clients was a prosperous, educated couple. They were very congenial, and they owned three Quarter Horses. One day, they called me to come to their home to worm their horses and check them over and booster their vaccinations. When I arrived, I found only two horses, so I asked where the third one was. Oh, he is in training as a reining horse, with ____________ (a successful and notoriously brutal trainer who also happened to be one of my clients). Then the wife said, We know how cruel he is to the horses, but he wins! Do you believe the NRHA is standing behind their statement We expect our members to consider the welfare of their horses paramount and to always treat them with dignity, respect and passion? Dont forget to vote on the Poll for Change Footnote: NRBC enrolled studs, which are the top escalante of reining horses 182- average 100 mares each a year 18,200 alone. Plus all the other studs that are not enrolled and a bunch more of them should not even be studs. And that is just in the USA. Then there is Canada, Brazil, Australia and all the European stallions of which is there a very high number too and the list goes on. Tens of thousands is not an over estimate. Hundred or so is a generalisation across many countries. USA has a larger nmber whereas countries like Australia have a micro futurity with just 20 all in. Tags: Bad training practices, Reining Trainer Abuse Share this entry

Great video of the hoof

well illustrated

Learning everyday. I had no idea of the depth of the horses tongue and the affect on the horses shoulder movement. Credit to Susan Harris and Peggy Brown Anatomy in Motion 1 The Visible Horse

Here is an excellent opportunity to have your horse massaged in the Okanagan area....I highly recommend her https://www.facebook.com/groups/OkanaganHorseandTack/permalink/1678215672263005/

Bits cause so many issues fr horses that I now recommend bitless and even switched my own personal horses over about a year ago. There is an adjustment period but you will find your horse is happier and more willing... with less pain associated behaviours https://www.horsetalk.co.nz//horses-dramatic-fall-pain-be/

For anyone who worries about founder please look at this sweet girl we pulled her from an auction April 21, 2018 badly foundered as you can see...with correct trimming (NO SHOES) and proper diet in 3 short weeks a complete transformation

To all my student who know how much i go on about the hyoid apparatus and the importance of keeping the tongue relaxed. This is a screen shot from a horse anato...my app i recently purchased. I will be writing in more detail about this soon (when i get a miniute to sit at the computer!) You can see how the Hyoid cradles the back of the tongue! The second pic proves how the tongue is actually connected to the abdominal muscles, any tension in the tongue means no engagement of the abs which leads to an inability to raise the back. If your horse doesnt feel confident with your hands they will try to suck the tongue backwards contracting the tongue which will then lead to tension throughout their bodies. See more

Does your saddle fit correctly? Message me and find out....

Ulcer testing through accupressure points, ulcers may also be treated with herbs, to book your horse in for an accupressure treatment please message me.

Offering distant readings on horses by donation to Humanity for Horses Foundation......find out what your horses priorities are....emotional, mental, structural, organs, muscular, systems, environmental, social, other....your horse will let me know what is most important to him/her....message me for details.

Be weary as bits really must be fit to your horses mouth.

Well said, and yes even your bits should fit your horses mouth. To find out more please messageme.

More evidence growth plates donf finish fusing till after 6 yrs....breaking horses too young creates significant problems structurally.

This filly Miss Cora came in from a round up in Oliver...she was a wildie....in this video she is approx 8 mths old and this dragging and snapping of the legs came on rather suddenly. After an assessment it turns out her occiput, C1, C6 and C7 were misaligned...once aligned she stopped dragging her back legs....she gets regular massages to this day and is now 2.5 yrs old and enjoying life to the fullest. To book your equines assessment and massage please message me.

Horse Massages $60

Saddle Fitting Special $50

http://equinejedi.com//domino-effect-backing-horses-early/

I am currently treating a mini with chronic laminitis due to insulin issues. She is being treated holistically and supported by herbs, and accupressure along with regular massage. I was doing some research and found this article which supports my course of treatment :-) https://murdochmethod.com/natural-treatment-of-chronic-lam/

Jenny 3 days later after starting some herbal supplements

Worked on this rescue mare Jenny who all of a sudden could barely walk. Gave her a good massage, did some nutritional testing and started her on some supplements .

thanks for the massage..i feel so much better

Emotional clearing work is just as important as a massage for your horse. To book your horses appointment please message me

Book you equine companion in for a magnet therapy session today...special offer $50 for the remainder of Oct only after that its back to $80 per treatment. Magnets benefit, increase circulation, reduce stress, shrink adhesions, anxiety, pain, inflammation and so much more

The rain is now here, and falls do happen this time of year....to book your massage please pm me

Fall is here now is the time to book your equine partner for a wonderful relaxing massage.

Yesterday one of my horses colicked did you massaging the shu points can help, along with ears and pepperment. Change in weather brings a chance of colic ..... to book for an accupressure treatment message me