Does this sound like your horse?

Time and time again I meet owners that are struggling with their horses and it genuinely breaks my heart to hear the 'advice' they've been given...honestly everything from 'beat it' to 'shoot it'. Have we not come far enough yet in our understanding of horses to know that this is just not acceptable. There is a reason for everything and just because it is not immediately apparent does not mean we should resort to punishing the horse for expressing it's pain, frustration or both. The longer I work with horses the more this becomes entrenched within me...

Here’s a list of things that I’ve seen that had been written off as ‘badness’ or ‘dangerous’

• kissing spine

• hind suspensory tears

• dental issues (despite dentist giving the all clear)

• ulcers (horse looked healthy)

• asymmetry of pelvic structures (leading to sacro-iliac pain)

• fractured pelvis

• collapsed thoracic sling

• joint instability

• hypermobility

• arthritic changes in the hocks

• fractured withers

• fractured pedal bone

• fractured ribs

• sugar sensitivity

• probiotic imbalance

• emotional dysregulation (poor training)

• badly fitting tack; bits, bridles, saddles you name it. FYI you should not be able to see the shape of the saddle on your horse’s back…this is not normal!

• hoof care causing pain (barefoot and shod)

Each and every owner knew there was something wrong and they didn’t give up looking for answers for their horse. Now I’m not saying physiotherapy can fix all of these problems but I can say that anyone helping you with your horse should be looking for answers not condemning your horse to a life of misunderstanding and misery.

Please if you are having difficulty with your horse don’t give up and don’t resort to punishment …. there’s always a reason.