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Australian Trail Horse Riders Association

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25.01.2022 Hay, hay... :) Our website is back up and running, just a couple of 'tweeks' that will be adjusted hopefully overnight - so we are all 'Good to Go'. Check out our new look.

25.01.2022 Golden Plains Trail Riders INC took advantage of the ATHRA poster offer and what a great poster they now have to promote their Club. Golden Plains Trail Riders are located in the Scarsdale area of Ballarat. They ride in the Smythesdale, Scarsadale and Berringa areas and also have rides planned for 2021 in the Moira, Healesville and Bet Bet areas. As well as enjoying trail rides and camps they are also harness friendly. If you live nearby in any of the above areas, and would like to join them for a ride, Club contact details are on the poster below.

25.01.2022 Something for your horse to wish for this Christmas.

24.01.2022 Great to see our Victorian Clubs out and about riding.... nice spot at Valencia Creek too..

23.01.2022 From the trails to the sea... we have definitely Kick Started 2021! Lots of members and friends are out riding, our membership has grown and we are looking forward to a great 2021. So - show us where you have been riding over this holiday break.

23.01.2022 LOOK LOOK LOOK at these great Posters from two of our ATHRA clubs. If you live in either of these areas and would like more information about joining a fun group of people, Club contact details are on the posters. If your Club is affiliated with ATHRA and hasn't organised their poster, time is running out. Please contact Vicki, our Communications Coordinator and she will help you get your poster underway. Email Vicki at [email protected]

23.01.2022 OLD HORSES ARE HEAVEN SENT They'll love you and ask if they can stay- the only friends they had have are grown and gone away. Old horses are Heaven sent.... They do their best not to fail - it could mean the end of the trail. They'll work for you til the end of the day - all they want is a bite of hay. Old horses are Heaven sent. Old horses never cry - they'll earn their keep and never fail to try. They'll ride a child and never spook or wiggle - their reward is a smile and a giggle. Old horses are Heaven sent. Often they come in last - but being wanted, beats being fast. They'll never tell you if they're limp or lame - one more ride is worth the pain. Old horses are Heaven sent. They take pride in every ride - if they stumble it's because they tried. The trails are a little longer and the hills are a little steeper but thru it all they've proved to be a keeper. Although their backs are often bent - thank you Lord. Old horses are Heaven sent. Just a word from an Ole Cowboy.

23.01.2022 Now is the time to order some of our great merchandise. The order form can be found on our website under merchandise or contact Sue Baillie who will only be too pleased to help you with your order.

23.01.2022 Another great poster from ATHRA affiliated Club, Great Divide Trail Riders. If you are in the Melton area (Vic) and enjoy rides to the beach, forests, wineries, mountains and pubs, get in contact with this Club and take advantage of the half price joining fee until December 31st, 2020. (This will give you membership until December 31st, 2021) Club contact details are on the poster below.

23.01.2022 Thanks TMR Qld.

23.01.2022 Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Users The Department of Transport and Main Roads has engaged contractors to undertake works between Millar Road, Fernvale and Muirlea, including removing existing step overs and widening the trail openings at the road crossings along this section, along with some minor surface improvements at various locations. These works are due to start next week and take approximately 4-6 weeks to complete, weather permitting. For further information regarding scheduled works on the BVRT, please refer to the department’s webpage.

22.01.2022 A short video from the WA Horse Trekkers Club. Looks great guys and gals...

21.01.2022 TUESDAY 1 DECEMBER 2020, FROM 4PM AEST UNTIL APPROXIMATELY MIDNIGHT OUR WEBSITE WILL BE UNDERGOING SOME MAINTENANCE.

21.01.2022 What a great raffle idea and such a worthy cause. Good on you Breakaway Horse Riders Mackay. If you'd like a chance to win a customised handcrafted stock fender saddle click on the link for further information.

21.01.2022 Good night! Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com... (724) 727-3481 We're for the horse!

20.01.2022 The Border Country Trail Riders (NSW) are having a great weekend away - looks absolutely superb! Have fun there.

20.01.2022 This is an absolute gem, a beautiful trail ride in the long grass with clear blue skies in the background and a big happy smile from the rider. Photo taken at an ATHRA ride on private property in SE QLD.

18.01.2022 Check out this poster from Mansfield & District Trail Riders Club inc. How amazing would it be to ride with this Club. Their location is at the foot of the Australian High Country and their rides are challenging and often cover steep and difficult terrain, including river crossings. To join this club it is recommended that riders and their horse need to be fit and experienced at trail riding. Contact details are on the poster for further information.

18.01.2022 Another great ATHRA poster for WA Club, Albany Trail Riders Club. It looks great! The end is near on this offer, so if you are affiliated with ATHRA and have not got your poster organised yet, contact Communications Coordinator, Vicki via email: [email protected]

17.01.2022 Yay..... after lots of manual data entry all of our 2020 memberships have been rolled over to 31 December 2021. So if you were a fully paid up member for 2020 - you new card will have been sent to your email. If you can not find it in your emails, check your junk folder as sometimes your settings place automated emails in there. Alternatively, the email we have for you is incorrect. Therefore please contact your club secretary to rectify. Don't forget to save the proof of... membership in your phone or print it our as this will be required to be shown if you ride with another ATHRA club. For other new and renewing members, don't forget you have up until 31 December to join/renew at 50% off the normal membership rate. So come on - lets get ready to Live Life Trail Riding!

15.01.2022 How good is this story? https://fb.watch/2rBT3Evhxd/

15.01.2022 ATHRA is progressively rolling over our 2020 memberships to 2021 over the coming weeks. But for any new members or those who did not renew in 2020 - here is a great opportunity to kick start 2021 with a reduced membership. Lets all start to Live Life Trail Riding with our great ATHRA clubs. To find your closest club check out our website on www.athra.com.au and click on the clubs tab.

15.01.2022 Gawler Trail Horse Riders Club, South Australia has a great new poster to publicise and promote their Club. The Club encourages a non competitive, social & responsible trail riding environment. Members have all sorts of horses from Pony to Draft and saddlery from English to Western & all sorts in between. Trail rides include beach, road, paddock, moonlight, sunrise & forest to name a few, usually lasting for around 3 hours (some longer rides also), mostly walk and a little trot. If you are interest in joining this ATHRA affiliated Club, please see the poster below for contact details.

14.01.2022 Bendigo Bitless Riding Club is based at Sebastian Recreation Reserve where facilities include Club House, Barbeque and Picnic Area, Grassed Oval and quiet backroads with access to the forest. Rallies are usually the third Sunday of the month with 5 - 6 offsite rallies held each year. The Club was started to provide an supportive learning environment for people interested in Bitless Riding, however you don't have to be bitless to join them. Bitless education is only offered to those members who are interested. For further information on joining the Club please see the contact details on their poster.

13.01.2022 Get in quick for this NSW Regional Camp - only 10 places left to go

13.01.2022 Thanks Victoria Police - apart from all your regular duties, you've been dealing with tough times. Great work.

13.01.2022 Sharing is definitely caring...... when there is no water on the trails its nice to share your water bottle contents in your hat with your horse. Nice to see this Gary Low from Qld.

13.01.2022 Have you been camping, riding or exploring in the Buckland Valley State Forest? Please take the time to respond to this! The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) are developing a strategic master plan to guide recreation investment in the Buckland Valley State Forest, North East Victoria. The development process will support Taungurung Traditional Owner rights and aspirations for the Buckland Valley and the masterplan will be developed in response to c...ommunity and land manager feedback to support a diverse recreation offer, increase amenity, access and enjoyment of the Buckland Valley State Forest. https://engage.vic.gov.au/buckland-valley-state-forest-recr

13.01.2022 Did you know? Horse-riding is welcomed in NSW State Forests. We also play host to pony & horse-riding clubs too - a great option if you're new to the game! With so many formed roads, tracks & trails, there's an option for everyone in NSW State Forests. #visitnswforests

12.01.2022 Interesting article - just how much are you feeding your horse???

11.01.2022 ATHRA is aware that 2019/2020 has been difficult for us all, from drought, fires, floods, and a global pandemic, no-one has been spared. To support our members and friends across Australia the ATHRA Board is proud to announce our Kick Start 2021 initiative with a one time membership offer as detailed below: * For all members who have joined their club by 30 September 2020, memberships will automatically rollover until 31 December 2021. This means your membership will now expi...re on 31 December 2021. * If you are either a new or previous member, if you join between 1 Oct and 31 December the ATHRA component will be reduced by 50%. * If you are a club considering affiliating with ATHRA, there is no club affiliation fee from now until 31st December and your members can also join up at the 50% off rate and still have access to our comprehensive insurance whilst on club rides and 24/7 public liability insurance. Contact us for a new club information pack. Now is the time to encourage your friends to join up and take up this offer because on 1 January 2021, our normal membership rates will then apply. See you all on the trails to 'Live Life Trail Riding'!

10.01.2022 A great newspaper article in the local Mackay newspaper, written by Breakaway Club President Roxanne Aprile.

09.01.2022 Our sublimated shirts are proving to be very popular on rides, they actually keep the sun off and keep you cool. Only $60 and includes postage! To order - go to our website and click on the merchandise page to download and order form - all the details are on the form.

09.01.2022 Happy New Year and safe riding in 2021

08.01.2022 Anyone missing their 35 year anniversary badge? Its been advertised as found on the Kurrajong Community Page. Thanks to the person who has notified us and hopefully we can find its owner.

07.01.2022 A horse riders dream????

06.01.2022 Fascinating Facts About Equine Eyes Behind those soft, intelligent eyes gazing at you across the pasture are complex and unique ocular structures. Horses’ eyes ...are designed to give them every possible advantage in staying safe from predators, here are some of the coolest facts about them. Horses’ pupils: are oblique in shape and positioned horizontally within the eye, which optimizes the animals’ ability to scan horizons. Eye position: The eyes are positioned on each side of the skull allowing for a large, nearly 360 field of vision Approximately 146 of monocular vision on either side and about 65 to 80 of binocular vision ahead of them; the horse’s two blind spots are directly behind the tail and directly in front of their head. Equine retinas: appear to be designed to detect motion (or predators, for example) in low-lighting conditions. Corpora nigra: a structure within the eye, it appears to serve as a natural visor in bright light; the structure also probably helps improve the horse’s limited depth perception. Eyesite: Visual acuity in horses has been variably estimated to lie between 20/30 and 20/60 scientists believe horses see objects better if they are up to 70 centimeters (roughly 2.3 feet) off the ground. Color Vision: horses have dichromatic vision with reduced cone density, meaning they see washed-out versions of colors including green, yellow, blue, and gray. It does not appear that horses can distinguish reds from other hues. Large globes and pupillary structure allow the horse’s eyes to capture the maximum amount of light possible in lowlighting conditions. Floaters in the eye’s vitreous (the fluid filling behind the lens) are a common finding in horses. There are reports in the literature associating vitreal floaters with headshaking; however, the vast majority of horses with floaters show no behavioral abnormalities. Visual Assessment: cannot be objectively determined in a horse that is not overtly blind. Call Fox Run Equine Center about equine eye troubletearing, a scratch, swelling and follow up with twice-yearly checkups because such incidents can set the stage for equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). Many veterinarians cite the Appaloosa as being about eight times more likely to develop ERU than other breeds. Some horses develop vitiligo (depigmentation of previously pigmented sections of skin) around their eyes and on their eyelids. This is most common in Arabian Horses. Color changes within the cornea: White might indicate an abscess; blue discoloration is consistent with edema (fluid swelling) expected with an ulcer; red indicates blood vessel entry for healing; while a dark color is of concern for imminent rupture. A pigmented iris (such as in a blue-eyed horse) becomes dark with inflammation from uveitis, melanoma, or hemorrhage. Pupil size provides specific informationA large pupil might indicate glaucoma or retinal or optic nerve disease; a small pupil size can be a sign of uveitis. The horse has the highest intraocular pressure (fluid pressure within the eye) of any land mammal. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.

06.01.2022 Looks like a great ride over in WA .

06.01.2022 http:// Terminology Tuesday - The Central Pattern Generators // When a foal is born, the gaits are already embedded. The limb sequences and their diagonal connection...s are already present in all gaits. This is because of the Central Pattern Generators. Put simply, the Central Pattern Generators (CPGs) are dense clusters of nerves in the spinal cord that coordinate the limb movements. There is one in the cervical thoracic region (withers) and another in the lumbar/sacral region (loins). The concept of the Central Pattern Generator can be a complex topic to understand, but the key pieces of information that are interesting are: The CPGs enable the patterns of the gaits without any input from the brain. The front CPG is the decision-maker - it informs the hind end, which provides feedback. Take a look at this animation of the Central Pattern Generators in action. Notice how the front is informing the back, and they are both directing the limbs. There is some feedback from back to front but the main message regarding the gait itself is coming from the front CPG. One of the reasons the great masters of equitation emphasised that the walk is the ‘mother of all gaits’ is because the walk is the slowest gait, and each limb is separated, so it’s easier for the trainer to target the precise moment a leg can be most influenced, which is the beginning of the lift (swing) phase.

06.01.2022 Anyone that had not booked into this regional camp should do so quickly! Looks great

05.01.2022 One of the shared photos on the post below from Wagga Wagga trail Horse Riders at Bago Forest.

05.01.2022 Colic: Minimizing its Incidence and Impact in your Horse Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Colic is the number-one killer of ho...rses. Fortunately, most cases of colic are mild and resolve with simple medical treatment, and sometimes with no specific treatment at all. Fewer than 10% of all colic cases are severe enough to require surgery or cause the death of the horse. Nevertheless, every case of colic should be taken seriously because it can be difficult to tell the mild ones from the potentially serious ones in the early stages. Colic is not a disease; it is merely a symptom of disease. Specifically, colic indicates a painful problem in the horse's abdomen. There are dozens of different conditions that can cause a horse to show signs of abdominal pain. RECOGNIZING COLIC Horses show signs of abdominal pain in a wide variety of ways. Some signs, such as curling the upper lip are subtle and easily overlooked, whereas other signs, such as repeated rolling or violent thrashing, are hard to mistake. Among the more common signs of colic are these: Turning the head toward the flank Pawing Kicking or biting at the belly Stretching out as if to urinate, without doing so Repeatedly lying down and getting up, or attempting to do so Repeated rolling, often with grunting sounds Sitting in a dog-like position, or lying on the back Holding the head in an unusual position, e.g. with the neck stretched out and the head rotated to one side Leaving food or being completely disinterested in food Putting the head down to water without drinking Lack of bowel movements or fewer bowel movements than normal Reduced or absent digestive sounds Inappropriate sweating (e.g. unrelated to hot weather or exercise) Rapid breathing and/or flared nostrils Elevated pulse rate (greater than 50 beats per minute) Depression Lip curling unrelated to sexual interest Usually, a horse shows only a few of these signs during an episode of colic. Seeing any of these signs should prompt you to take a closer look and keep a watchful eye on the horse. In general, the more pain means the problem is more serious. Also, in horses with serious conditions, the signs of pain usually persist and may even worsen with time, whereas in horses with mild colic, the signs of pain may be intermittent or may disappear after a short time. TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION While some cases of colic resolve without medical care, a significant percentage of horses with colic require medical treatment. Time is perhaps the most critical factor if colic is to be successfully treated, particularly if the horse has a condition that requires emergency surgery. If you suspect your horse is suffering from colic, the following action plan is suggested: 1. Call your veterinarian immediately.* 2. Remove all food from the horse's surroundings, but leave the horse some water. 3. If necessary, move the horse to a small enclosure (e.g. a stall) so you can monitor more closely. 4. If it is already dark or approaching nightfall, arrange for some lighting so that you (and, if necessary, your veterinarian) can examine the horse properly. 5. Allow the horse to rest if it simply wants to stand or lie quietly; walk the horse around if it is continually rolling or in danger of hurting itself but do not tire the horse with relentless walking. 6. Keep the horse under close observation until the signs of colic resolve or the veterinarian arrives. * Alert your veterinarian from the outset that your horse is suffering from colic. The veterinarian may not need to come out and examine the horse immediately if the colic signs are mild, but leave that decision to the veterinarian. When you call, be prepared to provide as much of the following information as possible: Specific signs of colic, and their severity Pulse or heart rate (beats per minute), measured over the heart (just behind or above the left elbow) or over an artery (e.g. at the sides of the fetlock or on the underside of the lower jaw) Respiratory rate (breaths per minute), measured by watching the rise and fall of the flank with each breath Rectal temperature Color of the gums (white, pale pink, dark pink, red or bluish-purple) Moistness of the gums (moist, tacky, or dry) Refill time for gum color (the time it takes for the color to return to the horse's gum after you briefly press on the gum with your thumb; normal is 12 seconds) Digestive sounds (if any) Bowel movements, including color, consistency, and frequency Any recent changes in management, feeding or exercise Medical history, including deworming and any past episodes of colic Breeding history and pregnancy status if the patient is a mare, and recent breeding history if the patient is a stallion Insurance status of the horse After evaluating this information, your veterinarian will advise you on the appropriate course of action. Follow your veterinarian's advice exactly. Do not administer any drugs to the horse unless specifically directed to do so by your veterinarian. Sedative or pain-relieving drugs can camouflage serious problems and interfere with accurate diagnosis. Things to avoid Unless you have the necessary training, equipment and experience, do not attempt to do any of the following: 1. Pass any kind of tube into the horse's stomach. It is very easy to damage the horse's nasal passages, throat or esophagus with improper equipment or technique. Also, the tube passes more readily into the trachea (windpipe) than into the esophagus, potentially damaging the trachea. Any liquid poured down the tube will be delivered directly into the horse's lungs. 2. Give the horse any substance by mouth, particularly liquids. Most horses resist swallowing liquids given by mouth and some of the liquid may be inhaled into the horse's lungs. Mineral oil is particularly harmful when inhaled. Horses can easily choke when liquids are forced into the mouth due to their particular anatomy. If the animal does not want to drink, it may be due to a full stomach caused by massive obstruction in which case adding more content can make the stomach rupture, resulting in the horse’s death. 3. Insert anything (your hand, a hose or any other kind of tube or device) into the horse's rectum. The rectum is easily damaged, and rectal tears can be fatal. Also, intestinal blockages generally cannot be relieved simply by removing manure from the horse's rectum or giving the horse an enema. Rectal exams are necessary for the veterinarian to identify abnormalities in the horse’s abdomen by indirect palpation of the organs, and it is not a therapy to remove impactions. It takes a very well-trained veterinarian to properly identify those problems without hurting the animal, and a properly restrained, quiet horse. 4. Give any intravenous injections. Even with practice, every intravenous injection carries some risk. 5. Note: Home remedies such as castor oil, kerosene and turpentine are useless for colic and are dangerous; they should never be given orally to horses. Over-the-counter remedies that contain bella donna extract (e.g. Dr. Bell's) should also be avoided. They may relieve mild, spasmodic (crampy) colic, but overuse or use in horses with more serious types of colic can be disastrous. EVALUATING THE PROBLEM Your veterinarian may use a variety of procedures to determine the type and severity of the colic and devise an appropriate treatment plan. Procedures include the following: Accurate history (including feeding and deworming programs, medical problems, vaccination schedule, etc.) Review of your observations and evaluation of the horse's behavior Complete physical examination (including vital signs and presence and quality of intestinal sounds) Rectal palpation, looking for evidence of intestinal blockage, distention, displacement or other abnormalities* Passage of a nasogastric (stomach) tube to identify the presence of excess gas or fluid in the stomach (and to relieve the pressure if the stomach is distended)* Collection of fluid from the abdominal cavity (peritoneal or "belly" tap) and analysis for abnormalities which might indicate compromise of the bowel wall or infection* Blood tests, looking for evidence of dehydration, electrolyte or metabolic abnormalities or infection* Evaluation of the response to treatment * These techniques may not be performed in every case. For example, the veterinarian may decide that they are unnecessary in a case of mild colic, or that they are unsafe in a particular situation. Classifying colic Determining the type of colic is important in deciding how best to treat the horse. Even though there are myriad causes of colic, most cases fall into one of three groups: 1. Intestinal Dysfunction. This is the most common category and simply means that the horse's bowels are not working properly. It includes such things as spasms (disordered motility), gas distention, impaction and decreased motility (ileus). These types of problems usually respond well to medical treatment. 2. Intestinal Accidents. These occur less frequently and include displacements, twists (torsion, volvulus) and entrapment of a section of intestine in a tight space. Some horses seem anatomically predisposed to such problems. Intestinal accidents almost always require emergency surgery. 3. Inflammation or Ulceration. These problems are named according to the bowel segment involved; e.g. gastritis (stomach), enteritis (small intestine) and colitis (large intestine). They can be caused by numerous factors, including stress, medications, infection and parasites. Medical treatment is generally required. TREATMENT Treatment of colic depends on its severity and on the likely cause. Treatment options include the following: Pain-relievers (analgesics) or sedatives to relieve pain while intestinal function returns to normal or further treatment is instituted Fluid therapy, either by nasogastric tube or intravenous infusion, to correct dehydration and soften dry, firm intestinal contents Laxatives, such as mineral oil, to help reestablish normal intestinal function Enema for young foals with a blockage (impaction) caused by retained meconium (the first manure produced by a newborn foal) Surgery (usually with the horse under general anesthesia) When your horse has colic, it can be reassuring to remember that most cases of colic resolve with simple medical treatment (analgesics and either fluids or laxatives). Note: If your horse is insured, contact the insurance company immediately if surgery seems likely or if euthanasia is a possibility. PREVENTING COLIC Colic is a problem with many potential causes and contributing factors, some of which are beyond our control. However, management plays a key role in most cases of colic, so colic prevention centers on management. Although not every case of colic is avoidable, the following guidelines can maximize your horse's health and reduce the risk of colic: Establish a set daily routineincluding feeding, exercise and turnout schedulesand stick to it (even on weekends). Feed a high-quality diet comprised primarily of high-quality roughage (pasture, hay, hay cubes, haylage). Except for young foals, all horses should be fed at least 1% of their body weight (or 1 lb per 100 lb body weight) of good quality roughage per day. Avoid Bermuda hay (Coastal or Tifton) and avoid round bales which promote overeating and spoil faster. Limit the amount of grain-based feeds (grain in any form, sweet feed, pellets in which the main ingredients are grains). Feed these only as a supplement, and not more than 50% of the diet. Divide the daily concentrate ration into two or more smaller feedings, rather than one large one, to avoid overloading the horse's digestive tract. Hay is best fed free-choice. Set up a regular parasite control program with the help of your veterinarian. Use fecal examination to determine its effectiveness. Provide exercise and/or turnout every day. Make any changes to diet, housing and activity level gradually. Provide fresh, clean water at all times. Avoid giving your horse medications unless they are prescribed by your veterinarian. Check hay, bedding, pasture and environment for potentially toxic substances, such as blister beetles, noxious weeds and other ingestible foreign matter. Avoid putting feed on the ground, especially in sandy soils. Reduce stress; horses experiencing changes in environment or workloads are at high risk for intestinal dysfunction. Pay special attention to animals when transporting them or changing their surroundings, such as at shows. Observe foaling mares pre- and post-foaling for any signs of colic. Pay particular attention to horses that have had previous bouts of colic, as they may be at greater risk for repeated episodes. Maintain accurate records of management, feeding practices and health. SUMMARY The key to minimizing the incidence of colic is good management. The key to minimizing the impact of colic (i.e. increasing the chances of a good outcome) is to identify the problem early and call your veterinarian immediately. Treat every incident of colic as potentially serious and involve your veterinarian from the outset; try never to jeopardize your horse's health for the sake of a few dollars. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.

04.01.2022 Wow... wonderful scenery at the Melbourne Trail Horse Riders Club ride. Sounds like the BBQ was pretty good too.

03.01.2022 Now is the time to book into the NSW Regional Rendezvous Camp - if you are not a member, jump on board now with our discounted memberships and book into this great camp. Numbers are limited and are filling fast.

03.01.2022 Have you booked into the Regional Rendezvous Ride yet? The countryside is looking magnificent and this team is doing a great job.

02.01.2022 Are your horses feet causing back issues? Studies have shown us that lameness affects the back due to the horses compensatory mechanisms. Pfau (2020) discusse...d how horses uses biomechanics and musculoskeletal adaptions in order to firstly reduce the forces on a lame limb but at the same time protect the other limbs from overuse, highlighting the back as a link between the fronts and hinds. A stiff back enabled the horse to make use of these adaptive mechanisms. Spinal stiffening was also suggested by Hobbs et al. In horses that had high low hooves in front as a mechanism for maintaining straight movement with the help of contra lateral hind limb compensations. A recent article of mine discussed the feet as the beginning and end of a closed kinetic chain and we can see here how this is used by the horse. These adaptive mechanisms are good in the short term as they enable painful limbs/feet to be protected. But if these adaptive movements become long term due to chronic pain then secondary issues can ensue. It is also important to appreciate that adaptive movements become engrained over long periods and do not always correct themselves with the abolition of the primary pain (Rombach 2020), secondary issues could become the new primary and cycles can be created. Rehabilitation becomes essential to return the horse to their natural movement and postural patterns. To repeat the theme of many of my posts. The feet and body are inextricably linked, if you’re dealing with back pain, could the feet be playing a part? If you are having morphological issues of the feet, is the back playing a role? And maybe the whole cycle is being created by something else completely. For further reading follow the trail starting from these links.. . https://www.theequinedocumentalist.com//bio-tensegrity-and . https://www.theequinedocumentalist.com//the-hoof-the-begin