Kathleen Faveros Equine Skeletal & Muscle Therapies Center in Emerald, Queensland | Alternative & holistic health service

Kathleen Faveros Equine Skeletal & Muscle Therapies Center

Locality: Emerald, Queensland

Phone: +61 419 732 148

Address: 8-10 Edgewood Dr 4720 Emerald, QLD, Australia

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24.01.2022 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.

20.01.2022 Common PEMF session The diagram shows a common compensation pattern - primary forelimb issue [here left fore] (e.g. arthritis/ poor foot posture/ tendon inju...ry) This stimulates the horse to increase load on the diagonal hind [right hind], adding a functional left lateroflexion to the thoracic region to facilitate this - initial likely symptoms = reduced right bend ease + harder to maintain right canter + only landing on left lead after a fence. With time the right hind becomes overloaded in chronic tension and will slowly atrophy => likely symptoms = inability to effectively take left lead canter/ disunited + may feel weaker as reducing strength to drive in motion (may feel a dropping hip motion) + split stance behind in jumping. Its essential to have a multi-disciplinary approach to a horse such as this, appropriate veterinary care to manage the pathology, farriery to ensure positive foot posture and body work to ensure optimal limb loading balance. Despite forelimb pathology, once stable and pain controlled it is essential your horse has equal balance and loading through all limbs so structures dont become overloaded and consequently break down, far from the site of the original pain/ injury. Its important to track a problem though a horses body, initial symptoms may be of the second phase (hindlimb overload) and can seem to be the primary, but careful evaluation can lead one to the original source. This is why whole body sessions are so important with PEMF! Help the body heal the root cause and not just the symptoms.

20.01.2022 Wanting to have a better understanding of the Horse beneath you & how to prevent injury due to underlaying manifesting Musculoskeletal aliments than my next Course is for you. Dates are 7th & 8th on November for all information please call Kathleen on 0419732148

20.01.2022 Thick saddle pads food for thought? Many riders use extra thick saddle pads, multiple pads, numnahs , gel pads, raisers you name it Despite the best intentio...ns this can seriously backfire and create more problems instead of helping. A well-fitting saddle used with a thick pad can become too narrow around the shoulder/whither area and hence put pressure on the vulnerable long back muscles, the triceps and the connection between shoulder and thorax, it can also cause the saddle to tilt backwards putting pressure on the back muscles behind the rider’s seat. When using multiple pads like a cotton saddle pad plus gel pad or numnah this construction can slip and slide easily and then rub and it prevents the saddle from sitting close and in the right position remember you communicate with your horse also via your seat bones do you think any signal would go through a thick heap of padding? A new fitted saddle is quite an expense hence it is understandable riders are looking for cheaper ways to make a saddle fit but judging by the number of horses with severe movement restrictions and scar tissue due to ill-fitting saddles I see as a therapist and knowing the amount of work (and money) that needs to be put in to get the horse sound again (and motivated and trusting after a period of discomfort and pain ), it might be worth consideration whether a saddle fitting or even if needed another saddle wouldn’t be the cheaper and safer option in the end.

20.01.2022 The team worked with ENGADINE in preparation for the C3 Hcp (1200m) at Coffs Harbour. The son of Redente is flying with back to back victories and gets his chan...ce in front of the big Coffs Harbour Cup crowd. Stephen Farley (Wyong) has seen the benefit of Equine Salt Therapy and we cant wait to see how Engadine races on Thursday. Good Luck To All Connections Coffs Racing Wyong Race Club

19.01.2022 Do u Pull your saddle forward??? Are you pulling your saddle forward??? And if so, have you asked yourself . . . Why am I doing this??. . . . If you cant a...nswer why, then maybe after reading this you might realise why you should NOT pull your saddle forward. When you place your saddle onto your horse, you will often shuffle it into position & for some unknown reason we all decide to shuffle it forward & lift it onto the top & back of our horses shoulder blades, otherwise known as the Scapula. If you have never thought of it before or were completely unaware that you were doing this, Im sure you realise now & that having the saddle sitting on top of the horses Scapula Bone would be extremely uncomfortable & painful for the horse. In most cases saddles are often too narrow for horse as well causing a number of problems too. Combined these two issues can have a huge impact on your horses appearance, movement, behaviour & wellbeing. When you pull your saddle onto the Scapula bone (shoulder blade) you are creating a number of problems for your horse. The most obvious problem I would like to point out, is that the shoulder blade bone is literally hitting the point of tree of the saddle with EVERY step that horse is taking & this is magnified even more when your horse is working on circles & turns. Often a saddle that is too far forward will generally have pressure points both at the front & back of the saddle, known as bridging. This bridging causes pressure points at both the front & back of the tree. At the front of the tree (wither area) it causes a tightness & pressure either side of the wither area causing the muscles to become tense and painful & along with some of these side effects, extreme discomfort, dry patches under saddle, white hairs either side of the wither or back of the saddle, lack of performance, working stiff & hollow, short & choppy stride, as well as behavioural problems, such as cinching up due to increased saddle pressure upon cinching, which could be seen as being grithy. The same could be also be happening at the back of the saddle due to the tree is pushing down onto the backline muscles creating tender & sore muscles as well as hollowing of the backline. Often without realising it, by lifting up the front of the saddle it could be not enabling the tree of the saddle to sit flat on your horses back, creating a hollow under the seat & by bridging the saddle it creates a pressure point at the both at the front & back of the tree/saddle. Over time, this continued pulling forward of the saddle onto the shoulder blades & bridging, can lead to more & more problems for your horse than you may realise. This pressure over the shoulder blades & wither area causes your horse to work in a different manner, such as lack of reach in stride in the foreleg, dropping & hollowing of the back to avoid using sore muscles etc etc. In time this change of movement & avoiding the correct use of muscle whilst under saddle, causes muscle wastage (atrophy) from under the saddle area & wither area, which can affect the whole top line appearance of your horse, as well as a hollowing of the back sometimes referred to as kissing spine. Muscle wastage due to pressure spot areas from the saddle & incorrect muscle usage can also lead to thickening & scarring of the muscle fibres & can escalate further down to the bones of the spine & permanent wither damage. Once this muscle wastage has occurred & identified, steps are often taken to try and correct this hollowing & muscle wastage which is in turn causing saddle fit issues. Unfortunately, unless the saddle fit issue has been resolved, being a wider gullet or correctly fitting saddle, the muscle deterioration cycle continues to worsen, which cause further saddle fit issues, such as the front of the saddle dipping downhill. It is often suggested that the solution for this hollowing of wasted muscle is to fill in the cavity areas by some of the following, putting Shims in place , purchasing specialty pads with shoulder cut outs, specialty pads with built in Shims & pockets for shimming & other gimmick techniques to correct this cavity & downhill saddle fit error. In many cases, due to not knowing why a deterioration of top line & muscle wastage has occurred in the first place, Shimming is often thought to be the right answer. What Shimming does on a saddle that is already too narrow in the gullet, that is incorrect saddle fit or that has an incorrect placement on the horses back, is it will actually increase the pressure area once again to these already wasted areas & therefore the process of deterioration, damage & wastage continues to occurs & to worsen in many cases. Shimming does serve a purpose in some cases, a few examples being, positioning the saddle correctly & temporarily providing shims where muscle wastage has occurred, but with the intention to remove upon muscle improvement. A change of saddle with a wide gullet or a better fitting tree & once again with shimming as a temporary resolve, to be re- evaluated on a regular basis as the damaged muscle is given an opportunity to restore & somewhat given room to move, re- establish & repair. Please note that some long term muscle wastage damage can be permanent, while others can be restored with a better fitting saddle or wider gullet. Unfortunately, while a poor fitting saddle is the major causes of atrophy (muscle wastage) in horses, the choice to change or purchase another saddle is not always possible, one of the short term alternatives is to invest in the protection of your horses back with a quality & proven brand pad. While a 5 Star Pad 100% Virgin Wool Pad cannot correct a poor fitting saddle, it has been proven to alleviate many saddle soreness issues & assisted with many saddle fit problems. 5 Star Pads, have a high impact absorption rating (8psi) allowing the even distribution of weight across your horses back. The 100% wool naturally absorbs moisture & removes heat from under the pad & has a uniquely designed contoured backline that naturally conforms to your horses back & shape. With all of these benefits provided by 5 Stars Quality pads it is big a step in the right direction for providing the maximum comfort & protection for your horse until you are in a better position to elevate any saddle fit issues. So, where should your sit your saddle?? The worldwide standard for saddle placement for a 15-16hh horse is to have the front of the TREE of the saddle 2-3 fingers width behind the top of the shoulder blade & therefore with the saddle shifted back, so too should your cinch, being an approx hand width back from the horses elbow. So with that being said, next time you put your saddle on your horses back, just take a minute to think before you pull it forward . . . could where the saddle is slipping back too, actually be the Right position of saddle placement??. . .Why not try the above test of the having the tree of the saddle sitting 2-3 fingers width behind the shoulder blade, which could possibly mean the edge of your leather skirting on your front of of your saddle is sitting in line or just covering the back of the horses scapular. . . Can I see my horses shoulder & I can feel there is no direct tree pressure on my horses scapular??. . After reading the above information, despite what it might look like to you, consider your horse & how they feel. So next time you go & saddle up your horse, ask yourself again . . . Why am I pulling my saddle forward???

19.01.2022 Impulsion is pushing power. It is the thrust produced when energy created in the hind limb is converted to forward movement. A horse is working with impulsion w...hen it pushes off to move powerfully and energetically forward. This is not speed alone. The Germans use the term swung; which means moving with a spring in the step. The greater the impulsion, the longer the moment of suspension. A horse can only have impulsion if his hind legs are engaged and his back supple, allowing the power to come through from behind. Impulsion maximises natural athletic ability by making the paces elastic, light and expressive. This provides the power required to perform, particularly those movements requiring high levels of collection. Good attitude is an essential ingredient for impulsion. The horse must be fit, energetic and keen. A slow, sluggish, bored horse will not move with impulsion. Learn more here: https://www.horsesinsideout.com/p/posture-and-performance-1

17.01.2022 The blood vascular system of the hoof... I just cant get over how intricate it is

15.01.2022 I speak about this often when I give lessons! Look at the horse on the left see where its right shoulder is going !!!

14.01.2022 A nice simple illustration of cause & effect. This is why I encourage in hand exercises (which in themselves help make you aware of your balance), as we can tak...e our our own asymmetries out of the mix and give our horses half a chance to learn strong correct movement patterns. Photo Credit: Practical Horseman/ Dressage Todays solutions image

14.01.2022 Anyone requesting a assessment & treatment for their Horses , Horse can be dropped off into the front paddock & I will contact you when to come & pick them up . For all bookings please call my mobile on 0419732148 . Thank you Kathleen

14.01.2022 Why stretch? The main objective of successful training is to achieve the best possible performance while keeping the horse injury free. To do this requires a he...althy musculature so, maintaining flexibility and suppleness is an important factor in reducing the risk of muscle or tendon damage. Vets and therapists are becoming increasingly aware of the advantages of stretching and many sports therapists perform stretching as part of their treatment. Stretching is an important aspect of elongating the muscle fibres. It can: increase the range of movement, flexibility, athleticism and suppleness reduce muscular soreness, tension and stiffness reduce the risk of injury to joints. muscles and tendons improve coordination maintain the current level of flexibility increase mental and physical relaxation increase circulation enhance body awareness TOP TIPS 1. your horse must be warm 2. stretch daily 3. be patient

14.01.2022 This weeks Veterinary Physiotherapy Superhint: The saddle sits on intricate and hence vulnerable structures of the highly specialised bones, vertebrae, which, ...if restricted, adversely affect all movement. Note the tiny rib joints and how easily these can become excessively, painfully compressed if a) the tree is twisted b) the flocking is unbalanced c) the gullet clearance is too narrow d) the numnah or saddle cloth lacks protection e) the rider is unbalanced f) there is a combination of all of these factors. The results could be bruised ribs, misaligned ribs, muscle spasm, muscle overuse, abnormal gait, all culminating in compromised breathing. Poor performance is inevitable, especially if the girth is either too loose or too tight. See more

13.01.2022 Something to remember! Also, leaving a horse longer than 8 weeks between trims alters the joint angles, causing microdamage each time, which is cumulative and ...a potential cause of arthritis. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481

13.01.2022 BOX WALKING Box-walking is a stereotypic behaviour characterised by repetitive movement around the area in which the horse is confined e.g. a stable. In 2004, ...it was estimated that around 10, 000 horses in the UK engaged in box walking, while around 20, 000 engaged in weaving. It may occur all day, or at particular times e.g. around feeding. Both box walking and weaving are thought to reflect the horses attempt at expressing normal behaviours, which have been prevented or restricted through the domestication of horses. For instance, there is strong support that it is consistent with the horses natural motivation to walk and graze pasture. Box walking behaviour is typically seen in horses prone to anxiety or those being trained for high performance that have a strong desire to exercise e.g. endurance horses. Box walking is more common in stabled horses, with low access to forage and limited opportunity for social contact. There is some speculation as to whether there is a genetic tendency for the behaviour in Arabians and there has also been research investigating the link between using stables to wean foals and development of box walking. Long periods of box rest when rehabilitating an injury have also been associated with development of the behaviour. Associated problems include weight loss (due to increased energy expenditure), asymmetrical muscle development (if the horse compulsively moves in one direction only), disturbances to bedding and excessive wearing of hooves or horse shoes. Placement of obstacles in the horses path has not been shown to be reliably successful and may in some cases make the horse more frustrated. As is often true, targeting the cause rather than the clinical signs is likely to prove more rewarding. Treatment options should include the following: Increasing turnout and minimising stabling where possible. Ensure the horse has exercise Allowing social interaction with other horses. Provide see through partitions between stables if possible. Incorporation of windows in the stable environment to increase visual stimulation. Increasing forage. Providing a mirror. Research from the University of Lincoln shows that it is important the mirror is positioned correctly. A mirror running the full length of a stable wall is not recommended, as the horse cannot avoid the reflection and may become more stressed. Nor should the mirror be placed so the horse sees a reflection up close during feeding, it may encourage aggressive and protective behaviour around the feed bin. The optimal location is just inside the stable door away from feeding locations. Environmental stimulation in the form of feeding toys or balls, to extend feeding time and provide distraction from compulsive, repetitive behaviour. Provision of straw bedding. There is some data to suggest that horses prefer straw bedding. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science found that horses spent more time in recumbency on straw than any other bedding tested and that the rate of stereotypic behaviour observed was lowest in the horses housed on straw bedding. Image Credit: horsefeeders.co.uk See more

13.01.2022 Musculoskeletal system of the horse. Julian Butler built the model and setup the simulation layers for Weta Digitals horse asset. This involved utilizing many... different data resources including mocap acquisition, X-ray, CT-Scan and photography to build a working skeletal and muscle model structure with Weta Digitals proprietary FEM solving platform known as Tissue. Weta Digital, New Zealand http://www.wetafx.co.nz/

12.01.2022 15% OFF PEMF PROMOTION - all PEMF products Code PEMF15 ends Monday 20 May, free postage. Our most popular is the PEMF Therapy horse Leg wrap. Used for assistanc...e with a wide variety of health concerns including: Pain Relief, Better Rest, Stress Relief, Reduced Inflammation and increased Circulation. Suited for all tissue types including muscles, ligaments and tendons to promote healthy joint function and optimize biomechanical efficiency. https://animalrehab.com.au/collections/pemf See more

11.01.2022 #outandabouttreating #equineacu #troysamsboy #equishen #rebootrebalancerelieve

11.01.2022 Is your horse struggling to lift its back? Do you feed from the floor or from a haynet? There are a number of reason why a horse may struggle to lift its back..., with lumbar discomfort being a common reason. Feeding from a haynet changes a horses posture dramatically as shown in the photos below. This is exaggerated even further every time the horse pulls back from the net. This causes stress to the lumbar area and dorsal chain muscles, making it harder for the horse to lift their back during ridden work. Horses are predominantly designed to eat from the ground, so wherever possible avoid the use of nets and mangers and feed from the floor! #naturalisbest #rehabilitation #bodybalance #esmt #equinemassagetherapy #sportsmassage

11.01.2022 Heres Seabiscuit winning that great race Vs War Admiral in 1938 A race that stopped a Nation! #ThrowbackThursday

10.01.2022 Neck and Back Anatomy and Pain in Performance Horses Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Neck and back pain are known to have neg...ative effects on equine performance; however, neck and back issues are often undiagnosed and go untreated. There are many causes for pain associated with the spinal column and most can be treated once they have been properly identified. Several different anatomical structures must be considered when trying to diagnose neck and back pain. The vertebrae, the bones that make up the spinal column and protect the spinal cord, are divided into five groups. The seven cervical vertebrae are located from the back of the skull to just in front of the first rib. The eighteen thoracic vertebrae, which also articulate with the ribs, extend from about the level of the point of the shoulder and through about 2/3 of the back. The six lumbar vertebrae make up the last 1/3 of the back. The dorsal spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae extend from the main body of the vertebrae (which houses the spinal cord) up to just under the skin. These are the structures that make the shape of the withers. The five sacral vertebrae are located behind the lumbar vertebrae and are fused together to make the sacrum. The sacrum is attached to the pelvis at the sacroiliac joints. The caudal vertebrae vary in number and make up the spinal column in the tail. Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae. Many ligaments extend between individual vertebrae and keep the spinal column in alignment. The nuchal ligament (which extends from the back of the skull to the withers) and the supraspinous ligament (which extends from the withers to the sacrum) are located on top of the vertebral column and act as a spring when the horse rounds its neck and back. Finally, the epaxial muscles run along either side of the vertebral column and enable a horse to bend from side to side. Although many problems can occur with such complex anatomy, there are a few issues that are most commonly seen in the neck and back of the performance horse. In the neck, the joints between the cervical vertebrae (called cervical facet joints) can develop osteoarthritis. This is usually a degenerative process that occurs over time and is more common as horses get older. Narrowing of the facet joint spaces can be seen on radiographs. Proliferation of bone at the joint spaces can also be seen on ultrasound. Inflammation of these joints can be seen via bone scan. Signs of cervical facet joint osteoarthritis may include decreased range of motion in the neck, especially from side to side, reluctance to bend laterally under saddle and resistance to the bit when bending. The facet joints can be medicated under ultrasound guidance with steroids, which decrease inflammation in the area and will often make the horse more comfortable for 6 months to a year. In conjunction with joint injections, horses will often benefit from neck stretching exercises (carrot stretches) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as firocoxib). Another condition is overlapping or overcrowding of the thoracic and lumbar dorsal spinous processes, also known as kissing spines. The spaces between the dorsal spinous processes decrease, causing inflammation and bony changes. This may be secondary to trauma, but is probably more commonly associated with exercise and spinal conformation. It is particularly common in hunters and jumpers and horses may refuse to jump. Kissing spines can be particularly painful because they often occur where the saddle sits on the back. Horses may resent the saddle and palpation of the back and may move quite stiffly. Diagnosis of kissing spines may include deep palpation of the back, radiographs, ultrasound or nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan). Once accurately identified, the narrowed spaces between the dorsal spinal processes can be medicated with steroids. The muscles surrounding the affected bones may also be quite tight and will add to the pain associated with kissing spines. Steroid injections into the surrounding muscles and mesotherapy (intradermal injections to decrease pain conduction) will help break the pain cycle and allow horses to continue exercising and building back muscles. A less invasive method of treating back pain is therapeutic laser. Our laser penetrates deep into the muscle and has consistently given relief to muscle bound (spasms, knots) horses. Shock wave therapy has also been beneficial. It is important to remember that back pain can be caused by compensation for lameness in either the front or hind limbs. When diagnosing a horse with back pain, the entire clinical picture must be taken into account. With more awareness for neck and back diseases, horse with decreased performance due to neck and back pain are being diagnosed and treated more appropriately. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Experienced. Dedicated. Focused on the horse.

10.01.2022 Thirst, Salt and Horses Brian S. Burks DVM, DABVP-equine specialty In general, animals can tolerate high concentrations of salt or sodium in the diet if they ha...ve continuous access to fresh water. This can become important if your horse refuses to drink water at a show grounds or other venues; bringing your own water is a hassle, but can save a horses life. During hot weather, or even cold, it is important for horses to consume enough water to maintain hydration and to keep dry forage wet for digestion. Horses that do not consume enough water are at risk for colonic impaction. Daily, horses have a minimum need for water to survive at rest, which is about 5-10 gallons per day for an average horse. If the horse is working, the temperature is high, lactating, or the horse has a medical issue, this can easily double (sometimes more). The electrolytes sodium, chloride, calcium, and potassium used in various chemical processes in the body (muscle contraction, nerve function, hydrochloric acid production). They are also lost in sweat. Horses are obligate potassium secretors; the kidneys secrete large amounts of potassium daily. This electrolyte is found in grass and hay, and is rarely a problem in normal horses (horses with digestive disorders and/or dehydration are a different matter). Horses that do not consume enough sodium drink and urinate less in order to conserve sodium. Dehydration ensues, causing cell shrinking and headache. This makes the horse lethargic- its hard to ask them if they have a headache! Salt supplementation can encourage horses to drink more water. Changes to those vital signs will occur when the horse is 4-6% dehydrated. Visual signs such as a sunken eye and a tucked up appearance to the abdomen are also indicators, but they are typically seen with increased levels of dehydration approaching 8-10% dehydrated. Unfortunately, the horses performance (work, competition, or reproduction) will become adversely affected when the horse becomes 2% dehydrated, before visual signs become evident. Get to know what is normal for your horse, which will make abnormal more easily recognized. Sodium and chloride deficiencies are usually considered together as chloride virtually always follows sodium- except during some GI and renal disorders. Also where sodium goes, water follows. Sodium is what the brain reads in determining when to trigger thirst and when to regulate the amount of sodium and water the body excretes in the urine. Sodium levels in brain are read by cells called osmoreceptors. At normal body levels, the horse has 1.58 g of sodium per kg of body weight. That is 632 g of sodium for a 400 kg horse. Slightly over 50% of that is stored in the bone and only 10% of the bodys sodium is in the blood. If blood levels of sodium have been low for a long time, when you start to provide salt, sodium will need to be replenished in the skeleton and other tissues, not just the blood. Why do horses not drink when they are dehydrated? The two triggers that can cause the thirst mechanism to be activated are loss of body fluids and loss of concentration of sodium. Typically, loss of fluid causes increased concentration of sodium, which stimulates drinking. When horses lose fluid (water) or simply do not have enough, fluid from the interstitial spaces is forced into the vascular system- without blood pressure, there is no survival! Water is also pulled from the digestive tract to help maintain plasma volume. Thus, the plasma concentration of sodium is fairly stable; as sodium levels decrease in plasma, the kidney concentrates urine and retains fluid. Water pulled from the interstitium and colon dilutes sodium brought into plasma from cells and between the tissues, thus sodium concentration is maintained and thirst is not stimulated. It is a survival mechanism, but it can ultimately fail. By providing extra sodium, in the form of salt (not a salt block, which you must hope the horse licks, and often does not provide enough sodium) the horse will drink more. Table salt can be used at up to six tablespoons per day- divided into small portions, say four times per day- to stimulate the thirst mechanism. Salt can be added to grain or moistened hay. Horses do not have to be concerned about high blood pressure as do people, and they have mechanisms to remove excess sodium. Obviously, anytime salt is provided, the horse needs access to clean, fresh water. The increased water intake will maintain hydration during hot weather and helps to prevent colonic impaction. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Experienced. Dedicated. Focused on the horse.

10.01.2022 Are you an equine assisted practitioner interested in learning more about working with children? Our upcoming online Masterclass series, The Child’s Inner Worl...d will uncover and teach the language, activities and structure to help children grow and heal with horses. To learn more, please email and register your interest by Monday, 9 November. Uncover your own creative potential and understand how to deliver sessions that are truly safe and effective for children Email [email protected]

10.01.2022 A COMMON PATTERN OF STRAIN - further expansion of fascial lines and biomechanics In my opinion a large number of cases present with this pattern embedded... within them. Often as one part of many complicated layers within the body that each need figuring out. So care has to be taken when explaining this as it is far more detailed than can be explained in this short post. ----------------------------- As I have mentioned a thousand times...THE WHOLE BODY IS INTERCONNECTED. Therefore this pattern can begin at any one of these points. So in theory it could start in the organs or the lumbars as much as it could start in the feet or teeth. (Though the organs play a far bigger role than you would think....) This pattern seems to be a common set of compensatory ripples that follow a combination of fascial lines and biomechanical strain. Where the original/root issue emanated from will be the epicentre for these ripples of compensation. In the early stages the issues are localised and have weak or limited hold on the other areas. However, as time goes by without addressing the root factor(s) then the compensatory ripples start to reach those other regions on the path and ingrain deeper. As the other regions become involved they begin to also cement the issue in the root area as well as start adding to the next region on the compensatory pathway. The longer the issue goes un-addressed the worse the problem gets and the harder it is to unwravel as the body begins to make stronger and more severe structural changes. Such as hoof balance, joint shape, muscle balance and dental balance. The further down this path of compensation the horse has travelled the more it is imperative to treat THE WHOLE HORSE and not only change/address one problem ie do not just change the feet without ensuring the body can deal with this and that the teeth, saddle etc are supporting these changes. By changing the wrong thing you are actually unwittingly introducing a decompensation which can and likely will create other issues. A case of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul..... Knowing what you need to change and how much you can change all at once is the key. Too little is not enough but too much causes other issues. As you can see from the diagram in certain cases there would be little point trying to change the feet and leaving all the strain elsewhere with poor dental balance, body and organ issues etc etc. So for example, by chasing the perfect HPA too quickly or dramatically altering saddle fit in some cases will result in decompensatory issues that create more issues than they solve.....but we will be discussing COMPENSATIONS and DECOMPENSATIONS next time. So in summary, any long standing issue in your horse will likely have affected far more areas than you would have thought. These issues spread out in certain patterns due to fascial and biomechanical relationships. This was just one pattern of many. To tackle these intricate cases successfully evaluating and treating THE WHOLE HORSE is key!!

10.01.2022 Council approval to subdivide a extra 2 one acre lots.

09.01.2022 Lessons from a dissection part 1 Loosen your nooseband! I recently attended a horse dissection undertaken by Sharon May-Davis, the second one Ive attended. ...Some of my friends and family made horrified faces when I explained what I was doing on the weekend. My Mum asked Why do you go to these things? Dont you prefer the live ones? I do definitely prefer the live ones. For them, Im open to learning everything that I can. And boy, at a dissection you get such an intimate look into the workings of the horse. All the horses secrets are revealed. This year, our horse was a 6 year old off-the-track thoroughbred mare who had lameness and behavioural problems which had been getting worse. She had become very stressed and anxious. Her owner had worked with her over time with healthcare professionals, but when the mares condition continued to worsen, her owner made the decision to euthanise her a heartbreaking decision made with the horses welfare at its core. Present at the dissection were some 20-odd saddle fitters, hoof care professionals, body workers, trainers and others all wanting to take away from the experience knowledge that would help the living. In the dissection, we were all given a chance to palpate every aspect of the horse: muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, fascia, organs and other tissues (with gloves on, of course). This gave us a degree of insight that it is not possible to get with a living horse. As the dissection commenced, muscles were removed one by one done so precisely, each one looked like a little package. In no time the horse looked like a 3-D model. In this first post my topic is what I learnt about tight nosebands from the dissection. The skin had been removed from the horses head, and we were invited to palpate a long, smooth muscle starting some three quarters of the way up the head, which ran down to the horses upper lip. Sorry, I forgot what the muscle was called but in any case, there are a lot of muscles running to the horses nose and lips. These numerous muscles are what allows the horse to delicately use his lips and muzzle to pick and choose what plants hes going to eat and also to sift aside all those expensive supplements we try to feed him! This particular muscle was soft, pliable and smooth to touch. Once we were familiar with its tone and what it felt like, a volunteer applied a relatively tight noseband in the usual place which happened to be about the middle of the muscle we were palpating. The effect on the feel of the muscle was really horrible! It went from being soft and pliable to feeling like a block of wood. The mechanical effect of a tight noseband made it feel like a braced muscle, even though the horse was not alive to actively brace it. When the noseband was loosened, once more we could feel the soft and pliable muscle. If the noseband was slowly and progressively tightened, first the muscle felt soft, then a little impinged upon, then a bit braced, then a block of wood. One of the thoughts that occurred to me through this palpation is that if the living horse is bracing against us, first we should make sure that nothing is bracing against him this includes the gear that we use on him, as well as ourselves. So loosen that nooseband! In fact, you might consider removing it altogether. For this series about the dissection, Im going to use artwork from Alfred James Munnings (1878 1959). The reason Im using historical artworks to go with the dissection articles is, well, pictures from the dissection itself are likely to be too confronting for people who are contemplating their cornflakes. Id like to educate, not shock. The reason Im using Munnings is that I was previously unaware of his work, but having discovered him, I think hes awesome. This painting is Study of a racehorse. I chose it for the topic because I think the horse looks thoughtful and contemplative which is what Im aiming for. I hope I havent freaked you out. Here are other posts relating to this years dissection: Part 2 - The mouth is connected to the hind legs: https://www.facebook.com/1557697261196029/posts/2191131721185910?s=1217225203&sfns=mo Part 3: The horse has no collarbone https://www.facebook.com/1557697261196029/posts/2195550110744071?s=1217225203&sfns=mo Part 4: The end of the line https://www.facebook.com/1557697261196029/posts/2199951243637291?s=1217225203&sfns=mo

08.01.2022 Insulin Resistance: Insulin is a hormone involved in the regulation of glucose (sugar) levels in the blood and tissues of the body. In response to feeding, in...sulin is secreted by the pancreas into the blood stream. Insulin in the blood stream directs the glucose absorbed from the food into the bodys tissues including liver, fat and muscle. Insulin resistance occurs when insulin no longer has a normal effect on the tissues. In the insulin resistant horse, the pancreas releases insulin into the blood stream, and the insulin arrives at the tissues and binds the cells, however the glucose enters the tissue cells at a much lower rate than normal. This lower rate of glucose uptake into tissues results in higher levels of blood glucose. Horses and ponies compensate for insulin resistance by secreting even more insulin into the bloodstream in order to keep the blood glucose concentration within the normal range. Therefore, horses and ponies with EMS have a higher concentration of insulin within the blood, which can be measured to determine if insulin resistance is present. Research has shown insulin resistance to be a major contributing factor in the development of laminitis in horses. #aipequine #australianinstituteofponies #laminitis #spring #insulinresistance #subtlesigns #horsesofinstagram #poniesofinstagram #equineproblems #problemsolving #funfacts #informationoverload #goodtoknow

08.01.2022 Exploring Equine Anatomy, A mindfulness colouring book, will be launched on 30th July. It is now available for pre-order. Heres a rush video of me colouring in one of the pictures! Find out more here: https://www.horsesinsideout.com/pr/exploring-equine-anatomy

07.01.2022 This is Faye, and this girl is a survivor and loves to help people know that they are capable of anything! She had a horse shelter fall on her many years ago, but her story and attitude are inspirational for all!

04.01.2022 Club Foot in Horses Brian S. Burks DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board-Certified in Equine Practice Horses often have slightly asymmetrical feet, but they should not differ d...rastically. A clubfoot, or a distal interphalangeal (coffin joint) flexural deformity, may affect the horse at any stage of life from neonate through adulthood. The deformity may be congenital or acquired and, in many instances, has a genetic basis. Acquired club feet are due to an injury where there is disuse of the foot and subsequent tendon contracture. So, a club foot is one that may resemble a club, being abnormally upright (>60 degrees) with long, contracted heels and a prominent or bulging coronary band. With proper management, many affected horses can be comfortable and compete in athletic competition. The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) begins from three muscle bellies at the elbow (from the distal humerus and proximal radius and ulna) and runs down the caudal limb to insert on the palmar surface of the distal phalanx (coffin bone). Below the carpus or tarsus, it is a tendon, with only a few muscle fibers. The distal accessory check ligament originates on the back of the carpus (wrist) to insert on the middle of the DDFT on its more dorsal aspect- toward the cannon bone. Tension on the DDFT causes flexural deformity of the DIP joint; there is a functional shortening of the deep digital flexor musculo-tendinous unit. This shortening is responsible for the abnormal changes that occur within the foot. The increased tension of the flexor tendon causes the DIP joint to be constantly flexed, which causes a change in angulation of the third phalanx and increased weight bearing on the apex of the bone instead of the entire solar surface. This abnormal weight bearing leads to chronic foot bruising and lameness. All flexural deformities appear to have some radiographic signs of rotation, but this may be due in part to the distortion of the hoof capsule, the bending of the horn tubules of the anterior hoof wall and the flat thin sole resulting from the increased pressure on the apex of the third phalanx. Congenital flexural deformities of neonatal foals make them unable to completely extend the heel to the ground surface. The degree of this deformity can range from a mild outward buckling of the hoof to one so severe that the foal cannot touch his heel to the ground. This is a heritable trait and breeding such animals is to be discouraged. Foals may have acquired flexural deformity when they become several months old. Genetics may paly a role, but diets with excessive energy (carbohydrate) and mineral imbalances, excessive exercise, and developmental orthopedic diseases that cause pain and therefore less use of the limb, and trauma may all cause this deformity. Such foals may show excessive toe wear initially, with bulging of the coronet occurring later as the foot becomes more upright. Over time, the foot becomes dished, and the heel does not reach the ground. If not corrected, the club foot will be retained as it matures. Disproportional growth rates with rapid bone growth and slower growth of the tendons and ligaments cause pain, causing acquired flexure deformity. Most foal growth occurs from 30 days to one year, and foals should be monitored closely for rapid development of a club foot. Foals should have slow, even growth. They should be provided good quality grass hay (not alfalfa) and feeds that are low in carbohydrates (starch, sugar). Commercial products provide balanced energy and mineral nutrition appropriate for various age groups. A grade 1 club foot has a hoof axis 3 to 5 greater than the opposite foot and displays fullness at the coronary band but is mild enough that the hoof-pastern axis is aligned. A grade 2 club foot is slightly more severe, with a hoof axis measuring 5 to 8 greater than the contralateral foot. In a grade 2 foot, the hoof-pastern axis is steep and slightly broken-forward. Growth rings of the hoof are wider at the heel than at the toe, and after trimming excess hoof wall from the heel, the heel may not touch the ground. A grade 3 club foot is a more severe deformity, which has a broken-forward hoof-pastern axis and a mild dish is present in the dorsal hoof wall. The growth rings are twice as wide at the heels as those at the toe, and, radiographically, there is demineralization and lipping along the apex of the distal phalanx. A grade 4 club foot is the most severe classification and has a hoof angle of greater than or equal to 80, with a severely broken-forward hoof-pastern axis. A grade 4 club foot has a markedly concave dorsal hoof wall, and the coronary band height at the heel is equal to that at the toe. Radiographic changes include rounding of the distal phalanx due to extensive demineralization, and rotation may be present. A club foot alters the biomechanics, leading to secondary lameness. Affected horses land toe first and the heel grows faster than the toe, causing hoof capsule distortions, the dorsal concavity, and rings in the hoof wall. As the heels contract, the frog recedes, and the hoof loses shock absorption capabilities, leading to increased impact stress in the caudal foot. The apex of the coffin bone begins to remodel, may fragment, and experiences bone loss. Increased stress on the navicular bone flexor cortex can elicit changes to that bone. Many horses have thin soles, cracked hooves, white line separation, laminar stretching, abnormal coffin joint loading, sheared and contracted heels, pedal osteitis, demineralization of the apex of the third phalanx, bruising, and abscessation. Treatment of foals with congenital flexural deformity often involves IV infusions and bandaging. Oxytetracycline is used to induce flexor tendon laxity. I usually give this every day or every other day for several treatments, monitoring response daily. It is rare, but this antibiotic can cause renal damage at the dose used for this condition. Creatinine, removed via the kidneys, can be monitored to measure kidney function. Bandaging, casting, and splinting also cause the tendons to relax, as the bandage takes over the work of standing and walking in foals. Bandages need to be well padded and applied with even pressure. These may need to be reset daily. The amount of exercise club-footed foals can complete depends on the deformitys severity. A foal with a mild deformity that is responding to treatment can be given limited exercise. More severe deformities require stall rest to prevent reflex pain responses. An experienced farrier should trim the foals heels every two to three weeks to counter the accelerated heel growth seen with this condition. Toe extensions are not indicated, but braces on the limbs may help with extension. Various forms of corrective trimming and shoeing have been used to improve this deformity but in the authors experience they have not been as successful in the older animal. Check ligament desmotomy coupled with therapeutic trimming appears to be the treatment of choice in the older animal. The heels should be trimmed every four weeks, from the frog apex to the heel bulbs; the toe should be rolled to ease breakover. Some horses may require a small wedge to reduce strain in the DDFT. As the heels are lowered, the horse should be evaluated for comfort during ambulation. The foot should be made to land flat, rather than toe first. For cases that do not respond to therapeutic farriery alone, an inferior check ligament desmotomy (a surgical procedure in which the veterinarian transects the ligament) might be successful. Inferior check ligament desmotomy creates a lengthening of the deep flexor tendon allowing the hoof angle to be lowered. This brings the hoof-pastern axis into normal alignment and allows the necessary changes to be made within the hoof capsule. This is best done within four weeks of detecting the club foot. With clubfoot in which the hoof angle is approaching or exceeding 90 degrees, if no improvement is noted with conservative treatment within two weeks, surgery should be considered. Horses that do not respond to an ICLD, or those with more severe flexural deformities require tenotomy of the DDFT below the carpus. It is typically transected in the proximal region of the cannon bone but can be cut anywhere from there to the pastern. With either of these surgeries, there can be a cosmetic blemish at the incision site. The first four to six weeks post-desmotomy are the most critical for healing. Over the following months the ligament scars and strengthens. The key to treating a foal with a flexural deformity is to treat aggressively, but not overly, and to monitor the foals progress closely. Foals with club feet have a good prognosis for reaching their intended purpose if this surgery is performed on horses younger than 8-12 months of age. Good results have also been achieved in yearlings and in select cases of mature horses. Some horses may not perform well with a club foot. Limitations on performance depend on the degree of flexural deformity as well as on any concurrent lameness and the proposed performance discipline. The coffin joint may require periodic injection with sodium hyaluronate and/or corticosteroids to improve comfort. Therapy is life-long. These horses tend to develop heel pain and foot lameness earlier than horses with normal feet, but good, consistent hoof care can reduce complications. A club foot can have significant repercussions on a horses performance success and athletic longevity. Prompt recognition and diligent farrier care allow the horse with a flexural deformity to be as comfortable as possible. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481

04.01.2022 Pilates for Horses, available as an online video and a DVD is an extension of the book Pilates and Stretching for Horses An Exercise Index for Horse Owners. ...It begins by exploring relevant aspects of the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system and the principles and benefits of Pilates type exercises as applied to the horse. It then demonstrates exactly how, why, when and where to perform the exercises. There are more exercises in the DVD than the book as well as more explanation of the theory. The DVD is unique in that it shows exercises targeting the equivalent muscle groups for people. With suggestions for fitting the exercises easily into an existing daily routine and used as part of a structured training programme, this practical, visual guide for horse and rider will help: Improve performance Increase range of movement Improve core stability and balance Improve posture, co-ordination and flexibility Reduce muscular stiffness and tension Reduce risk of soft tissue strain and injury Encourage a soft and supple frame Develop relationship between horse and handler Running Time: 73 mins. Find both the DVD and Online video versions here: https://www.horsesinsideout.com/shop

03.01.2022 Identifying and treating fearful behaviour is one very essential part of horsemanship. For the sake of our own and our childrens safety, we must throw out the ...myths that the horse that is rushing toward the jumps is displaying keenness and knows what he is doing because he is basically willing to please. If horse trainers learned to correctly identify the range and causes of fear responses that horses exhibit during training, and learned the value of not incorporating fear patterns of movement in all equestrian disciplines, horse riding and training would be far safer for both horse and rider. It is heartening to see that the equine science universities in the UK and Australia are embracing this understanding, which will ultimately filter out to the rest of the equestrian world. Please contact us today to learn more about Equitation Science. Books, DVDs, courses and qualifications available.

03.01.2022 An interesting comparison of the human and horse skeletons. One of the things that I find amazing about horses (and there are many) is that the horse is basically walking and weight-bearing on the equivalent of our middle finger - food for thought next time you go for a ride.

03.01.2022 Thanks for the job Rebecca. Now your customers will know you exist

02.01.2022 Whats the strangest thing youve been asked about your job? "How do you get the horse on the table?" is a classic from non-horsey folk Image credit: Ian Culley, Happy Horse Cartoons

01.01.2022 CASES FROM THE CLINIC. I had a very pretty yearling #QuarterHorse filly brought to our clinic this past weekend. She had been at another vet practice and was no...t doing well and so referred to us for diagnosis and possible additional treatment. On exam, her small colon was completely obstructed. She was in bad shape. Surgery was not an option for her and we did not feel she had a good chance managed medically, so we had to euthanize her. I did a quick post-mortem and found a very hard small colon impaction. I broke it apart and at the center was this somewhat digested plastic bag. Adult horses only rarely swallow trash (ALTHOUGH THEY SOMETIMES DO!), but not so with youngsters. They will play with and occasionally swallow old lead rope fibers, twine, and other garbage. Baling twine, in my experience, is the biggest problem. I have pulled it out of a number of horses at surgery and post-mortem. Its important to keep twine and other garbage away from horses! Here a little more from Horse Side Vet Guide--->https://horsesidevetguide.com//7/intestinal-foreign-body/