5 Horse Products I Can’t Live Without

1. Magnesium- Most horses AND humans are magnesium deficient! Magnesium is responsible for hundreds of nerve related functions in our bodies. It affects nerve function and muscle recover to name a couple! I personally take magnesium and my horses get MagRestore by Performance Equine Nutrition or Su-per Mag Pro by Gateway Products. I also use Magnesium Oil on sore muscles! It works wonders for horses and riders.

 

1. KIS Trace Minerals- When feeding a non-inflammatory diet utilizing hay pellets as a carrier, you must supplement with a high quality vitamin/mineral mix. I personally love the KIS Trace Minerals. Be sure to check the Selenium map to see if your area has adequate or deficient levels.

 

1. Sore-No More Liniment- With an arnica base, the natural liniment works SO well! I use it for my horses and myself.

 

1. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar- This stuff is amazing. It has long been used to improve overall health! I drink it daily and my horses get 2 oz. over their feed once per day. It is rich in potassium, is ideal for cleansing blood impurities, reducing inflammation, and improving overall health! I am loving the LUCY brand ACV but Braggs is also a wonderful go to!

 

1. Healthy Haircare Moisturizer- This concentrate spray-on and leave in hair moisturizer has been a favorite of mine for years! It is 100% lanolin and works amazing as a daily conditioner and also for areas of scruffy dandruff. It is a part of my regular routine to keep a long mane and tail.

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​Let's talk Compensation Patterns.
 
You’ve probably heard this term before either in reference to a human or a horse…but What is a Compensation Pattern???
 
A compensation pattern is an alternate neuromuscular strategy that the body employs when the naturally prescribed neuromuscular strategy is no longer a viable option to use in the creation of a given movement. In other words, when the body is not able to move as it is designed, it will find another way to move and perform. This is an inherent property in our bodies, and it can sometimes be a good thing to keep us going when we have minor discomfort or restrictions. However, if the body moves with a compensation pattern long-term, it can become the new default, and then you can start to have injuries from overusing joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
 
So how do you know if your horse has a compensation pattern?
Compensation patterns can be identified by working with someone trained in correct biomechanics, or a body worker. It is also common for me to partner with vets in identifying where the body is showing a weakness utilizing computer gait analysis or flexion tests. After any structural joint, tendon, or ligament lameness is ruled out, we can develop a plan to address the compensation pattern present. Sometimes compensation patterns will cause a mechanical alteration of the gait, or an imbalance. Often, the rider/trainer recognizes that the horse moves easier one direction than another or that one side of a movement is harder than another.
 
What causes them?
Most often, a compensation pattern is caused by the body altering movement due to an imbalance (like in the feet, teeth, or from the saddle) or due to pain. It is common for multiple compensation patterns to be present if the horse has been experiencing the imbalance or pain for some time. I call these “Onion Horses” because the rehabilitation of the horse will involve peeling one layer of restriction back at a time and re-training the body. This can become a very involved and tricky rehab process to unwind these patterns.
 
Can some compensations patterns be presented from birth?
I believe the answer is yes. There are definite patterns that are seen with most horses. The right side is typically in flexion. This can present with the left scapula up and back, the right scapula down and forward, and the right side of the pelvis forward. Is this from the way the horse is in utero or because of patterns we impose as owners/trainers? That is yet to be determined. The same is true for humans as well.
 
With that concept in mind, I think it’s fair to ask, can an inherited (what I will call default) compensation pattern ever truly be resolved? Or, does the body naturally reset to its default pattern? I believe the body naturally wants to reset to its default pattern. I have observed this in most horses and people for that matter. It seems we can unwind a pattern and teach the body to move in a certain way. However, over time, that improved way to going must be supported. If the horse is under intense training, sustains an injury, is out or work for a period of time, or regular exercises and body work are not maintained, the body seems to resort back to the default pattern. I have seen this over and over again. I have also experienced this with my own body. This does not mean it’s hopeless for horses or humans. This just means we need to recognize that it will continue to take work to maintain the new pattern. Otherwise, the body will resort to its default pattern.
 
One important thing to note, the EARLIER the compensation pattern is addressed, the higher the likelihood that the body will truly integrate the new improved pattern as the default pattern. This is why it is CRITICAL to get you and your horse as balanced as possible as EARLY as possible. I’m talking foals here y’all! In fact, here is some insider information…I have been working with a handful of foals this year documenting the patterns I am seeing. Stay tuned for the findings!
 
How can you help your horse if they have a compensation pattern?
The key is to first identify what CAUSED the compensation pattern and address or remove the cause. What is the imbalance? What is the source of pain? Then, you must address the cause(s). After that, I recommend partnering with a body worker and or trainer to develop a rehabilitation plan. The process of healing from a compensation pattern is very much a team effort. It takes commitment from the owner/rider, vet, and body worker. Please remember that it is likely your horse may have a default pattern (especially if they are over the age of 5). Be committed to helping your horse be the best it can be and supporting the healthy pattern.
Blessings,
​Amy