The top three dysfunctions I see in horses (performance and non):

​#1 The most common pattern of dysfunction I see in performance horses is a thoracic torsion. This occurs when the scapulas are sitting in an unbalanced manner with the sternum being pulled laterally. There are several causes for this torsion, but I always find dysfunction in the hyoid, diaphragm, and signification fascial adhesions supporting this holding pattern. Over time, this will result in asymmetrical muscle development. This is easy to spot when looking from the front of the horse and eyeing the point of shoulders, or you can look from the top and look at the tops of the scapulas. The typical pattern is the left scapula is up/back and the right scapula is down/forward, causing the thoracic vertebra to shift to the right and causing the sternum to shift (all directions are from the point of view of the horse). Why is this the typical pattern? Based on the foals I have worked with; I believe a lot of this happens in utero. Also, we tend to be very one-sided handling our horses. The horses I have seen who the opposite pattern, typically have sustained some type of significant injury involving a fall.
 
#2 The second most common pattern I see in performance horses is a horse that is stuck in adduction. Meaning that their thoracic cavity is compressed medially and there is very limited external rotation or abduction of the front legs. Why is this a problem??? Well, if your horse is doing any lateral movement (making a corner, spinning, turning a barrel, turning period) then this will effect how your horse can properly use their body. When movements cannot be made as the body is designed, the body FINDS a WAY! This means that structures not intended to be used for turning will be used. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious injuries including but not limited to deep digital flexor tendon tears, suspensory ligament tears, nerve impingement, extreme muscle and fascial adhesions, and a compensatory gait pattern.
How do you know if your horse is stuck? Watch this video.
 
#3 The third most common pattern of dysfunction I see in performance horses is a cranial shear. A myriad of events can lead to a shift in cranial bones. Direct physical trauma, imbalances in the teeth/hooves, imbalances in other parts of the body, environmental and chemical exposure, emotional trauma.
How can asymmetry affect your horse?
Asymmetry in cranial bones can create excessive pressure in the head (headache), disrupt communication in the nervous system, cause lameness, reactivity in the head, spookiness, entrap nerves that can cause head shaking syndrome, and contribute to endocrine and metabolic dysfunction. One thing I want to stress is that this shear IS affecting your horse’s entire body…even the way they move and their posture.

Take heart, the cranial bones are NOT fused, and we can rebalance them to restore balance and proper function in your horse’s body. In the picture below, you can see the lines of what are called sutures. I like to refer to these as “expansion joints” (probably because of my engineering background 😊) These sutures are flexing and extending as cerebral spinal fluid is being pumped throughout your horse’s body. The pumping of the cerebral spinal fluid is supporting your horse’s nervous system…in essence, their whole body. So, if there is a disruption in this communication, you can see how this is detrimental to your horse’s health.

Baby steps add up to big steps that result in big changes. You’ve probably heard that before, but I want to focus on reframing it. I want you to think about celebrating Progress and not waiting or chasing Perfection. It is so easy when you are working to improve your horse’s health to focus only on reaching that target goal of perfection. What we can’t forget to recognize is that progress over time is what leads you to that goal of perfection (which is anything really perfect? A discussion for another time).

Let’s say your horse has developed a compensation pattern or body lameness. You have identified the issues and found the perfect team to help you develop a wellness plan. You are so excited! You get to work doing all the things. Improving hoof angles, scheduling regular bodywork, improving saddle fit, setting up ground poles, doing your prescribed exercises day, after day, after day, after day… now it has been 6 weeks and you are still 6 more weeks from completing the wellness plan. You start to get discouraged. I want you to STOP.

​Think back on what has improved since you started. Is your horse making small changes that you failed to celebrate? Do they have an increased range of motion in a limb, or are they starting to stand in a more neutral posture in the pasture, or it has it been easier for you to pick up their feet? THAT is progress! Yes! Celebrate that. Remember to get excited about the small things to keep you in a positive frame of mind as you are working towards your end goal.

To help keep you on track, ask your team to assist in identifying what positive signs of progress look like for your horse. Keep a notebook of those changes as they occur and look back at it as needed to keep moving in the right direction.
You and your horse have got this! Keep going.
 
Blessings,
Amy

I emphasize quite a bit about your horse needing a Wellness Team. What exactly does that mean? What I am referring to is a team of equine professionals who communicate well with each other, and all have a common goal… your horse’s well-being. If you are on a holistic health journey, this can add more complexity to finding your team.
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Several years ago, I was at a Brent Graef clinic and we were discussing my challenge of finding a horse trainer to match my needs. He made the comment that sometimes you may not be able to find someone who is on the same page, but you can find someone who is in the same chapter. This really made me think about how this applies to a Wellness Team. Not many of us have access to equine professionals who are 100% on the same page. In our area of Texas, we do not have access to those on the same page, but we do have access to those in the same chapter! It is a matter of finding professionals who agree to disagree and respect each other’s opinions. The ability to respectfully disagree and discuss is a must in any healthy working relationship.
 
Here’s an example of how the Wellness Team might work together: An owner feels like her horse is just “not right” traveling to the left. The owner has a Wellness Team in place of a veterinarian, hoof care professional, trainer, and bodyworker. The team works together to rule out anything serious and identify improvements needed in the horse’s body and training routine to help the horse be stronger and healthy. By the team being in the same chapter, discussions can occur that move in a positive and constructive direction to help the horse in the way the owner desires.
 
I sometimes find myself being a facilitator on teams. Recognizing that we may not all be on the same page, sometimes I must take information from a page and bring it back to the chapter we are in.
 
Our chapter is helping to facilitate healing in horses, the most holistic way possible, while leaving the ego out of it.
 
If you haven’t found a Wellness Team yet, please keep trying. Sometimes You may be the facilitator on your Wellness Team. Just remember that everyone has different lenses and filters by which they see things and develop beliefs. All of us have had the veil lifted on different subjects at different times, but our common goal should always be for the horse.
 
Blessings,
Amy

I want to preface this by saying, I do truly believe that horse care professionals do the best they can for your horses with the knowledge they have. Sometimes there is a need for new eyes that view your horse from a different lens and identify new ways to help them while collaborating with other professionals on the Wellness Team.
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Unfortunately, a lot of clients come to me as a last resort to find answers and get results. I recently had a performance horse client bring me a horse who has consistently had a decline in performance and attitude. Their trusted veterinarian recommended injecting the left stifle (which they did a few times), but alas no improvement. So what was the problem? Was this some weird mystery lameness? Did this horse need more diagnostic imaging like an MRI? No, he needed new eyes to identify what I call a Body Lameness.

A body lameness you ask? Yes. There are more systems in the body that can cause lameness other than joints. Let me say that again. There are more systems in the body that can cause lameness other than joints. With approximately 700 muscles, 31 pairs of spinal nerves, and more fascia connecting everything to everything than we can even quantify, it seems rather odd to stop at joints when looking for answers.
Back to our performance horse…

Upon assessing him, I noticed several asymmetries in his body and compensation patterns in his movement. His body had figured out a way to keep working, and it had created layers of dysfunction throughout his body. The lameness he was experiencing was a Body Lameness. It involved fascial, nerve, muscular, and ligament restrictions. During his session we (the horse and I) worked through unwinding the restrictions and re-integrating the newly discovered ranges of motion. The shifts in his posture and movement were immediately noticeable. This session was profound for him, and he processed in his stall for several hours afterwards. After a few days rest, he began going back to work. His owner reported fantastic improvements and those went on to be increasing scores in the show pen and eventually an Reserve World Championship. *Note- not all body lameness resolve this quickly! Some need months of rehabilitation exercises and regular body work and supporting modalities.

I don’t share this to brag about the results of his session. I share this to encourage and inform you to look from a different lens. I advocate working with a Wellness Team to keep your horse as healthy as possible. It takes multiple perspectives and areas of expertise to do the best we can for our amazing four-legged partners!

Could your horse be experiencing a Body Lameness that is not being addressed? Do you need to find someone to help you view things from a different lens? I am happy to support you either with an in-person visit or a remote consultation.

Blessings,
Amy
 

Horses pulling back
Has your horse ever pulled back when tied or have you seen a horse pulled back when tied? It is a very unsettling sight and sometimes it can be violent depending on how the horse reacts and how they are tied.

​The biggest mistake you can make is to ASSUME your horse is fine after a pullback incident. Your horse may act fine, but I assure you that there has been a certain degree of damage done that may not be apparent to your eyes. Your horse may even ride “ok”. But we must remember that horses are excellent at hiding pain and dysfunction…after all, that is how they survive. Let’s breakdown what can happen during a pullback incident to help you understand just how seriously it can negatively affect your horse’s health.

During a pullback incident, an enormous amount of force is applied directly at the poll (the joint of the occiput/base of skull and the atlas/first cervical vertebrae). This force compressed not only those bones but also the soft tissue underneath. This includes the nuchal ligament. The nuchal ligament runs from the top of the occiput along the neck to the withers. It is critical in transferring motion through the horse’s body and allowing correct posture and use of the entire body. The compressive forces from a pullback injury can compress the nuchal ligament enough that it can cause micro tears and adhesions. It can also damage the bursa the is underneath the connection at the top of the occiput. In addition to the nuchal ligament, there is damage to the surrounding nerves, muscles, and fascia that can occur…and that is only at the poll. In severe cases, nuchal bursitis or fractures can occur.

As the horse is pulling back, they can often fight in a side-to-side motion causing stress on other cervical vertebrae down the neck, into the lumbar, and the SI in the pelvis. I have recently worked with two horses who have had the same pattern in their cranial bones, and both showed soreness in the right side of their SI that was not previously there. One of the horses (pictured) exhibited a flipping of the nuchal ligament that was not there in previous sessions over the past few years. The left side of her cranial bones were all compressed caudally, her left TMJ was reactive and shifted ventrally, and her hyoid was shifted to the right.

The very best thing you can do to help your horse is to try to mitigate any pull back incidents. However, if your horse does pull back. PLEASE have a qualified Craniosacral Practitioner work with your horse as soon as possible. There is no such thing as they are just fine afterwards. There is always dysfunction…even if you can’t see it.
 

What’s the #1 disorder in people and horses. Yep, you guessed it, Metabolic Disorders or Insulin Resistance. I hear people ask all the time, “Why are so many horses having laminitis or metabolic disfunction? When I was a kid we fed all the horses oats and they could eat all the  grass they wanted without any issues!” The answer to that question is what I want to reveal… cellular dysfunction. I am really writing this to share about your horse’s health, BUT I want  you to realize this applies to your own health as well. I have been learning about this for several years and have been on a personal mission to dive deep into understanding what is happening to our horses. Like with everything I believe, it is critical to address the ROOT CAUSE and not just be reactive and address the symptoms. A lot of people are treating their horses for metabolic disorders whether it be with drugs, supplements, or lifestyle, but no one is talking about treating the root cause! Well, here it is…
 
We know that the incorrect metabolism of insulin is what causes laminitis. There is a lot of research that confirms that. The question is WHY is the body not able to correct metabolize the insulin.
 
Our bodies and our horse’s bodies are made to remove toxins. However, the toxins they are exposed to now in today’s world are exponentially higher than they were 40-50 years ago (even 20 years ago really). In a healthy body, the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER), go back to Biology class with me here, in the cell is known as the waste treatment plant of your cells. In order for that SER to function correctly there are certain co-factors that need to be present for the cell to have energy to remove the toxins. Unfortunately, the extreme amount of toxins we are exposed to limit the co-factor’s energy and therefore impact the SER ability to detox our cells and ultimately affect the body’s ability to function properly. This includes its ability to metabolize insulin, regulate hormones, and have a healthy immune system (which also includes the gut microbiome). Oh and let's not forget the EPIDEMIC of allergies in horses we see now! This also applies to allergic disfunction. 
 
The disfunction does not show up overnight. In fact, it shows up in small ways over time until the body becomes extremely dysfunctional and classified as metabolic. What toxins is my horse exposed to? I’m glad you asked.
 
Now, don’t freak out. Don’t get overwhelmed. Toxins are literally EVERYWHERE. In the air, water, food (feed, hay grass) , supplements (yes, really), grooming aids, buckets, vaccines, NSAIDS, even your halter and tack. The key is to limit exposure where possible. You are not going to be able to limit exposure completely. Is that enough? Unfortunately, no. Because your horse is constantly exposed to toxins, you must constantly detox your horse to keep it as healthy as possible. Let’s talk about what that entails.
 
There are three levels of detox that are required to be completely effective: trapping the toxin, supporting the removal, and fueling the cells. You must trap the toxin to move it out of the body, ensure it does not stay in the body, and support healthy mitochondria in the cells. The mitochondria are the power house of the cells and needed to provide the cell energy to function properly and stay healthy.
 
Our best approach to helping our horses is to create a plan to provide elimination of as many toxins as possible, provide a constant detox plan, and help the horse's body be as healthy as possible for it to do the inherent healing God designed it to do. Being proactive in the health of your horse is the most effect approach you can do. 
 
There is no one size fits all approach to creating a detox plan for your horse. I am offering Nutritional Consultations to determine what is the best approach for your individual horse’s situation that will address all three levels of detoxing.
 
Thank you for continuing to learn more to keep your horse (and yourself) healthy.
 Please reach out to me via the methods on my Contact page if you are interested in scheduling a Nutritional Consultation. 
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Blessings,
Amy

There are two things I want ALL horse owners to be aware of during the end of Summer. Acorns and the “Seasonal Rise”.

You may have noticed; acorns are starting to fall from oak tress now. Why does that matter to your horse? Well, some horses love the taste of acorns, and if they eat too many it can be detrimental to their health in a couple ways. Firstly, they are high in sugar and can cause laminitis in horses that are sensitive to sugars. Secondly, they are high in tannins and if eaten in large volumes, your horse can experience liver dysfunction. Please be sure to limit your horse’s acorn exposure this fall. Some horses can moderate just fine, while others really develop a taste and gorge themselves.

You may have heard something called the Seasonal Rise. This is referring to the natural rise in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). During the end of Summer (peaking in September), your horse’s body is already preparing for Winter. Horses experience a natural increase in the production of ACTH from their pituitary glands, which is called a "seasonal rise". ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol. This seasonal rise can also cause fluctuations in insulin and glucose levels. 
For most horses, the seasonal rise is not a problem. However, it can be more difficult for older horses or those with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also known as equine Cushing's disease. In these cases, the seasonal rise can lead to laminitis, a painful hoof disease, in the fall. 

What can you do? If your horse is overweight, diagnosed as insulin resistant (IR), had a previous laminitic flare, or has PPID, you need to go full tilt to prevent sugar consumption mode. This may mean removal from grass and/or the addition of a grazing muzzle. It should also be noted that horses who have PPID under control via Pergolide may need an increase in dose during this time. It is important to work closely with your veterinarian to be proactive.

Enjoy your horse as the temperatures cool off!

Blessings,
​Amy

​But also, be gracious…

Most of us have heard the phrase “Do your best until you know better, then do better.” But, one piece of that we often forget, it to be gracious and forgive ourselves for that time we didn’t know any better.

For decades, my horses wore metal shoes. That’s just what we did. I believed most performance horses had to wear metal shoes, so mine did as well. My beliefs began to change, and I learned better when I began to see over and over the cause of unresolved lameness coming from the hooves. So naturally, on a mission to learn more and help our horses, I delved into learning to trim and shoe my own horses.
At my first barefoot and composite shoeing education class was with Ida Hammer, I had a huge breakthrough about something I did not know I was carrying around.

During class, I would ask questions and preface the question with “I used to have metal shoes on my horses.” Finally, after a few of those questions with the preface, Ida looked at me, looked at the class, and said “Raise your hand if you have ever put metal shoes on your horse.” Literally almost every hand went up. At that moment, I realized two things. One, most horse people have put metal shoes on their horse at some point, and two, I had some guilt I was holding onto about harming my horse’s hooves. I had not realized that I had failed to be gracious with myself and forgive myself for past mistakes and ignorance. This realization helped me to move forward and truly be open to learning more to do better.

Is there something on our horse journey that you need to be gracious with yourself about? Is there a past belief or training method that you now know better, but you are holding onto some guilt? I encourage you to examine your heart to find it. Our horses know we are trying to constantly do the best we can for them.

When you know better, do better, and be gracious with yourself.
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Blessings,
Amy 

The journey of horsemanship is all a learning journey. When I say horsemanship, I’m not referring to just the riding piece. I’m referring to the care and stewardship of our equine friends. Learning to listen to our horses. Learning to listen to ourselves and putting it all together. I strongly believe the adage “When you know better, do better.” Sometimes, we need to pause and listen to what we are saying. What does it actually mean? Does it even make sense?

The horse industry is notorious for being about tradition. This is the way we have always done it, and this is the best way. I have noticed that also applies to mindset and in return the things we say.

I should preface this by saying that the owner and trainer in this scenario are very well intended. I do believe they want the best for the horse, and they are simply presented with a new learning opportunity (as we all have been and will be).
Let me set-up a scenario for you. A horse has been reactive on the ground near the right side of the girth. Under saddle, that horse is irritated, not able to turn well to the right, and has presented to crow hop and buck some. The horse spends some time with the trainer and is ridden a handful of times. The trainer reports to the owner that after a couple rides, the horse finally gave up and would bend to the right and not buck.

Let’s break that down a minute and think about what was said. The horse finally gave up. That would imply that the horse was intentionally behaving a certain way and decided to comply. OR the horse decided to comply because it was defeated and did not feel heard. Which is it? To determine that you must look at the whole picture. The horse was reactive on the ground in a specific area and behaved a certain way only when specifically asked to bend or move that specific area. That is a red flag that there is a physical issue. There are times when differentiated between physical and behavioral can be tricky. However, this was a clear-cut case. The main influencer here was the fact that the horse was reactive on the ground and the behavior was consistent under saddle only on the same side of reactivity. On this journey, I have come to determine that the fairest mindset to have is to always assume it is a physical issue first.

The horse indeed has physical restrictions that would indicate the type of behavior he was presenting. Behavior is communication. He was communicating that it was painful to move a certain way and was asking to be heard. The types of restrictions he had included fascial adhesions preventing abduction of the right shoulder and nerve impingement in the brachial plexus and phrenic nerve. In addition, his entire ribcage was compressed on the left side and pushed out to the right.

I was grateful the owner asked me to come look at the horse. She was open to learning the information about the horse and supportive of helping him heal.
Horses are so kind and gracious with us. The truly try to do the best they can, but they will communicate when something is hard. It could be hard for them emotionally or physically.

When you know better, do better. Listen to what you are saying. 

Thank you for your commitment to helping our horses be happy and healthy.
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Blessings,
Amy