🐴 5 Signs Your Horse Could Benefit from Massage

As horse owners, riders, and caretakers, we all want our equine partners to feel their best—physically and emotionally. But unlike us, horses can’t tell us when something feels off... at least, not with words. They communicate through movement, posture, and behavior—and it’s up to us to listen.

One powerful tool to support your horse’s well-being is massage therapy. But how do you know when it’s needed?

Here are five common signs your horse may be telling you it’s time for some bodywork.

equine massage, horse healthBarbara ParksApril 3, 2025Comment

🌱 Spring Laminitis: Why Prevention Starts Before the Grass Turns Green

As the days get longer and the pasture starts to glow with new life, most horse owners feel a sense of excitement. But for many horses—especially those with metabolic issues—spring can be one of the most dangerous times of year.

Enter: spring laminitis.

This seasonal risk is more than just a fluke; it’s a predictable, preventable problem that deserves a place in every horse owner’s spring plan.

hoof health, Rehab, horse healthBarbara ParksApril 2, 2025Comment

What Every Horse Owner Should Know About Soundness

If you’ve ever watched your horse move and thought,

“Something’s just a little… off,”
you’re not alone.

Maybe they’re not lame, but they’ve started resisting the saddle.
Or they pin their ears during grooming, or just don’t seem quite like themselves anymore.
You check the tack. You rest them. You second-guess everything.

And still—something doesn’t feel right.

biomechanics, Clicker Training, horse health, Train Your EyeBarbara ParksApril 2, 2025Comment

🩻 Beyond “Clear”: What Equine Spine X-Rays Really Tell Us

If you’ve ever had spinal X-rays taken of your horse and been told “they’re clear”—but your horse is still showing back pain, behavioral issues under saddle, or inconsistent performance—this post is for you.

As an equine therapist who reviews spinal radiographs on a near-daily basis, I want to talk about a pattern I see all too often…

Barbara ParksMarch 17, 2025Comment

Negative Plantar (or palmar) Angle in Horses: Why It Matters and How to Spot It

Negative Plantar Angle (NPA) is one of those topics that, once you understand it, you’ll start seeing everywhere. It’s a common yet often-overlooked hoof imbalance that can have widespread consequences for a horse’s movement, comfort, and long-term soundness.

It’s also one of my personal “soapbox” issues — because when we miss it, we miss a huge piece of the puzzle in so many “mystery” hind-end lameness cases. Over the past month alone, I’ve seen it crop up repeatedly in client horses, which is usually the universe’s way of telling me, “Okay, it’s time to write about this again.”

Barbara ParksMarch 7, 2025Comment

X-ray Vision: Assessing the Spine of a Horse Under Saddle

How can I tell if the back is lifting or core is engaging when I'm riding?

Or when I'm looking at horses being ridden and there's a saddle in the way?

This is a very common question and it's an important question! So I'm glad you asked :)

There are two really clear things you can look for that I've marked in these photos.

biomechanics, Rehab, Train Your EyeBarbara ParksFebruary 9, 2025Comment

Facebook Overwhelm

Facebook Overwhelm

Have you felt it?

Your quest for learning gets hijacked by passionate and conflicting posts and comments.

Is licking and chewing good or bad?

Is your gelding dropping good or bad?

Is clicker training ethical or coercive?

Is pressure and release ethical or coercive?

Barbara ParksJanuary 9, 2025Comment

Gutzbusta Hay Nets Discount

I’ve got another great discount to share with everyone!

I have used so many hay nets… and my GutzBustas nets are my favorites (the square bale nets open on the long side! So much easier) so I’m thrilled to be able to offer 10% off all orders to my clients and friends!

The code is easy to remember! It’s THEHORSEPT

Barbara ParksJanuary 8, 2025Comment