My clients have been dealing with a lot of these lately with all of this wet weather, and we had one in my herd this week - so I wanted to share my favorite way to manage these monsters
When a horse comes in 3-legged lame it’s always scary… and the diagnosis options are pretty much:
It’s an abscess
Or the leg is broken
Or there is severe tendon or ligament damage
So it’s either no big deal or it’s a very very big deal cool cool cool…
Read MoreWhen people first encounter positive reinforcement (R+) training, it often looks and feels very mechanical: click, treat, repeat.
There may be a sense of disconnect—a feeling that the relationship is reduced to a transaction. People worry that the horse is "just doing it for the food."
But here’s the truth: all training starts off as a kind of transaction. Whether you're using positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement (pressure and release training), the early stages involve a straightforward exchange. The horse performs a behavior, and something happens in return.
When most people think of equine rehabilitation, their minds go straight to the physical:
Corrective farriery
Postural exercises
Bodywork and physical therapy
Veterinary treatment protocols
Nutrition and management adjustments
All of these are crucial. But after years of working in this space, I’m convinced that there’s another piece—equally essential, but often overlooked—that can make or break a rehab journey:
Read MoreThe horse’s social environment.
Stop Chasing the Next Big Thing in Equine Bodywork — because healing doesn’t come from a flashy tool, it comes from thoughtful, responsive care.
If you're passionate about helping horses feel their best, you've probably been tempted (more than once) by the promise of the next big thing in bodywork.
Maybe it's a brand-new fascia tool. A flashy modality. A trending technique everyone’s raving about on social media.
And while curiosity and continuing education are wonderful things—we need to talk about something important…
Read MoreIf you’ve heard of positive reinforcement (also called R+ or clicker training), you might associate it with tricks, liberty work, or building trust on the ground.
And while it does support all of those things— its true power lies in how it supports the whole horse, especially in physical therapy and movement work.
Read MoreAs our horses age, their needs change—physically, emotionally, and environmentally. One of the most powerful tools we can offer older horses, especially those managing arthritis or chronic stiffness, is the gift of gentle, consistent movement. That’s where track systems come in.
Read MoreWe often talk about the importance of keeping horses hydrated for digestion, temperature regulation, and performance. But there’s another critical—but lesser-known—reason to prioritize water intake: fascia health.
Fascia, the body’s vast network of connective tissue, relies heavily on hydration to remain supple, elastic, and fully functional. So what happens when a horse is even slightly dehydrated? The effects might be more significant than you think.
Read MoreYou love your horse. You want to keep them healthy, moving well, and feeling their best. But when something’s off—maybe they're stiff, short-striding, or just “not quite right”—where do you turn?
That’s where equine physical therapy comes in. But what is physical therapy for horses? And how does it compare to other modalities like massage or chiropractic?
Let’s break it down.
Read MoreAs equine therapists and horse owners, our number one priority is the health and safety of the horse. While massage offers incredible benefits for muscle tension, circulation, and relaxation, it’s not a substitute for veterinary care—and in some cases, it’s simply not appropriate.
Knowing the difference between when to massage and when to refer to a vet is part of being a responsible equine caregiver or bodyworker.
Here are five signs your horse may need veterinary attention before receiving any kind of massage therapy.
Read MoreAs 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.
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