When most people think about consent, they think about human-to-human interactions.

I've even heard people argue that animals are incapable of giving consent. (This is just WILD to me)

But here’s the thing—horses can, and should, have a voice in their own care.

In physical therapy and bodywork, we’re often asking a horse to experience sensations that may be new, intense, or even uncomfortable.

We might need to handle sensitive areas, encourage unfamiliar stretches, or guide them through challenging therapeutic exercises. If we ignore their signals and push through no matter what, we risk creating tension, anxiety, or defensive behaviors—none of which support healing.

Read More

Positive reinforcement training is an incredibly valuable tool in the world of animal behavior, veterinary care, and equine rehabilitation. While historically associated with the training of marine mammals, dogs, and zoo animals, it is now gaining robust traction in equine practice.

Understanding the theoretical underpinnings of positive reinforcement and its practical applications in veterinary and therapeutic settings requires a look at the science of learning and behavior.

This article explores the history and science of positive reinforcement training, its integration into equine contexts, and how it can be applied to improve outcomes in veterinary procedures, cooperative care, and physical therapy and rehabilitation for horses.

Read More

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 More

When 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.

Read More

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:

The horse’s social environment.

Read More

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 More