Quest to Equestrian

15/02/2024

🚫 PEMF Myths Debunked 🚫

Personal Experience: I’ve worked on horses after they’ve had it done and found their muscles to be sorer and more atrophied. That's why I opted for the ActivoMed Rug over a PEMF machine.

1. Visible Muscle Movement ≠ Effectiveness:
Muscles should flutter, not convulse. Excessive movement doesn't mean it's working better.

2. Not All Practitioners Are Equal:
Lack of credentials for operating PEMF machines is concerning. Training should cover anatomy, machine operation, and more.

3. Not a Replacement for Other Therapies:
Each modality offers unique benefits. PEMF doesn't replace chiropractic adjustments or other therapies.

4. Respect Horses' Preferences:
Not all horses will like PEMF. It's important to respect their comfort levels.

Let's ensure PEMF is used responsibly and with proper understanding. 🐴✨

27/01/2024

Reminder: Kissing Spine horses need to be x-rayed once a year surgery or not... Responsible owners track progress...

22/01/2024

☕️ Take a moment to ponder the horse owner you aim to be.

What goals have you set for your equine journey, and what aspirations drive you forward?

20/01/2024

🚨 Misuse Alert: Chiropractor, Osteopath, and Physiotherapist Terms 🚨

Let's address a concerning trend in the horse industry: the incorrect use of protected terms like "chiropractor," "osteopath," and "physiotherapist." These titles are reserved for individuals who hold specific qualifications, either as vets or university-trained practitioners for people, registered with AHPRA.

⚠️ Common Misuse:
There's a rising occurrence of individuals in the horse world claiming these titles without the proper credentials. It's crucial to be vigilant and question the qualifications behind these labels.

❌ Why It Matters:
Using these terms improperly not only misrepresents the practitioner but also poses risks to the well-being of our equine companions. Only qualified professionals should engage in practices associated with these protected titles.

🌐 Navigating the Industry:
When seeking therapeutic services for your horse, ensure the practitioner has legitimate qualifications and is registered appropriately. Misuse of these terms compromises the integrity of the industry.

18/01/2024

🐎Free UQVETS Horse Health Lecture Series - Gatton campus or zoom

We are inviting horse owners to attend 6 short lectures. Sunday 4th February 3-6:30 pm. To attend in person or to watch online via Zoom, register before Thursday 1st February here: https://app4.vision6.com.au/forms/s/uMSOgRZrVQiJtdD8Helsec-HfFMJLwxgoORgp5WPtRo/23336/583003.html

Topics include:
▪️ First aid kit
▪️ Parasites
▪️ Eye emergencies
▪️ Wound emergencies
▪️ Colic
▪️ Foal emergencies

📍Location: Hamon Centre Lecture Theatre on Services Road

Parasitology demonstrations and ask the vet Q&A will be available during 2 short intermissions. A behind the scenes tour of the UQVETS Hospital will follow the lectures (enclosed shoes are essential).

UQVETS has been providing 24/7 equine veterinary care for the last 13 years at Gatton Campus. We look forward to continuing to provide state of the art specialist care for horses, innovative research and education of your future veterinarian and veterinary technician🐴🩺💜

14/01/2024

A friend of mine, from whom I've acquired a couple of Thoroughbreds, manages a rehoming and retraining page 💕 I wholeheartedly recommend her services.

13/01/2024

Unfortunately I’ve encountered someone local and down south and they trims horses to this extent, aiming to "correct" the foot's pathology. However, with the knowledge I've gained, I wouldn't allow anyone to trim my horse in that manner. I've been lucky to have the guidance of two amazing farriers and a super knowledgeable horse person who continue to educate me better 💕

Don’t ever let anyone do this to your horse

08/01/2024

Feeding mature, healthy pleasure horses on lush pasture might make that multi-vitamin supplement unnecessary. Mature horses in light work often get enough vitamins from their feed and pasture.

Exceptions? Vitamin E and biotin for hooves. Growing, hard-working, breeding, sick, stressed, and aged horses benefit from broader vitamin supplementation.

Remember, excessive vitamins can lead to waste. It's not just about what you add; it's about what your horse truly needs.

Are You Wasting Money on Vitamins for your Horse?

You may be wasting hard-earned cash if you’re feeding mature (but not old), healthy pleasure horses a multi-vitamin supplement when they’re grazing good pasture!
Vitamins are defined as ‘organic substances that are necessary for correct nutrition in plants and animals.’ Although they’re only needed in small quantities, vitamins are essential for the formation of coenzymes to regulate many metabolic processes and as important antioxidants to support immune function and muscle recovery after exercise.

Although ALL HORSES NEED to have minerals added to balance their diets (especially copper, zinc, selenium, iodine and often calcium, phosphorous, salt and magnesium), vitamins excess to requirements can reach toxic levels or will just make expensive urine. That’s money down the toilet!

Mature horses in light work usually get all the vitamins they need from their feed, especially if they’re grazing good green pasture. The exception is vitamin E which, although present in pasture, is frequently not at high enough levels to meet the horse’s requirements. Therefore it is worthwhile to add a vitamin E supplement, and many owners choose to add biotin as an aid to hoof growth and quality.

Growing, hard-working, breeding, sick, stressed and aged horses all will benefit from broad-spectrum vitamin supplementation.

Vitamins for Horses
Horses eating more hay than green grass can become vitamin A deficient, since levels of this vitamin decline rapidly in stored hay.

Green feed, grains and the microbes in a healthy horse gut produce many of the B-group vitamins that a horse requires. The physical stress of hard work, growing, illness or transport negatively impacts on gut health, reducing vitamin B production at a time when their need for these vitamins are high. The eight B-group vitamins are thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cyanocobalamin (B12).

Unlike humans, horses make their own vitamin C supplies in the liver but it is advisable to supplement additional vitamin C to horses in heavy work or over the age of 15.

Horses exposed to sunlight produce adequate supplies of vitamin D in their skin.

Vitamin K is required for blood clotting and bone health and usually sourced from fresh green plants and microbial synthesis within the gut. Vitamin K is frequently added to vitamin supplements for growing and hard-working horses.

Multi-Vitamin Supplements for Horses
The Equine Vit&Min range features two supplements which BALANCE MINERAL levels but only provide essential vitamin E and a serve of biotin for mature horses in light work with access to good grazing.

Equine Vit&Min’s EVM ESSENTIALS contains all the nutrients we consider ESSENTIAL in balancing horse diets, providing New Zealand’s most affordable excellence in equine nutrition. EVM Essentials contains the same mineral levels as the popular EVM Premium Blend but without the extra vitamins that horses at rest or in light work rarely need. A single scoop provides all the minerals required to overcome deficiencies and balance mineral ratios along with a generous serve of essential vitamin E and biotin. Find out more at https://bit.ly/3J99jId

Equine Vit&Min TropiCAL Blend provides all the minerals often missing from the diet including extra calcium for horses grazing high oxalate tropical pastures. TropiCAL contains a blend of chelated and inorganic minerals with added salt, biotin and Vitamin E. Find out more at https://bit.ly/3uH0f8f

All Equine Vit&Min products give you the freedom to raise or lower your horse’s calorie intake (by feeding more or less hard feed) with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that mineral requirements are being met.

07/01/2024

🌿 Exploring the Somatic Connection 🌿

Ever wondered about the profound link between our bodies and well-being? A somatic approach, both with our equine friends and ourselves, sheds light on this fascinating connection.

🌟 For us humans, the somatic journey involves practices like mindfulness, yoga, or body-centered psychotherapy. It's about embracing the mind-body connection, recognizing how our physical sensations influence emotions, and nurturing overall well-being.

🐴 With horses, it's about tuning into their body language, understanding the impact of touch and movement, and fostering trust through physical interactions. It's a dance of awareness and empathy.

💡 Wondering how you can help horses with the somatic approach? Simple actions like observing their responses, offering a gentle touch, and creating a safe space can make a world of difference. Your mindful presence becomes a gift.

Let's embark on this journey of self-discovery and connection, where the language of the body speaks volumes. 🌈

05/01/2024

🌟 Sponsored Rider Search 🌟

Excitement is building as we kick off the quest for a new addition to the team in 2024! Applications are wide open to all horse and rider duos. If you're a lively, passionate rider committed to ensuring your horse's well-being, I'm eager to hear from you!

👑 THE SPONSORSHIP PERKS 👑
Regular equine bodywork sessions throughout the year (the total number depends on your horse's unique needs and competition schedule, with a minimum of 6).
- Diet checks
- Continuous support between sessions

👑 What I'm Seeking... 👑
- A lively, enthusiastic, and passionate rider dedicated to supporting their horse's optimal well-being through equine bodywork.
- An active social media presence; willingness to create content for and be featured across 's social channels and website.
- Residency in the Gympie or northern Sunshine Coast area.
- Enthusiasm to be part of a friendly, supportive team that has your back through all the ups and downs of the equestrian world!

Excited? Apply NOW through the link in my stories/bio on Instagram or here on Facebook: https://form.jotform.com/231823569782871

Applications are open until January 20th. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by February 1st, and our newest team member will be unveiled in early February!

👑 Good Luck!! 👑

04/01/2024

Reflecting on what makes us human is a journey into self-awareness, consciousness, emotions, and reasoning.

Our language, culture, and moral capacity weave a unique tapestry of humanity.

Surprisingly, when delving into the world of horses, not much difference exists. 🐎

They, too, showcase emotional intelligence, social awareness, and intricate communication. In acknowledging this, it’s clear that horses, like us, navigate a rich tapestry of awareness, emotions, and social connections. 🌈

02/01/2024

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

I'm absolutely thrilled to share that my dedication to making a positive impact is fueling a mission to actively seek out and support two deserving charities over the next 12 months.

Specifically, my focus is on organizations devoted to the rehabilitation and rehoming of horses, as well as those contributing to the incredible work of horses in therapeutic roles, such as RDA or therapy horses.

My aim is to contribute meaningfully to their vital work, ensuring the well-being and future of these much-deserving souls.

Through this support, I aspire to play a helpful role in fostering positive change in the lives of horses and the communities that care for them.

🔗 If you know of any deserving charities working towards these causes, please tag them below. I'm eager to connect and make arrangements with the successful two.

Let's join hands for a meaningful and helpful change in the lives of our much-deserving four-legged friends! 💙🐎

01/01/2024

Wishing you and your horses a joyful and prosperous New Year filled with good health, happiness, and many memorable rides ahead! 🥂🐴🎉

03/12/2023

What horse movie is your favorite, and what about it inspired you?

I’ll go first 😏

"The Black Stallion" movie really got to me with its beautiful portrayal of horses. The way Alec and the stallion bonded and faced challenges together hit home. I loved how trust and understanding were big themes in their relationship. It stuck with me, making me appreciate these connections with horses.

03/12/2023

After a whirlwind few months, I'm excited to share that I've adopted a more somatic approach, leading to meaningful changes in my horses. This transformation fuels my anticipation to integrate these methods into sessions, offering a profound experience for both the animals and participants.

After Christmas, I'll be reopening with a limited schedule.

Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to everyone for their incredible patience during this time. Your support means the world to me! 🥰

📸 Katrina Elizabeth Photography

04/10/2023

This is a bit of a hard post to put out there and I’ve sat on it for quite sometime. However the support I have gotten since July has been amazing and I’m super thankful for it and helping me get to where I am today and beyond 💕

Stuart’s findings…

GROSS PATHOLOGY:
Nutritional state: 3/5 BCS, with ample subcutaneous, intraabdominal and retroperitoneal adipose tissue and adequate muscling.

Preservation state: Good with minimally increased visceral tissue friability, carcass discolouration and odour.

Hydration state: Euhydrated as evidenced by moist mucous membranes and subcutaneous tissues. Mucous membranes: The gingival and conjunctival mucous membranes are pink and moist.

Spine: The proximal aspect of the left T3 and T4 spinal nerves are dark red (postmortem artefact). The spinal column is grossly unremarkable.

Stomach: Focally the glandular gastric mucosa adjacent the margo plicatus contains a single 1.5cm diameter, red, depression with irregular edges (erosion). The stomach is filled with a large volume of green fibrous organic material admixed with organic, bright orange, granular material.

Lungs: The lungs are discoloured dark red, incompletely collapsed with dense, rubbery parenchyma and a glistening pleural surface (pulmonary congestion and oedema). The tracheal lumen is completely filled with white stable foam (pulmonary oedema).

Heart: The left free ventricular wall width measures 35mm while the right free ventricular wall width measures 17mm, equating to a L:R free wall ratio of 2:1.

Gross morphological diagnosis:
Brain: Intraventricular cholesterol granuloma
Stomach: Minimal, focal, acute glandular mucosal erosion
Lungs: Moderate, regionally extensive, acute congestion and oedema

HISTOPATHOLOGY:
Spinal cord, cranial cervicothoracic (Block D): Multifocally up to 15% of axons in the dorsolateral funiculi are expanded up to 3-fold by clear spaces and occasionally filled with granular eosinophilic cellular debris (axonal degeneration).

Small intestine (Block C): Segmentally expanding the lamina propria of the small intestine are large, dense aggregates of eosinophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells (enteritis).

Lungs (Block A): Regionally up to 80% of alveolar spaces are filled with pale eosinophilic, homogenous fluid (pulmonary oedema). Diffusely the pulmonary vasculature is expanded by densely accumulated intraluminal erythrocytes (congestion). Multifocally up to 10% of alveolar spaces are partially filled with small aggregates of extravasated erythrocytes (haemorrhage).

Liver (Block A): The centrilobular sinusoids are generally markedly congested.

Kidneys (Block B): Multifocally the Bowman’s spaces of glomeruli contain homogenous eosinophilic
proteinaceous fluid. Diffusely the renal vasculature is moderately congested.

Spleen (Block A): The spleen is markedly congested.

Stomach (Block C): Focally the peripheral glandular mucosa is lost (erosion).

Cerebrum (Block F), Cerebellum (Block G): All tissues are histologically normal at the level of examination performed.

Histological morphological diagnosis:
Spinal cord: Moderate, segmental, subacute axonal degeneration
Small intestine: Marked, segmental, chronic eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic enteritis
Lungs: Marked, regionally extensive, acute pulmonary congestion, oedema and alveolar haemorrhage
Liver: Marked, generalised, acute centrilobular congestion
Kidneys: Moderate, diffuse, acute, congestion
Spleen: Marked, diffuse, acute congestion
Stomach: Mild, focal, acute erosion

FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Caudal cervical spinal cord axonopathy, enteritis and gastric erosions

Comments: The findings of axonal degeneration in the cranial cervicothoracic spinal cord are suggestive of central axonopathy. The absence of these findings in the caudal cervicothoracic spinal cord and lack of cerebral/cerebellar lesions suggests a focal insult to the axons at the level of the caudal cervical spinal cord. Differentials for these changes could include cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (Wobbler’s), focal trauma or intervertebral disc disease. The lack of gross lesions makes Wobbler’s the most likely differential in this case given the propensity for “dynamic” type Wobblers which are only evident at some stages of cervical vertebral column flexion/extension and may be missed at postmortem examination. Wobblers syndrome may cause pain, paresis and ataxia and could be an explanation as to the horse’s reluctance to ride in this case although it cannot be confirmed without corroborating clinical signs and/or grossly evident stenosis of the spinal canal.

The findings of marked segmental enteritis and mild gastric glandular erosions in this case are nonspecific and their clinical significance is unclear. Gastric ulcers are common in horses arising from stress, strenuous exercise or high energy diets and frequently cause an unwillingness to perform or be ridden. In this case gastric erosions are mild, and it is unclear if these have caused the unwillingness to ride indicated in the history. The enteritis identified was unexpectedly severe and could have led to clinical lethargy, hyporexia or colic signs however enteritis is not commonly considered a cause of unwillingness to ride. The large proportion of eosinophils in the inflammatory exudate of enteritis in this case could suggest parasitic or allergic aetiology, however no parasites were identified gross or histologically, making allergic causes more likely.

03/07/2023

A different kind of helping today 💕 ActivoMed rug and acupuncture

This little bull is recovering from liver fluke and the owners are doing everything possible to move him through it with the prosperity of survival.
I’m just happy to help however I can.