SonoVet Equine Therapy

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SonoVet Equine Therapy

We run this page with the aim of helping you enjoy your relationship with your horse to the fullest and learn more about equine health, training and nutrition.

Our products are of highest quality,used and recommended by top level professionals worldwide Visit our website: www.sonovettherapy.com.au
SonoVet Sports Therapy

25/11/2025

Warming up is essential for a horse to feel and perform at its best.
Horses are among the few athletes—alongside humans—regularly flown across long distances to compete. Recent research on equine travel and performance has shown that long-distance transport can influence muscle recovery, circadian rhythms, hydration, and overall athletic output. All the more reason to support our equine athletes with proper preparation and warm-up routines.

Whether it's the start of a new show season, the beginning of a conditioning program, or maintaining form during a busy competition circuit, helping your horse feel comfortable in its body is key. A horse that feels good going into the arena is far more likely to perform well.

Why Warm-Up Matters

A good warm-up reduces the risk of exercise-related injury and delivers multiple benefits:

Raising body temperature increases blood flow to working muscles.

Loosened muscles and tendons improve range of motion and help prevent strains to tendons and ligaments.

Warm muscles can contract and relax more efficiently during intense work.

A well-prepared horse dissipates heat more effectively during exertion.

A simple but effective warm-up plan includes five minutes of walking, followed by five minutes of trotting, before progressing to more demanding work.

The Role of Liniments & Massage

Applying a cooling liniment or lotion before warm-up—especially when massaged in by hand—is an excellent preventive measure for soft-tissue strain. Massage stimulates healthy circulation, supports tissue oxygenation, and helps protect tendons and ligaments from inflammation.

Witch hazel, a plant long recognised for its circulatory benefits, is a common and effective ingredient used for this purpose.

Large muscle groups in the hindquarters and back also benefit greatly from pre- and post-exercise massage. Since more than 60% of a horse’s body is muscle, soreness can appear after hard schooling sessions, trail rides, or competitions. Using your palms and fingers to work in a cooling liniment can relieve stiffness and keep your horse more comfortable.

BioCina Liniment helps identify sore muscles by gently “lathering” over tender areas, revealing tight spots under the saddle or along the back. Not only does it bring relief, but it also highlights areas needing attention—an invaluable tool for maintaining comfort in performance horses.

Don’t Forget Rest Days

Giving your horse a day off every third or fourth day is important for long-term soundness. Continuous work without rest can lead to chronic fatigue, increased susceptibility to illness, and a higher risk of soft-tissue injury.

A fatigued horse may stumble, interfere, shorten its stride, or compensate in unhealthy ways. When movement becomes inconsistent, the chance of lameness increases significantly.

Small Techniques That Make a Big Difference

Roll a tennis ball coated in cooling liniment into tight muscles for extra leverage

Apply liniment to a halter’s crownpiece to relieve a tight or sore poll

Warm liniment under a hot towel to loosen cold muscles

Use under ice to support fresh injuries

Apply beneath wraps, with magnets, or ceramic fibre therapy

Rub along the back before saddling (won’t make tack slip—no added oils)

Paint on soles to ease stone bruises

Supporting Equine Athletes, Every Ride

Recent studies on transported performance horses show that good management—including warm-up, cool-down, and soft-tissue care—can improve post-travel performance and recovery. In short: horses that feel good, perform better.

SonoVet Equine Therapy is proud to be Australia’s only nationwide stockist of BioCina pH-neutral Herbal Liniment—a highly effective, gentle, and competition-safe preparation trusted by professionals.
Contact us for prices and specials—we're always here to support your equine athletes.

www.sonovettherapy.com.au/product/krauter-liniment-herb-liniment

19/11/2025

Head-Shakers & Head-Tossing Horses … Physical Problem or Behavioral Issue?

Head-tossing in horses can often be traced back to poor handling, ill-fitting tack or training issues. Because head-tossers are difficult to ride 'in contact,' it’s essential to identify and correct the root cause before pushing forward with further training — otherwise, you risk creating long-term behavioral and health problems.

While head tossing can be a normal social behaviour (especially when horses play), if a horse starts tossing or shaking its head when being led, brushed, ridden, or driven, this may signal a genuine disorder. When it’s caused by physical pain (like nerve issues, dental pain, or saddle pressure), the condition is often referred to as headshaking, and it can severely affect performance — even render a horse dangerous to ride or touch.

In many cases, rhythmic headshaking is worst in the spring and fall and intensifies with speed. The pattern often involves an initial twitching in the muzzle or nostrils, followed by a violent upward thrust of the head — sometimes above horizontal — before relaxing again. By contrast, head-tossing tends to be more random, smoother, and in various directions.

As a natural behaviour, tossing the head is used by horses as a form of communication — like play signals or invitations — but when it occurs in handling or riding, it usually means the horse is unhappy: maybe the bit is too harsh, a rider’s hands are too strong, spurs are misused, or commands are unclear.

The underlying medical causes of headshaking are not yet fully understood, but pain (for example, trigeminal nerve irritation, dental problems, or muscular pressure from a poorly fitting saddle) is often involved. When a horse feels discomfort, its options are limited: it can either comply … or resist — and resistance can lead to serious behaviours like persistent tossing or even rearing.

Good horsemanship is the cornerstone of preventing such issues. A training approach tailored to each horse’s sensitivity level — especially when introducing contact with the bit — is critical. Instead of forcing the head down, we should encourage the horse to find a soft, forward-down posture gradually, in very small steps, once the contact is relaxed and accepted.

When headshaking or head-tossing starts, identifying the underlying trigger is vital. Early intervention (such as removing painful stimuli or adjusting tack) can help resolve the issue. But once the behaviour has become ingrained, working with an experienced rider or trainer who understands how to retrain and desensitize is often necessary.

Retraining tends to be most effective when the horse’s neck is straight. Riding in a forward-down, slightly rounded frame on a soft contact can help retrain many horses — once you’ve removed the source of the problem.

www.sonovettherapy.com.au

18/11/2025

💚 Is your horse feeling stiff, tight or not moving as freely as usual?

Weather changes, age, training, long periods of standing or little paddock knocks can all leave them feeling tense or sensitive. That’s when something simple, natural and easy to apply makes all the difference. ✨

💚 Meet MSM Recovery Gel
A lightweight topical formulated to support comfort and daily mobility.

Made with:
✔️ MSM (sulphur compound)
✔️ Devil’s Claw extract
✔️ Cooling menthol

Absorbs fast • Easy to apply • Perfect after work or during periods of stiffness.

💬 Owners love how quickly it becomes part of their routine — from older horses to performance horses to paddock accidents.

👍 Just massage in a small amount once or twice daily — a little goes a long way.

More info + real customer stories:
🌐 www.sonovettherapy.com.au/product/msm-recovery-gel

🌐 www.facebook.com/SonovetEquineTherapy/reviews

17/11/2025

💚 Is your horse feeling stiff, uncomfortable or not moving as freely as usual?
Changes in weather, intense training, age, long spells of standing, or minor knocks in the paddock can all leave your horse feeling tight, tense or sensitive in certain areas. Many owners notice little signs — a shorter stride, reluctance to bend, or just not quite being themselves.

That’s when having something simple, natural and easy to apply can make all the difference. ✨

💚 Meet MSM Recovery Gel

Our MSM Recovery Gel was created for owners who want a practical, topical option to support their horse’s comfort and daily mobility.

Formulated with:
✔️ MSM – a naturally occurring sulphur compound
✔️ Devil’s Claw extract
✔️ Cooling menthol

The lightweight gel absorbs quickly and is designed to be used during periods of stiffness, after work, or whenever your horse needs a little extra support. Many owners tell us they love how easy it is to apply and how their horses enjoy the gentle massage that comes with using it.

💬 What horse owners are sharing

We regularly receive messages describing how the gel has become part of their routine — from older horses needing a bit of extra care, to performance horses after training days, to youngsters recovering from everyday paddock mishaps.
You can read many of these shared experiences here on our page and on our website. 🐴✨www.sonovettherapy.com.au/product/msm-recovery-gel

👍 Simple to use

Just massage a small amount into the area once or twice daily, depending on your horse’s needs. Only a little is required each time, which is why one bottle goes a long way.

If you’d like to learn more or read customer stories, you’ll find them here:
🌐 www.facebook.com/SonovetEquineTherapy/reviews

14/11/2025

How about this for a clever DIY project? A mobile mounting block – nicely done! 👏

www.sonovettherapy.com.au

12/11/2025

Hold Your Horses! The Importance of Teaching Young Horses to Stand Still

When it comes to starting a young horse, most people think about rhythm, straightness, forward movement, or even collection. Yet one of the simplest — and most overlooked — lessons is teaching a horse to stand still.

And standing still doesn’t mean tying a horse to a post and waiting until it gives up. That can easily create fear and tension, leading to dangerous reactions later in life when the horse feels trapped or confined.

True education means helping the horse understand that being still is safe — that nothing bad will happen while it waits quietly. This simple confidence becomes invaluable for everyone who will handle the horse in the future: the groom, the rider, the vet, or the dentist.

Consider this: what happens when a horse gets caught in a fence? The instinctive reaction is to pull back — often with panic — which can result in serious injury. Or imagine being out on a trail when a kangaroo suddenly jumps out of the bush. Which response would be safer — a horse that stops and assesses calmly, or one that spins and bolts, leaving the rider behind?

Calmness, trust, and confidence are the foundations of every young horse’s education. Overcoming the natural flight instinct is far more important than teaching any advanced movement.

One evening, while feeding time approached, one of the young horses was noticed standing quietly at the far end of the paddock — unusual behaviour for one normally first at the gate. When checked on, he was found with a front leg caught over the fence wire. Remarkably, he stood relaxed, waiting calmly for help. His leg was loose and easy to lift, and once freed, he trotted happily off to his dinner.

Through gentle and patient handling, he had learned to remain calm when something restricted his movement — even to the point of softly testing how to free himself. On many occasions since, he has managed to untangle himself without panic.

Sadly, many horse owners have witnessed serious or even permanent injuries caused by panic when horses become trapped. Teaching young horses to stand quietly and to trust in calm handling can prevent these tragedies.

So, take the time to invest in this simple but essential lesson. Be patient, kind, and consistent. Once a horse learns that standing still is safe — whether being brushed, examined by a vet, or caught in an unexpected situation — life becomes much easier and safer for everyone involved.

Happy riding, everyone! 🙂

www.sonovettherapy.com.au

11/11/2025

Here’s a great exercise to try with your horse today! 🐴
If your horse tends to rush or get a bit strong instead of staying soft and supple, this one’s for you. 🙂
The black line is ridden in trot, the green line in canter. Focus on using your seat as much as possible, keeping your hands light and soft with every aid.

www.sonovettherapy.com.au

07/11/2025

Found the perfect little storage project — just in time for the weekend! 🙂 Now to talk the family’s skilled handyman into building it…

www.sonovettherapy.com.au

04/11/2025

Is your horse anxious, timid, nervous, or showing irrational behavior—such as being aggressive towards you or other horses, seeing “ghosts” everywhere, tensing up, and wanting to bolt or buck?

Does your horse seem angry every time you ask for an exercise or even just when being approached, despite the vet assuring you there’s no soreness, the saddler confirming a perfect fit, and you having put endless hours into groundwork and desensitizing with no sign of improvement?

Imagine you being scared of a certain situation or nervous about being in a crowd (whether for good reason or not). Would it help if someone forced you into that same situation over and over again? Or would it make you even more nervous, knowing that more pressure will be added to something you already can’t cope with?

Please have a read of the following article and see if you recognize your horse’s behavior…

Nerves of Steel – How What You Feed Can Have a Tremendous Psychological Impact on Your Horse

Often, horses express discomfort and pain in ways that scare or upset their riders. Besides problems caused by a poorly fitting saddle, unsuitable bit, or hoof issues, horses may also suffer from pain created by suppressed, pinched, or inflamed nerves, movement blockages, or even toothache.
Because horses can’t speak to us, their attempts to communicate are often misunderstood.

However, most of us have no idea that discomfort and pain can also be caused by our feeding regime!

Fizzy Due to Lack of Nutrients

Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling already showed that nutrient deficiencies can first affect psychological health. Research in human nutrition science has proven that, for example, lack of vitamin C can lead to indifference, personality changes, and even depression. Deficiencies in the vitamin B group can cause neurological disorders, sometimes as severe as suicidal tendencies. Magnesium deficiency is linked to panic attacks and heavy sweating, and severe zinc deficiency can lead to schizophrenia.

We can’t look into our horses’ souls, so we can only draw theoretical conclusions. But it’s reasonable to assume that certain nutrient deficiencies have similar effects on a horse’s psychological state as they do in humans. This article explores that assumption and connects nutritional imbalances with behavioral changes.

Nutritional Imbalances

Too little roughage leads to acidification. Chewing hay produces alkaline saliva, helping to balance pH. Acidic metabolism can lead to irritability, tension, and discontent.

High grain diets increase cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol over time can affect neurological and mental function, as well as concentration.

Excess protein that isn’t absorbed in the small intestine is broken down by bacteria in the colon, producing biogenic amines (like histamine, cadaverine, or tyramine) which can act like mild hallucinogens and cause abnormal behavior.

Spoiled or contaminated feed (especially oats) can contain fungi or bacteria that release metabolites damaging to the nervous system.

Damage to the Body’s Detox Organs

Contaminated feed, protein excess, obesity, or infections can weaken the liver and kidneys. When these organs can no longer detoxify efficiently, toxins enter the bloodstream and may affect the brain—leading to lack of concentration, irritability, or even aggressive and unusual behaviour.
Feeding concentrated, high-quality herbs to support liver and kidney function can have surprisingly positive effects on your horse’s mind and behaviour.

Carbohydrate Metabolism Disorders

Deficiencies in trace elements such as zinc, manganese, or chromium can disturb carbohydrate metabolism, reducing performance and increasing stress sensitivity. High-starch diets raise the need for vitamin B (essential for starch breakdown), but when gut flora can’t produce enough, deficiencies follow.

Yeast Builds Strong Nerves

Performance horses need higher levels of vitamin B—especially B1 (thiamine) and B6—to stabilize nerves. Thiamine deficiency can lead to confusion, disorientation, and awareness issues.
Yeast is an excellent source of B1 (whose absorption depends on adequate manganese levels).

Vitamin B12, which requires cobalt for production, is crucial for nerve cell structure. B12 deficiency can lead to nerve dysfunction and even dementia (in humans).
B6, also abundant in yeast, helps convert tryptophan into serotonin—the “happiness hormone.”

Magnesium for Nerves of Steel

Stress, growth, exercise, and malnutrition can cause magnesium deficiency, which manifests as fear and nervousness. Magnesium is vital for muscle and cellular metabolism.
Young horses, especially during training, traveling, or first competitions, are at risk because stress increases adrenaline, which in turn depletes magnesium. Fear and tension often trigger stronger rider reactions, adding even more stress and further magnesium loss—a vicious cycle! Reducing stress and supplementing magnesium are key.

Zinc to Fight Ghosts

Did you know that zinc deficiency can cause visual misinterpretations? Eyes require a significant amount of zinc!

Manganese Creates Courage

Good-quality hay usually supplies enough manganese, a trace element crucial for the nervous system. Manganese deficiency interferes with vitamin B1 function and can indirectly cause psychological issues.

If you recognize some of this behaviour in your horse, we recommend looking at our product NervoMag, which safely provides all the essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements—human grade, with no cheap fillers or doping substances.

Europe’s top riders have trusted NervoMag for decades to help their horses stay calm and focused, even under the most challenging conditions such as travel, competition, and frequent environmental changes.

NervoMag comes in a 925g tub for A$139 plus shipping.

www.sonovettherapy.com.au/product/biocina-nervomag

01/11/2025

Looking for a fun and simple training idea for you and your horse? 🐴✨
Here’s one we think you’ll love!

You’ll need just 6 ground poles or cavaletti. This exercise can be done at the walk, trot, or canter — just remember to adjust the distances for your horse’s size, stride, and the gait you choose. Start with wider spacing and a slower tempo, then fine-tune things as your horse gains confidence and skill.

This pole work is great for helping your horse:
✅ Improve focus, curiosity, and mental flexibility (they won’t know which direction you’ll choose next!)
✅ Increase suppleness, bending, and hind leg engagement
✅ Strengthen the lower back
✅ Develop better straightness

We hope you give it a try — and don’t forget to share with your friends or riding club! 💕
Find more training ideas on our page or visit: www.sonovettherapy.com.au

Big thanks to Vicki Rubly for the inspiration! ❤️

30/10/2025

💚 When calm horses make confident riders – that’s NervoMag.

We may be a small, family-run business, but when top riders choose NervoMag over free products from big brands, we know we’re doing something right. For decades, professional riders across Europe and Australia have trusted NervoMag to help their horses stay calm, focused, and ready to perform — naturally.

🐴 Why NervoMag works:
Stress, tension, and anxiety can make horses spooky, reactive, and tight through their muscles. When adrenaline stays high, the body can’t relax — muscles stay stiff, focus fades, and even digestion and joints can suffer.

That’s where NervoMag helps. Its unique blend of clean, pharmacy-grade magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, and fossil algae silica supports both mind and body.
With added L-Tryptophan and Tyrosine, it also helps horses who carry tension or anxiety from past trauma — supporting emotional balance and helping them rebuild trust and confidence.

🌿 What makes NervoMag special:
✨ Promotes relaxation without dullness
✨ Helps reduce reactivity and nervous tension
✨ Supports muscle recovery and flexibility
✨ Backed by 20+ years of success with riders from Olympians to trail enthusiasts

💬 “I’ve been using NervoMag on my mare for 4 months — the change is unbelievable! She’s calm, focused, and no longer anxious at shows. Brilliant product!” — Jennifer Wood

Over 80% of new NervoMag customers reorder because they see results — often bringing back the calm, happy horse they remember.

💚 NervoMag — created with your horse’s wellbeing at the heart of everything.
📦 925g tub (approx. 6–8 weeks’ supply) – A$139 incl. GST + postage.
👉 Order online: www.sonovettherapy.com.au

28/10/2025

🌿 Dry, Sensitive Skin? We’ve Got You!

Say hello to soft, protected skin with our natural oil & herbal extract balm. Packed with provitamin B5, witch hazel & cistus, it helps regenerate skin and boosts natural protection—without any nasties!

✨ Why You’ll Love It:

Free from microplastics, silicones, parabens, dyes, perfumes & artificial flavours

Perfect for eczema, dry patches & sensitive areas (corners of the mouth, crooks of the fetlocks, mane comb, tail base, udder and more!)

💆 How to Use:
Massage gently into affected areas daily or as needed. Remove flakes or crusts if necessary.

🐴 Exclusive to SonoVet: www.sonovettherapy.com.au/product/cxevalo-skin-care

100ml pump – A$35

Australia-wide flat shipping – A$10.20

Address

Kookaburra Drive

4553

Telephone

+61467251806

Website

https://sonovettherapy.com.au/

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About us and our page..

We hope you enjoy the information and exercises you find on our page. We run this page with the aim of helping you enjoy your relationship with your horse to the fullest, and learn more about equine health and nutrition. However, please note that the information provided on this page is of a general nature, and does not replace veterinary care and advice. Please note also that exercises and other activities shown should be practiced in a safe environment, with consideration for the rider/handler’s competence, and the horse’s level of education and other individual needs.

Check out our website to learn more about SonoVet, our history, the Team, and unique supplements that are exclusive to SonoVet and are used and recommended by the world’s leading riders and trainers. If you are looking for doping free, highly efficient, pure and clean supplements to support your horse check out our online store www.sonovetequinetherapy.com.au

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