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The Holistic Horse SA

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Australia
McLaren Vale, SA
The Holistic Horse SA

Equine Sports Therapist offering a holistic approach to horses through bodywork, training & coaching.

27/11/2024

Long post and story ahead - buckle in.

After 5 years and enough $$ spent that could have probably been a second house deposit, I have finally received a solid diagnosis for Bentley…

He has been diagnosed with a condition known as Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation, commonly known as ECVM.

This is something he was born with, and there are a few variations and it can affect horses in different ways. Essentially, Bentley has a unilateral malformation of his 6th and 7th neck vertebrae on the right side of his neck. This means that he does not have the normal attachment points for large tissue structures that would normally offer stability through the lower neck. Because of this, his muscles have attached differently, and formed different neural pathways, therefore his body compensates to account for this.
The way that this has been showing up recently for Bentley is intermittent short striding with his right forelimb which can be dependent on his neck and head position, and an overactive nervous system, meaning he gets very stressed, tense and anxious easily. This causes an overall body tightness and we have never been able to have any consistency with his workload, ever since he was started under saddle.
Previously, this has also potentially manifested as hindlimb lameness, spookiness, muscle asymmetry, recurrent ulcers, foot soreness .. who is to know what is linked and what isn’t. However, he has shown me time and time again, how the body needs to be looked at as a whole horse approach.

I have been very quiet about my struggles with Bentley’s undiagnosed lamenesses that have seemed to move around his body. It has been emotionally, physically and financially draining. I have had countless vets, diagnostic tests, radiographs, ultrasounds, gelding manipulation scar procedures, animal communicators, clinics, farriery work, physiotherapists, chiropractors, even surgery - you name it, I’ve done it. And now, I would like to spread awareness and support to those who may be fighting their own battle with their horse’s soundness.
I know how it feels to be at a loss and to feel like you have to continuously advocate and fight for your horse.

Keep looking, keep searching and keep advocating for your horse. The universe will have a way of leading you to your answer. When I look back, everything makes sense and there were little signs along the way that make so much sense now.
However the final piece to our puzzle was attending a clinic run by Thirza Hendriks. She looked at his neck radiographs (which were previously declared normal), and noticed the abnormality. She gave me so many answers, that just linked everything together. This then led me to have his neck re xrayed, and a confirmed diagnosis. For this, I am eternally grateful, and she has given us a rehabilitation plan to see how Bentley copes. I am so happy with the little team that Bentley has currently and the support going forward.

Does the diagnosis suck? Absolutely. It is probably one of the worst case scenarios. Will he struggle with it for the rest of his life? Yes, probably. Will I be able to ride him again properly? Maybe, maybe not. He will probably always have inconsistency, and I have to be realistic with his capabilities and my expectations.
However, I find relief in finally having a diagnosis, and now have a whole new level of empathy for Bentley. We have a plan for now and will continue with some gentle in hand work, to try and focus on building strength in the right areas to support his body the way he needs it.

Thankyou Bentley for always being a brilliant communicator and for never giving up on trying to tell me what is going on. It hasn’t always been easy, but despite the amount of discomfort he had to have been in at times, he has always been a horse that has held it together to the best of his ability.
I didn’t get what I “wanted” or expected in Bentley, however I obviously got what I needed. If it wasn’t for him; my knowledge, my horsemanship, my eye for detail, and my business, all would never have progressed the way they have.
He is the reason for my business, why it is called it The Holistic Horse, and why my logo is his face outline. He sent me on a path I never knew existed. I just hope I can continue supporting him and other horses, hopefully with a little less heartache.

If anyone would like to read up on the condition, here are a few links that may be helpful:

https://www.ecvmallbreeds.com/wat-is-ecvm

https://www.thirzahendriks.com/post/the-un-balanced-horse

If anyone wants to just chat or vent about any struggles they are having with their horse, I am just a message away.
Horses are hard enough, let’s try and spread awareness, knowledge and kindness within the industry, and continue providing the best for our favourite companions 🦄🫶🏼

03/10/2024

" Jumpers bump" no, it's not ideal, and yes, you need to be seeking answers if this is your horses topline through the lumbar and pelvis areas.

From an equine therapists' perspective, a jumper/hunter's bump requires careful consideration because it often indicates deeper issues with the horse’s musculoskeletal system. Key factors include:

1. Pelvic Misalignment: A hunter's bump suggests potential misalignment in the sacroiliac joint, which can affect the entire spine and gait.

2. Compensation Patterns: The horse may develop compensatory movement patterns to avoid pain, leading to strain in other areas such as the back, neck, or limbs.

3. Muscle Tension: Chronic muscle tension or spasms may develop around the affected area, exacerbating discomfort and restricting motion. But their could also be many further away issues within the body that need addressing.

4. Chronic Injury or Instability: Repeated strain, micro ligament tears, or trauma could indicate instability in the sacroiliac joint, leading to recurring pain or dysfunction if not properly addressed

5. Treatment Approach: Osteopathic treatment would involve addressing both the immediate area of the bump and the related structures to restore balance, relieve tension, and improve mobility.
Foot balance could also be an issue.

6. Prevention of Further Damage: Corrective therapy, coupled with a suitable exercise program, is important to prevent worsening of the condition or compensatory injuries.

Holistic assessment of the horse’s posture, gait, and overall alignment would be central to managing this condition from an osteopathic viewpoint.

30/09/2024

𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 🎃

September has worked out to be the busiest month for Holistic, welcoming new clients and fully booked weeks 😱

Thankyou so much to all my clients for their ongoing support 🤍

October is filling up fast with the first two weeks fully booked, please send me a message and let me cater to your horse’s needs 🫶🏼

21/09/2024

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 🪽
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘪𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨…

Rick showing us all that connection is key 🤎

17/09/2024

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 & 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿
𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 🕊️

Sweet girl Freedom had a bodywork treatment done this morning to address any areas of tightness, tension, restriction or pain.

I love taking and comparing before and after photos for my clients, and these are documented in your session reports. 📝
I find it really cool to notice the differences in both one session, as well as months down the line! 🫶🏼

Depending on the level of work, I generally find monthly maintenance sessions for most of my clients tend to be the sweet spot - this is to make sure any areas of tension, tightness or compensation gets addressed before it becomes pain and injury. 🐴

How many positive differences can you spot in these photos? 👀

Currently taking bookings for October 🤍

01/09/2024

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 🫶🏼

Welcome Spring! 🌿🌞
Bringing your horse back into work after the winter period? Now is the best time to get your horse seen to!
Make sure you are starting out on the right hoof by booking in bodywork, lessons or training for your horse 🦄

September is filling up quick, so please get in touch if you are considering an extra helping hand with your horse’s fitness or training 🩷

* For all my clients that have regular ongoing lessons, I have tentatively booked you in to ensure a time for you 🥰

14/07/2024

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 & 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿
SWIPE ⬅️ for before and after of the chest of his beautiful gelding in one session 🦄

Massage, nerve release and myofascial work done on the chest and forelimb to release the tightness and restriction in chest muscles to realign the sternum and allow the forelimbs to stand square and even 🥹🫶🏼

08/07/2024

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 & 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 🫶🏼
𝘔𝘰𝘦 🦄

Look at these changes! 😱
This is after three bodywork sessions, each one month apart.
Positive changes include:
✨ Overall stance with his front legs able to stand straight and square.
✨ The angle of his spine is now neutral and not sloping down towards the wither.
✨ The downwards pelvis tilt has improved.
✨ His hindquarter is less pointed and more round.
✨ His topline atrophy has improved dramatically!
✨ His neck is fuller in all the right places.
✨ He is able to stand comfortably with poll and wither at the same height.
✨ The ribs are inflated and his core is engaged.
✨ The neck is no longer being sucked into the thoracic/shoulder junction.
✨ The facial expression is softer.
✨ The pectorals and chest are lifted and no longer sagging.
✨ He is able to stand more centered with his hind limbs and not under himself.
And what you can’t tell from the photo is that he no longer has forelimb lameness, or holds his tail stiff off to one side!

Moe is on a monthly maintenance bodywork schedule after working through some body and postural issues. His lovely owner has been putting in the work and I must not discredit all the behind the scenes care he receives. He still has a ways to go, however the improvement in body and mind speak for themselves 🤎

A maintenance schedule may look different for each horse, and it is important to factor in, at a MINIMUM, work load, previous injuries, discipline, environment, and even personality for each horse when deciding what their schedule looks like. 📋

Don’t wait until your horse is showing signs of discomfort, behavioral problems or even lameness - catch those small changes in tension and patterns early, and save the 💰💰 in the long run!

Such a sweet boy and always a pleasure to treat 🥰

23/06/2024

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 🐴
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴

Operant conditioning is a learning process used in behavioral science to modify outcomes and behaviours. It is highly utilised when training and interacting with our horses, whether we realise it or not! 🧠

It is of high importance that anyone interacting with horses, especially trainers, understand the four different quadrants and how they are used during training. It is not uncommon for people to hear the word “negative” and associate that term with punishment or a bad outcome, however that is not the meaning of the term at all. 🙅🏽‍♀️

The goal is to always try and create relaxing, thoughtful environments in which animals can learn and thrive, whilst fitting into the world of humans. It is our job to create that for them through ethical training, knowledge and understanding 🫶🏼

Which of the four quadrants do you use when training? If you need any clarification or particular examples, please comment below 👇🏻🦄

10/06/2024

𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 🫶🏼
The three main environmental fundamentals, also known as The Three F’s, are not just a want for your horse, but a necessity!
These are known as Freedom, Forage and Friends 🦄

If you are experiencing problems with your horse, whether that be physical or behavioral, it is very important to address that all their baseline needs are first being met.

𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 🐴
Horses are social, herd bound creatures. Their survival instincts warrant them to utilise their herd in such a way that creates security and safety. Horses develop very close bonds with other horses, and have a very intricate social structure. Their communication system relies on subtle body language and visual cues to detect danger. Not every horse is going to get along with one another, however this does not mean that isolation is the answer.. It is still very important to consider herd dynamics and an abundance of resources (food, water, etc) when providing friends for your horse. However, when horses are provided a responsible choice to develop these social structures in the way that they need, many behavioral and stress related problems can be minimized, if not resolved.

𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 🌱
The digestive system of the horse is designed in such a way that requires the horse to be almost always eating. Chewing creates saliva, which acts as a buffering agent to assist in neutralizing stomach acid. Therefore if horses aren’t chewing, saliva is not being produced and the stomach acid becomes even more acidic. This acidity in the stomach can cause stomach ulcers, resulting in pain, behavioral changes, poor performance, colic, weight loss and more. That goes without saying the effect of what food withholding can do to the horse mentally, potentially causing resource guarding and aggression.

𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 🐎
Which leads us last to freedom. Horses need room to move, but that is not all that freedom entails. It is the means to which the horse has free choice to act in a way of which it chooses, and have the space and options to do so. The horse is able to have the choice to gallop or roll, eat or sleep, groom and explore, as they see fit. This freedom allows for many health benefits through all aspects; physiologically, mentally and emotionally. When provided from the beginning, freedom prevents the likelihood of issues arising, such as behavioral vices, poor social etiquette, and physical ailments including stiffness, gastrointestinal problems and repetitive injuries.

Providing all of these things for your horse is a great starting point in addressing a species appropriate lifestyle that keeps them happy, comfortable and sound both physically and mentally 💚

07/06/2024

𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘭 🦄

The muscle of the month of June is The Medial Gluteal! The medial gluteal muscle is located in the hindquarter of the horse, and is one of the largest, most powerful muscles that the horse has! It is also one of the most common muscles I find tightness, restriction and pain responses. 😣

The medial gluteal is one of three muscles that make up the gluteal muscle group of the horse, largely shaping the croup of the horse. It mainly originates from the lateral aspect of the ilium, and inserts onto the greater trochanter of the femur. Therefore, the main function of this muscle is to extend and abduct the hip joint, as well as assisting in elevation of the front end of the horse. 🐴

Because of it’s facial connection to the longissimus dorsi, the large muscle spanning the horses back either side of the spine, dysfunction of the medial gluteal can contribute and showcase itself as back pain. I don’t think I am yet to meet a horse with back pain, that also doesn’t have gluteal pain! 🤯

Medial gluteal pain in your horse may be affected by:
• Sacroiliac dysfunction
• Poor posture
• Weak thoracic sling
• Lack of core strength
• Poor hoof angles
• Spinal problems such as kissing spines
• Poor saddle fit/rider balance
• Lower limb injuries

Which may present as:
• Toe dragging
• Generalised pain over the hindquarter
• Lack of hind end impulsion
• Hypertrophied hamstrings
• Problems collecting or jumping
• Hunters bump
• Uneven striding
• Reluctance to saddling
• Lack of range of motion and unable to stretch hindlimbs
• Not tracking up
• Uneven wearing of hooves
• Poll/TMJ problems
• Atrophy of the gluteal muscle group
+ more!

If you believe your horse is presenting with gluteal dysfunction, please contact your veterinarian to rule out any injuries, followed by your bodyworker for relief of pain and tightness, coupled with strengthening and suppling exercises 🫶🏼

12/05/2024

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 & 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 🫶🏼
𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘺 🦄

This is beautiful Benny that I saw yesterday for his second bodywork session with me.
How lovely is his liver chestnut coat! 🤎
Him and his owner have made leaps and bounds with their connection and exercises, and I am so happy to see his body slowly unwinding, and his personality shining 🌟
Benny will have another follow up session in 6 weeks time; meanwhile they have exercises and stretches to continue on with in that timeframe.

04/05/2024

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 🫶🏼

After some lovely rest and rejuvenation on holiday to the sunny Port Douglas and Brisbane, I am more than ready to dive straight back into growing my little business 🌞

As of Monday 6th of May, I will be back treating and training horses, and supporting you all in the best way that I can. I am offering a range of services including maintenance and injury related bodywork, red light therapy and kinesiology taping, postural training and rehabilitation, groundwork and ridden lessons on and off property, problem solving, float training, exercise and training rides, and more 🦄

Main appointment days are Monday mornings, Tuesday afternoons and all day Saturdays, with some times available in between these. Please get in contact with me to organise your sessions, especially while the weather is working in our favour 💚

06/04/2024

𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 🫶🏼

Just a reminder to current and future clients, I will be away on holiday from Saturday April 20th - Monday 6th May.
All inquiries and future bookings will still be managed, and I will remain contactable 🥰

If you are wanting an appointment with me before these dates, there are very limited appointments available so please reach out so I can make sure I can fit you in! 🩷

30/03/2024

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 🐰

My horses and I would love to wish all my clients and their ponies a very happy and safe Easter!

I have just ended my third month after starting my little business, and it’s definitely been my busiest yet! Thankyou all for supporting my business and helping make my dreams come true 🫶🏼

29/03/2024

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 & 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿
𝘙𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵 🤎

I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of their Easter long weekend! 🍫
Work has continued for me here at Holistic Horse, with the day spent with more beautiful horses and their owners. Here’s another example of a lovely before and after comparison of a very sweet boy, Mr Rupert, who I met for the first time today. 🦄

Rupert has lovely owners that are very dedicated and in tune with his needs. Upon initial assessment and palpation, I noticed that Rupert had areas of scar tissue and restriction in his right pectoral muscles and fascia, and a rotated sternum, which in turn was pulling his elbow in towards the midline. This restricts his movement and reach with this forelimb, causing compensation patterns.

In turn, because of the rotation of his sternum, the rib cage is bulging to the right, and the spine is out of alignment down near the lumbar, also pulling and tilting the pelvis! This is why a full static and dynamic assessment is extremely important, to make sure that the root cause of the issue is addressed.

After one treatment, he is much more open through his neck/shoulder junction, his scapula has dropped and his wither is elevated. His elbow is away from the midline with the sternum closer to normal rotation, causing more range of motion through this forelimb. The forelimbs are now standing straight under him, his spine is aligned and the pelvis tilt is no longer as drastic, causing him to also stand softly and square behind. 🥰

Treatment consisted of myofascial and nerve release, light manual muscle work, stretches, red light therapy, and mental relaxation work. His lovely owners now have follow up mental relaxation and physical exercises and stretches for homework, and another session will be performed to continue unwinding his body and getting it out of a state of chronic tension 🩷

Address

McLaren Vale, SA
5171

Opening Hours

Monday	7am - 7pm
Tuesday	7am - 7pm
Wednesday	7am - 7pm
Thursday	7am - 7pm
Friday	7am - 7pm
Saturday	7am - 7pm
Sunday	7am - 7pm

Telephone

+61432428690

Website

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𝗕𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘆 🦄 Having known what myself and this horse have gone through for the past four years, it feels amazing to have gotten to the point where I can jump on and actually train my horse without rehab in mind 🤎 Bentley sent me down a path I never expected - He has provided the sweat, tears and emotional turmoil that has taught me to learn, grow, advocate, and think outside the box. He is the main reason I went down this career path, and has greatly influenced the way I structure my bodywork and training sessions thus far. 🥰 I know how it feels to be alone and not know what path to take with your horse next. Whether that be with soundness, behavioural or training issues, I have been there. My promise to all the horses I lay my hands on through bodywork or training, is that I will always advocate for them, and help their owners do the same. I will continue to learn, grow and develop my feel in a way that will hopefully benefit and nourish these partnerships. Even if I don’t have all the answers just yet, I will at the very least be there for support. 🫶🏼 On another note, Bentley’s trot and canter work really shined through in this session, getting true engagement and connection. Thankyou Bentley for giving me a lovely ride. 🤎

𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 🐣🐰🍫 I have decided to work the public holidays and provide all services on these days. Although Saturday is fully booked, I have availability on both Good Friday and Easter Monday. This can include body work sessions, postural groundwork, regular groundwork and lessons, training done by me on both the ground or ridden, or addressing problem areas such as mounting, float training or behavioral 🦄 Please get in touch for bookings 😊🫶🏼 #theholistichorsesa #easter #goodfriday #eastermonday #horse #horsetraining #horselessons #coaching #horsecoaching #equinesportstherapy #equinemassagetherapist #equinesportstherapist #equine #bodywork #equinebodywork

𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘺 🦄 They say that if you take away all the ropes, tack and contraptions, you are left with the truth. Here, Bentley is showcasing some of his “truth” when it comes to how he feels about participating in the training session. At liberty, this horse gives me the best feeling. He is safe and he is connected. I really do feel, deep down, we strive for this type of connection with our horses. You do not need force. You do not need harsh training tactics. You do not need the strongest bit or all the gear. I am here to tell you that you just need a willingness to learn, the ability to let go of all you think you know, and be open to what you can learn to know. The patience to take the time it takes, and an understanding that your horse has the capacity to give you all that you are after, if you slow down and allow it. Enjoy 🫶🏼 #bentley #warmblood #theholistichorsesa #horse #horsesofinstagram #liberty #horseliberty #horseconnection #equinesportstherapist #horsetrainer #horsemassagetherapist #libertytraining #positivereinforcment