There are definitely some ideas that I like to keep out of social media, that I save for just conversations between myself and my clients.
But this I feel is one I want to throw out there, especially given Equitana this week…
There is a concept running through the Equine Physio and Bodywork world that has me a little baffled. I see it being beneficial to riders, but not so much to the horses.
The concept is
“if the walk is not perfect, don’t trot. If the trot is not perfect, don’t canter”.
This concept baffles me.
The walk, trot and canter and 3 individual gaits with 3 individual foot falls.
Each gait creates different degrees of lateral motion, axial motion and flexion-extension through the spine. Each gait creates different pressure through the abdomen and diaphragm. And each gait loads different elements of the horses body.
The only linear difference in the gaits is speed….
Ie: the trot is faster than the walk, and the canter is faster than the trot.
But what does that have to do with enhancing your horses’ biomechanics?
I have heard people argue “balance” concepts with me, but that also doesn’t act in a linear way. You can have a horse very well balanced in canter, with a terrible trot.
Just watch the gaits your horse chooses to have in the paddock.
If you understand the spinal motion in a horse, you can actually use the 3 gaits to your advantage. For example, studies have shown that pelvic range of motion and thoracolumbar flexion-extension range of motion was greatest at canter, with lateral bend and pelvic range of motion at its lowest in trot.
This means a horse with a weak lumbar spine and weak pelvis can actually use canter as part of its rehab to build up hind end strength.
Horses at trot are actually more likely to be inclined to throw their weight onto the forehand if it’s not being recognised, meaning you can trot for years and not build up their back and pelvis like you want.
Are there conditions where canter is not
Our Water Treadmill FAQ's.
How do I get started❓
We have to have knowledge of your horses body before it goes in the treadmill - otherwise we risk flaring conditions, or making little progress. Horses need to have had an examination on their body done within the 3 months prior - by a Vet, registered Osteo, Registered Chiro or Registered Physio.
If this hasn't been done, we do this for you as part of their first visit.
How often does it need to be done ❓
Horses can be booked for as frequent, or infrequent as you like. At the end of the day the frequency needed comes down to your horse and what you want to achieve and improve. There is no magic number or one size fits all approach, it's all individually tailored. We also offer short-stay programs for rehabilitation.
What water do you use ❓
We use filtered salted water. The water is filtered and recycled through our system, and changed on a regular basis. The salt aids in keeping the water healthy, and also provides anti-inflammatory properties.
Do you put nappies on the horses❓
No we do not. Studies show it alters the motion of the back and pelvis, and as such we have chosen to go without.
What conditions is it used for ❓
Nearly everything - rehabilitation as well as general conditioning.
Its' biggest strengths lie with core engagement, pelvic motion, increasing joint motion and increasing stride length.
This would be - increasing topline, managing kissing spines, joint arthritis, spinal weakness, sacroliliac and pelvic conditions, as well as muscle development and fitness conditioning.
What horses cannot go in the treadmill❓
Horses have to be 1 week post any joint injections.
Horses cannot have open wounds or be unwell.
Horses also have to be of a handled nature.
Is it the same as a water walker❓
Most definitely not. The treadmill allows us to control speed - which gives us control over spinal posture and stride length.
Water walkers also have static water depth. The treadmill allows us
Our treadmill has been working hard these past weeks! 😴 We’ve been targeting sticky stifles, weak backs, injuries, core engagement, conditioning, improving joint range of motion and so much more….. There’s some hard working horses here! 👌💪
Our Equine Water Treadmill is UP & RUNNING! 🥳Over 6 years ago I travelled to the USA 🇺🇸 to complete my certification in Equine Rehabilitation. I saw the treadmills being used there and made this a dream goal. ❤️🙏To now have one to benefit all our patients is BEYOND EXCITING! Exercise rehabilitation and body conditioning is a huge component of a successful rehabilitation (and prehab) plan. I can’t wait to now take our treatments to the next level 🥳A massive thank you to the awesome team of supporters we have that helped build every part of this dream. With the worlds biggest THANK YOU to Damien (MW Property Services) who did every component- site cut, concrete, shed, design and plumbing. If you need an equine project done - he’s your man! ✅All of our horses have been up to task and smashing it thanks to MultiCube Stockfeeds and Inside Out Equine Health
What is a big reason a lot of treatments fail?
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
Anything in life requires consistency
✅ Piaffe takes consistency
✅ Sitting trot takes consistency
✅ Gratitude attitude and healthy eating take consistency
✅ fitness requires consistency
So what causes a lack of consistency with treating horses?
‼️ taking on board too many peoples' opinions.
Treatment plans between practitioners, and especially in the horse world, rarely align. Everyone does things differently.
Find your people, stick to them and follow their plan.
Your ideal practitioner should value your goals, your financial constraints and not be afraid to hold your hand through the turbulence that will ultimately follow trying to get your horse right.
These days opinions are everywhere, and practitioners are often considered disposable.
Everyone loves to make their opinion heard, but few people will be there to put their name to a job, hold your hand and guide you through it all.
Knowledge on something is very different to experience with something.
Stop giving yourself unnecessary grief and upset.
Think carefully about who you let in, and what you take onboard.
You are doing your best. 💙
Muscle. Muscle. Muscle! 💪
Ensuring your horse develops healthy muscle can actually save you money and stress long term!
There is a HUGE difference between muscle and fat in terms of its’ function and your horses health. But sometimes all people see is a "round, shiny horse" and think the goal has been hit.
❌ wrong! A round horse could have well developed, healthy, strong, pliable muscle...
Or a round horse could be made of consistently fat.
And what you feed will play a huge role in dictating whether your horse lays down fat or improves it's muscle.
👉 the next biggest factor behind this, is exercise.
The biggest effect you're going to find is their ability to cope with work.
👉 horses with healthy, pliable, dense muscle will cope with an increasing work-load and in turn may need less overall feeding and less muscle maintenance (such as body work)
👉 horses made of more fat will have a lower exercise tolerance, will exhaust easier and may get sorer/ tighter easier ....
Are there other factors that may influence this? 100%
But here is my experience.
My goal is to build dense, healthy, functional muscle. I am lucky enough to know about and have access to Erika Inside Out Equine Health and these are the results I have noticed 🥳
I am using
✅ Hemp ProMega
✅ EquiFlax
✅ Gastralign
✅ Performance Plus Mineral Pellet
Using these supplements in conjunction with my MultiCube Stockfeeds products has been a game changer for my horses health and soundness. 💚
🥳 We can't contain our excitement anymore!🥳
We are increasing our prehab and rehab services with the addition of our very own
🌟 Equine Water Treadmill 🌟
This has been a career goal for us, especially for us to be able to run it alongside a whole host of other treatments, experiences and qualifications.
This will be up and running in August!
There will be more information to come in the following weeks, so watch this space 🤩
Equitana Melbourne 2024 📣. It’s time to shake things up 😎. Pain in the ridden horse has to be one of the most talked about subjects recently - coupled with rehabilitation, holistic approaches and whole horse.It’s time we had a thought 💭 provoking chat about this…. 😏Join me at Equitana 2024 - Friday November 15th 🙌#equitana2024 #equitanamelbourne #horsehealth #horsevet #foodforthought #equinerehabilitation
📣 Shout-Out 🥳
To these two companies. You are allowing us to chase our dreams in a way that completely fits with our management beliefs and goals ❤️
MultiCube Stockfeeds - you have been behind me and my horses for years, and we have never looked back. I cannot thank you enough for continuing to believe in us and back us, no matter where our journey takes us. We all know how much I believe in these hay products and believe they are the backbone to a successful diet 🐴
Inside Out Equine Health - your products compliment our current management so well and they have been the final piece for us. I’ve never felt more confident in my horses abilities to stand up to what we are chasing. Not to mention your continued support and nutritional advice when I ask for help!
I’m so excited for the next 12 months (and more!) 🥳
⭐️ Water Treadmill ⭐️ Pain Management ⭐️ Balance Dentistry ⭐️ Rehabilitation & Shockwave ⭐️
