Balanced Equine Performance

16/07/2026

Love this study!!! Just in case anyone is wondering about the prognosis of their dogs after a ivdd episode. Acupuncture can be really helpful and medical management is absolutely possible. Supportive care, pain management and appropriate treatments can be life changing!!
Even though my business name says equine I do also treat smallies so please yell out if you’re interested!!

For many years, decompressive surgery has been considered the treatment of choice for non-ambulatory dogs with thoracolumbar IVDD.

But is that truly the case?

A prospective cohort study from the University of Cambridge suggests that the question of conservative vs surgical management for IVDD isn't quite as straightforward as we may have thought.

Researchers followed 72 small, non-brachycephalic dogs that were managed conservatively after acute thoracolumbar disc extrusion.

Their findings are exciting:
• 96% of dogs that still had deep pain sensation regained the ability to walk within 12 weeks.
• 48% of dogs that had lost deep pain sensation also regained ambulation in 12 weeks.
• Recovery occurred even in some dogs with severe spinal cord compression, and was not dependent on complete resolution of the compression seen on MRI.

This doesn't mean surgery is no longer indicated. Surgery remains an important treatment option and may still be the best choice for many patients.

What this study does suggest is that conservative management should not automatically be viewed as a poor alternative when surgery isn't possible because of financial, geographic or medical constraints. For many dogs, it represents a realistic treatment pathway with the potential for positive outcomes.

As always, treatment decisions should be made on an individual basis, considering the dog's neurological status, imaging findings, overall health and the goals of the family.

Reference:
Khan S, Jeffery ND, Freeman P. Recovery of ambulation in small, nonbrachycephalic dogs after conservative management of acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion. J Vet Intern Med. 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2603-2611. doi: 10.1111/jvim.17149. Epub 2024 Jul 25. PMID: 39051966; PMCID: PMC11423491.

July is IVDD Awareness Month - be sure to tag us in your success stories, educational posts and more so that we can share them on!!


Paw Prosper Walkin' Pets Help Em Up Harness FitPaws

17/06/2026

I am including more small animal work these days and if I had enough interest would be open to vaccinations for our doggo/cat community as well however thinking I probably need a name change 🥴
Looking at ideas - I have loved having ‘balanced’ in my name because that’s how I would like the animals I work on to be. Unfortunately every dick and Harry now has ‘balance’ in their name.
Not super keen on ‘holistic’ so I’m at a loss as to another business name that will include smallies and horses, veterinary and abm/treatments. Hit me up!
Photo of our corgi for fb tax!

11/06/2026

Mel Fleming clinic is this weekend!!! We still have 1 rider spot free if anyone is interested and auditors are welcome - $95 per day 🙂 More information here

Develop Optimal Biomechanics for Horse & Rider - to ensure a Healthy, Happy Horse, a safe Balanced Ride and Athletic Performance

24/05/2026

Haven’t posted much recently because I’m quite busy but thought I would just mention that I am now also including small animal in my treatments so please let me know if you have a dog that needs some work!! Picture of my corgi for attention!!!

14/05/2026

Just a reminder that the early bird special finishes tomorrow! Anyone interested in coming along please jump on and register!!! It is at Springfield so will be indoors and is 13-15 June :)

CONNECTION, FEEL & BIOMECHANICS -
GROUNDED BEGINNINGS COURSE

Springfield VIC - June 13-15.
Springfield Equestrian Park

Your JOURNEY to JOY with HORSES starts here.
The link with all the details is in the comments.

For the best price (save $100) register and pay before May 15th.

08/03/2026

Just a reminder! We don’t have Medicare for our animals. We do have pet insurance otherwise unfortunately we have to deal with having to make decisions sometimes that we don’t want to due to cost. We as the veterinarians are always aiming to look after your pets to the best of our ability but can’t always do it within your budget which is as devastating to us as it is to you.

09/06/2025

For those wondering about colic and going to surgery. These are the indicators we will often use to tell us if we need to rush to surgery or it is something that can be managed in the field.

26/04/2025

Today I've put on my brave pants because equine welfare is important to me.... as is being kind, compassionate, supportive and understanding to my fellow riders. This topic is emotionally charged, but it's a conversation that is necessary and sticking our heads in the sand won't help ourselves or our horses.

🧠 Fat Shaming vs. Equine Welfare: Let's Clear This Up 🐴

In the equestrian world, conversations around rider size can quickly become uncomfortable. But here's the thing: talking about load limits isn’t about fat shaming — it's about equine welfare. There’s a big difference between targeting a person’s body shape and discussing what a horse can physically carry without risking pain, injury, or long-term damage.

📣 Your amount of body fat or how much you weigh does not need to be discussed. In fact, a tall muscular person can weigh more than a shorter person who has higher adipose tissue (bodyfat).
This is not a conversation about anyone’s worth, appearance, or character. It’s about physics and biomechanics (which is measurable and does not change), and the welfare of our horses.

📊 The Research Is Clear
Multiple studies support the 20% rule: horses should carry no more than 20% of their bodyweight, including tack and rider. Beyond this point, horses begin to display observable signs of stress and unsoundness — regardless of how balanced the rider is or how well the saddle fits.

🔬 Key Findings

✅ Clayton (2020) found that even with a balanced rider and appropriate tack, horses showed increased gait asymmetry, higher heart rates, and signs of discomfort when load exceeded 20% of their bodyweight.

✅ Greve & Dyson (2013) observed that exceeding this threshold often led to lameness, saddle slipping, and altered movement patterns, even in well-conditioned horses.

✅ Powell et al. (2008) demonstrated that horses carrying 25–30% of their bodyweight had significant increases in muscle soreness, heart rate, and fatigue compared to those carrying 15–20%.

⚖️ Yes, There Are Other Factors Too
It’s not just about the numbers. Factors like the age of the horse, their back health, fitness level, the type and duration of activity, and rider skill and balance all matter. A fit, skilled, and light rider may impact a horse less than an unbalanced one — but weight is still weight, and the research shows even the best riders cannot eliminate the risk once past the 20% threshold.

🤝 No Room for Bullying
There is absolutely no place for abuse, bullying, or humiliation of riders. Conversations around appropriate rider-horse matching must be sensitive, kind, and thoughtful. It’s essential to create space for honest, supportive discussions without shame.

🐴 But We Must Do More to Protect Our Horses
Our horses can’t speak up when they are struggling. It is our duty to advocate for them, to keep their welfare front and centre, and to ensure they are not placed in situations where physical harm is inevitable.

If you’re unsure whether you're within your horse’s safe load limit, consider:

✅ Weighing yourself and your tack

✅ Knowing your horse’s actual weight (not just guessing)

✅ Speaking with a vet, bodyworker, or qualified saddle fitter

✅ Exploring different breeds or horse types that better match your riding needs

🥰Let’s keep these conversations kind, factual, and horse-centred.
Protecting our horses is not up for debate.