Aligned Equine Therapies

16/07/2024

Narrandera/Leeton and surrounds

There are a few spots available for this Saturday (20th)

▫️8.30am
▫️10am
▫️4.30pm

Contact me to book a spot ~ 0428294891 or Fb messenger

16/07/2024

Does your horse need a little TLC?
Equine sports massage therapy is just what they need to feel their best!

Why Choose Aligned Equine Therapies?

🐴Happy Horses: Massages help reduce stress and improve mood.
🐴Peak Performance: Keep your horse in top shape for competitions.
🐴Injury Prevention: Reduce the risk of injuries by keeping muscles flexible and joints mobile.
🐴Enhanced Performance: Improve circulation and muscle function for optimal performance.
🐴Faster Recovery: Aid in the recovery process by reducing muscle soreness and stiffness.

Book a session today and see the difference!
📞 Contact us at 0428294891

12/07/2024

"New Home Syndrome"🤓

I am coining this term to bring recognition, respect, and understanding to what happens to horses when they move homes. This situation involves removing them from an environment and set of routines they have become familiar with, and placing them somewhere completely different with new people and different ways of doing things.

Why call it a syndrome?

Well, really it is! A syndrome is a term used to describe a set of symptoms that consistently occur together and can be tied to certain factors such as infections, genetic predispositions, conditions, or environmental influences. It is also used when the exact cause of the symptoms is not fully understood or when it is not connected with a well-defined disease. In this case, "New Home Syndrome" is connected to a horse being placed in a new home where its entire world changes, leading to psychological and physiological impacts. While it might be transient, the ramifications can be significant for both the horse and anyone handling or riding it.

Let me explain...

Think about how good it feels to get home after a busy day. How comfortable your favourite clothes are, how well you sleep in your own bed compared to a strange bed, and how you can really relax at home. This is because home is safe and familiar. At home, the part of you that keeps an eye out for potential danger turns down to a low setting. It does this because home is your safe place (and if it is not, this blog will also explain why a lack of a safe place is detrimental).

Therefore, the first symptom of horses experiencing "New Home Syndrome" is being unsettled, prone to anxiety, or difficult behaviour. If you have owned them before you moved them, you struggle to recognise your horse, feeling as if your horse has been replaced by a frustrating version. If the horse is new to you, you might wonder if you were conned, if the horse was drugged when you rode it, or if you were lied to about the horse's true nature.

A horse with "New Home Syndrome" will be a stressed version of itself, on high alert, with a drastically reduced ability to cope. Horses don't handle change like humans do. If you appreciate the comfort of your own home and how you can relax there, you should be able to understand what the horse is experiencing.

Respecting that horses interpret and process their environments differently from us helps in understanding why your horse is being frustrating and recognising that there is a good chance you were not lied to or that the horse was not drugged.

Horses have survived through evolution by being highly aware of their environments. Change is a significant challenge for them because they notice the slightest differences, not just visually but also through sound, smell, feel, and other senses. Humans generalise and categorise, making it easy for us to navigate familiar environments like shopping centres. Horses do not generalise in the same way; everything new is different to them, and they need proof of safety before they can habituate and feel secure. When their entire world changes, it is deeply stressful.

They struggle to sleep until they feel safe, leading to sleep deprivation and increased difficulty.

But there is more...

Not only do you find comfort in your home environment and your nervous system downregulates, but you also find comfort in routines. Routines are habits, and habits are easy. When a routine changes or something has to be navigated differently, things get difficult. For example, my local supermarket is undergoing renovations. After four years of shopping there, it is extremely frustrating to have to work out where everything is now. Every day it gets moved due to the store being refitted section by section. This annoyance is shared by other shoppers and even the staff.

So, consider the horse. Not only are they confronted with the challenge of figuring out whether they are safe in all aspects of their new home while being sleep deprived, but every single routine and encounter is different. Then, their owner or new owner starts getting critical and concerned because the horse suddenly seems untrained or difficult. The horse they thought they owned or bought is not meeting their expectations, leading to conflict, resistance, explosiveness, hypersensitivity, and frustration.

The horse acts as if it knows little because it is stressed and because the routines and habits it has learned have disappeared. If you are a new human for the horse, you feel, move, and communicate differently from what it is used to. The way you hold the reins, your body movements in the saddle, the position of your leg – every single routine of communication between horse and person is now different. I explain to people that when you get a new horse, you have to imprint yourself and your way of communicating onto the horse. You have to introduce yourself and take the time to spell out your cues so that they get to know you.

Therefore, when you move a horse to a new home or get a new horse, your horse will go through a phase called "New Home Syndrome," and it will be significant for them. Appreciating this helps them get through it because they are incredible and can succeed. The more you understand and help the horse learn it is safe in its new environment and navigate the new routines and habits you introduce, the faster "New Home Syndrome" will pass.
"New Home Syndrome" will be prevalent in a horse’s life until they have learned to trust the safety of the environment (and all that entails) and the humans they meet and interact with. With strategic and understanding approaches, this may take weeks, and their nervous systems will start downgrading their high alert status. However, for some horses, it can take a couple of years to fully feel at ease in their new home.

So, next time you move your horse or acquire a new horse and it starts behaving erratically or being difficult, it is not being "stupid", you might not have been lied to or the horse "drugged" - your horse is just experiencing an episode of understandable "New Home Syndrome." And you can help this.❤

I would be grateful if you could please share, this reality for horses needs to be better appreciated ❤
‼️When I say SHARE that does not mean plagiarise my work…it is seriously not cool to copy and paste these words and make out you have written it yourself‼️

04/07/2024

Proposed calander for the beginning of July!

Get in touch to enquire or book an appointment

Messenger or 0428294891

28/06/2024

So excited to start using this red light therapy pad during my session, but of course I had to try it on my own horses first. This amazing pad has so much versatility in its placement allowing it be used on joints, the neck, the shoulder, the back and so many more areas.
I can’t wait to see the amazing benefits it will have on all your wonderful horses 😍

21/06/2024

An amazing picture of a bundle of nerves for the front limb 😍

Journey of the nerves (cont.)

This image nicely shows how large nerves have extra protection and cushioning from the fatty tissue that is within the connective tissue surrounding the plexus brachialis, the layer diminishes towards the periphery.

We can still see that all nerves are located within the fibrillar network of connective tissue, they are connected to it, and they do not run separately.

As the nerves travel to the final destination they have to cross different layers and spaces - I labelled pectoral nerves bringing innervation to the ascending pectoral muscle. It is nicely visible how those nerves are 'wrapped' within the connective tissue and the moist appearance tells us that there is a healthy amount of hyaluronan in it. That is so important to allow the nerve (as well as vessels) to travel through the layers, and move, and follow the movement of the muscle during contractions.

19/06/2024

What do you do with your horse before you give him/her 8 days off because you are away⁉️

Today I was back from a break and thought Jelly would look worse for the break as earlier this year a few days off and there would be obvious deterioration to mr. ⁉️

Before I left Jelly had a full bodywork/ABM session.☑️

Today I was very pleasantly surprised, I guess my treatments lead to some improvement as well as his fitness and strength 🙃

He was not only moving well for him, he offered a canter and his downward transitions were some of the best I have seen from him. 💜

A break is great and very very important however earlier in the rehabilitation process consistency is key✴️

I can vouch for this first hand since my lumbosacral disc issues. A day off exercise sets me back, too much exercise sets me back, it has taken 6 months of consistency (18mths since the hospital visit!!) to be able to have a day off and for my back not to be worse, let alone have a day of full comfort. 🙂

For Jelly it has been the same consistency of a 3-5 times a week, mostly in hand work when I am home to be able to have a week off and hold!! And it rained - that usually certainly means a backward step! 🙃

Focus of improvement 🤗
✅️ Consistency - even if it is 5-10 min of targeted exercises 3 times a week
✅️Know what works for your individual horse
✅️Know your horses physical strengths and weaknesses
✅️ A regular bodywork schedule (Jelly hadn't had a full treatment for a while but targeted bits in most work sessions)
✅️ Keep going, do what you can do, do what your horse can do physically, mentally, emotionally.
✅️ Explore options for you and your horse, it may not be what works for others and you may need to think outside the box.

These are many of the aspects we explore in the ONLINE Equine Functional Posture course 💖

02/06/2024

Has your horse been “off” lately? Wanting to make sure they are feeling their best? Wanting to improve their performance? Want to reduce musculoskeletal pain?

Get in touch to book an appointment. Utilising equine sports massage and red light therapy torch.

Benefits:
⭐️improve proprioception
⭐️enhance relaxation
⭐️improve circulation
⭐️reduce tension and discomfort
⭐️increase range of motion

Contact my page or on 0428294891

01/06/2024

This will be an amazing course if anyone is interested in attending, contact Mel 😁

Are you in NSW and want to learn equine manual lymphatic drainage?

Manual lymphatic drainage is a technique that focuses on the lymphatic system and improves the movement of lymph in the body. This is vital for muscular health and supports immunity.

Horses that may have congestion or reduced lymphatic movement might be showing signs of:

-Swelling
- Lethargy
- General discomfort
- Stiffness
- Poor recovery from training

Horses that benefit from lymphatic drainage can include:
- diagnoses of lymphedema

- Horses on box rest
- Horses that travel a lot
- Sensitive horses
- Older horses

This workshop is for owners and therapists and over 2 days we will be looking at:

- How the lymphatic system functions
- what makes up the lymphatic system
- Applying manual lymphatic drainage

I am taking expressions of interest to run a workshop at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

In September (tentative dates of 28th and 29th).

This is a great facility as you can bring your horse!

Tamworth you may also be able to bring your horse (venue TBC)

The workshops needs a minimum of 8 to go ahead.

31/05/2024

23/05/2024

Red light therapy
Many people ask me what this contraption is when I pull it out and use on their horses during a session. This contraption is an amazing red light therapy torch from Equine Therapy Products.
It has many benefits including reduced pain and inflammation, increase healing, circulation and lymphatic drainage, and improved muscle recovery, collagen production and tissue regeneration just to name a few.
I find it very beneficial for horses that require a more subtle touch to help stimulate the healing of injuries and reduce pain or contribute to the benefits of a massage.
Today I used it on my mare who has a history of issues in the sacroiliac region in which I have found she much prefers the subtle touch of the red light rather than a massage. I loved watching her response during the session but it was her response after she was returned to the paddock and allowed to process the effects of the red light that really captivated me.
I offer sessions using red light whether for muscle injuries, ligament or tendon injuries, wounds, pain, inflammation or arthritis.
Contact me if your interested in learning more or booking a session

18/05/2024

Do you ever wonder if I’m death staring you during a session?
Do you ever wonder what I’m looking at?
Here’s what I see and am completely fascinated with. While I am focusing on what is happening underneath my fingers, I am also watching the subtle changes in the horses face that suggest relaxation and release of tension.
The softening of the eye, slow blinking, relaxation of the nostrils, twitching of the muzzle, and so many more…
Do you find this as fascinating as I do?

15/05/2024

Here’s the plan for the next few weeks. Get in touch to book an appointment, for enquiries or other availabilities 😊

09/05/2024

REA Hygain Riverina Dressage comp - CSU Equine Center

I’ll be floating around the dressage comp this weekend. If you are needing your horse looked at, notice something isn’t quite right or just want to make sure they are feeling their best before you hit the arena send me message or give me a call

0428294891

Wishing all competitors the best of luck!

29/04/2024

And just like that I am planning for May…
This year has been of to an amazing start meeting new people and horses and challenging my knowledge to problem solve issues that arise in the horses very complex body.

If you horse is experiencing pain related behaviours or just wanting to spoil your horse, contact me today

24/04/2024

Lest we forget

On this day, we remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country. Today, we pay tribute to the Anzacs and their enduring spirit of courage and resilience.

We will remember them

19/04/2024

Canberra!
I have spots available for a trip to Canberra, with regular trips planned in the future!
If you’re interested in treating your horse with a massage, red light session and stretches contact me!
0428294891 or messenger

13/04/2024

🗓️April dates
Have a concern with your horses performance? Want to spoil your horse with a massage?
Contact me to secure a spot!

09/04/2024

Preparation before movement 💃

The importance of activating the deep prevertebral (muscles closest to the skeleton) before activation of the larger superficial muscles (bit of a long sciencey post but I've tried to keep it simple!).

I am referencing this information from Dr Nichole Rombach on Motor Control Based Rehabilitation for Equine Spine Dysfunction. One of the topics she discussed was the function of the deep prevertebral muscles and their importance in dynamic stability.

Bear in mind a lot of this information is still mostly anecdotal and primarily based on human studies but it is likely that similar principles apply in the horse.

Nichole explained the theory of Dynamic stability which is achieved by a combination of feed-forward ↪ and feed-back ↩actions.

Feed-forward 🧠➡🐎 action is the anticipatory function allowing deep muscles to activate before movement, they 'prepare/stabilise' the body.
Feed-back 🧠⬅🐎action responds to sensory input from mechanoreceptors, nociceptors (pain), proprioceptors and gives feedback to the brain on where the body is, and how movement should be executed.

Feed-forward and feed-back actions must function together 🔄 for optimal movement. Dysfunction may occur when feed-forward activation of the paravertebral muscles doesn't occur, therefore, communication with the feed-back action is lost...therefore stability is lost😵‍💫. When there is a lack of stability, the proprioception mechanism is affected and results in hypo (less) or hyper (more) mobility.

When deep muscles atrophy, superficial muscles tighten to compensate for the lack of stability which should be the primary role of the deep muscles. This is where we may see horses that have overdeveloped superficial muscles, such as the brachiocephalic (underdeck muscles) as they now need to work as stabilisers AND movers, which they are not designed to do (this also has to do with muscle fibre type but I won't delve into that). This is also why these muscles are often sore as they are working over time.

If you're completely lost after all of that🤯, in a nutshell, the deep skeletal muscles are important for stability💪 and need to be activated first in order to complete a larger motion. This can be achieved through slow and specific exercises which I am able to teach you during a session (shift back and rebalance is a common one I teach). Think of it as strengthening the chassis of a car so the wheels can turn and move safely and easily. Below is an image highlighting some of these larger superficial muscles and some of the paravertebral muscles in the neck.

01/04/2024

Hope everyone had a lovely long weekend. Here is my schedule for the 2.4.24 - 13.4.24

Contact me if you have an enquiry or to make a booking 😊

29/03/2024

Happy Easter everyone!
Hope you all get some time to spend with your four legged friends!
Enjoy a snippet of our relaxing ride through Pomingalarna.
Looking forward to seeing some of you next week 😊

24/03/2024

It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get in the saddle, but when I do you can guarantee it’ll be on my trustee STB out on the trails 🐎

Comment what horsey adventures you got up to on the weekend

23/03/2024

What an amazing duo my wonderful client and her horse Hemi make!
She had a few concerns during his session last week but Hemi must have been feeling his best because they came out with a first and third at their dressage comp that weekend!

I love hearing how you and your horses are after a session, whether competing, training, trail riding or just simple changes you’ve noticed.

How lovely are these photos of Chloe and Hemi 😍

20/03/2024

This is a great example of my beyond a massage series talking about pole exercises. This is a raised single pole that is working various areas of the body and mind.

It is recommended to start with a pole on the ground first 😊

Single raised pole exercise (and of course at liberty for Lider 😉👌)

Look what he is doing with his body as he works out what he needs to do to complete the task.

✅Joint flexion and increased flexor muscle activity on the raised leg
✅Control of the legs and body around the feet on the ground
✅Lowering of the head and neck, to a functional balancing position
✅Lift of the back

Yes he's muddy and if you zoom in you can see my toe as I do the same task!!