A Plus Equine Bodywork

12/08/2024

What does a stressed horse look like? 🐴

I think most people would be confident in identifying a horse who is so stressed they have gone into a fight/flight response. Bolting, spooking, broncing, rearing, snorting etc, very loud behaviours. But what about beyond that?

When a horse becomes stressed and fight/flight behaviour doesn’t work to get them out of the situation, where does that stress go? We need to be careful that when we think we’re achieving relaxation, we’re not actually pushing a horse into a shut down state. They can look outwardly calm but they are in fact still feeling stressed about the situation, they’ve just learned there is no way out.

A really common misconception I hear is horses who won’t load, they just plant at the bottom of the ramp and will not be moved. People will say “he’s clearly not scared, he’s just stubborn, look he’s going to sleep”. If a horse stands unmovable, closing his eyes while someone hauls on his face and someone else chases him from behind, believe me he is scared and he is desperately trying to cope with a situation he has learned is inescapable.

Sometimes horses who don’t outwardly express their stress through loud behaviours can be struggling more. I used to help my friend care for her extremely quiet, laid back cob on a livery yard. They ended up not being allowed out of their stables for 2 weeks straight one winter, and while many horses were exploding and box walking, he would just stand quietly at the back of his box and make no fuss. Around this time he started to be a little bit shifty at the mounting block, it turned out he had developed severe stomach ulcers from the stress of being in. I think of this often when I see quiet horses.

When we are training we really need to consider the horse’s emotional wellbeing throughout the process, not just what the end result looks like to us. Only with context are we able to tell if our horse is truly okay with something or if they have perhaps shut down a little to cope with something they were finding too stressful. There is a whole spectrum of stress and behaviour, it is not just a case of a shut down horse is shut down about everything, or that an anxious horse always has to feel anxious.

Many horses are living with a high level of chronic stress in their daily lives that affects them not just emotionally but can hugely impact on their physical wellbeing too. Sometimes a large part of the answer to our issues is not where we’re looking. If we can reduce the level of stress our horses may be experiencing overall, we can see improvements in areas we perhaps wouldn’t think are linked.

I will be talking about all of these ideas in my webinar next Monday 16th December at 7pm, sign up here: https://www.yasminstuartequinephysio.com/webinar-train-your-eye-helping-your-horse-to-thrive 🐴

12/08/2024

12/05/2024

One of the biggest things I see is people wanting to know what to do for an underdeveloped topline…

Well let me tell you what, an avid rider hates to see me coming because the first thing I’m going to tell you is to GET OFF OF THE HORSE’S BACK.

Get out of the saddle and stay out of the saddle until the muscle comes back.

You don’t build a topline by riding… meaning,

You can’t strengthen something that isn’t there to begin with- so if your horse’s top line musculature is depleted, you aren’t going to fix the problem by riding.

You add a rider once you have foundational muscle.

And I think that’s where the disconnect lies. Riders, trainers, breeders etc. have all convinced themselves that underdeveloped muscle is just fine and they call it ‘fitness’.

If you want real results you have to do real work.

You start building muscle once you’ve stopped the pain cycle. Once you’ve addressed tensional patterns.

Look at the situation for what it is.

These horses are started too young, they’re ridden in tack that doesn’t fit with restrictive training aids that don’t allow for the appropriate muscles to build and engage. On top of that, most don’t receive enough natural movement in their routines because they’re confined to a stall.

The formula is easy folks. We’ve created the problems. Just modify a few things and you’d be surprised how good that horse’s topline looks. You don’t need to make it harder than it has to be.

Poor topline= get off the back

⭐️You can check out my ‘rehabbing the topline’ freebie here- it has a few helpful tips. This is something I’m going to be going into a lot more detail about in a project I’m working on🤭 stay tuned

https://stan.store/abequinetherapy?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabvCH-69u_CN5SKDBf_5lM_kU4dalF5a3AYGjMygLAsth4hFe7RApPEV-s_aem_hjVz7GmOrGgBeRkAWuE9hw

12/02/2024

Did you know that walking your horse over different types of terrain is more than just a fun way to mix up your rides? It’s a fundamental part of keeping them healthy, balanced, and mentally sharp. Here’s why:

Your horse’s hoof is packed with thousands of nerve endings, constantly sending information to their brain about the ground beneath them. This sensory feedback helps your horse adjust their balance and movement, keeping them safe and steady. Walking on varied surfaces like grass, gravel, sand, or hard-packed dirt stimulates these nerve endings, improving their awareness and coordination.

Proprioception is your horse’s ability to sense their body’s position and movement. It’s like their built-in GPS! Training on uneven or unpredictable surfaces challenges their proprioception, helping them learn to navigate tricky footing while staying relaxed and confident. This is crucial for everything from trail riding to advanced arena work.

How Can You Start?
👉 Incorporate short walks over different terrain into your routine.
👉 Encourage barefoot time if appropriate, to let those hooves work naturally.
👉 Combine this practice with gentle stretching or groundwork for a full-body workout.

Walking over varied terrain isn’t just exercise—it’s therapy for your horse's mind and body. Give it a try, and you’ll see how much they appreciate it! 🐴💪

Have you noticed any changes in your horse when introducing different terrain? Share your experiences in the comments below! 🌟

11/30/2024

It’s !

Support small businesses this holiday season and make a difference to someone! Even things like liking and sharing social media posts and writing reviews on Google and Facebook are fantastic ways to give support.

Tag your favourite small businesses below and give a shout out!

11/29/2024

I can’t say enough good things about Holly’s programs! Her Foundations of Fit program is a must have for anyone who works with horses. The better trained your eye is to assessing saddles AND the horse’s posture and how the two work together, the better you are able to work with your saddle fitter and save some of the headaches that come with addressing saddle fit.

And the Interobreath is just the icing on the cake. Breathwork has done more for helping me relax and reduce stress than anything else I’ve tried.

https://augustequine.com/live-training?am_id=ashley2116

For Black Friday, you can use the code ASHLEY to save big!

11/28/2024

Have you ever observed your horse stretching, arching their back, or yawning in a way that seems almost like a human stretch? This behavior is known as pandiculation, and it's an essential, natural action that plays a vital role in your horse's physical well-being. 🐴💫 But what exactly is it, and why is it so important?

Pandiculation is the term used to describe a specific movement pattern where animals—including horses—stretch their muscles, yawn, and tense their bodies in a coordinated way. You’ve probably seen your horse perform these stretches after they wake up from a nap, while you're grooming them, or following exercise. It's a kind of "full-body stretch," often involving a slow, deliberate arch of the back, a stretch of the legs, and sometimes a yawn or a shiver. This behavior is instinctive and serves several key purposes in maintaining their health and comfort.

Why Do Horses Pandiculate? 🤔

Pandiculation is not just an adorable quirk—it’s actually a very important behavior for a horse’s overall well-being. For horses, this action has several functions:

Muscle and Joint Maintenance: Pandiculation helps to maintain flexibility and mobility. When a horse stretches its muscles in this full-body way, it increases blood flow to the muscles and joints, which is crucial for maintaining muscle tone and joint health. Just like how we stretch after a long period of sitting, horses stretch to prevent stiffness and to keep their muscles working efficiently.

Relieves Tension and Reduces Discomfort: After long periods of standing, resting, or even exercising, pandiculation helps release any built-up tension in the muscles. This natural movement acts like a reset button for their body, helping to alleviate muscle tightness, reduce discomfort, and improve posture.

Helps with Coordination: Stretching the muscles also engages the nervous system, helping the horse become more aware of its body and movements. It prepares them for the next activity—whether it’s moving around the pasture or engaging in more physical work. It’s their way of “waking up” their body and ensuring they’re ready for action.

What Does It Mean When Your Horse Pandiculates? 💖

Pandiculation is not just a sign of physical health; it also communicates a lot about your horse's emotional state. Horses are highly sensitive creatures, and their body language tells us a lot about how they’re feeling.

Relaxed and Comfortable: If your horse is pandiculating in a relaxed setting—after waking from rest or during a grooming session—it generally indicates that they’re comfortable and content. This kind of behavior often happens when a horse feels secure in its environment and has no immediate stressors or discomforts.

Physical Comfort: A horse that frequently pandiculates may be telling you that they’re feeling physically well. Horses that experience stiffness or pain may avoid these stretches, so regular pandiculation is often a sign that your horse’s muscles and joints are in good condition.

Mood Signaling: In some cases, a horse might use pandiculation to signal they’re ready to engage with you or their environment. It’s a way of "warming up" their body, just like we might stretch before a workout or a walk. It’s a signal that they’re preparing to move, and it often comes after they’ve had a period of rest.
In essence, pandiculations are a sign of a happy, healthy, and physically comfortable horse.

When you see your horse stretching or performing these big, full-body movements, it's more than just a cute gesture—it’s an important behavior that benefits their overall well-being. 🌱🐴

Next time you see your horse stretch or yawn, remember: it’s not just about comfort—it’s about keeping their body in peak condition. So, don’t be surprised if you catch your horse in the middle of a big, relaxing stretch—they’re simply taking care of themselves! 🙌💖

11/27/2024

Today, my horse enjoyed his routine acupuncture session, and it reminded me how incredible this ancient practice is for promoting health and well-being. Acupuncture, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. These points are located along energy pathways known as "meridians," which connect to various organs and systems. The goal is to balance the flow of "Qi" (pronounced “chee”)—the vital energy that sustains life and keeps the body functioning in harmony.

So, how does it actually work? The insertion of needles stimulates nerve endings, muscles, and connective tissues, triggering a cascade of beneficial effects. These include increased blood flow, the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals (like endorphins), and the relaxation of tight or overworked muscles. Acupuncture also communicates with the nervous system to reduce inflammation, support the immune system, and promote overall healing.

For horses, this can mean relief from chronic conditions like arthritis, improved mobility, faster recovery from injuries, and even help with digestive issues or allergies. Many equine athletes benefit from acupuncture as part of their training regimen, as it can improve flexibility, reduce soreness, and keep them performing at their best.

For my horse, these sessions have become a cornerstone of his wellness routine. They help him feel more comfortable, reduce tension, and maintain a relaxed, balanced state—both physically and emotionally. I’ve seen firsthand how even subtle improvements after acupuncture can make a huge difference in his comfort and performance.

If you’ve ever been curious about trying acupuncture for your horse, I can’t recommend it enough. If you’re in Southwestern Ontario, Roxane Pardiac is incredible! It’s a gentle, non-invasive therapy that works in harmony with the body’s natural healing processes. Have questions or experiences with acupuncture? Share them below—I’d love to connect! 🐴✨

11/23/2024

Every. Day. Compassion fatigue is a real thing and it is draining.

It’s one thing to not know. You don’t know what you don’t know. I’ve been in that spot too (and I’m still on a constant learning journey). But when owners are repeatedly told, and told by different professionals, yet they still keep doing the same thing even though it is a detriment to the horse, it is frustrating.

I am not the bodyworker for you if you’re hoping for a magic quick fix. I’m not the bodyworker for you if you’re not willing to try or learn something new.

I am slowing down my practice to focus more on the clients that better align with these views.

If you’re looking for a bodyworker to just fix your horse so you can get back to riding, I’m happy to refer you to those practitioners.

If you’re looking for a bodyworker who puts the horse first, works with a team of professionals, takes into account the whole horse, and wants to help you learn to be the best horse person you can be, then let’s chat.

I don't know if this is even going to make any sense but I thought I would throw it out here and see if other professionals are feeling the same or have felt the same.
I feel like I have come to a pivotal place in my career. A place that is difficult to navigate. There is so much information out there on social media, SO many opinions in this industry, so much of "well that's the way my Dad did it" in this industry, and far too many people who just see horses as a means to an end.
I honestly get so tired of it all some days and feel like the horse, shut down and just doing my best to tune out all the "noise". I connect with the horse and it is the only way I make it through some days because inside I want to smack the owner, trainer, handler, etc right in the back of the head and scream at them for putting the horse in this situation.
There are so many ways we can be doing things differently...BETTER. I spend hours of my day explaining the anatomy and how the horse needs to move to keep himself healthy. I give simple exercises that people can do to improve their horses posture and then eventually improve their strength. I recommend excellent, simple books (and inexpensive) to help them. I give mobility back to the horse because they actually let me in and allow me to. I feel like I give the horse hope that they could feel different...maybe better.
AND THEN...they are used in the same way. Developing their bodies wrong, in pain and in some cases shut down. And yet I get called again to come "fix" their horse.
I love the horses so much and want to help them have a healthier life. But I am starting to not like the people so much any more. Or I like the owners but the trainers not so much. I keep telling myself to not quit on the horse. But in some cases do I actually cause more anguish in the horse's life. I give them hope that their bodies could feel better. Then they have to go back to work and brace again. I wonder if it's almost better to leave them in that brace? At least they know what to expect and can mentally brace against it too. It breaks my heart!!!
It breaks my heart for the horse and myself...to be put in this position by people that aren't ready to change. A position that I will have to start choosing which horses to help and which ones I can't help because of the people around them. It is not a good place to be. It hurts my heart so much to think of some of the horses I may have to let go because their humans, for whatever reason, can't get on the same page the horse and I are on.
I know I will get through this challenging time but it sure is uncomfortable getting through the painful part.
A quote I hear all the time in my head but one that seems to fall on deaf ears. But really one more of us NEED to hear!
"We need to love our horses more than we love the sport" Karen Rohlf

11/20/2024

Assessment Foundations: https://equi-bowcanada.thinkific.com/courses/horse-owner-assessment-foundations?ref=ebdcb8

Introduction to Manual Lymphatic Drainage: https://equi-bowcanada.thinkific.com/courses/introduction-to-equine-manual-lymph-drainage?ref=ebdcb8

11/18/2024

Looking to learn something new to support your horses in between bodywork sessions with your professional, improve your relationship with them, and help them feel their best? The Equibow Horse Owner Courses do just that!

Equibow Foundations (online) teaches horse owners how to support and work with their horse's nervous system using Equibow's Foundation Body Balancing Protocols.

Equibow Foundations live training day (in person) can be done in a small group or privately. A certified Equibow Instructor (me 😁 or we can hook you up with one in your area) will demonstrate and guide you through the hands on techniques taught in the online Foundations course.

Feel free to message me with any questions you may have or if you're just interested more in Equibow and how it can help your horse.

Click the photo link below to register.

This bundle will give you access to our Equi-Bow Foundations Online Course and a live private training session with Ashley! Take your horsemanship to the next level as you learn how to assess your horse at home and do bodywork!

11/18/2024

Available time slot for two bodywork sessions tomorrow along this route. Message me to save your spot!

Massage
Equi-Bow
Craniosacral
Red light and cold laser
Kinesiology taping
Scoot Boot and Cavallo boot fittings

11/14/2024

For those looking for more affordable stability pads for their horses, these ones off of Amazon work just as well as the expensive horse version. While you can't get the different densities, for most horses, these will work just as well. They're not as durable as the horse version but you can just wrap them in a layer of duct tape for some extra wear protection. They're on sale on amazon right now.

https://amzn.to/3USW2vv

None Imported HIGH-QUALITY CLOSED CELL FOAM: Constructed of super soft and durable EVA foam to add more durability & safety 15.5” LENGTH x 13.5” WIDTH x 2” HEIGHT TEXTURED NON-SLIP SURFACE: Textured sweat proof surface provides additional grip, prevents slipping or sliding even in sweaty worko...

11/13/2024

Conducting research studies is hard especially when they involve a living being with many factors but at least the research is starting to be done and it looks promising!

Foam pads of varying levels of firmness are marketed to help improve equine balance, with veterinarians and owners reporting anecdotal success. Now, a scientific study on the use of balance pads has been published, and shows promising results.

11/11/2024