ARG Equine Therapies and Training

24/01/2025

*THIS 👇🏼👇🏼‼️‼️
‼️Keep the nose in front, always!✅

A horse that keeps its nose in front of the vertical position will always maintain a more consistent contact and position than a horse that is behind the vertical position. It does not matter if the face of the horse is at 95 degrees or 60 degrees; what matters is that the position matches the horse's level of training and that they are comfortable and trusting of the rider's soft contact. The less advanced horse will have its nose more forward with a longer neck.

A horse with its nose in front will be more willing to go forward with active and flexible haunches that help give the horse a swing that goes through their body all the way to the rider's receiving hand.

Horses that have their nose on the vertical will often go behind the bit for short moments. This causes the horse to over-flex in the poll and at C3 in the neck. This position prevents the horse from being able to push actively enough from the hind end to create a strong rhythm through their body, and they will end up with very short, slow, and weak gaits that leave the horse on the forehand.

A horse held behind the vertical position with force will be over-flexed in the poll, its neck at C3 and back, causing the haunches to always trail behind the movement and travel low to the ground. The force of the rider's hands causes the front legs to lift rather than step forward. The inability of the haunches to flex and push prevents any sort of rhythm and suppleness from happening and leaves the horse on the forehand.

A horse should eagerly push from the haunches and be received by the hands of the rider, which helps set the necessary position. The hands of the rider should not pull back to set the position.

21/01/2025

Haha! Happy 45th of January everyone! Nearly there 🥲😂

20/01/2025

❌Crazy stuff going on out there❌
Please please educate yourself before attempting to create “new ways of training”! They only cause harm to horses and label you as a torturer 🤦🏻‍♀️
I can’t think of a reason why you would force a horse to work this way, tying up his tail to his nose, is it because this people think it will teach them to work on leg yield? Bending?
These things can’t be forced! Same as you can’t sit straight on a chair tying up a stick on your back!
And even if you do tie a stick to your back, we as humans can understand we force ourselves to use something and be conscious of the effort that that specific action takes, hence we can consciously straight up our back, look forward and maintain that posture for certain amount of time. Still, that doesn’t force you to use your abs to actually being able to maintain a straight posture, only causes you to use the wrong muscles in your back to stop feeling uncomfortable with a stick behind!
My point here is that a horse or any animal can’t consciously make a group of muscles work forcing him against his willing, they are prey animals and they don’t understand what you want them to do, they don’t know how to consciously engage muscles and of course they don’t know about bending or straightness.
You need to introduce this things GRADUALLY, from a very gentle approach so they don’t try to spook or get frightened. They don’t know they need to adapt better posture for their benefit.
However, it seems like this “trainer” doesn’t understand about posture either, what it takes and how to achieve it.

Please educate yourself instead of leading to more injured horses

Lara Munoz, Cert ESMT, Cert Equine lameness and rehab, IAAT member

18/01/2025

👎🏼👎🏼 Outrageous 👎🏼❌
More training from anatomical perspective and equine welfare please

18/01/2025

Another post of those that I always say I will never stop sharing.
This type of cases have name: Broken at the third.
This means the neck “brakes” at the third Cervical vertebrae in order to be able to keep carrying such a bad posture and pressure the rider causes.
Keep reading the post, all riders, horse owners, trainers and every person working with horses should know horse anatomy to not cause them harm!

As an avid learner of correct biomechanics of the horse I subscribed a while back to Becks Nairn’s Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/Becks_nairn/posts) I cannot recommend it highly enough. It has been such an eye opener and until I can get to an actual dissection, her Patreon has given me so much food for thought.

Becks recently posted a video of a horse’s cervical spine with the nuchal liagament still attached. Seeing the movement aberrations of the neck created by riding horses behind the vertical, is something every rider needs to see for themselves IMHO.

There are numerous studies demonstrating that excessive flexion puts tension on the nuchal ligament, leading to a variety of injuries throughout the horses body. As riders, it’s critical to remember that the nuchal ligament inserts at the withers (its origin is at the external occipital protuberance at the occipital crest and posterior tubercle of the atlas). From its insertion at the withers, it attaches to the supraspinous ligament, which acts much like a suspension bridge and runs the entire length of the horses spine to the tail.

Armed with this important information it makes perfect sense that when the nuchal ligament is over tightened, as it is when riding behind vertical, it results in a host of physiological issues. Riding horses behind vertical does not take into consideration the anatomy of the horses spine and its subsequent supporting structures. This incorrect posture, such as when the horse’s neck shows this unnatural bend around C2/C3, can only lead to stress on these structures. Bones will adapt at attachment and insertion sites to the excessive loading and remodel, creating boney formations which, more often than not, cause our horses further pain and discomfort. (Photos of some of these remodeled bones in comments thanks to Becks!)

Keeping our horses sound and working can be a challenge on a good day. Having this information can help us in ensuring our horses stay sound for many years to come.

A huge thank you to Becks for entertaining my curiosity and being so generous with her knowledge and experience. ❤️

17/01/2025

I will keep sharing and saying it:

When I talk about ditching the restrictive training aids it’s not because I’m ‘crunchy‘..

It’s not because I don’t believe in riding horses or competing..

It’s not because I’m some holistic naturalist (okay fine maybe a little)..

It’s because I’m educated in equine anatomy and biomechanics.
I understand the concept of movement, the functionalities of the body and the detriment that outside stressors have on our horse’s bodies and minds.

I encounter MANY broken horses.
Many horses on the verge of injury.
Horses who display behavior problems.
Horses with anxiety, mental stress, coping behaviors etc.

Restrictive training aids- albeit, are only one piece of the puzzle- are doing DAMAGE to your horse in more ways than one.
A young (or old) equine body and mind trying to find its way. Trying to find balance, to build strength, to give the right answer to the question they’re being asked… all while being rigged up like a puppet in gear that makes it more difficult.

We throw too much at the horse in the name of ‘tradition’.
“My trainer told me to use this”
“The generations before me did it this way”
“All the top riders do this”

Well you want to know what else all of those 👆people have in common?

They have anxious, pain ridden, horses- I know, because I’m the one they call to try and fix them.

Everything is connected. The mind, body, lifestyle, tack, training etc.

Build foundations the right way so you don’t have to cut corners with restrictive gear that does more damage than good for your horse.

Signed- someone who is tired of fixing broken horses. X

16/01/2025

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Every action, big or small, helps me reach more horses and their owners. Together, we can create happier, healthier lives for them!

Thanks so much for the beautiful photos 🩵

13/01/2025

Couldn’t agree more with this. Turning out horses has plenty of benefits, and it isn’t just about benefits but also about respecting what they are.
They were not designed to live in restricted stables, like us humans were not designed to live isolated.
Turning out your horse means you will have much less probabilities of having undesired behaviours that seem to be untreatable, and are just indicators of stress.
It means they will be able to move more and excercise more, leading to better performance, range of movement, muscle condition and proprioception.
It means you’ll have to spend less money on bedding, and time keeping it clean.
It means you’ll have a horse more prepared to carry weight on their backs and better prepared to perform the exercises in the school.
It means the horse will be more prepared to understand their surroundings, so going out for hacks won’t be as scary.
It means it learns to cohabitate in a herd, learns to be near other horses.
It general terms means happier horses, and if you don’t want a happy horse then you shouldn’t have one and get a bike… those can stay inside a garage for years without being used and won’t complain or give you stress.

Happy Monday!!

The best supplements in existence might be offered.

The most expensive massage treatments, red light therapy, joint injections and more may be given.

The barn may be adorned with beautiful brick walls, wrought iron accents and gorgeous mahogany stall fronts.

But, a gilded cage is still a cage.

A horse without the freedom to practice natural behaviour still remains a prisoner…

no matter the luxuries offered in the absence of basic needs.

Horses are an animal that needs space. They need socialization with other horses.

Isolation and confinement are among some of the most damaging factors to welfare.

Modernizing horse care should include an honest look at how damaging excessive time spent stalled is to welfare — both physically and mentally.

09/01/2025

📣 Exciting News! ARG is Growing!

This year marks an incredible milestone for ARG Equine Therapist & Training. What started as a passion for helping horses feel their best is now expanding to include our beloved dogs and cats. 🐴🐶🐱

💭 Why the Change?
Horses will always be at the heart of my work, but I’ve realized that pets like dogs and cats also deserve the same care, love, and relief from pain that I provide to equines. They may not carry us on their backs, but they carry so much love in their hearts—and they deserve to feel their best too.

💡 What Does This Mean?
This journey means I’m growing, learning, and adding new skills to bring the best care to your furry companions. It also means that ARG’s beloved logo, which has always featured a horse, will transform to reflect this exciting new chapter.

It’s sentimental because my logo represents where I started, but it’s also a beautiful reminder that growth and change are part of every journey.

🐾 What’s Next?
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll soon be certified as a canine (and feline!) massage therapist, offering tailored treatments to help your pets:
✅ Relieve pain
✅ Improve movement
✅ And live happier, healthier lives

🤝 Exciting Collaborations
I’m equally excited to collaborate with local veterinarians and specialists in the areas of Ringwood, Hampshire, Dorset, and Wiltshire. Together, as a team, we’ll offer the best care and services for your dogs and cats. By working closely with vets and other professionals in the area, we’ll ensure your pets receive the comprehensive, loving care they deserve.

💖 Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I can’t wait to help even more animals in our community feel their absolute best.

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars! My agenda officially opens for dog massage appointments starting this April!

📣 What Can You Do?
📩 Drop a comment to share your thoughts or your pet’s name—I’d love to hear about them!
🛠️ Stay tuned for updates about my new services and logo!
🐾 Tag a friend who loves their pets as much as you do.

☎️ Book your appointment today 07769253767

Lara Munoz, Cert ESMT, Cert ELR, IAAT

07/01/2025

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉
I’m thrilled to share that I am now a proud member of the International Association of Animal Therapists (IAAT)!

This prestigious membership highlights my commitment to maintaining the highest standards in equine care and rehabilitation. Being part of the IAAT means:

🌟 Access to cutting-edge techniques and ongoing professional development.
🌟 Assurance for you that my work is backed by recognized qualifications and ethical practices.
🌟 A strong network of fellow professionals to enhance the care I provide.

For my clients, this means your horse is in trusted, expert hands. Whether it’s for prevention, recovery, or peak performance, you can be confident that my services are aligned with the latest advancements in equine therapy.

Thank you for trusting me with your horse’s well-being—it’s an honor to care for such incredible animals. 💙

Lara Munoz, Cert ESMT, Cert in Equine Lameness and Rehabilitation, IAAT

05/01/2025

This is just one of thousands and thousands of cases. Be kind to your horse, even when you think there is nothing wrong with them lot of things could be going on inside, they are expert compensators and professionals in hiding pain or discomfort.
It has been scientifically proven the existence of 24 behaviours that indicate musculoskeletal pain and stress, we just need to be willing to listen and open our eyes before is too late 🫶🏻

Give your horse the care they deserve, he will be grateful 🩵

01/01/2025

📣 Hey Ringwood, Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire!:
💪 Let’s enhance your horse’s performance🐴
Did you know that regular Equine Sports Massage can:

-🤸‍♀️ Improve muscle flexibility and range of motion, making your horse more agile.
- 🩸Boost circulation, ensuring muscles recover faster and stay healthier.
- 🏇Release tension and stiffness, allowing for smoother, more powerful movements.
-🙌 Relieve pain naturally by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.

Take Max, for example—a 10-year-old Eventing horse whose owner noticed he was struggling with transitions, bending and lacked his usual energy during training. After a few tailored massage sessions combined with myofascial release, Max regained his flexibility, moved more fluidly, and performed better in competitions.

✅Even if your horse isn’t injured, proactive care can make a huge difference. Routine treatments help keep them in peak condition, prevent potential injuries, and improve their overall well-being.

✨ Give your horse the edge they deserve!
I specialize in Equine Sports Massage, Myofascial Release, and Kinesiology Taping to help your horse feel and perform their best.

📞 Contact me today to book a session or learn more. Let’s help your horse reach their full potential!

💻To learn more about our Services and benefits of our treatments visit:

https://larabmun.wixsite.com/argequinetherapies/services-4

📞 07769 253767

📍 Based in Ringwood, Covering Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire

Lara Munoz, Cert Equine Soft Tissue and Rehabilitation Therapist. Specialising in Equine Lameness and Rehabilitation.