Cooperative care
The other day I had a short training session with Idris, I generally work at liberty with him so he has full choice in whether or not to participate.
Starting off on the left rein he was willing and eager to take part, but when I switched to the right side, he became reluctant and kept trying to put me onto the left.
I know he has been struggling with his stifles recently so assume he has become a little sore. So today I gave him a treatment and boy was I right.
In the video you can see he is really unhappy about me massaging along his back on the right side. Again I work at liberty so he can leave if he wants to, and if he stands at the cone that is a signal that I can continue and he will earn rewards. (I use a very boring, straw based chaff which is definitely not as palatable as the field of grass that he could go an eat any time he chooses).
Anyway using this system of 'cooperative care', allows him to tell me when I am going in too deep and makes the process much less stressful for him.
As predicted he was sore through his back and flank on the right, tight through his hamstrings and also through his left pectoral muscle, where he has been compensating for the right Stifle being weak.
He is generally lacking muscle tone through his quadriceps, especially on the right, so I need to focus my training routine on strengthing him in that area a little more.
In Episode 7. Of the Change of Tack podcast, I speak with Aliyah Woodland and Alex Le Grand from The NAC - Applied Animal Science.
#changeoftackpodcast #positivereinforcement #animaltraining #NAC #equinebehaviour #equinewelfare #equineindustry #horsetraining #education
Episode 2. Change of Tack Podcast.
I spoke with Caroline Hegarty from Equitopia Center
#equinewelfare #changeoftackpodcast #education #equitopia #equineindustry #horsetraining #horsemanagement #horsecare
Episode 7. Of the Change of Tack podcast. I speak to Alex Le Grand and Aliyah Woodland from the The NAC - Applied Animal Science
#equineindustry #equinewelfare #changeoftackpodcast #horsetraining #clickertraininghorses #positivereinforcement #education
Episode 5. I spoke with Brazilian vet Gabriel Lencioni, who has specialised in animal behaviour.
Gabriel offers his insight into the industry and how we can prioritise equine welfare using cooperative care to reduce stress and improve safety during veterinary procedures and general husbandry.
#equinewelfare #positivereinforcement #gabriellencioni #equinevet #equinebehaviour #clickertraining #changeoftackpodcast #changeoftack
Episode 1. I spoke with Aliyah Woodland from Equine Thoughts.
Search Change of Tack to hear more.
I thought I'd make a little video about monitoring fat coverage on horses and ponies.
There are lots of resources out there explaining the 2 main condition scoring systems in detail, but as owners it can feel overwhelming. So I hope this helps simplify what you're looking for, and how to monitor your equine friends to ensure they stay a healthy weight.
I'd love to hear if you find this helpful, so feel free to comment and share.
Brrrrrrr!!
Glad to say I am mostly treating dogs tomorrow, so I will at least be indoors for part of the day!!
As a saddle fitter, I often see clients who have significant restrictions and asymmetries in their bodied. I regularly recommend they seek bodywork to address these issues... but why is it so important to ensure we are free from restrictions?
Today I carried out a simple experiment; using my pressure matt and i-joy exercise machine, I filmed myself before and after visiting the amazing Joanne from SoJo Bodyworks .
The results are pretty clear; bodywork showed an immediate improvement to my general symmetry and the weight distribution through the saddle.
Restrictions in your body will have a direct impact on your horse, resulting in assymetric development, compensatory movement and saddle issues (slipping / twisting). For this reason I recommend ALL horse riders invest in regular bodywork and exercises that promote symmetry and suppleness - such as equipilates.
Hope you enjoy the video.
(N.b. unfortunately my top got a little twisted so the tape lines don't give an accurate guide, and yes I still have assymetries which we will address at my next treatment, but the pressure matt results are very clear.)
New Forest Ponies enjoying their natural environment.
Living so close to the New Forest makes me realise how limited our domestic environments are for many horses in the UK.
Restricting the opportunity for exploration, socialisation and variation in their day to day lives can result in increased anxiety, stress and unpredictable behaviours.
