Helen Thornton - Equine Sports & PEMF Musculoskeletal Therapy

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Helen Thornton - Equine Sports & PEMF Musculoskeletal Therapy

Helen Thornton - Equine Sports & PEMF Musculoskeletal Therapy Helen Thornton: Equine Sports Therapist, Equine Osteopath EDO stu. PEMF Musculoskeletal Therapist horse, rider & pets. www.helenthornton.com
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Thornton Equine Academy: Workshops & courses for horse owners & therapists. IAAT AHPR
Register @ https://helenthornton.com/contact

24/01/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Beth Moore, Janice Owens, Isabelle Beigneux, Kathy Paulson, Simona Slunečnice, Sharon Child, Gerry Ward, Nancy Rosenbacher, Yolanda Levy, Kathryn Hesler, Paula Decker, Tim Dietrich, Sue Haynes, Kathi Schmidt, Eve Gillott, Terry Dorough, Kay Lohmeyer, Richard Lynch, Ruthy Trezise, Patricia Georgarakis, Rosalie Dunn, Jeanie Montelli, Teena Ezekiel, Geri Olive, Lynda Kubas, Hank Cobia, Carys Clark, Linda Kin, Israel Hernandez, Ruth Muxlow, Joan Dally, Peggy Paul, Sally Spencer, Paul Watson, Lynda Moore, Annie Pradelle, Tearra Thompson, John Howard, Rick Donnell, Terry Osborne, Edith Reeves, Linda T Price, Joanne Corder, JoAnne Kern, Jimmie Wauford, Lori Vinesett, Nikki Vallejos, Carol Owens, Ann Snell, San Michael Showalter

22/01/2025

🐎 PART 2: The relationship between the occipito-atlanto-axial (OAA) complex and the horse's jaw (TMJs) is a critical part of understanding cranial, cervical, and jaw biomechanics. These structures are interconnected through anatomy, biomechanics, and neural pathways, and dysfunction in one area often affects the other.

1. OAA Complex Overview (RECAP)

The OAA complex includes:

Occiput (O): The base of the skull, connecting the head to the neck.

Atlas (A): The first cervical vertebra (C1), responsible for head nodding and connecting to the occiput.

Axis (A): The second cervical vertebra (C2), which facilitates head rotation.

This complex is vital for head and neck movement, stability, and balance.

2. TMJs Overview

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect the mandible (lower jaw) to the skull. They are responsible for jaw movement and alignment during chewing, bit acceptance, and bridle work.

Many people suffer from bruxism, usually during sleep. Stress is a big cause, but misalignments and issues in this area can be a cause. Headaches, jaw pain, and skull pain are a result for so many ! No different for our horses.

3. Anatomical and Biomechanical Connections

The OAA complex and the jaw are closely linked through:

Fascial Connections:

The fascial system connects the muscles of the neck, jaw, and head. Tension or dysfunction in the OAA region can create fascial pull on the jaw and vice versa.

For example, the re**us capitis lateralis and re**us capitis anterior muscles connect the atlas to the skull and influence jaw movement and head stability.

Muscles:

The longus capitis and longus colli muscles run along the cervical spine and influence both the OAA complex and TMJs.

Tension in jaw muscles like the masseter and pterygoids can lead to compensatory strain in the OAA complex due to shared muscular pathways.

Cervical Spine Alignment:

Misalignment or tension in the OAA complex can influence the position of the jaw. For instance, if the atlas or axis is rotated or compressed, it can affect the alignment of the mandible.

4. Neural Pathways

The INFAMOUS trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V), which innervates the TMJs and the muscles of mastication, has connections to the cervical region via shared pathways with the upper cervical spine and OAA complex.

The vagus nerve (Cranial Nerve X) and accessory nerve (Cranial Nerve XI) pass through the OAA region, influencing jaw function and head posture.
I could write for days about the cranial nerves. The connections throughout the body and their innervation take months of studying to really grasp.
I keep going !

5. Functional Interdependence

Dysfunction in either the OAA complex or the jaw can lead to compensatory issues in the other:

Impact of OAA Dysfunction on the Jaw:

Misalignment in the OAA complex alters head posture, affecting the biomechanics of the TMJs.

Restricted movement at the OAA complex (e.g., stiffness in the atlas or occiput) can cause uneven tension in the jaw muscles, leading to TMJ pain or asymmetry

Impact of Jaw Dysfunction on the OAA Complex:

Jaw misalignment or tension in the TMJs can pull on the neck muscles and fascia, leading to compensatory strain in the OAA complex.

Grinding or clenching (common signs of TMJ dysfunction) can transmit stress to the upper cervical spine, causing pain or stiffness in the poll region.

6. Behavioural and Performance Indicators

Horses with dysfunction in the OAA complex or jaw may show:

🐴 Resistance to flexion or collection.

🐴 Head tossing or tilting.

🐴 Difficulty accepting the bit or bridle.

🐴 Sensitivity to poll or jaw pressure.

🐴 General tension or reluctance to bend laterally> rearing, avoiding one rein.

7. Approach to Address Dysfunction

To address these interconnected issues:

1. Manual Therapy: Techniques like craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, and chiropractic adjustments can relieve tension in the OAA complex and TMJs.
Osteopathy covers all these techniques in a session.

2. Dental Care: Ensuring proper dental alignment helps prevent TMJ strain that can impact the OAA complex.
Important over filing isn't done also.

3. Proper Tack Fit: Ill-fitting tack, especially bits and bridles, can exacerbate jaw and OAA dysfunction.

4. Training Adjustments: Correcting posture and neck carriage in training can reduce strain on the jaw and OAA complex.
This is why so many REHABILITATION horses need some very specific (simple) static exercises doing first to re programme the acceptance of the bit and contact.
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

I could write another 10 pages on the connections throughout the whole body. Such an important thing to note!

By understanding the deep anatomical and functional relationship between the OAA complex and the jaw, we can more effectively diagnose and treat issues that lead to discomfort and compromised performance in horses.

Image: Horse's inside out.

20/01/2025

Bit strange I have to do this; but it's a strange 🌎 we live in.
So : PAGE RULES 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

To ensure this page remains a helpful and respectful space for all horse owners and enthusiasts, please follow these guidelines:

1. Respectful Communication: Treat all members of this community with kindness and respect. No harassment, rude comments, or personal attacks will be tolerated.
Never had this issue between people, just the odd attack from non clients who think I should give their physio a treatment plan 🤔

2. Professional Recommendations:

I only recommend professionals, services, or products I have personally worked with or thoroughly vetted.

Please understand that I can not endorse or recommend individuals, trainers, or services I do not know or have experience with.
So any tagged will be removed whom I do not know!

3. Relevant Content Only:

Keep discussions and posts focused on horse-related topics.

Irrelevant, spammy, or self-promotional content will be removed. This does include if your physio or massage therapist has asked you to tag them on my page. It will be removed!

4. Health and Safety Advice: While I share general tips and some videos, these are not for you to copy as most likely will not be appropriate without in person guidance.

5. No Unauthorized Promotions:

Do not promote businesses, events, or services without prior permission.

Posts or comments deemed promotional may be removed at the admin's discretion.

6. Privacy Matters: Protect your own and others' privacy. Do not share personal or sensitive information about yourself, other members, or your horses.
Reports, etc, this comes down on me! Data Protection!!

7. Photo and Video Sharing: Please ensure any photos or videos you share are appropriate, safe, and owned by you or shared with permission.
This always scares me as I don't necessarily agree that if your content is in the public domain, it's fair game to be shared. But let's face it, it happens. I use Google images for posts and it can bite you on the butt!

By participating here, you agree to follow these rules. Failure to do so may result in removal from the community.

Thank you for helping make this page a welcoming and valuable space for horse owners and enthusiasts!

19/01/2025

Understanding Grumpy Mares and OAA Complex Issues: It's Literally a Headache for Horses. 🐎 PART 1🐎

Do you have a mare that seems perpetually grumpy, resistant, or difficult to handle? While it’s easy to chalk it up to "just being a mare," there could be a deeper issue at play: OAA Complex (occipito-atlanto-axial complex) dysfunction

The OAA complex refers to the connection between the skull (occiput), the first cervical vertebra (atlas), and the second cervical vertebra (axis).

OAA Complex Overview

The OAA complex includes:

Occiput (O): The base of the skull, connecting the head to the neck.

Atlas (A): The first cervical vertebra (C1), responsible for head nodding and connecting to the occiput.

Axis (A): The second cervical vertebra (C2), which facilitates head rotation.

This complex is vital for head and neck movement, stability, and balance.
This area is CRUCIAL❗️for a horse’s comfort, balance, and overall health.
When there’s dysfunction or pain here, it can lead to a variety of behavioural and physical symptoms, including:

Grumpiness when handled or ridden

Sensitivity around the poll, ears, or neck

Resistance to bridle, halter, or bit placement

Head tossing or tilting

Difficulty bending or flexing

For mares, hormonal changes can sometimes exacerbate these issues, making them even more irritable or reactive. But here's the kicker: OAA dysfunction can cause actual headaches for horses.
Imagine trying to focus or perform with constant pressure or pain in your head and neck—no wonder they’re cranky!

What can you do?

Bodywork: Consult an equine osteopath, to assess and address OAA tension as a whole horse check

Veterinary Care: Rule out other potential causes of discomfort, including dental or reproductive issues.

Appropriate Gear: Ensure your tack fits correctly and doesn’t put undue pressure on the poll, head

Patience: A grumpy mare might just be trying to tell you something—listen!

Image: Google

Understanding the root cause of your horse’s discomfort is the first step to making her happier and healthier. Sometimes, a little extra care for the OAA complex can turn your "grumpy mare" into a cooperative partner.
Of course this isn't just limited to mares!

Have you experienced something similar with your horse? Share your story below—let’s help each other help our horses!

Part 2 will involve the connection of the Jaw in relation to the poll. So keep a look out for part 2.

15/01/2025

🤣

13/01/2025

🐎🐴 Spooky horses? & why they DO NOT need telling off! 🐎🐴
The Limbic System, Orientation, and Cranial Sacral Health in Horses:

As prey animals, horses are uniquely attuned to their environment. Their survival instincts depend on constant orientation to detect potential threats. This heightened awareness is deeply connected to the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions, memory, and survival responses. For a horse, the limbic system acts as the control centre for interpreting and reacting to their surroundings, ensuring their safety in a world full of perceived dangers.

But what happens when a horse’s cranial sacral system is compromised?

Constant Orientation and the Limbic System:

Horses constantly scan their environment with small, subtle movements of their head, ears, and body. This orientation is a primary way they assess safety.

Their cranial nerves, which emerge directly from the brain, play a critical role in this process. These nerves are responsible for sensory input (like vision, smell, and hearing) and motor function (movement of the eyes, ears, and facial muscles).

When the cranial sacral system is functioning well, these processes flow smoothly. But tension, injury, or misalignments in the cranial bones, neck, or sacrum can disrupt the cranial nerves, creating challenges for the horse.

Compromised Cranial Nerves and Perceived Safety:

Issues such as tightness in the occipital area (the base of the skull), misalignments in the sacrum, or restrictions in the dura mater (the protective sheath around the brain and spinal cord) can affect cranial nerve function. This might lead to:

🦄Altered vision or depth perception.

🦄Impaired hearing or balance.

🦄Reduced facial mobility, impacting the horse’s ability to communicate with its herd.

🦄Headshaking or discomfort when moving or being handled.

For a prey animal, these disruptions are MORE than physical discomfort—they challenge the horse’s ability to accurately assess its environment, triggering the limbic system to go into overdrive. A horse that cannot orient itself properly or feels neurologically "off" may become anxious, reactive, or shut down.

The Role of Equine Osteopathy:

To restore balance and harmony within the cranial sacral system, addressing underlying issues that may compromise cranial nerve function. Gentle techniques release tension and improve the mobility of the cranial bones, spine, and sacrum, ensuring the horse can process sensory information effectively.

By addressing these restrictions, we:

🐎Restore proper cranial nerve function.

🐎Help the horse regain a sense of physical and emotional safety.

🐎Support the limbic system in maintaining a calm, grounded state.

When a horse feels neurologically balanced, its limbic system can focus on its intended job: keeping the horse attuned to its environment without unnecessary stress. This not only improves physical health but also nurtures emotional well-being, creating a more confident, relaxed, and connected horse.

Ever wondered why you can't connect with your horse? Is this a struggle? Does he seem like he feels unsafe most of the time? Or just over reacts to stimuli?

Your horse’s safety and comfort begin with their body’s ability to function freely. Let’s ensure they feel secure, both inside and out.

12/01/2025

Warm water has been a daily addition for my horses this week.
Super important as they will often drink minimal when it's broken ice water for obvious reasons.

Keep them hydrated to keep the vet away

11/01/2025

🌞The warmth of the sun
'Apricity' describes the warmth of the sun in winter. It comes from the Latin word 'apricitas' meaning sunny. It's an old word, but I think we should bring it back!

The word comes from the Latin word aprīcitās. It was first recorded in 1623 by lexicographer Henry Cockeram in his book The English Dictionarie: Or, An Interpreter Of Hard English Words. However, it fell out of use and has not been commonly used in modern language. Recently, the word has seen a resurgence in popularity.

Here's my girl enjoying her sunrise 🌅

She was so warm !
When was the last time you felt apricity?

07/01/2025

🎉 Celebrating Success! 🎉

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching my courses is seeing how students take what they've learned and apply it to real-life challenges. Today, I want to give a big shoutout to Alison Brook Barn Equestrian a dedicated horse owner & rider trainer who attended my recent course.

After her horse underwent an operation, he was clearly uncomfortable and resistant to having his head handled—a tricky and stressful situation for both horse and owner. But instead of feeling stuck, Alison put her new skills to work. With patience, understanding, and the techniques she learned, she was able to identify areas of concern.

Her persistence to learn and compassion have made all the difference, and her horse is now on the road to feeling better, both physically and emotionally.

👏 Please join me in congratulating Alison for her dedication and incredible results! It’s stories like these that remind us of the power of learning and connection with our horses. 🐴💖

If you’ve had a similar experience or want to learn skills to support your horse’s well-being, let me know—I’d love to help.

All course coming up are listed under the events tab or can be found scrolling down this page.

06/01/2025

🐴 THE EASIEST test everyone should know🐎
Are You Riding a One-Sided Horse? Try This Simple Biomechanics Test!

Ever feel like your horse might be one-sided, stiffer, or more dominant on one rein? Here’s a quick and easy biomechanics test you can do to check:

👉 Watch the barrel/rib cage swing as your horse walks toward you.

Stand in front of your horse and observe how the rib cage moves with each step. The barrel should naturally swing side to side as the horse walks, reflecting the rhythm and balance of their stride.

What to look for:

➡️ Does the barrel swing evenly to both sides?

➡️ Or does it favour one direction, with a smaller or stiffer swing on one side?

➡️ Does it seem to bulge more to one side than the other as they walk towards you ?

The barrel should naturally swing side to side as the horse moves. When the hind limb comes forward, the barrel shifts slightly to the opposite side—this is the horse’s natural way of balancing. If the swing is uneven or restricted, it could indicate asymmetry in your horse’s movement.

💡 If the swing isn’t even, it might indicate your horse is carrying tension, favouring one side, or lacking suppleness. This is often linked to how they move under saddle—and could explain why one rein feels “better” than the other!

Try this out and see what you notice. Understanding your horse’s natural movement is a great first step toward better balance and partnership!

Have you tried this test before? Have you noticed unevenness in your horse’s barrel swing before? What did you notice? Let me know in the comments! 🐴

05/01/2025

Is Your Horse Difficult to Clip? Understanding the Underlying Physical Connections

As equine therapists, we often hear about the “difficult-to-clip” horse. You know the one—constantly flinching, tossing their head, or outright refusing during clipping sessions. While behaviour is often attributed to sensitivity or temperament, the root cause is frequently physical discomfort, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and surrounding areas. Let’s dive into why this might be happening and how it ties into deeper physiological structures like the phrenic nerve, brachial plexus, and fascia.

The Phrenic Nerve

The phrenic nerve is a critical structure originating from the cervical vertebrae (C3, C4, and C5 sometimes C7). It innervates the diaphragm and plays a key role in respiration. When tension or misalignment exists in the cervical spine or surrounding fascia, the phrenic nerve can become compressed or irritated. This can lead to referred discomfort or hypersensitivity, particularly in areas where the nerve travels.

For a horse, this hypersensitivity can translate into an overreaction to stimuli like the vibration of clippers near the neck or shoulder. If your horse resists clipping around the jugular groove or base of the neck, it might be a sign of tension or restriction involving the phrenic nerve.

The Brachial Plexus

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves originating from the lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae (C6-T2). These nerves provide sensory and motor control to the shoulder, forelimb, and parts of the chest. Dysfunction in this area—whether due to muscle tension, poor saddle fit, or fascial restrictions—can result in heightened sensitivity or even pain in the shoulder and surrounding areas.

When clippers approach these regions, the horse may perceive the vibration or pressure as intolerable, not because they are “difficult,” but because it exacerbates an underlying issue. You're literally on his nerves!!

Fascia: The Body’s Connective Web

Fascia is a dense, fibrous connective tissue like a web that envelops muscles, nerves, and organs. It plays a vital role in overall mobility and comfort. When fascia becomes restricted—due to trauma, repetitive strain, or poor posture—it can create widespread discomfort and reduced flexibility.

In horses, fascial restrictions often present as tightness or sensitivity, especially in high-stress areas like the neck and shoulders. Clipping can irritate these restrictions, causing the horse to flinch or resist. Addressing these fascial imbalances through bodywork or therapy can significantly improve comfort and behaviour..

Pain and Tension: The Core of the Problem

The “difficult-to-clip” horse is not necessarily trying to be challenging—it is often their way of communicating discomfort. Pain or tension in the neck and shoulders, whether originating from nerve irritation, muscle strain, or fascial restriction, can make the simple act of clipping unbearable. Recognizing this as a physical issue, rather than purely behavioural, is key.

What Can Be Done?

1. Bodywork and Therapy: Regular osteopath sessions involve myofascial release, adjustments of the parietal system, and cranial sacral and can address tension in the neck, shoulders, and back.

2. Assessment by a Professional: If your horse consistently resists clipping, have them evaluated by a suitable equine therapist to rule out nerve compression or fascial restrictions.

3. Desensitization with Care: Once physical discomfort has been addressed, you can work on gently reintroducing clippers in a calm, patient manner.

4. Check Equipment and Techniques: Ensure your clippers are sharp, quiet, and create minimal vibration. Use light, confident strokes to avoid aggravating sensitive areas.

Understanding the physiological connections in your horse’s body is crucial to addressing what may seem like behavioural issues. The next time your horse resists clipping, consider their neck, shoulders, and fascia—you might uncover a hidden source of pain or discomfort, making life easier for both of you.

❗️Remember: Horses communicate through their reactions. Listening to them and addressing their needs at the root cause will always lead to better results and a happier horse.

✂️

Image: Horse and hound.

04/01/2025

🐎🐎 ANNOUNCEMENT ! 🐎🐎
Posture assessment with prescription exercises via Zoom is available the week of
13th to 17th January

What you need is a connection either in a stable or arena depending on weather, etc.

Sessions Are 45 minutes with a 15-minute immediate follow-up phone call to ensure all was understood as I give out so much information that it can be a lot.

These are ideal for international horse owners and work really well. Or my UK clients /non clients who need help with where to start or how to proceed when it comes to helping your horse; post injury, post diagnosis, to change posture and way of going for a more positive future.

Also ideal for stressy horses to help you to change their body and mind. Bringing them down that staircase of stress has to be integrated into rehabilitation work, or you are totally wasting your time.

The prescription exercises are not difficult. they just come down to timing, the particular types personal to what your horse needs, how long to do certain ones, and so on. Which is very individual and often where things go wrong.

You'll be given an overview of where the posture is now so you understand why and how to change things.

Please dm or call 📞 07947 623 923 to book a session.

31/12/2024

🌟 Happy New Year from Thornton Equine Academy! 🐴

As we step into 2025, we want to thank all our incredible clients and followers for your support over the past year. It’s been an honour to help your horses feel and perform their best and to teach so many new faces on the workshops and courses.

We’re beyond excited for what this year holds because 2025 is set to be our best year yet at Thornton Equine Academy! 🎉

✨ Upcoming Courses and Workshops ✨
This year, we’re bringing you an expanded lineup of workshops and training opportunities designed for horse owners, equine professionals, and riders at all levels. Whether you want to deepen your understanding of equine biomechanics or enhance your horse care skills, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming:
✅ Learn hands-on techniques to support your horse's well-being.
✅ Performance and Rehabilitation Workshops – Enhance your horse's recovery and optimize performance.
✅ Horse Owner Education Sessions – Focused on preventative care, anatomy, and mobility.

📅 Keep an eye on our page for dates, details, and enrollment information – 2025 is the year to take your equestrian knowledge to new heights!

Thank you for trusting Thornton Equine Academy with your horse's health and for being part of our growing community. Here's to a year of learning, growth, and happy, healthy horses! 🐾

Cheers to 2025!

29/12/2024

🐎🌻 Why Regular Equine Osteopathy Assessments Keep Horses Mobile and Healthy🐴 and why keeping or restoring mobility in the WHOLE body is so important!

As horse owners, we all strive to keep our equine companions at their peak—whether they’re competing, happy hackers, or simply enjoying life in the paddock. Mobility is the cornerstone of a horse’s health, performance, and overall well-being. Regular equine osteopathy sessions are an essential part of maintaining that mobility, as they address the intricate systems that work together to keep your horse moving freely and comfortably.

The Importance of Mobility:

A horse’s body is an interconnected web of systems. When one area is restricted or imbalanced, it can affect the ENTIRE body. Symptoms can arise far away from the primary problem.

Mobility ensures proper circulation, neural communication, and mechanical function, allowing your horse to move, perform, and recover without discomfort or strain.

Osteopathy takes a holistic approach to mobility, focusing on four key systems:

1. The Parietal System (Musculoskeletal System)

This system includes bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Healthy mobility in the parietal system ensures:

Proper joint function to absorb shock and prevent wear.

Balanced muscle use, reducing the risk of strain or injury.

Optimal alignment to distribute weight and motion evenly.

Osteopathic assessments identify and resolve tension, misalignments, and restrictions in this system, allowing for smoother, pain-free movement.

2. The Cranial Sacral System 🧠

The cranial sacral system includes the bones, membranes, and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Mobility within this system is vital for:

Effective communication between the brain and body.

Proper nervous system function to support balance, coordination, and reflexes.

Reducing tension that can result in behavioural issues or resistance under saddle.

These combined techniques help maintain this delicate system's rhythm, ensuring your horse feels and moves their best.

3. The Visceral System 🫁 ❤️ l

The visceral system includes the internal organs and their surrounding connective tissues. While it’s easy to overlook, mobility in this system is essential for:

Healthy digestion and nutrient absorption to fuel muscles and performance. To maintain homeostasis.

Proper respiratory function to support stamina and endurance.

Overall vitality and comfort! 💜

Through osteopathic assessments, restrictions in visceral tissues can be addressed, supporting organ function, parietal movement, and overall energy levels and state of well-being.

4. The Myofascial System

Fascia is a web of connective tissue that surrounds every muscle, organ, and bone in the body. Mobility in this system:

Ensures smooth gliding of muscles during movement.

Prevents tightness and adhesions that can lead to compensation patterns.

Supports recovery from exercise and minor injuries.

Osteopathy uses gentle techniques to release fascial tension, promoting flexibility and reducing the risk of stiffness or injury.

Why Regular Sessions Are Crucial:

Horses are highly active animals, and even small imbalances can quickly escalate into larger issues if left unchecked. Regular osteopathic assessments provide:

1) ⚠️Early Detection: Catching minor restrictions before they lead to discomfort or poor performance. Horses mostly will not speak up very loudly until there is a lot of dysfunction. 😪

2) Preventative Care: Reducing the likelihood of injury or chronic conditions.💯

3) Long-Term Performance: Ensuring all systems work in harmony for optimal movement and well-being.

Mobility Equals Longevity‼️

CONCLUSION: ALL THE SYSTEMS THE WHOLE HORSE need to be involved in a regular assessment & treatment plan for happy mobile horses. IMPORTANT

Whether your horse is a competitive athlete or a beloved companion, mobility impacts every aspect of their life.❗️ By investing in regular equine osteopathy sessions, you’re prioritizing their health and happiness—ensuring they remain comfortable, capable, and ready to move freely for years to come.

📅Extending your skills as an owner/therapist/rider with our range of workshops at Thornton Equine Academy enables you to be able to care for your horse on another level. 2025 dates now live!

❇️ Please do send me reminders/requests for dates for your horse as I can't always spend my time reminding everyone, and January is already just about full. So please plan ahead as much as possible so we can keep your horse moving their best.

Mobility isn’t just important; it’s essential!✔️

21/12/2024

🎄🐴 Merry Christmas! 🐴🎄

As we wrap up for the Christmas holiday, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey this year. Your incredible support, dedication, and passion for equine health and care make our community truly special.

Wishing you, your loved ones, and your wonderful horses a joyful and peaceful Christmas. May your holidays be filled with warmth, laughter, and a well-deserved rest 🦄🐎(primarily from mud 🙏)😆

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this amazing community. Here’s to more growth, learning, and shared successes in the New Year!

Stay warm and keep those horses happy! 🐴❤️🎅

I will see you all in 2025 wether that's for horse treatments, or courses & workshops. This is looking likely to be further than the UK too, so exciting.

Best wishes,
Helen and Lola

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🌞The warmth of the sun 'Apricity' describes the warmth of the sun in winter. It comes from the Latin word 'apricitas' meaning sunny. It's an old word, but I think we should bring it back! The word comes from the Latin word aprīcitās. It was first recorded in 1623 by lexicographer Henry Cockeram in his book The English Dictionarie: Or, An Interpreter Of Hard English Words. However, it fell out of use and has not been commonly used in modern language. Recently, the word has seen a resurgence in popularity. Here's my girl enjoying her sunrise 🌅 She was so warm ! When was the last time you felt apricity?

Somatic Integration Movement Therapy WORKSHOP @DN214UQ for horse owners & therapists Equine Structural Balance Therapy Course (2-Days) For owners and therapists Musculoskeletal First Aid Body Check-ups Workshop - Dec 6th 2024- Helen Thornton Equine Academy #thorntonequineacademy #equineosteopathy #workshops2025 #horseownerproblems #equinesofttissuetherapy #horseowners

Changes not always captured on camera are a missed opportunity because often our eyes can't keep up with such changes #thorntonequineacademy #posturematters #horseownership #equinehealth #allforthegoodofthehorse #horsesforcourses

Simple palpation &don't let anyone tell you this is normal. (Horses do talk) #equinecranialsacral #helenthorntonequinesportstherapy #equineheadshaking #equineosteopathy #thorntonequineacademy #horsecourses #horseowners

Remember this guy from the last reel If your horse stands like this, there is a dysfunction that includes the elbows in the body. Exorotation of the elbows means chest pain, rib n sternum pain!!

Simple palpation often shows the extent of how much a horse is In trouble in their body. This showjumper is coming in for a few sessions. I'll post how we get on. Don't let your horses suffer when you get even not such extremes to simple palpation. Nothing should feel like a brick or in spam ! #showjumpinghorse #helenthorntonequinesportstherapy

All set up for the next Equine Structural Balance Therapy Course (2-Days) For owners and therapists tomorrow. I am looking forward to teaching another group of horse owners/therapists how they can achieve this. The 2 days always consist of some theory, body check-ups demonstrated, and how to also utilise those checks into gentle mobilisations in key areas such as the thoracic sling and pelvis. This is followed by my key listening sections and plenty of hands-on practice with discussion. We end the 2 days with an introduction into my prescription exercises and which horses would benefit most from that approach. Next year will include a day 3 of hoof mapping, which is very exciting.

Sometimes they just feel such a a deep release a somatic stretch ensues Epic #equinetherapy #equinecranialsacral ##equinecranialsacraltherapy #equinecranialsacraltherapist

Wait for it Huge duo TMJ n hyoid release #equinecranialsacral #jawrelease #hyoidbone #equinecraniosacraltherapy

Yes please Just there Have you a horse whose 1st reaction to being approached is head up and brace? Maybe they rear when being clipped only on their neck/getting nearer to ears. Probably their go-to under the smallest amount of pressure is to rear. All classic signs of probable cranial sacral issues. Add in a pelvis that needs constant realignment, a horse that bucks into canter. I'd say 99 % will have a cranial sacral system problem. This boy used to be extremely reactive. Didn't want to be caught. No one could get their hand up to the ears, top of head , major twitching throughout the withers. Also, a misaligned pelvis and generally aversion to any touch. 1 session and all that changed 😊🦄🐎 Here, he is having his 3 month check up. And has a lovely mobile pelvis to boot 🌷🦄🐎🐴 #equinetherapy #EquineWellness #equinesofttissuetherapy #helenthorntonequinesportstherapy #equinecranialsacraltherapy #equineosteopathy #horsebackriding

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I provide Equine Sports therapy and Magna wave PEMF for horses, people and pets. Treating horse and rider is invaluable as one affects the others movement, posture, tensions within fascia lines and centre of gravity. Thus our injuries and pains do effect the horses way of going, so intrinsically even the way we clench our jaw will carry through to the horse.

I have a weekly human clinic at Snitterby for any person not just riders. Common complaints treated are; back/neck pain, shoulder & knee injuries, arthritis management, sciatica, headaches/migraines, auto immune conditions, CFS/ME, sports injuries and much more. Because PEMF is a natural non invasive complimentary therapy that boosts cellular recovery it will target inflammation and damaged cells anywhere in the body. I am a registered PEMF practitioner also after completing training for people, horses and pets in USA.

I take horses in for treatment and I also travel. I provide rehabilitation livery and treatment packages with magna wave PEMF for injuries such as suspensory ligament inflammation or lesions, tendon injuries, fractures, sacro-iliac disease and most other common disorders in the ridden horse.

My CPD is continuous human and equine, I am insured with Balens and work alongside your vet, farrier, saddle fitter, instructor for a happier healthier horse. I am a registered member of IAAT, the International Association of Animal Therapists. I am happy to provide paper work and invoices for veterinary insurance claims.