Helen Thornton - Equine Sports & PEMF Musculoskeletal Therapy

12/09/2025

10/09/2025

🐎 An Equine Osteopath’s Perspective: Hoof Mechanics, Structure & Function

The latest Swedish research (SLU with Agria) is confirming what many of us have observed for years: the hoof is not just a structure at the end of the limb—it is a dynamic, responsive system, and shoes fundamentally change how it functions.

🔄 Structure & Function: A Two-Way Street
Osteopathy is built on the principle that structure and function are inseparable.

Restrict the hoof’s natural expansion and contraction with a rigid shoe, and you affect blood flow, shock absorption, and proprioception (Roepstorff et al., 2022–23).

But the body isn’t just a passenger—the rest of the horse influences hoof mechanics too. A body out of balance loads the hoof unevenly, while an imbalanced hoof sends dysfunctional forces back into the limb and up through the spine.

📊 What the Research Shows
The SLU study found that barefoot hooves:
🐎 Expand more on landing
🐎 Contract naturally during rollover
🐎 Show independent vertical movement of the quarters

By contrast, shod hooves were measurably restricted in all of these movements. That lack of mobility may reduce circulation, proprioception, and resilience in the distal limb.

🦴 Clinical Observations
In practice, I see clear patterns:
Shod horses often present with more sesamoid and carpal restrictions, linked to altered loading through the fetlock and knee.
The accessory carpal bone often indicates the direction the hoof is being pulled by a contracted caudal hoof.
These restrictions don’t occur in isolation—they reflect a continuous dialogue between hoof and body.

🧠 The Role of Anatomy
Equine anatomy encompasses the study of the horse’s skeletal, muscular, circulatory, nervous, and other bodily systems. A thorough knowledge of anatomy allows us to understand the interconnections between different structures and appreciate how dysfunction in one area can impact the body as a whole.

❓️ Why This Matters
Barefoot isn’t a cure-all, but it allows the hoof to fulfill its natural role in the horse’s biomechanics.

Natural hoof mechanics = clearer communication about discomfort
Balanced hooves support a balanced body, and a balanced body supports healthy hooves
We must treat both directions of influence: body ↔ hoof

👉 What’s your experience?
For those of you working with both shod and barefoot horses—have you noticed differences higher up in the body? Sesamoids, carpals, or even the back?

🔗 Read the full study here:
�https://www.agria.se/hast/artiklar/forskning/lars-roepstorff-det-vi-ser-ar-att-barfotahoven-tillater-mer-rorelse/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

10/09/2025

🐎 An Equine Osteopath’s Perspective: Hoof Mechanics, Structure & Function

The latest Swedish research (SLU with Agria) is confirming what many of us have observed for years: the hoof is not just a structure at the end of the limb—it is a dynamic, responsive system, and shoes fundamentally change how it functions.

🔄 Structure & Function: A Two-Way Street
Osteopathy is built on the principle that structure and function are inseparable.

Restrict the hoof’s natural expansion and contraction with a rigid shoe, and you affect blood flow, shock absorption, and proprioception (Roepstorff et al., 2022–23).

But the body isn’t just a passenger—the rest of the horse influences hoof mechanics too. A body out of balance loads the hoof unevenly, while an imbalanced hoof sends dysfunctional forces back into the limb and up through the spine.

📊 What the Research Shows
The SLU study found that barefoot hooves:
🐎 Expand more on landing
🐎 Contract naturally during rollover
🐎 Show independent vertical movement of the quarters

By contrast, shod hooves were measurably restricted in all of these movements. That lack of mobility may reduce circulation, proprioception, and resilience in the distal limb.

🦴 Clinical Observations
In practice, I see clear patterns:
Shod horses often present with more sesamoid and carpal restrictions, linked to altered loading through the fetlock and knee.
The accessory carpal bone often indicates the direction the hoof is being pulled by a contracted caudal hoof.
These restrictions don’t occur in isolation—they reflect a continuous dialogue between hoof and body.

🧠 The Role of Anatomy
Equine anatomy encompasses the study of the horse’s skeletal, muscular, circulatory, nervous, and other bodily systems. A thorough knowledge of anatomy allows us to understand the interconnections between different structures and appreciate how dysfunction in one area can impact the body as a whole.

❓️ Why This Matters
Barefoot isn’t a cure-all, but it allows the hoof to fulfill its natural role in the horse’s biomechanics.

Natural hoof mechanics = clearer communication about discomfort
Balanced hooves support a balanced body, and a balanced body supports healthy hooves
We must treat both directions of influence: body ↔ hoof

If you'd like a simple check you can do for the carpus see this previous post
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Zo9hUfnZ1/

👉 What’s your experience?
For those of you working with both shod and barefoot horses—have you noticed differences higher up in the body? Sesamoids, carpals, or even the back?

🔗 Read the full study here:
�https://www.agria.se/hast/artiklar/forskning/lars-roepstorff-det-vi-ser-ar-att-barfotahoven-tillater-mer-rorelse/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

02/09/2025

🐴 Does Your Horse Lean on One Rein When Ridden?!

If so, the issue may not be training or tack—it could be rooted in the occipital–atlanto–axial (OAA) complex. This joint system connects the skull (occipital bone) to the first two cervical vertebrae: the atlas (C1) and axis (C2).

The OAA complex allows your horse to nod, bend, and rotate the head freely. But because of its location at the top of the spinal cord, it is also highly vulnerable to injury and imbalance.

🔬 Functions of the OAA Complex

Atlanto-occipital (AO) joint

Connects the skull to the atlas (C1).

The neck attaches into the skull at the poll, behind the ears. Occipital condyles behind the skull join with the first cervical vertebra C1 that is known as the atlas. This link between C0 (the skull) and C1 (atlas) allows extension and flexion movement, but also lateral flexion and even some slight axial rotation movement.
An Ellipsoid joint responsible for flexion and extension (the “yes” or nodding motion).

Atlanto-axial (AA) joint

Connects the atlas (C1) to the axis (C2).

Pivot joint responsible for rotation (the “no” or shaking motion).

Here's something you can do:

👋 The Atlas Check: Palpating for Alignment

A simple way to check the OAA complex is by palpating the space between the caudal edge of the mandible and the wing of the atlas (C1).

On a well-aligned horse, the space should feel even on both sides. With equal fingers in the space.

An uneven or asymmetrical space indicates imbalance, discomfort, or restriction.
Accompanied with any ear or head shyness, or ridden issues such as tilting then you know your horse needs an osteopathic assessment.

⚡ Causes of Uneven Space

Musculoskeletal & Traumatic

AO joint dysfunction – misalignment or restriction, causing difficulty flexing the neck.

Trauma – common causes include:

Pulling back while tied

Falling over backward

Prolonged, awkward positioning (e.g., under anesthesia)

Muscular hypertrophy or spasm – uneven muscle development can create asymmetry.

Dental & Oral Pain

Dental malocclusion – uneven teeth wear forces abnormal chewing, leading to muscle imbalance.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction – jaw pain can alter head carriage and affect the OAA complex.

🚩 Signs & Consequences

Horses with OAA dysfunction may show:

Head carriage issues – head tilting, crookedness

Riding difficulties – hanging on one rein, resisting bend, unlevel feel

Behavioural changes – spookiness, head shyness

Difficult to catch even in the stable

⚠️ Takeaway

The occiput, atlas, axis, TMJs, and sphenoid bone are all interconnected, and cranial nerves are housed in this region.
Forming a complex anatomical region where many cranial nerves originate and pass through, particularly those related to the brainstem, cerebellum, and the posterior aspects of the head and neck. This region's intricate structure allows for head movement, supports the brain, and houses crucial cranial nerves that govern senses and motor functions of the face and head.

Pull-back injuries during early tying lessons are a major risk factor for young horses if not done correctly.

These early traumas can set the stage for significant issues later in life—affecting comfort, performance, and behaviour.

👉 Regular checks, proper handling during training, and attention to dental health can go a long way in protecting your horse’s OAA complex.

IMAGE: Checking the Atlas 🐴
Here I’m palpating the retromandibular space—the soft area between the back edge of the mandible (jawbone) and the lateral wing of the atlas (C1).

👉 If this space feels or measures different left vs. right, it may point to atlanto-occipital (AO) joint dysfunction or even structural changes in the vertebrae.

This simple check can give you valuable clues about poll comfort and overall balance in your horse. Try it today.

27/08/2025

🐴 Your horse’s tail might be telling you more than you think…

At the base of the spine, the sacroiliac joint (SI joint) is a powerhouse for movement, transferring energy from the hindquarters into forward motion.

The SI joint is formed where the ilium (part of the pelvis) meets the sacrum (base of the spine). It’s a stable joint held together by strong ligaments, but it does allow for small, precise movements around multiple axes — movements that are essential for shock absorption and propelling the horse forward.

One important motion here is nutation (sacrum tips forward + down towards the head) and its opposite counternutation (sacrum tips back + up).

👉 But nutation/counternutation is just one axis of sacral movement — the SI joint has several, each influencing posture, stability, and how force transfers through the body.

And the tail tells the story:
✨ Counternutation held → tail clamped tight
✨ Nutation held → tail lifted, hamstrings bulging, often with more pronounced lumbar lordosis

But it doesn’t stop there…
The SI is in direct relationship with the hip, stifle, hock, and even the phalanges. When sacral mechanics are restricted, the limb often compensates.

🤔 Could those inflamed suspensories or even proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD) be part of a whole-body pattern starting higher up?
That’s a conversation for another post. 😉

And here’s another layer 👇
Think about something your horse does around 20,000 times a day… 🌬️
Yes — breathing. The diaphragm and fascia create a powerful web of connections through the trunk and pelvis, shaping posture, relaxation, and ultimately performance. Fascia is the communication highway that links the SI to distant structures.

🚩 Signs your horse’s SI might be involved:

Bucking or kicking out under saddle, especially into or in canter

Lumbar lordosis (hollow back) or kyphosis (roached back)

Tail carried to one side, clamped, or lifted unnaturally

𝗪𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Every system is connected.

A horse presenting with back pain or SI pain may also be compensating in the head, neck, or elsewhere. From an osteopathic view, the skull and sacrum are linked through the Cranial Sacral System. They move in relation to each other, and when this motion is disrupted, restrictions can show up far from the original source.

🚩 Common patterns when SI or back dysfunction is part of a bigger picture:

Persistent headshyness or poll sensitivity

Back pain that keeps returning despite treatment

Uneven topline or hindquarter development

Pelvic restrictions that don’t resolve

Changes in ridden behaviour, especially during transitions or when engaging the hind end

💡 Sometimes the SI or back isn’t the true cause — it’s simply the symptom. A whole-horse approach reveals where the real imbalance lies.

👀 Have you spotted any of these patterns in your horse?
💬 Comment below — where have you seen the “clampy tail” story show up?

24/08/2025

✨ What Are Sutures in the Horse’s Skull? Why are they important if we want a happy healthy ridden horse ✨

Did you know your horse’s skull isn’t one solid bone, but made up of 26 plates connected by joints called sutures?

🔹 Bone joints: Sutures are fibrous joints connecting the cranial bones.
🔹 Living and pliable: These bones are living tissue, capable of subtle movement and even remodeling after injury.
🔹 Impact protection: Their interlocking, dovetail-like design disperses trauma energy to protect the brain.

💫 How Sutures Relate to CranioSacral Therapy
In CranioSacral Osteopathy, sutures are not fused and rigid—they are designed for gentle movement to accommodate the natural rhythm of the PRM facilitating subtle adjustments in the PRM, which includes the inherent movement of the brain and spinal cord along with CSF fluctuations.

🌊 Movement with CSF: As CSF pumps, the skull subtly expands and contracts at the sutures.
🖐️ Detecting restrictions: Practitioners use light touch to feel for restrictions, often caused by trauma, dental work, or ill-fitting tack.
✨ Releasing tension: Gentle hands-on techniques release these restrictions, restoring balance and natural fluid flow.

🐴 Why This Matters for Your Horse

Over their lifetime, horses experience pressures from bridles, bits, halters, dental work, and trauma, such as falls and pull back injuries. These don’t just affect the bones—they can also influence the cranial nerves that pass through them.

👉 For example:

The cranial nerves controlling eye accommodation are closely related to the sphenoid bone.

The sphenoid bone is located at the base of the skull, in front of the occipital bone, and forms part of the floor of the cranium and the orbit (eye socket).

It contains openings that allow nerves and blood vessels to pass through to the head and neck. (Imagine having a neck Musculoskeletal
issue and cranial sacral issue 😑 ⚠️) 🔥

And the TMJs (jaw joints) interfere with sphenoid motion 😳, see what I mean = WHOLE HORSE ASSESSMENT !
Not to mention the pituitary gland is housed in a specific hollow within the sphenoid bone, called the sella turcica. THOSE METABOLIC HORSES?!
(more about this another post)

This is why some horses may:
🚩 Chew strangely after dental work
🚩 Resist or feel unhappy in a bit
🚩 Spook when a rug is removed over the stable door
🚩 Startle when moving from bright light into a dark barn

I’ve treated many such cases, and while each horse’s story is unique, they all had one thing in common:

💡 No one had assessed the cranial nerves, bones, and sutures—and all had craniosacral restrictions.

✅ CranioSacral Therapy as part of whole horse assessment can help by:

Restoring balance in the cranial system

Improving biomechanics and overall comfort

Reducing behavioural issues linked to discomfort or nerve restriction.

Supporting health, relaxation, and performance in equine athletes

🌿 When you notice these red flags in your horse—changes in chewing, resistance to the bit, unexplained spookiness, or difficulty adjusting to light changes—it may be more than “behaviour.” Their craniosacral system could be asking for help.

✨ A balanced craniosacral system = a horse that feels better, moves better, and performs at their best.

📘 Want to learn how to help your own horse?
I’m creating a brand-new series of Horse Owners Guides, packed with practical tips to support your horse’s health and performance.

👉 Sign up here to be first in line and to get early access: https://helenthornton.com/contact

Image: Google

23/08/2025

Why does your horse still lack topline? Why does your rehab plan keep failing?

🚩Here’s the truth: it’s not just about muscles.

Your horse’s ability to stand tall, lift their back, and carry themselves correctly isn’t just a matter of strength. It depends on how their brain and body work together through the senses—sight, balance, touch, and awareness of where their body is in space.

If those systems aren’t working well, your horse will keep falling back into poor posture and movement patterns, no matter how many exercises or poles you add. That’s why so many rehab programs stall out or never deliver the topline you’re working toward.

Think of it this way: if the brain is organizing movement based on “bad information,” the horse will keep moving in protective, crooked, or inefficient ways. That means the right muscles—like those along the topline—never get activated properly.

Rehabilitation that really works goes beyond strength. It helps your horse’s nervous system relearn how to balance, move, and use their body with confidence. This can include things like:

✅ Specific poprioceptive exercises that build body awareness first
✅ Gentle changes in footing or terrain to challenge balance when ready
✅ Tactile stimulation or groundwork that encourages posture resets
✅️ The often over looked and most important thing when it comes to rehabilitation > Bit n contact reset

When the brain gets the right input, the body can finally produce the right output. That’s when your horse’s topline starts to come back—strong, functional, and pain-free.

15/08/2025

🚩Horse with Sacroiliac SI joint pain? What if the real problem is in the HEAD? 🐴🧠

So my last post about horses and headaches went viral.
That brought about some great conversations and questions.
This post will hopefully start to answer some of those ❓️:

“Could my horse’s headache actually becoming from the hind end? Does he have a headache?, he's only ever been diagnosed with back pain and sacroiliac dysfunction. I am told his behaviour is just him."

Could this involve the sacroiliac joints?⁉️
Could it all be interlinked 🤔

⤵️ The Craniosacral Reciprocal System:

From an osteopathic perspective, your horse’s skull and sacrum work together in a finely tuned rhythm — known as the Primary Respiratory Mechanism (PRM).

This is a rhythmic, involuntary motion that is present throughout the entire body, but most noticeable in the skull and sacrum.
It moves in alternating phases of flexion and extension, with the skull and sacrum shifting in a coordinated way.
When that rhythm is disrupted, it can create tension, restriction, and compensation patterns far from the original problem.

📖 The dura mater — a strong connective tissue sheath — surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It’s not just a protective layer; it’s part of this living, moving system anchored at both ends of the body. When one end is restricted, the other end feels it.

Key Structures and Attachments:

Sacrum: The dura has a solid anchor at the second sacral segment S2, linking pelvic stability to the spinal system.

The filum terminale anchors the spinal cord and meninges to the coccyx (tailbone), providing stability. the filum terminale is a continuation of the pia mater, with contributions from the dura mater.

Foramen Magnum: At the opposite end, the dura grips firmly inside the skull at the foramen magnum — the gateway where the spinal cord exits the cranium.
Remember those headaches?!

Cervical Attachments: Just below, there’s a lighter connection at the second cervical vertebra (C2), before the dura “free-floats” along most of the spine.

Vertebral Periosteum: At each vertebral exit point, the dura merges with the vertebral periosteum.

The dura mater of the skull, does attach to the inner lining of the temporal, frontal, occipital, and sphenoid bones. The dura mater is a tough, fibrous membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, and it has several layers, one of which is firmly attached to the bones of the skull.

Think those hind end joints are the whole problem?

Sometimes, those sore SI joints are just the symptom, not the cause. Here are a few tell-tale signs the real trouble could be coming from further away in the body and of course one end affects the other, in both directions:

🚩 Ongoing headshyness or poll sensitivity
🚩 Back pain that keeps coming back, even after local treatment
🚩 Uneven muscle development along the topline or hindquarters
🚩 Pelvic restrictions that simply won’t release or keep returning after bodywork
🚩 Unexplained changes in ridden behaviour — especially during transitions or when engaging the hind end

The message :

🐎🐎🐎 WHOLE horse assessment!🐎🐎🐎

Let's not segregate areas of the body.

📌 Would you like me to follow this up with a post showing you exactly how to spot craniosacral imbalance in your horse — from the ground, before you even touch them? Comment below.

And… if you’d like to be first in the queue for practical ways you can help your own horse, drop your email using the contact form in the comments or DM it to me — you’ll be the very first to know when my new short video courses are released. 🐴✨

05/08/2025

🐎 I’ve said it many times — HORSES DO GET HEADACHES!!

And I’ll keep saying it, because too many still ignore the signs.

It is NOT normal if your horse hates to have ONE or BOTH ears touched 🚩
Let’s talk about WHY ⬇️

The general term head shyness refers to a horse that moves its head away when touched in certain areas — especially the ears, poll, face, or upper neck.

Yes, rough handling can create this behaviour. But I’m talking about the horses that give a clear pain response — and we MUST pay attention to the 🚩 red flags 🚩

Let’s break it down with some anatomy — including cranial nerves — and real-life examples:

🔺 If you have to take your bridle apart to get it on — this is NOT normal.
🚩 It’s a pain response! Likely involving the poll, the occipital bone, or surrounding soft tissues like the nuchal ligament and suboccipital muscles.

🔺 Soreness around C1 and the upper neck? 🚩
The atlas (C1) supports the skull and sits in close proximity to the brainstem — where cranial nerves originate. If there’s tension, compression, or trauma in this area, horses can experience headaches, vision changes, coordination issues, and hypersensitivity.

🔺 Ear shyness – Behind the ears lies a complex neural and muscular region. Structures here include:

CN VII (Facial Nerve) – controls facial expression; dysfunction can lead to twitching or hypersensitivity.

CN V (Trigeminal Nerve) – especially its mandibular and ophthalmic branches, which are often involved in facial pain and head-shyness.

CN VIII (Vestibulocochlear Nerve) – important for balance; tension near the inner ear can affect proprioception and make head movement uncomfortable.

🔺 Horse is poor to catch?
Many are not trying to be 'difficult’ — they’re avoiding the discomfort of the halter going on, which may stimulate the trigeminal nerve or cause tension in the TMJ area. 🚩

🔺 Can be brushed on one side but not the other? 🚩
Could be unilateral cranial nerve irritation, often stemming from fascial pulls, past trauma, or misalignment.

🔺 Foaming at the mouth under bit pressure? 🚩
This isn’t always “submission.” Bit pressure can impact:

the mandibular branch of CN V (trigeminal nerve)

the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) — which controls tongue movement

the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) — associated with the throat and swallowing
All of these nerves can be compromised by poor dental balance, bitting, or cranial dysfunction.

Summary

Refusal to touch the ears, poll, or head is NOT just “bad behaviour.”
It’s communication.

Horses with myofascial pain, C1 restrictions, cranial nerve irritation, or TMJ dysfunction will naturally protect themselves — pulling away, raising the head, tensing the jaw, or shutting down altogether.

💡 Signs of stress you may see when touching the head area:

Elevated heart rate or subtle sweating

Holding the head unnaturally high

Tight nostrils or pinched expression

Squinting or avoiding eye contact

Rushing to the back of the stable when a rug is taken from the door almost in a panic

Don’t ignore these changes. Don’t write them off as “just being difficult.”
Think about pull-back injuries, rope accidents, or even long-standing bridle or bit pressure. These can have lasting effects on the cranial nerves, cervical vertebrae, fascia, and overall comfort.

Not to forget the cranial sacral connections, got a a horse with SI joint issues ? Could be related all the way to the skull!

🧠 Pain is real.
🐴 Headaches are real.
🎯 And your horse is telling you — are you listening?

Reposting because it’s THAT important.
Let’s do better for them.

31/07/2025

💡 Lightbulb Moments: The Mind-Body Connection 💡
WHAT’S IN THE MIND IS IN THE BODY.
WHAT’S IN THE BODY IS IN THE MIND.

🫀👀 Exploring the Mind & Body Connection 👀🫀

Understanding the relationship between the mind and body is essential—for both humans and horses. Each one powerfully affects the other. Mental, emotional, and behavioural patterns are reflected in the body—and what’s happening in the body can equally shape the mind.

Let’s say it again:

WHAT’S IN THE MIND IS IN THE BODY.
WHAT’S IN THE BODY IS IN THE MIND.

When either a horse or rider is stuck in a habitual physical pattern, there’s almost always an underlying emotional or mental component at play. I've experienced this myself. After any new fall or traumatic incident, my body instinctively reverts to the same pattern formed during my very first major trauma. It’s like my body remembers—and it’s unmistakably specific.

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🐎 Key Takeaways for Horse Owners

🦄 If you’re defending, you’re not performing.

This goes for both horse and rider. A body in a defensive, protective posture simply can’t perform at its best—and is more prone to injury.

Over 15 years ago, this realisation shifted everything for me. I learned that releasing the diaphragm should be the first step in any treatment session—whether for the horse or the human.

Here’s why:
Most adults don’t breathe properly. And yet, something as simple as improving breath mechanics can radically shift the body’s physiology. Horses are no different.

My journey into this started with my own injuries. Having my diaphragm worked on during an NKT seminar triggered a powerful release—I yawned non-stop for three hours! That experience set me on the path to train in osteopathy and understand just how vital visceral work is.

Only when we address these internal patterns can we begin to unlock and shift the habitual ones.

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🎓 Want to Learn More?

✨ The Balanced Horse Workshop
2-Day Hands-On Course for Horse Owners & Therapists
The Balanced Horse Workshop – 2-Day Hands-On Course for Horse Owners & Therapists

✨ Somatic Integration Movement Therapy Workshop
31 OCT – For Horse Owners & Therapists
Somatic Integration Movement Therapy WORKSHOP 31st OCTOBER for horse owners & therapists

These workshops offer practical, powerful tools to support your horses and create real change—both in performance and well-being. They're full of lightbulb moments for owners and therapists alike