Performance Panel Clinic at Whitegate Farm

08/07/2024

02/03/2024

Exactly WHY we host the Panel Clinics

Next one Thur 18 April!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/7HTXEZ7BRGPAvMFX/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The "Not Quite Right Horse"

The most heart breaking cases I am involved in are with the owners of the "not quite right horse".

When I started out training horses I solved problem horses with education. It worked for a while until I came across horses that seemed to be stuck and could not learn or their performance was inconsistent.

Then the reasons started to be revealed. Unsoundness. The type that means the horse is not obviously lame but when we ask them to be ridden, travel in a certain direction in a certain gait the issues cause the horse to feel uncomfortable and this is reflected in their behaviour.

I have dozens of stories of unsoundness.

Even some of the difficult horses I "fixed" all turned out to have problems that became more obvious the older they got.

These days I am good at seeing red flags and believe the horse when they show me they are struggling.

Some problems are easy to diagnose, others are not. Some are easy to manage, some are not.

The owner’s are stuck in the "hard to diagnose" and "hard to treat" are the horse owners I feel for the most.

However, I believe a lot of these owners get stuck because we need to improve assessment observations. And there are heap of potential research projects ready and waiting to be done ♥️

I have a lot of respect for Sue Dyson Vet MB PhD and her research producing the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram. However, I have only had a handful of clients be asked to ride their horse during lameness work ups. Many problems are only revealed when ridden.

Not only that but I feel many clear signs of discomfort the horse gives can be missed when lunged for assessment.

These are common things that potential investigators might find interesting to observe in connection with different soundness issues:

Difference from one rein to the other including things like posture, their head position (low, high or counter bend), struggle to transition between gaits, variation in tension and conflict behaviour, the amount of motivation they need to go forward and transition, length of time in maintaining gait etc.

I know many of these things are already observed as important but I have seen many overlooked and more overt signs focused on.

I believe the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram is just the start, taking note of behaviours during lunging and other activities may also be helpful...and I am also keen to see the future of computer diagnostics too.

Please don’t see this as criticism of the veterinary industry…I just think there are some potential research projects out there that might help these “not quite right horses” by investigating the subtlety of their presentation.

If you are an owner of the "not quite right horse", my thoughts go out to you as I know it is tough ❤

07/02/2024

Due to cancellation there is a rare fitting slot Saturday 1-3pm! Book online via Freedom Saddlery

22/01/2024

The link between feet and saddle fit, and how all equine para professionals should work together! Music to our ears!

The British Equestrian podcast is back! For this first episode in our Equine Health Week 2024 series, Rachel D**e is joined by farrier Ben Benson Farrier and…

26/07/2023

We’ve been running these clinics for a few years now…. But the reasons remain the same!

Booking now being taken for 7 September!

23/07/2023

Next clinic 7 September 2023!! Link below!

All the experts. Looking to proactively find those marginal gains to keep your horse happy and healthy in their work!

Whatever their job, all ridden horses deserve to be as comfortable as they possibly can be!

https://bookwhen.com/performanceclinic

11/07/2023

Trimming is integral to equine welfare.
In the UK a farriery apprentice trains for 4 years, studying all aspects of hoofcare including caring for the unshod foot.
As part of their final exams, farriery apprentices need to demonstrate both practical skill, knowledge and behaviours trimming the equine foot.
Your farrier will be able to advise whether your horse or pony needs to be shod – the answer will depend on the individual equine and will include factors such as work, environment, management and current hoof health.

NAF

17/06/2023

Next clinic 29 June!! Book in quickly!!

15/05/2023

We got a mention! ☺️

One of our new additions to the Saddle Fitting Assessors Team is Steph Bradley.

Steph started her saddlery career 20 years ago after a successful career in banking and financial services. She is an Accredited BHS and BD Coach who runs her own competition and livery yard where she is also bases her saddle fitting business from.

One of Steph's passions and main focus is paraprofessionals working together for the welfare and safeguarding of the ridden horse and that is why she initiated a monthly Performance Panel Clinic Day at her yard where clients take their horses to be assessed buy a Vet, Vet Chiropractor, Farrier (with gait assessment tools), Human Physio, Feed Advisor and of course Steph in her roles as both Rider Symmetry Coach and Saddle Fitter. Horses and riders have a full "MOT" on the day.

Education of the general public with regards to saddle fitting and safeguarding the ridden horse is something which Steph embraces and has delivered many webinars and demos along with writing educational articles. Research is also of great interest to Steph, she is currently working on her research project into how the perimenopause/menopause affects rider participation and performance in dressage as part of her work with the University of Gloucestershire.

Steph is also proud of World Dressage Champion Charlotte Fry who was a client and sponsored rider of Steph's before her move to Holland.

27/04/2023

Another successful performance panel clinic … you could hear the critical thinking between all the para professionals attending, sharing thoughts and asking questions to get to the nub of issues.

A great day of professionals working together!

22/04/2023

Not long until our next clinic!
27 April 2023

Always a great day as these para professionals come together to collectively help the horses they see!

19/04/2023

Sam Crompton Dip Wcf, one of the panel team, out in Spain lecturing!

31/03/2023

Have a listen to the latest Freedom Saddlery podcast
“More than a saddle fitter”.

In this episode Steph interviews Dr Angela Holland on her journey to becoming a veterinary chiropractor from being an equine vet.

Listen up! It’s free!

😀

13/02/2023

Next clinic date - 27 APRIL 2023

To book :

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use Bookwhen. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

13/02/2023

Welcome to the Performance Panel Clinic at Whitegate Farm page!

The clinics were set up two years ago in response to the high number of referrals of mutual clients between the team of paraprofessionals. Seeing the horse-saddle-rider all at the same appointment saves so much time, and gets issues resolved far more quickly than the chain of referrals which can take weeks.

The multi-disciplinary team comprises of:

Veterinary Wrexham Equine Care
Veterinary Chiropractor Equine Veterinary Wellness Clinic
Saddle Fitter Freedom Saddlery
Farriers Sam Crompton Dip Wcf
Coach Bradley
Human Chiropractor/Physio The Chiro and Physio Clinic
Feed adviser Baileys Horse Feeds
Professional rider (optional) Francesca Bradley Dressage

All are there to assess your horse at the same time, all conferring and collaborating to resolve niggles and issues that are impeding progress or performance.

This clinic is for anyone who rides a horse - whether you be a happy hacker or a top level professional rider.

The multi disciplinary team are there to support you, advise you and most importantly listen and observe - and ultimately help you and your horse improve and be more comfortable.