Wholesome Horses

16/05/2025

Watch, follow, and discover more trending content.

01/05/2025

I know most
Of us know this, but I always love reading reminders💕

15 Fascinating Facts About the Horse's Heart and Its Emotional Connection with Humans:

The heart of an average adult horse weighs about 4–5 kg — nearly 10 times heavier than a human heart.

A horse's resting heart rate is around 28–40 beats per minute, but it can rise up to 240 during stress or intense activity.

The horse's heart is incredibly powerful — it can pump over 60 liters of blood per minute during running.

Human emotions can affect a horse's heart rate. Studies show that horses "read" human moods and mirror them.

During calm interaction, the heart rates of the human and horse can synchronize — a phenomenon known as bioelectrical resonance.

Horses sense a person's presence even before physical contact — their heart reacts to energy changes nearby.

A horse's heart generates a strong electromagnetic field, capable of transmitting emotional signals to other horses and even people.

Horses have a highly developed parasympathetic system, allowing them to calm down quickly in a safe environment.

A handler’s anxiety or fear can trigger stress in the horse — even if no real threat is present.

During cuddling or quiet companionship, a horse’s heartbeat slows down — a clear sign of trust.

Young horses experience emotional “storms” more frequently — much like humans, their hearts and nervous systems are still developing.

Trauma can leave an "emotional imprint" on a horse's heartbeat, even long after physical recovery.

Horses have the ability for emotional healing — kind and caring human contact can stabilize their heartbeat.

The horse’s heart is often seen as a symbol of deep intuition — horses can "feel" intentions before a word is spoken.

Scientific studies confirm that the emotional bond between human and horse is not a myth — it's a real physiological interaction of hearts, which can even have healing effects.

28/04/2025

Did you know?!?! “Shake up your fly control for horses with a little coconut oil. According to the USDA, “...coconut oil compounds were effective against biting flies and bed bugs for two weeks and had lasting repellency against ticks for at least one week in laboratory tests. In addition, the compound showed strong repellency against mosquitoes when higher concentrations of coconut oil compounds were topically applied.”

However, it’s important to use coconut oil sparingly on your horse’s coat. The oil attracts dirt and may make your horse’s back too slippery for your saddle. Additionally, be careful around sensitive areas, like the eyes.

21/04/2025

I didn’t back my horse until the age of four and even then very slowly. What about you?

How long does it take a horse to develop muscles that are really strong enough to carry a rider?

According to Dr. Ann Marie Hancock (DVM, Equine Osteopath, and Equine Acupuncturist), it takes about 1-2 years for a horse to develop the muscles necessary to carry the weight of a rider without causing physical damage.
The muscles that need to be developed are the Dorsal (exterior) chain and the Ventral (Flexor chain). You probably know these simply as the “back” and “core” muscles. But, did you know that there are also “interior” muscles that are postural?

The Dorsal chain of muscles includes the nuchal ligament, the latissimus dorsi, the long back muscles, and the gluteal muscles. These allow for the flexing (lifting) of the back.
The Ventral chain of muscles includes the hyoid apparatus (which connects also to the TMJ and the tongue), the Sternocephalicus muscle, all the muscles that go into the sternum, the belly wall, and even connecting in to the front of the back leg.
When you work a horse too quickly or even sit on an unfit horse for long periods of time, you are fatiguing the muscles that you want them to use for carrying weight. And the horse then uses other muscles (the postural muscles) that are not meant for that purpose.
That’s why “30 day” programs are harmful especially for starting young horses. And even for the older horse who has been out of work for weeks or months. It’s important for your horse’s wellbeing to take time with short rides that focus on building the right muscles.

Image Credit: Vicki Wise

08/04/2025

גלו את הכוח של עבודת גוף סוסית – סמינר שיטת מסטרסון® בן יומיים

📆 **22-23 במאי** | 📍 **גבעת שמש** | ⏳ **מספר מקומות מוגבל!**

רוצים לעזור לסוס שלכם לשחרר מתח עמוק, לנוע בחופשיות ולחזק את הקשר ביניכם?
**שיטת מסטרסון®** היא **טכניקת עבודת גוף אינטראקטיבית** המסייעת לסוסים **לשחרר מתח ללא כפייה** – על ידי הקשבה לתגובות העדינות שלהם.

למה להצטרף?
✅ תלמדו **טכניקות מעשיות** לשיפור הנוחות והתנועה של הסוס
✅ תחזקו אמון דרך **עבודת גוף עדינה ומובלת על ידי הסוס**
✅ תעזרו לסוס שלכם להרגיש **רפוי יותר, רך ומאוזן**

בין אם אתם בעלי סוסים, רוכבים או אנשי מקצוע בתחום הסוסים, **הסמינר האינטנסיבי הזה בן יומיים** ילמד אתכם כיצד **לעבוד עם הסוס ולא עליו** – ולקחת את הקשר שלכם לרמה חדשה של הבנה ורווחה.

🔥 מספר המקומות מוגבל! הירשמו מראש כדי להבטיח את מקומכם.

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🐴💙 *הסוס שלכם יודה לכם.*

07/04/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BX9TqGqR5/

Go to: www.Hydra-Heal.com for all your wound care needs! GM Equestrian loves this product and we know you will too!

07/04/2025

If you flex your horses neck extensively while riding or longe your horse with restrictive side rains, you could be doing damage to his nuchal ligament. Read on…

Multiple studies have shown that increased flexion of the neck during riding or lunging can have many negative effects on the horse’s body and is a welfare issue. Please read this comprehensive article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-72766-5

Image:
Riding behind the vertical or lunging while restricted with side or draw reins can also damage the nuchal ligament. The nuchal ligament is the main ligament of the neck, running from the occipital bone to the thoracic spine with attachments to the cervical vertebrae. It plays a crucial role in supporting the neck during locomotion and allowing for energy-efficient movement.

During hyperflexed head and neck positions, there is increased tension on the cord portion of the nuchal ligament and its attachment to the occipital bone. In horses ridden behind the vertical, the nuchal ligament does not function as a unit, with both parts – the cord and lamina- complementing each other. The cord is under increased tension, which over time can lead to degenerative changes in the ligament and bone changes at its attachment site, resulting in new bone formation – exostoses.
Between the first cervical vertebrae and the nuchal ligament are often developed nuchal bursae, cranial that is above the atlas, and caudal nuchal bursa between the cord and axis. When the nuchal ligament is under extensive tension, that can also initiate inflammation of those thin-walled structures. Cranial and caudal nuchal bursitis can be confirmed by ultrasound.

https://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/pdfs/vet/2020/08/01.pdfhttps://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/237/7/javma.237.7.823.xml

Links to my work:
Patreon page that supports my work
https://www.patreon.com/equineanatomyinlayers

Whole Horse Dissection online (12 months access)
https://ivanaruddock.podia.com/the-equine-anatomy-in-layers

Atlas of the Equine Musculoskeletal system
https://ivanaruddock-lange.com/equine-atlas/

07/04/2025

A great image and explanation from a colleague of mine! Thank you

Sitting quiet drawing helps me immensely especially with my busy mind, 3am this morning decided to change all the colours on the drawings I am liking the blue, I seem to be drawn to the colour blue all the time (yes I know no one likes the blue background on my ebooks as to print it off uses all the colour ink😀)
I am not working on horses this weekend I don't feel it's fair to work on horses who need to feel safe especially if in pain when I have some emotional turmoil going on and we know horses know our inner elf's so masking does not work with horses which is why I find maybe that's why those of us who mask everyday to fit into a human world can often breathe a sigh of relief within the equine world as they don't want us to be anything but our true self 🥰
Anyway here is the Longissimus redone remember it is not just a back muscle xx

I am liking the blue ☺️

Also I am a wierdo if I have an emotional overload I begin cleaning and nobody likes to hear the hoover at 3am so drawing stops me being to much of a wierdo 😃

12/02/2025

I know I’m going to post this in my barn for anybody who’s taking care of my horses!
Thank you Kim Kohl for sharing!

03/02/2025

Working the magic here in Wellington Florida this week! (Thanks to Candace K. Platz). I just love the ease horses feel in their bodies after each session.

If you’re interested in learning the basics, join me in Israel on February 20 and 21 for the weekend seminar! Message me for details!