Leanne's Equine Therapy

23/08/2024

Wally looking very relaxed after his treatment on Wednesday!! 💞

19/08/2024

Something a bit different today!

19/08/2024

Good to know and be aware of

It’s a good time to remind horse owners about the dangers of these seeds for horses. They are seeds of either the sycamore or box elder tree and contain a toxin called Hypoglycin A. It causes severe muscle damage with 70-90% fatality. Seedlings or contaminated water troughs can be a source of poisoning as well. It often happens in stormy weather when the seeds blow into paddocks. Not all trees are equally toxic but it pays to avoid having these trees anywhere near horse paddocks.

09/08/2024

Regular bodywork can help with all sorts of issues

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐩 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝?

EDIT: Please see additional information from Dr. Haussler in the comment section, in answer to your questions.

Every now and then, a Member of this community will ask Dr. Haussler a question - we like to share his answers with all of you.

"The funicular portion of the nuchal ligament passes over the C2 spinous process and is normally anchored by loose connective tissue to the bone below. As the horse’s head flexes and extends, that portion of the ligament must lengthen and shorten. It will normally stay in place along the midline (no “flipping” back and forth), also because there is a slight concavity on the top of the C2 spinous process.

However, with repetitive use, that soft tissue connection can break down. With atlantooccipital flexion, the nuchal ligament is stretched. With added lateral bending, that portion of the ligament is less anchored down and can displace off the spinous process and “pop” to one side or the other.

As with any displaced ligament or tendon, less tension and increased stabilization is required to help keep the structure in place. Otherwise, it displaces more often, and due to repeated local trauma, a bursa forms and fills with fluid, resulting in bursitis."

Image credit: Ivana Ruddock-Lange | Equine Anatomy in Layers

07/08/2024

01/08/2024

Happy Birthday to all our Equine friends! 🦄🎂🎉
Celebrating with a birthday treatment!!

29/07/2024

This sums it up perfectly, especially with everything that is happening in the equine world right now.
I am also very fortunate to have trained with Jock. So much respect for the amazing human he was, and the legacy he leaves behind 💞

𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑰𝒔 𝑨 𝑻𝒘𝒐-𝑾𝒂𝒚 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕
𝑩𝒚 𝑱𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝑹𝒖𝒅𝒅𝒐𝒄𝒌 – 𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑻𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉, 𝒄. 2006

In our recent tour of America we were introduced to a new phase whenever a horse was deemed to have a behavioural problem: “It’s a respect issue.” I was first introduced to this statement in a car driving along with four of my students; I was telling them about a woman in PA who had approached me with a three-year-old problem she was having with her horse. No one seemed to be able to fix it and from the names she trundled out it was obvious she had been to the “who’s who” of the equine training world.

Her horse was loving and friendly. They were bonded to each other; the horse she described was a wonderful companion and friend. The horse would greet her, walk with her, and would let her saddle him, but as soon as she sat in the saddle the horse very slowly would sit, then carefully lie down until she got off. Then he would stand up again. She had in fact never been able to ride the horse; the horse would not buck or kick or physically resist being tacked up, but every time she got on his back he would just lie down. He never showed any aggression or bad behaviour or hurt her in any way whatsoever.

I gave her my opinion and told her she had a horse that loved her but for some reason known only to him he did not want anyone on his back and was showing that fact to her in a very polite, passive way. It could be pain, it could be cellular memory, it could be emotional, or could be simply that he just did not want to be ridden. Does a horse, a creature of God just like us, not have the right to make that statement in a gentle positive manner?

Two of the students were upset at my answer and told me in no uncertain terms that the horse was showing no respect for the owner, and must be taught to have respect. I debated the fact a little but found I was wasting my words; the simple fact is you cannot teach anyone to respect you; respect is something you must earn.

My mind often goes back to when I was a young policeman at Scotland Yard when I believed that the only way to get respect from the local villains was to be faster, harder and tougher. As a result I got respect but for these factors only – the reason they jumped when I said ‘jump’ was simply through fear. One night I was off duty when I came across a group of men stealing a car. Being young and foolish I walked into the middle of them, pulled out my Police ID, and promptly told them they were all under arrest. I then stepped back and looked at my rather stupid predicament – here I was on my own, 2:00 in the morning with six tough-looking individuals laughing at the thought that wee Jock Ruddock had just told them they were all under arrest.

I could see the looks passing between them and knew I was seconds away from a good beating, so I started to talk. I told them they could all run away and I could catch perhaps one. I told them they could fight me and I could perhaps hurt one of them so badly before they got me that he would have to go to hospital and then the CID would trace him and all his friends. I also pointed out to them there was also a chance that they might accidentally kill me, that would mean life and was it worth it just to steal a car for a joy ride.

Five minutes later the seven of us walked into the Police station. The men I found out were all marine commandos who had missed the last bus home, were by now firm friends, and were quite unperturbed at being arrested. Why? Because I had shown them respect and they were returning it.

That is my attitude, and the Equine Touch attitude to the horse. I respect the fact that a horse may be in pain and in fact has the right to be in pain. When Ivana, myself or any of our practitioners approaches a horse, it must be with respect not only for the horse but for the condition that he is presenting to us at the time. If we do not respect the existence of pain then how can we truly address the horse with the integrity and intent that is required to help the horse in defeating it?

Just recently I met Bergy Bergeleen, who had just finished shoeing a horse that was in a lot of pain and muscle spasm in the forequarter. He asked me if I could address the soft tissue problems that were presenting themselves. I worked on the horse’s muscles, released the spasm and handed him over to the owner – only to watch in amazement as the horse was immediately saddled, led to a round pen, and with the weekend cowboy of an owner on his back, put through a whole lot of spinning routines and other strenuous exercises so the owner could ‘test’ him out.

Where was the respect for that horse’s pain? Where was the respect that the horse may have a serious injury? Where was the respect shown in understanding about the soft tissue recovery time in the horse? When the owner returned, his comment was that the horse was still not 100 percent but was a little better – a pessimist who cared more about his enjoyment on the horse than he did about the horse itself. That man deserved no respect.

A few days later I had the opportunity to work with Bergy again, this time just prior to the Savvy Conference on Linda Parelli’s thoroughbred Remmer. Linda’s concern for Remmer who was lame was evident; she took a long time with us explaining the problem, when it started, what the effects were and the symptoms. After I had balanced him and Bergy trimmed and reshod him, we left him overnight. The following morning we checked the shoes and rebalanced him once again. Linda then came to us and asked if he could be ridden and if so whether he would be in pain.
Very carefully and gently she warmed him up asking our opinions, noting how he had changed positively from the day before and how his stride had lengthened and the gate freed up. Even though she had a show in five days time with Remmer she was willing to cancel the show if her horse was in pain. She then allowed me to work on Remmer every morning and only gently exercised him. That, to me, was respect for the horse, and boy did she get it back.

In the UK and USA we live by an old law. You are innocent until proven guilty. Why do so many of us not apply that law to the horse? If a soccer player pulls a hamstring we respect the fact that he can’t play. We do not push him back onto the field and, because he cannot run or do the tricks we want him to do, say he has no respect; we actually respect him more. Why do we not do the same for our horses? We put saddles on sore backs – the horse turns round to snap at you, he had a respect issue; he does not want to do the tricks or perform the way you want him to, he has a respect issue. Why can we all not take a little time out to respect the horse, check him out before we ask him to work, find out by gently palpating the body, especially in crucial areas, whether or not the horse is in pain; check the hooves first thing in the morning for heat, the back for sore spots; watch the horse on the ground, see how he moves, not just walk him out of a stall and sling a saddle on him; show some respect.

We, mankind, have placed ourselves in charge of the most beautiful and spiritual animals on this earth. Before we have the right to expect respect from them we should learn how to earn it first. Respect, for me, will always be a two way street.

(Article from The Equine Touch archives, originally featured in the Natural Horse magazine).

Happy Heavenly Birthday Jock, continuing to inspire us still to this day, being an advocate to the horse ❤️

26/07/2024

I have been wanting to write something like this for a while! Perfectly said!!
Craniosacral therapy finds the compensation patterns, and brings balance back to the body!!

21/07/2024

19hh!!! Photos don’t do justice to how big this beautiful boy is!! I was nearly on my tip toes to reach his wither!! The most kind, gentle, amazing horse you could meet!!

10/07/2024

Excellent information!!

"New Home Syndrome"🤓

I am coining this term to bring recognition, respect, and understanding to what happens to horses when they move homes. This situation involves removing them from an environment and set of routines they have become familiar with, and placing them somewhere completely different with new people and different ways of doing things.

Why call it a syndrome?

Well, really it is! A syndrome is a term used to describe a set of symptoms that consistently occur together and can be tied to certain factors such as infections, genetic predispositions, conditions, or environmental influences. It is also used when the exact cause of the symptoms is not fully understood or when it is not connected with a well-defined disease. In this case, "New Home Syndrome" is connected to a horse being placed in a new home where its entire world changes, leading to psychological and physiological impacts. While it might be transient, the ramifications can be significant for both the horse and anyone handling or riding it.

Let me explain...

Think about how good it feels to get home after a busy day. How comfortable your favourite clothes are, how well you sleep in your own bed compared to a strange bed, and how you can really relax at home. This is because home is safe and familiar. At home, the part of you that keeps an eye out for potential danger turns down to a low setting. It does this because home is your safe place (and if it is not, this blog will also explain why a lack of a safe place is detrimental).

Therefore, the first symptom of horses experiencing "New Home Syndrome" is being unsettled, prone to anxiety, or difficult behaviour. If you have owned them before you moved them, you struggle to recognise your horse, feeling as if your horse has been replaced by a frustrating version. If the horse is new to you, you might wonder if you were conned, if the horse was drugged when you rode it, or if you were lied to about the horse's true nature.

A horse with "New Home Syndrome" will be a stressed version of itself, on high alert, with a drastically reduced ability to cope. Horses don't handle change like humans do. If you appreciate the comfort of your own home and how you can relax there, you should be able to understand what the horse is experiencing.

Respecting that horses interpret and process their environments differently from us helps in understanding why your horse is being frustrating and recognising that there is a good chance you were not lied to or that the horse was not drugged.

Horses have survived through evolution by being highly aware of their environments. Change is a significant challenge for them because they notice the slightest differences, not just visually but also through sound, smell, feel, and other senses. Humans generalise and categorise, making it easy for us to navigate familiar environments like shopping centres. Horses do not generalise in the same way; everything new is different to them, and they need proof of safety before they can habituate and feel secure. When their entire world changes, it is deeply stressful.

They struggle to sleep until they feel safe, leading to sleep deprivation and increased difficulty.

But there is more...

Not only do you find comfort in your home environment and your nervous system downregulates, but you also find comfort in routines. Routines are habits, and habits are easy. When a routine changes or something has to be navigated differently, things get difficult. For example, my local supermarket is undergoing renovations. After four years of shopping there, it is extremely frustrating to have to work out where everything is now. Every day it gets moved due to the store being refitted section by section. This annoyance is shared by other shoppers and even the staff.

So, consider the horse. Not only are they confronted with the challenge of figuring out whether they are safe in all aspects of their new home while being sleep deprived, but every single routine and encounter is different. Then, their owner or new owner starts getting critical and concerned because the horse suddenly seems untrained or difficult. The horse they thought they owned or bought is not meeting their expectations, leading to conflict, resistance, explosiveness, hypersensitivity, and frustration.

The horse acts as if it knows little because it is stressed and because the routines and habits it has learned have disappeared. If you are a new human for the horse, you feel, move, and communicate differently from what it is used to. The way you hold the reins, your body movements in the saddle, the position of your leg – every single routine of communication between horse and person is now different. I explain to people that when you get a new horse, you have to imprint yourself and your way of communicating onto the horse. You have to introduce yourself and take the time to spell out your cues so that they get to know you.

Therefore, when you move a horse to a new home or get a new horse, your horse will go through a phase called "New Home Syndrome," and it will be significant for them. Appreciating this helps them get through it because they are incredible and can succeed. The more you understand and help the horse learn it is safe in its new environment and navigate the new routines and habits you introduce, the faster "New Home Syndrome" will pass.
"New Home Syndrome" will be prevalent in a horse’s life until they have learned to trust the safety of the environment (and all that entails) and the humans they meet and interact with. With strategic and understanding approaches, this may take weeks, and their nervous systems will start downgrading their high alert status. However, for some horses, it can take a couple of years to fully feel at ease in their new home.

So, next time you move your horse or acquire a new horse and it starts behaving erratically or being difficult, it is not being "stupid", you might not have been lied to or the horse "drugged" - your horse is just experiencing an episode of understandable "New Home Syndrome." And you can help this.❤

I would be grateful if you could please share, this reality for horses needs to be better appreciated ❤
‼️When I say SHARE that does not mean plagiarise my work…it is seriously not cool to copy and paste these words and make out you have written it yourself‼️

04/07/2024

100% this!
30+ years ago, racehorses used to do a LOT of walking. And not around in circles on walkers. But big, hr long walks around fields and lanes, some even around the roads. And horses didn’t break down any where near as much.
And we used to ride our ponies and horses around the roads all the time, sometimes for hrs.
Laminitis wasn’t as big an issue then, metabolic syndrome wasn’t a thing then.
Hard feed wasn’t really a thing then, and if you did hard feed, it was just chaff and oats or barley.
We also didn’t shoe horses unless we really needed to, and even then, everyone used to take the shoes off for the winter, to give the feet a break.
So many issues we have today is because so much has changed for horses. We over feed, especially with processed ‘ready made’ feeds. We don’t work them nearly enough, and hardly ‘hack out’ like we used to. And most people never take shoes off, and let the feet recover.
The way we keep horses has changed so much, and I feel horses are paying the price for it.

30/06/2024

This is excellent advice!!

Defensive riding is rarely taught today as many riders and trainers have become complacent about the risks of riding. The top image is of Brooke Hodgson at Devon in 1968. She demonstrates a mild "C" position in an independent seat and following hands with the straight line from the bit to her elbow. The photographs document the turning point from the former American horsemanship standard of riding in the Balanced or Fort Riley Seat to the current Hunter Seat with its crest release, etc.

Independent seat means the rider has independent balance with their base of support in the stirrups. The independent nature of the rider's balance allows the rider to follow and be moved by the horse's motion. That is key, independent rider balance is in unity of movement with their horse.

Leaning on a horse's neck is not a shared movement with an independent seat but rather a merged balance in the rider dependent on their horse's balance. For example, should the horse's forehand collapse on landing, the rider is completely at the mercy of that collapse. The same is true if the horse were to stumble and fall in the strides following the landing. Dependent balances are dangerous.

By contrast, if the rider's horse at the top were to collapse or stumble, the rider, with their feet forward in the "C" position, could immediately rebalance herself.

The lower left is a US Cavalry rider in a "C" position ready to deal with whatever comes of the landing. I was taught the defensive "C" position as a child. From the beginning of my instruction, I learned defensive riding slides and over obstacles while riding terrain. I learned following hands using a neck or jumping strap that moved up and down my horse's neck. This allowed me to follow my horse's head movement with my hands holding the reins. Defensive riding techniques like the "C" position and following hands can be taught to children to make them safer riders.

*The bottom right rider is a well known retire international competitor. I used this picture recently and some younger commenters, who are unaware of the "C" position, thought I was trying to embarrass this rider. Defensive riding techniques are no longer commonly taught, and this is very dangerous.

30/06/2024

Horses need to be able to have their mouths slightly open for the jaw to be relaxed. If the jaw is relaxed, the pelvis is relaxed.
When you crank the nose band tight and the jaw tenses up, guess what happens to the pelvis??!! And then you expect the horse to go with a lose relaxed motion 🤷‍♀️

https://www.facebook.com/share/HM5uScpE3touyUwn/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Horses were studied wearing five different bridles using two different pressure measuring systems in an effort to standardize the method.

28/06/2024

Last nights Matariki celebrations!

27/06/2024

Great day treating horses in Otaki today!!
Check out this gentle giant!! Pics don’t do justice on how big he is!!

16/06/2024

OH. MY. GOD 😳
I didn’t even know this sort of thing existed!!!!
If you have to resort to this kind of thing, you need to be asking yourself some serious questions!!!
One of them, and the most important one - is your horse hurting, out of balance and unable to do what you are asking of them?
Horses don’t just get up one day and decide they are going to ‘be naughty’ or make your life hard, just for the hell of it. There is always a reason!!!
And if you can 100% rule out the above, then you need to take a look at yourself, before resorting to this kind of cruelty!!

15/06/2024

Had a great day in the Wairarapa yesterday treating horses, despite the rain!!
Was good to see the sun out today tho, even if it was only for a while!

10/06/2024

Enjoying some bodywork after her ride on the weekend!

Regular bodywork is KEY to keeping your horses body in balance!
Don’t wait till you have a problem, that leads to setting up compensation patterns and problems for your horse!

Call today to book an appointment for your horse!

01/06/2024

Wow, this is really interesting!

12/05/2024

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY - Bodywork that REALLY makes a difference!!!!

WHY? - Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, non invasive therapy, that releases tension, pressure and compensation patterns, bringing natural balance back to the equine body!

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT? - Craniosacral Therapy works on the entire body - bones, soft tissue, fascia, nervous system, even internal organs. It is not simply limited to bones you can physically touch.

Over 20 years experience bringing balance back to the equine body!!!
Get in touch today!!

05/05/2024

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY - A gentle, non invasive therapy, that releases trapped compensation patterns, tension and pressure, bringing natural balance back to the equine body!

Get in touch today!

02/05/2024

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY - Bodywork that actually works! A gentle, non invasive therapy, that releases trapped compensation patterns, tension and pressure, bringing natural balance back to the equine body!

GELDING SCARS
I’m sure most of you will have heard talk about gelding scars at some stage, and how it can effect horses.
Instead of going into anatomy, I am just going to give a simple analogy.
BOYS, imagine wearing pants that are two sizes too small and have a stitch that ties your groin to your abdomen in a really tight knot, that never releases.
LADIES, if you have had babies and you had your lady parts stitched back together, imagine walking around like that the rest of your life, with no relief ever.

Some problems you might see with gelding scars, are horses standing with back legs close together. Dragging toes on back legs, lumbar spine issues, bladder and waterworks issues, sticky stifles, core function issues (unable to engage core muscles), to name just a few.

The below pic will give you some idea of how the te**is being pulled down and clamped, can have a drastic effect on other parts of the body. The problem arises when scar tissue forms at the gelding site, keeping the ‘pull’ held in place. Craniosacral Therapy can help reduce these restrictions, allowing the body to move freely again.

30/03/2024

Happy Easter!! 🐣

29/03/2024

100% agree.
When I started working in racing stables over 30 years ago, we walked every single horse, ba****ck, for at least an hr a day. Just around huge paddocks. Some trainers lived off the track, and hacked their horses too and from the track, up to an hr each way. Horses were fitter and hardly ever broke down.
Most places have walkers now, but doesn’t have any where near the same benefits. Horses aren’t supposed to be on a constant circle. Does more harm than good, in my opinion.

They W-I-L-L N-O-T D-O I-T.

Will not do what? Use active walks for strength training as an. add-on to their regular training schedules. Eventers, show jumpers, dressage riders, whoever could gain benefit from having stronger equine athletes.

What are you talking about?

Well, this---In 1974 Jack LeGoff had a shallow bench of advanced 3-day horses to send to the World Championshipd to be held in September at Burghley. He had six riders and six horses, zero extras if one got hurt. He wanted to maximize their fitness, because cross country day, back then, would be over 17 miles long, and would require one hour and twenty minutes of trotting and galloping.

So he used vigorous long walks three days a week in addition to the normal schools. So say we did 45 minutes of flat work in the morning, which, with warmup and cool down might take an hour, give or take. Then, in the afternoon, say Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, he would have us saddle up again after lunch, and go hike around the open hills at Wylie. About one to one and a half hours, as I remember, each walk day.

Walks do not stress horses much. They are highly unlikely to cause injury. They build base strength and create muscular development. They are a win-win.

But virtually NOBODY does this, Most human sports teams now employ strength coaches because when technique starts to fail, raw strength can create that winning edge. Why would human horse trainers not want stronger horses?

But does ANYONE grasp this in 2024? Or, if they do, do they make the effort to actually do it?

There’s a hidden gorilla in the room, actually more of a train than a gorilla, It is called the Excuse Train. Nobody wants to admit being lazy, so they dig up reasons to deflect.

“I don’t have time.” That’s a big one.
“I don’t have a place to do it.”
I don’t have enough help.”

But the real reason is usually more basic, six words. “I don’t want to do it.”

Everyone wants an edge. Strength is an edge. There’s a reasonably safe and straightforward method to add strength, Take Jack’s advice or deny it----.

-

26/03/2024

Very good visual, and excellent information

05/03/2024

HOY here we come!!!
Look fwd to seeing friends and clients up there!! Pm if you need any last minute tune ups!! 🦄💞

01/08/2023

Happy Birthday to all horses today!!! 🎂🎉🦄
To celebrate, for every horse booked in for a bodywork session in the month of August, i am offering a FREE Bioresonance Biofeedback scan!! This can be for yourself, or your horse!!
Book now, to take advantage of this introductory offer!

28/07/2023

Great visual!

18/07/2023

🦄 HORSE W.O.F 🦄

The new season is just around the corner!! Winter so far has been very mild, with lots of beautiful days for riding!
Book your horse in today, for a W.O.F, and a well deserved Tune up!
Bring Balance back to your horses body!