Back to work with fantastic horses at Equi-resort Courela da Vala, near Grândola, Portugal.
The consultation begins with observation, palpation and a whole body evaluation looking at the whole horse. Noting any asymmetries and collecting information about past or present, chronic or acute issues regarding body and behaviour.
With Neuromuscular Dentistry, incisors are the beginning point and the most important part of a horse´s dentition. They support and guide the TMJ (temporomandibular joint), which in turn influences how your horse will move and stand (proprioception). Balance and posture are intimately linked to TMJ function.
At the core of Neuromuscular Dentistry is finding answers as to why the horse´s body is out of balance. Simply looking at teeth, disregarding the need for a "whole mouth balance" with its vital neural and biomechanical connections creates compensatory patterns and inappropriate posture.
My aim is to maximise your horse´s potential, health and overall well-being.
For more information:
http://www.neuromuscularhorsedentistry.com
https://holistichorse.com/health-care/neuromuscular-dentistry-for-the-equine/
Neuromuscular dentistry tour update for my clients in South Africa and the UK
Let´s stay in touch
A shift from competition to "compassion".
That is exactly what I experienced during my last neuromuscular dentistry visit to South Africa. Many more clients have started to embrace a more holistic approach in the care for their equines including tack, toes, training and turnout.
Teeth are essential for mastication but are also part of a much bigger picture that embraces vital neuromuscular concepts affecting health, well-being and performance throughout the entire body.
The focus on the individual is an important factor to realise as each and every horse is different.
At the core of Neuromuscular Dentistry is finding answers as to why the horse´s body is out of balance. Simply looking at teeth, disregarding the need for a "whole mouth balance" with its vital neural and biomechanical connections create compensatory patterns and inappropriate posture.
I have included a few snapshots of what my travels through South Africa had in store for me and our Neuromuscular Dentistry paradigm. The breeds this time varied from Thoroughbreds, Lusitanos, indigenous breeds like the Boerperd and Nooitgedacht, Icelandic, a Russian Warmblood, Fresions....oh and have I mentioned more Thoroughbreds..., with ages ranging from 3 1/2 to 20.
Thank you, South Africa, for yet another wonderful experience!
Sharif: “Ok, show me what you got.”
Me: “C’mon, this is new, newly built, dreamt up by humans, it’s a see-saw! You kinda wobble around a bit on it and use your proprioception, sense of balance, and....well, guts to move on it
Sharif:” hmm, like this? God, you people make life difficult 😂
Me:” 100% beat”
The NBD journey to Stuttgart is about to begin! Super excited and extremely happy to be doing this together with my friend and colleague, Sarah Schaffner. #NMD4Germany #itsallaboutteamwork #awholeweekoflisteningandlearning #naturalnalancequinedentistry #certifiedandingoodstanding
“Hay High”, an easy, calm and relaxed, almost playful strengthening exercise that can be incorporated in daily feeding regime #strongcoremuscles #cyberneticmuscles #improvingposture #strenghtening #standingsquare #calmsndrelaxed #justhavinganibble #20mimsperdayorso
A bit of DIY fascia release! Easy to put up and a life saver for the field shelter lol 😂 #gotanitch? #niceandeasydoesit #thinknatural #thankyouLesleyHolehouse
Reward based training for encouraging a walk with impulsion when leaving home and his friend behind #positivehorsemanship #learningtobeabetterguardian #oldschoolapprachsucks #nowhipsonthisyard #setthemupforsuccess #connectiontraining
#goodtoeat #andreadytomakeadiveforit
❤️It officially doesn’t get any better than his❤️#lovemyjackrussel #finallyhome #downtime #enjoyingfarmlife
“Muzzle muscles” workout this morning. #incisoraction #gripandpullhard #puckerlips #naturalbalancedentistry#neuromusculardentistry#4thehorse
I am not sure I would make it to “Blackpool 💃 “ #strictlycomedancing, but what a better way to end the last two weeks of school for Natural Balance Dentistry ™️/ Neuromuscular Dentistry wedged between a universal unicorn and a ...ahem, a Canadian cactus 🌵?
#workhard #studysmarter#electrondonors
https://www.equi-librio.pt/
http://www.neuromuscularhorsedentistry.com/
** Challenge for today ** and turn up the volume:
Take a minute out of your busy schedule and listen to your horse chewing!
What does it sound like?
Do you hear a confident and even grinding sound or do you hear an uneven jarring noise?
What does your horse’s facial expression look like when eating?
Calm and relaxed or tensed and stressed?
Little signs they may be, but once they remain unnoticed for too long, other parts of the body will start to compensate for being uncomfortable in the mouth.
A tense jaw usually equals a tense poll, head and neck, and reluctance to move forward due to tense shoulder muscles. Lack of hind end engagement is also common as the jaw can’t move freely and in turn restricts the movement in the rest of the body:
“ where the head won’t go, the body won’t follow “
Find out more about Natural Balance Dentistry ™️
https://www.equi-librio.pt/
http://www.neuromuscularhorsedentistry.com/
Work hard, play hard!
#naturalbalancedentistry #algarvesummerfun #vilavitabiergarten #yummyfood #comeandvisit #oktoohotatthemoment #maybelater
I love this!
Two years ago I introduced a free choice “hay high” hay net, based on the suggestion by the renowned Sharon May-Davis to promote a good posture whilst eating, giving horses a break from their usual one leg forward, one leg back position. A position that can be linked to the high heel- low heel syndrome.
By horses “browsing” at wither height, they are encouraged to stand square with their front and sometimes hind legs, building up the highly innervated cybernetic muscles of the spine such as the m. Multifdi and m. Longus Colli .
These muscles are vital in stabilizing and strengthening the spine!
“Hay high” is a simple daily feeding regime, that can be incorporated as an effective strengthening exercise with beneficial effects on the whole of the horses body.
Core strength Yoga for horses? “OM”, Yes, and it comes as a treat 🥕🥕🥕.
Here’s a simple and effective way to strengthen your horse’s core and encourage more suppleness.
And it’s fun- the perfect trick AND treat 2-3/week.
Hello from Portugal! And here is my third video demonstrating a Masterson Method ® technique. Today I am doing " Head Down" with Sharif. The goal is to release tension and improve suppleness in the muscles behind poll. It's a fantastic tool as many horses instinctively feel very vulnerable in this position and have accumulated a lot of tension over time due to restrictions in this area. Thanks for watching
I wanted to share with you a little video about one of the toughest things I have ever done in my life: Ride and Finish the Tevis Cup 2016.
A personal experience that made me decide to learn as much as I can about our beautiful equine friends.
First in line: Qualify as a Certified Masterson Method Practitioner. Mission accomplished in May 2017.
If it wasn't for "Kismet", the most determined horse I have ever met, this would have not been possible. Thank you and see you soon, Kismet, as I will have the pleasure of riding her again real soon for the 2 day Tevis Education Ride coming up in July in California.
Photo credits: Gordon Cowan and Michael Read.
Today i would like to share with you a Masterson Method ® technique called " Scapula Release" with the goal to release and drop the shoulder in a relaxed state. My aim is to release tension in the muscles, fascia and connective tissue that attach the forelimbs to the body creating an improved range of motion of the legs and a better shock-absorption function in the legs and shoulders; and as a built in extra with this technique: releasing tension in the front end, releases tension in the hind end.
Enjoy ! And I am happy to answer any questions and come and see your horse.
Welcome to the first of my video series demonstrating a Masterson Method ® technique to maintain and to strive to improve your horse's freedom of movement. Help him feel good in his body and unlock his potential as an equine athlete.
Horses love ❤️ bodywork!