Sylvia Johanna Read, Natural Balance/Neuromuscular Equine Dentistry, MMCP

09/05/2020

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/

29/04/2020

Lockdown is about to be eased in Portugal as from next week onwards, which means I will be able to travel again for my work, at least nationally, which is a big relief.

In the meantime, its good to keep the mind focused on balance, stability and guidance with my own two horses, Sharif and Girao.

18/04/2020

Let´s stay in touch

14/03/2020

Fellow MMCP Sonia Bascunana has professionally and very kindly translated my post about Neuromuscular Dentistry for the Equine into Spanish!
There you go folks, "feliz lectura" / happy reading. Thank you Sonia for this amazing effort and your interest in neuromuscular dentistry.

por Sylvia Johanna Read, Dentista certificada de Equilibro Natural A menudo empiezo con mi presentación del concepto de Odontología Neuromuscular para los equinos diciendo que “si sólo miro los dientes, lo único que veo son dientes”. Esto no suele sorprender a los clientes que ya han adoptad...

08/03/2020

Awesome podcast share by my friend and colleague Gretchen Deane. Thanks for sharing, Gretchen!

‎Show Patrick King Horsemanship » Broadcasts, Ep Ep. #25, Jillian Kreinbring, TALKING ABOUT HORSES - Mar 21, 2018

07/03/2020

Great Saturday afternoon read!
Ever wondered why it is no accident that horses came to be domesticated and grizzly bears did not?

https://horse-canada.com/magazine/training/an-investigative-look-at-the-science-behind-natural-horsemanship/

05/03/2020

I totally love this course! Over half way thought at the moment and the knowledge just keeps coming 😉🤓😉

03/03/2020

Easy to follow “step-by-step guide” on how to safely train your horse to accept syringes. This is particularly useful when we want to administer oral sedation prior to a safe and thorough dental balance, without the horse getting stressed.

Quick tip: every time the horse removes its head from the syringe before you do, it has managed to relieve pressure and will find this reinforcing, i.e. your horse will keep trying to avoid the syringe and raise its head.

💡🤓: Make sure you are ahead of the game and remove the syringe every time the your horse is calm and not avoiding the syringe contact. (As shown in the video). Slowly, but surely getting to the final outcome, which is the syringe in the mouth without avoiding it!

I am looking forward to my next visits and see how the training is going 😉!

https://youtu.be/-wqrHYyyf9w

Equine vets have one of the highest injury risks of all civilian professions. To help address this serious issue the British Equine Veterinary Association (B...

28/02/2020

Continuing education at the Center for. Neuromuscular Dentistry for the Equine, Madison, Georgia, February 2020.
Meeting inspiring colleagues from Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 , USA 🇺🇸 Canada 🇨🇦, Russia 🇷🇺 , UK 🇬🇧 and Europe has been an absolute delight!

Compelling evidence, backed up by a vast amount of combined case studies, suggests that Neuromuscular Dentistry promotes the harmonious relationship between the occlusal surfaces of incisors, molars and the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) and provides stability, balance and guidance in all three. The paradigm is to restore balance in order to restore the horse.

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 biomechanics creates compensatory patterns and inappropriate posture.

An out-of-balance TMJ is the cause for many dysfunctions in the body. Such signs include mystery lameness, tendon and ligament injuries, tension in poll and around the ears, short striding or inability to extend the forelimb, lack of proprioception, including tripping and balance issues, lack of hind end engagement, and the list goes on….

To find out more, visit:
https://www.equi-librio.pt/
http://www.neuromuscularhorsedentistry.com/

21/02/2020

Very excited to meet up with my colleagues and friends for a week of Continuing Education in the field of Neuromuscular Dentistry for the Equine, Feb 24-27.
As we learn more about how subtle changes to a horse’s bite alignment can have a profound impact on health, behavior, well-being and performance it’s going to be very interesting to compare case studies and evidence that makes our work such a unique approach to dentistry. Balancing the whole horse, body and mind.

06/01/2020

Hot off the press and directly from the horse´s mouth.
Kicking the New Year in with what fills me with passion - Happy reading!

https://holistichorse.com/health-care/neuromuscular-dentistry-for-the-equine/

18/12/2019

882 miles (that’s a lot of kms..) and 11 days later, it is mission accomplished for the second annual Neuromuscular Dentistry for the Equine visit to the UK this year.
This tour included a great 50/50 mix of old and new customers and yet another great variety of equine breeds, ages and characters.
Patterns are starting to show how much movement -turnout vs stabled- plays an important role in the wear pattern with a horse’s dentition. I will write more about this observations in my next post.
For now, however, I would like to wish all my clients (horse and human) a happy Christmas and thank you for your trust and confidence in making this world a better place for all the horses in our care.

14/12/2019

? #❤️

14/12/2019

Thank you Ruth Drimer, for having me back to work on Gem and Ebony again.
The fascinating part of coming back to a previously balanced bite is to assess how well it’s held up and what adjustments took place in the horse’s body and mind over a period of time. Focusing on the individual plays an important part with Neuromuscular Dentistry and my aim is to work towards a greater and clearer knowledge for the benefit of the horse.

10/12/2019

It’s blowing a gale, it’s raining, freezing 🥶, it’s meeting up with new and existing clients, and -hey-, it’s almost Christmas 🎄.

Pretty typical for visiting the UK 🇬🇧 in December but what is even more satisfying is coming back to dental balances carried out 12 months ago and to find that the guidance and alignment by addressing the incisors first for stabilizing the TMJ has worked to its fullest potential!
Teeth are essential for mastication, but are also part of a much bigger picture that embraces vital connections affecting health, well-being and performance throughout the entire body.

The relationship of dental structures to body mechanics and neural connections has well been studied in research on humans.
It is now receiving growing attention in the equine field as well, as integrated care concepts replace traditional standards.

Neuromuscular Dentistry promotes the harmonious relationship between the occlusal surfaces of incisors, molars and the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) and provides stability, balance and guidance in all three. The paradigm is to restore balance in order to restore the horse.

07/12/2019

🐴 🦷 🐴✈️ 🇬🇧 It’s been a super busy year and this is the last Neuromuscular Dentistry for the equine tour 2019!

01/12/2019

“ The Whole Horse Dissection Clinic” by the incredible teacher MVDr. Ivana Ruddock.

We learnt about “movers” and “stabilizers”, about elastic recoil, dynamic stabilization, concentric, isometric and eccentric contraction - yes, still talking about muscles, tendons, ligaments and the all important layers of the most wonderful thing called “fascia”, amongst other things.

But, more importantly, we have started to embrace the horse as a “whole” and not just its parts. Recognizing that if you only look at individual components, you soon learn that the sum of its pieces runs well short of the wholeness it has to offer: tensegrity!

And it’s also about meeting up with friends and colleagues, who are true industry professionals, caring about the health, well-being and performance of the horses in their care.

Thank you, Joke from DeBascule for convincing Ivana to come a long way to teach at this clinic, and Dierenkliniek Hofma&Gelder BV for hosting us at your marvelous facilities.

29/11/2019

-Lange

19/11/2019

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!

09/11/2019

😊😊Just look at all the smiles 😊😊 and it takes a (dream)team to make it work!
Thank you, ladies.
In the picture (from left to right) you have a dedicated vet who really gets it and is in it for the horses’ sake, an equine bodyworker(and she really is so much more), who has made this all possible with her utter conviction that good is not good enough, the horse that brought us all together, ....., and a lady of true character, who, in her very quite, but equally strong way, has provided all of us with the perfect platform to make things happen - For the Horse.
Thank you.

03/11/2019

🇿🇦 It’s not all work, it’s also play! 🐾
Thank you Kathy Adams for truly spoiling me today. What a treat ❤️🐾❤️

15/10/2019

„Follow the horse“ was the motto of our tour in Germany 🇩🇪 last week, organized by my friend and colleague, Sarah Schaffner (Ganzheitliche Pferdetherapie Schaffner).

We visited and treated a fantastic variety of horses and breeds, including Lipizzaner, Bavarian warmblood, Welsh D, Quarter Horses, to name but a few as well as Icelandics which are now topping my list of horses in Germany! What an amazing breed!

The focus of Neuromuscular Dentistry lies in providing optimal occlusal relationship and alignment of the incisor and molars that are anatomically correct for the individual horse. The focus on the individual is an important factor to realise as each and every horse is different. A correct and balanced bite alignment further promotes the decompression of the TMJ, as well as the cranial nerves and the masticatory muscles.

For further information, please visit:
https://www.equi-librio.pt/natural-balance-dentistry.html
http://www.neuromuscularhorsedentistry.com/
http://www.pferdetherapie-schaffner.de/

20/09/2019

“If I look at teeth, the only thing I see is...teeth”
Teeth are essential for mastication but are also part of much bigger picture that embraces vital neuromuscular concepts affecting health, well-being and performance throughout the entire body. The relationship of dental structures to body mechanics and neural connections has been well studied in research on humans. It is now receiving growing attention in the equine field as well, as integrated care concepts replace traditional standards.

Observations/Reports after Neuromuscular Dentistry:
These include improved posture and muscle development, increased proprioception through optimal balance, corrected postural changes, refined body movements, increased resistance to injury, a more calm and relaxed behavior, enhanced mastication and digestion, less temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) sensitivity, a happier, healthier companion and increased tooth life!

This week saw a first in Neuromuscular Dentistry for the Equine in Germany 🇩🇪 in the regions of Münsterland, Lower Saxony and North-Rhine Westphalia, organised by Sabine Bühlmann.
The clients we visited have already embraced a more holistic approach in the care for their equines including tack, toes, training and turnout.
My aim is to maximize your horse’s potential, health and overall well-being!

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.
At the core of Neuromuscular Dentistry is finding answers as to why the horse’s body is out of balance.
To find out more:
https://www.equi-librio.pt/natural-balance-dentistry.html
http://www.neuromuscularhorsedentistry.com/

21/08/2019

🏖☀️ Its time for a little rest ☀️🏝 I am taking a few days off to see my family in Germany 🇩🇪 and will be back next week.
Happy 😌 holidays

10/07/2019

“Your Horse’s Brain: A User Manual”, was the name of a Powwow with equine industry heavyweights in Colorado, US, this week.

A great initiative that recognizes the importance of “Considering the Whole Horse”.

Wow! Dr. Steve Peters of Evidence-Based Horsemanship gave us a lot of great information to soak on. Our first ever horse brain seminar “Your Horse’s Brain: A User’s Manual” was a huge success. We learned a ton and are looking forward to sharing this knowledge at our future clinics.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the weekend seminar, thank you to Dr. Peters, Jim Masterson of The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork and a big huge thank you to Happy Dog Ranch for hosting this event as well as to Spencer LaFlure of
for adding his wisdom and findings about equine dentistry.

Keep an eye out, friends - the DVD of the seminar will be released before Christmas!

Also keep an eye out for our July 2020 dates for another horse brain seminar with Dr. Peters and a Jim and Mark combination clinic.

27/06/2019

"Work in progress" - or "How well are we able to put the theory of biotensegrity into action?"

What is this you ask?
"Biotensegrity is not "yet another" new technique, method or doctrine. Biotensegrity offers a huge adventure playground for body, mind and soul, makes comprehensive learning possible and gives inspiration towards creating a new wold view.
Biotensegrity is an invitation" (Maren Diehl, Beyond Biomechanics, Biotensegrity - The new paradigm of kinematics and body awareness)".

What on earth has that to do with Neuromuscular Dentistry, i hear you say?
Well, just about everything.

Allow me to take you on a little journey:
Think, Fascia Structure, think the all encompassing, all covering organ called "myofascial tissue". Its in all tendons, ligaments, enveloping all organs, as well as joints, muscles and bones!
"The fascial body is above all an organ of motion and a sensory organ" (Maren Diehl)
And this is exactly what we are influencing by addressing the incisors first, allowing for optimal anterior/posterior and lateral translation movement of the mandible, followed by alignment of the occlusal surfaces in order to facilitate a centric relation to the TMJ - the master link in the horse´s body with regards to proprioception.

https://www.equi-librio.pt
http://www.neuromuscularhorsedentistry.com

27/06/2019

This is Rio, my Spanish horse.

His hooves are perfect (of course - I am his trimmer and I trim his hooves on a short cycle - nice) and his hooves are cleaned and disinfected daily.
I give him relatively regular fascia release sessions - sometimes he asks for them, other times I see that some help is needed.
He eats a horse-friendly diet (with ImmunoHoof and recently Muscle Up) and moves and grazes all day with his buddies.
We go for walks in the mountains, have done bareback-barefoot-bitless outrides, and we do in-hand exercises.

Read this piece, and look at the photos, which are labelled.

Take a look at his hindquarters.

In the first 6 photos of his body you will see that his hocks are always turned in, close together, hind legs are turned out like a ballerina, toes pointing out - cow-hocked.

From behind his bum looks round, but this is not true - look at his legs also and you will see that he is standing like an ice-cream cone - narrow at the bottom (legs), wider and with a false roundness at the top (buttocks/croup). I always got the impression that his pelvis/hip bones were being squashed inwards or towards each other, and his hip bones seemed to be "rubbing through" his skin (there was a tiny bald patch at each hip bone).

Even when his legs are stood apart in the first 6 photos (before neuromuscular dentistry), his hocks are turned in and legs/toes turned out.

His bum from the side (point of buttocks, seat bones) looks very pointy.

In the 7th photo, directly after his dentistry, still recovering from the anaesthesia, his hinds aren't as turned out, but are still close together.

Some shifts are huge and sudden. Other shifts take time.

About 3 weeks after the dentistry, Rio seemed a bit off, dull, wobbly. I put this down to the final neurological reprogramming taking place.

Now look at the last 8 pictures of Rio's body. These were taken about a month to 5 weeks after the dentistry.

Notice how he is no longer standing so "underneath himself". His hind legs are no longer so turned-out ballerina-style or so close together - toes are facing straight forward. He naturally stands square much more frequently. His hips seem to have "opened up" (now we can begin developing those muscles properly) and the areas at/around his hip bones have softened. Something abut his facial expression has softened. He moves more comfortably. He now enjoys face cuddles (he did not enjoy this before) and his ears no longer itch so severely. His tummy also looks and feels way less bloated. He flexes his neck with much more ease and the range of motion has increased.

His body is still changing shape and readjusting. I am supporting him with fascia release and in-hand activities.

In the very first photo, which I am addressing last, we see befores (top row) and afters (bottom row) of his teeth. More balanced, more symmetrical, no more restrictive hooks. Balance and comfort in the jaw translates to balance and comfort in the body.

If your horse struggles even though the hooves, diet, bodywork, lifestyle, exercise, etc. is in place, think of the teeth...

Neuromuscular dentistry addresses things that "traditional equine dentistry" does not even touch on.
As with barefoot hoof trimming, proper dentistry is very much about knowing what *not* to do, and about doing what *must* be done, correctly.

19/06/2019

“Meet me where I am, rather than take me somewhere where you think I ought to be”.

Over the last few months I’ve had the privilege of working with over 100 equines in varying terrains, countries and continents, comparing husbandry approaches, physical and behavioral issues - and for me most noticeable- variable degrees of expectations by the owner and/or trainer, as well as the use and abuse of questionable training methods.

There are so many variables in how we approach and choose to train our horses, and, undoubtedly most of us have the best of outcomes in our mind.
But we are being offered quick solutions, and follow without questioning, for what’s best to something so valuable, so inherently genuine, so forgiving, that we loose sight of “who needs whom” in this scenario!

I am not talking to you again about the benefits of neuromuscular dentistry or The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork, you all know this by know, because you respect and feel, that a holistic approach, a slow approach, even slower than you possibly can imagine approach, is well worth pursuing for the well-being and happiness for the equines in your care.
So all I am asking you today, is, to just stop 🛑, pause, and think for one minute who’s agenda you are on.
Way to go, folks!

Checking Valiente's teeth the positive way with Sylvia Johanna Read, Certified Natural Balance Dentist and MMCP, Portugal

I can‘t thank Sylvie enough for her kindness and understanding when working with our horses. Her gentle horse centered approach means that our rescue horses get the best experience.

Valiente was so happy and curious to work with Sylvie whilst she checked his teeth 😍

https://www.positivehorsemanshipspain.com/how-you-can-support-us/

18/06/2019

I am not kidding! #

17/06/2019

Dinner is being served in the most stunning surroundings! Positive Horse Training in Spain 🇪🇸 at Cortijo de Segura have created fabulous environment for equines to recover from previous trauma and let them find faith and trust in humans again.
It is a slow process -on our clock- but it is a very rewarding and powerful road to healing for all the equines in his group here🐴😊.
As my mentor, Spencer LaFlure, says:”The slowest way for the horse, is the quickest way to success!”
I am fortunate enough to have come back here for the 3rd time now, to see how the equines are all changing, in body and mind, together with their environment and the choices that are being offered.
A wonderful place to learn to just let go of your own agenda/ego and be prepared to be taught valuable lessons by them about yourself!

https://www.positivehorsemanshipspain.com/
https://www.equi-librio.pt/natural-balance-dentistry.html