Misthaven

12/01/2025

New Horses Owners we were all there at one time yet often people judge rather than offer a helping hand
We all get things wrong, worry about not knowing, and often when we have been on a journey of learning we forget to give grace to those who are travelling the same path at a different time.

We often forget that there is always a whole new world that is opening to someone owning a horse for the first time, knowledge we take for granted is often new for someone else

I do not know about you but I can remember learning bandaging a tail for the first time and even struggling to wrap it up the correct way so the next time we used it, it unrolled correctly, I also learned at a time when we were still using needle and thread to put plaits in and elastic bands were frowned upon

And yes there are new things now but still having a basic knowledge of how to do things when all is calm is often knowledge that is remembered when an emergency hits, learning to apply a poultice to a foot is much easier when a horse is not in pain than trying to learn when a horse is reluctant to give you his foot due to a painful abscess

Learning the normal temperature, respiration and pulse of the horse is crucial as often you might have to check the temp if it is late at night and your vet may want to know as they cannot be there due to another emergency, but how many people may take temp without knowing to hold tight due to the action of a sphincter muscle or to place the probe slightly off centre as not to take the temp of faeces' rather than the body, or taking the pulse and knowing you can compress the artery against a bone to feel the beat and that will guide you as to where you can take it and a simple thing like do not place your thumb on the area or else you are feeling your own pulse and yes I know it may sound mudane to a more experienced person but we have all had to be corrected at some point

What brushes are used where and how, we all have raised our eyebrows at someone using a curry comb on the horses face yet who comes across and helps the new owner and show them their horse wincing at every stroke, we only know what we know and often new owners feel stupid or have worries about who do they ask but we all have been there at some point

Having the basic understanding of how tack fits is crucial for your horse's well-being, we often spend thousands on a saddle without considering how important girth and bridle fit is,

Having basic first aid knowledge for your horse is often the catalyst in how you react in an emergency or even to know whether it’s a vet call or can you handle it, I think there is not one horse owner that has seen their horse having choke and ringing the vet in a panic having a meltdown despite the vet reassuring you and only to find the horse is fine by the time the vet comes

Feed according to work, weight, age, etc

Behaviour and how to be safe in a situation where you once calm horse may be behaving out of character, complacency often leads to owner injury, so simple things like tying your horse up while applying a poultice may save you from getting knocked over if the horse moves, or having a competent handler who is aware of both you and your horses safety

Listen I am the most calm person you will meet if you and your horse needs help but as my vet will tell you I am an absolute neurotic mess when dealing with my own, apparently I thought I was talking to him normal but his version was probably a gibbering wreck on the end of the phone, so we all have those moments that is completely normal

The biggest issue is why people do not ask questions is because of fear of looking stupid or being judged but we were all there once and we are still there in the now, often when I do webinars I ask does anyone have a question and a wall of silence is reciprocated and I know people have questions because I always do but often hold back in case I get It wrong but no question is a stupid question and I love it when someone asks something and often if I don’t know it sends me on that learning curve

So, if you have a question ask it, go and do a first aid course so you learn in a calm environment to help you in a crisis moment remain calm and in control, know your horses normal and trust your gut and do not be dissuaded from what you feel

Learning the basics is not dumbing down its that first step into a whole new world

Learning should be just as enjoyable as achieving the goal, and those who are teaching must always remember they were once a student xx

And yes i wrote 7 bines Instead of 7 bones but just goes to show we all make mistakes 🤣

12/01/2025

11/26/2025

11/23/2025

Touch Over Tools: Fascia Knows the Difference

In bodywork, tools can assist — but they cannot replace the intelligence, sensitivity, or neurological impact of human touch.
Hands-on work communicates with the body in ways no device or instrument can.

1. Hands Provide Real-Time Feedback Tools Cannot Match

Your hands sense:
• tissue temperature
• hydration and viscosity
• fascial glide
• subtle resistance
• breath changes
• micro-guarding
• nervous-system shifts

This information shapes your pressure, angle, and pace.
Tools apply pressure — hands interpret and respond.

2. The Nervous System Responds Uniquely to Human Touch

Skin and fascia contain mechanoreceptors that respond strongly to:
• sustained contact
• warmth
• contour
• slow, intentional pressure

Human touch activates pathways that:
• quiet the sympathetic system
• reduce pain signaling
• soften protective muscle tone
• improve movement organization

Tools stimulate tissue.
Hands regulate the nervous system.

3. The Effect of Physical Contact Itself

Physical contact changes physiology — even before technique begins.

Touch triggers:
• lowered cortisol
• increased oxytocin
• improved emotional regulation
• better proprioception
• reduced defensive tension

Horses and dogs — whose social systems rely on grooming, leaning, and affiliative touch — respond especially deeply.
Tools can compress tissue, but they cannot create that neurochemical shift.

4. Hands Follow Structure; Tools Push Through It

Fascia does not run in straight lines — it spirals, blends, suspends, and wraps.

Hands can:
• contour around curves
• follow the subtle direction of ease
• melt into tissue instead of forcing through it

Tools often pull or scrape in a linear path, bypassing the subtleties that create real, lasting change.

5. Tools Can Override the Body’s Natural Limits

Hands feel when:
• tissue meets its natural barrier
• the nervous system hesitates
• a micro-release initiates
• the body shifts direction or depth

Tools can overpower these boundaries, creating irritation, rebound tension, or compensation patterns.
Hands work with the body’s pacing — not against it.

6. Hands Support Whole-Body Integration

Bodywork isn’t about “fixing a spot.”
It’s about improving communication across the entire system.

Hands-on work:
• connects multiple lines at once
• enhances global proprioception
• improves coordination and balance
• supports the body’s natural movement strategies

Tools tend to treat locally.
Hands treat the whole conversation.

7. Physical Touch Builds Trust, Comfort, and Confidence

Comfort creates confidence.
Confidence nurtures optimism and willingness.

Hands-on work:
• reduces defensiveness
• supports emotional safety
• encourages softness
• creates a more receptive body
• builds trust and relationship

Tools cannot build rapport or communicate safety.
Hands do — instantly.

Additional Elements (Optional Enhancements)

A. Co-regulation: Nervous System to Nervous System

Humans, horses, and dogs all co-regulate through touch and proximity.
Your calm hands shift their physiology — and theirs shifts yours.
This shared state enables deeper, safer release.

B. Touch Enhances Sensory Clarity

Touch refines the brain’s map of the body (somatosensory resolution), improving:
• coordination
• balance
• movement efficiency
• reduced bracing

Tools cannot refine the sensory map with the same precision.

C. Hands Integrate Technique and Intuition

The brain blends tactile information with pattern recognition and subtle intuition.
Tools separate you from that information.
Hands plug you into it.

In Short

Hands-on wins because touch is biologically intelligent, neurologically profound, and relationship-building.
Tools press — but hands listen, interpret, regulate, and connect.

When the body feels safe and understood, it reorganizes more deeply, moves more freely, and heals more efficiently.

The Energy Connection Between Horse and Human: Science and Sensation - https://koperequine.com/the-energy-connection-between-horse-and-human-science-and-sensation/

11/23/2025

A Key Link in Fascial Continuity

The MTJ (muscle–tendon junction) isn’t a simple attachment point — it is part of a continuous fascia-to-tendon-to-bone chain.

From a Western anatomy standpoint, MTJs are sensor-dense, load-sensitive, and critically involved in regulating muscle tone and movement.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) standpoint, they sit along the jingjin—the tendino-muscular meridians that describe long, continuous lines of tension through the body.

This area is small, but it is one of the most influential zones in the entire musculoskeletal system.

Releasing or reorganizing tension at an MTJ often:

- improves glide

- restores force transmission

- reduces compensatory bracing

- changes movement patterns far from the area treated

This is why small, precise work here creates whole-body effects.

Check out the rest if this fascinating article here - https://koperequine.com/the-muscle-tendon-junction-mtj/

11/22/2025

11/22/2025

𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐇𝐌 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

EHV-1 (Equine Herpesvirus 1) and EHM (Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy) are presently causing a significant amount of distress in the western performance horse industry. Though this is not a new disease, it is more novel to this group of horses.

EHV-1 has four different forms - respiratory, neonatal (foal) infection, abortion and neurologic. The neurologic form can cause what is called EHM, which is the most serious and potentially fatal form of disease. The respiratory form is more commonly diagnosed. Clinical signs include fever, nasal discharge (snotty nose) and/or cough.

EHM is the most severe form of the virus and the reason why these outbreaks are so significant. In this form, the virus will attack the brain and spinal cord and can be fatal to the horse. In addition to those listed above, clinical signs that are noted with the neurologic form include quick-onset weakness, uncoordiantion and trouble standing. They may have difficulty with bowel movements and urination. Some horses also experience extreme lethargy and comatose-like states.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐋, 𝐃𝐑?

- Horses can be infected with EHV-1 and not suffer from neurologic disease (EHM)
- The virus is transmitted through horse-to-horse contact, contaminated humans/tack/equipment and briefly in the air
- There can be “silent carriers” who do not show clinical signs, but can still shed the virus and infect other horses - meaning it is easier to transmit
- The incubation period is variable - on average its 4-7 days from exposure, but it can take up to 14 days
- The best early detection protocol for potentially exposed horses is to take temperatures twice daily - anything above 101.5 degrees is a fever
- If your horse has a fever or displays any other clinical signs of disease (cough, snotty nose, lethargy, inappetance, incoordination), it should be separated from other horses and you should consult your veterinarian for further diagnostics and treatment
- The best prevention for transmission is to stay home and not be in contact with other horses while this outbreak is occurring

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐭?

Your veterinarian can send nasal swabs and blood samples to laboratory testing facilities that run PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Bend Equine Medical Center additionally has an on-site test available for potential cases or exposed horses (results available in 1 hour); you do not need to be a current client to run the tests. This disease is reportable, so if a positive case is identified then it is required to be reported to the state vet.

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞?

Though there is not a specific medication to treat the virus, supportive care can be administered. These include anti-inflammatories, IV fluids and slings for horses that are unable to stand. Antibiotics will not have an effect and anti-virals have been shown to have minimal effect in horses that are already clinically affected by the virus. The mortality rate of EHM (neurologic form) is 30-50% with extremely variable recovery times - horses that are able to stay standing on their own typically have a better overall prognosis than down horses. The majority of cases that are infected with EHV-1 (and do not get the neurologic strain) develop a fever +/- nasal discharge and recover. Quarantined horses/facilities are recommended to stay isolated for 21 days after the last positive case is identified.

𝘐𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦.

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐇𝐕?

The short answer is, partially. The Pneumabort-K vaccine can reduce viremia and viral shedding. Flu/Rhino combo vaccine (eg. FluVac Innovator EHV4/1) will prevent the respiratory forms of EHV. Unfortunately, studies are somewhat divided on recommendations for vaccinating in the face of an outbreak, so it is easy to read differing opinions on the matter. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 - 𝘌𝘏𝘔. Additionally, there has been some evidence showing that horses that are in a stressed state that receive the vaccine may be more likely to contract the disease.

The only horses that should be vaccinated during an active outbreak are unexposed, afebrile and asymptomatic individuals. Fevers can occur after vaccination, which can make it more difficult to identify individuals that need to be isolated. 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴, 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

_______________________________

I hope this general overview has helped provide some clarity on this disease. I will do a separate post containing more information on current travel recommendations, health certificate requirements and additional information as we receive it. Even though there have not been positive cases identified in Oregon at this time, staying up to date with current and 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 information will be the best way to prevent unnecessary spread of this disease.

Please write any questions or topics you’d like me to follow up on in the comments. Thank you for your time spent reading this!

-Dr. Cooper

11/22/2025

𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐇𝐌 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

The initial outbreak of EHV-1 with an EHM (Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy) form occurred after a Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals event in Waco, TX (Nov. 5-9). After this event, many of the same horses attended other events in TX and OK before experiencing any clinical signs (average of 4-7 day incubation period), which is what contributed to the multi-state spread of this disease. After the BFA event in Guthrie, OK was cancelled, owners were advised to leave the premises, bringing potentially exposed horses back to their home states and is another reason why we are seeing the disease in so many areas now.

As of 12:00pm on 11/21/2025, there are 15 confirmed cases of EHM and 1 confirmed case of EHV-1 without neurologic signs in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado and New Mexico. There is one unrelated case (not associated with this event/outbreak) reported in Maryland. There are many other horses undergoing testing without confirmed, reported numbers at this time.

So, what does this mean for current travel recommendations, health certificate requirements and upcoming events?

𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐚 & 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠.: Horses that have been at the following locations will not be allowed entry into the state for 21 days following potential exposure even if they are not symptomatic if they have been on the following premises (subject to change):

- Extraco Events Center (Waco, TX)
- 377 Arena (Stephenville, TX)
- Lazy E Arena (Guthrie, OK)
- Jackson County (Edna, TX)

Health certificates for the horses traveling into these states will require a statement from the veterinarian filling out the health certificate stating that the horse has not been on one of these premises (or any that come up with an EHV-1/EHM positive case) for the 21 days leading up to the date of the health certificate.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝟑𝟎 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟓 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏/𝐄𝐇𝐌.

The National Finals Rodeo Committee released the following statement this morning in regards to the NFR event happening in December:
- “All horses must have a 7 day Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and unique entry permit number obtained from the NV Dept. of Ag.
- All participants and competitors are responsible for daily temperature monitoring of their horses.
- There is a no-travel advisory for all horses participating and competing at the NFR.
- Enhanced verification and check-in procedures will be in place at the Thomas & Mack Center.
- Biosecurity measures will be maintained throughout the event.”

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 (𝐎𝐃𝐀) has additionally released new rules to mitigate EHV risk. Exhibitions/events where other equines will be present need to register with the ODA at least 20 days prior to the event. Additionally, event organizers/producers need to have a record of all animals/competitors for 90 days following the event, which will only need to be made available to the ODA in the case of an outbreak. They recommend consulting with your licensed veterinarian on protocols to establish if a sick animal is discovered during the event, and a licensed veterinarian of record must be available to provide services during the event. If any animals show potential signs of infectious, contagious or communicable disease they will not be allowed entry to exhibitions/events, and should remain isolated until they are able to be examined by a veterinarian.

As this is an evolving situation, guidelines will likely continue to change. Please feel free to ask questions in the comments below.

Up to date information on reported positive cases can be found here: https://equinediseasecc.org/news/article/Equine-Herpesvirus-Myeloencephalopathy-(EHM)-Outbreak

Rules for the state of OR can be found here: https://www.oregon.gov/oda/animal-health-feeds-livestock-id/exhibitions/pages/exhibition-rules.aspx

-Dr. Cooper

11/21/2025

11/20/2025

"He feels unbalanced, like he's limping! We need to stop," my student says.

"The tempo is too slow, he needs a greater stride. As soon as he can get the right tempo he will be more balanced."

My student goes into a kind of fetal mode, half urging the horse forward, half hauling the horse back. "It isn't working, she says."

"You need to let the reins out so he can go forward," I say.

She starts to cry. And this is where I realize the problem -

It's not really a riding lesson. This is so often the case - and I think back to my 20's, where I didn't have a clue about these inner workings. The horse needs to go forward to be safe internally and physically, and yet this is the human's greatest fear - and somehow the two of them have come together, and the human is the only one who can bridge this gap.

So we pause the riding and we talk. Logic is not the answer, I remind myself - where are these feelings coming from? It all stems back to a childhood bolt.

"If it's hysterical, it's historical," I remember to myself, a quote I heard from a friend

So what is missing here, and how can we go forward? First understanding the root - we are not riding in the now, we are riding in that childhood bolt. So we ground - how does your horse feel, sound, smell, look? What do you see around you?

And then, we discuss what skills we need to go forward. What the horse needs, and what she needs.

I say, I understand your fear, I really do - but it is imperative that you guide your horse. He is scared too. But we can find a way that you can stay mentally with him - in hand, at the walk, for now, but you have to stay here with him. He needs you.

I'm not a therapist, but it turns out I'm not really a riding instructor either. And so often, we are not riding today's horse - which is why the training, the logic, the reasoning, the lessons are not helping us get where we want.

The root, somewhere deep down is buried. Our real task is to find a way to ride today's horse: to be present with today's horse and learn to honor them. They need us, desperately. And only we can bridge the gap.

And so a choice has to be made at a certain point - what will you do to honor today's horse?