Royal Oaks Stable

20/10/2024

If you would like to follow our journey, I’ll be posting updates (good, bad & ugly😄) on instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/melodydockendorf/profilecard/?igsh=c3loN3NvOWUxdGRj

16/10/2024

It can quickly become a spider web of compensatory patterns that will inevitably lead to other problems. Do you have issues with engagement, tripping, stiff movements, heavy on the forehand, gait abnormality, weak thoracic sling, poor topline, uneven resting stance ….the list goes on and on. We’ve all been there, right?!

By having routine lessons, bodywork & PEMF can help you identify early signs and get your horse back on track.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/EzuTUDLhN7LLEsmF/?mibextid=WC7FNe

“The horse just has a little arthritis in his left hock, it doesn’t seem to bother him too much, he just gets a bit stiff!”

Horses are great compensators, and they will create alternative locomotive patterns to continue movement.

So, say this little bit of osteoarthritis causes a reduced range of motion of the tarsal (hock) joint. In an attempt to maintain stride length and hide this dysfunction to potential predators (because you never know when a lion could be waiting around the corner... or a flapping plastic bag!), the tarsal joint is rotated medially (inwards) during the swing phase of the stride. This results in asymmetrical & medial weight bearing through the digit. This places additional stress through medial hamstring muscles, resulting in muscle tension and trigger points. And this is all something that is potentially going on in the affected hindlimb.

A hip hike/drop can occur at corresponding phases of the stride, placing the sacroiliac joint under stress, resulting in paraspinal and asymmetrical gluteal tone/pain.

Decreased impulsion from the left hindlimb leads to increased weight bearing through the right forelimb diagonal. This can create tension and hypertrophy to the right pectoral muscles and related fascial planes.

The spiral of compensation could continue on further, affecting cervical muscles that become hypertonic as a result of weight shifting, digit shape and size, TMJ pain, head tiling, hyoid dysfunction, asymmetric tail holding...

Often it can be the case where I see a horse that is a chronic stage of compensation and it can be difficult to find the true cause especially when the horse may appear just overall “stiff”.

I liken the rehabilitation of chronic cases to peeling the layers off an onion; one layer at a time and piece by piece to unravel and rewind the compensation spiral. It is important to identify and manage the root cause, rather than just accepting it🐴

11/10/2024

What an incredible view tonight!

29/09/2024

28/09/2024

This is such a great illustration! Will you dig deep enough to understand the layers of complexity to see the reality of what’s really going on.

What we see VS what we might not see 🥕

There is always more to a behavior or training problem than what we see on the surface 🐴

24/09/2024

26/08/2024

I think I need to add this to my wardrobe 🤔!!

This has been one of my driving passions here at Royal Oaks. An honest heart for the “broken” horse. Dedicated to the complete transformation of rehab focused on internal to external. The picture is so much bigger and complicated than what the visual is telling. Will you take the time to watch, listen, learn & try new things? Rehab is no small undertaking and required time, patience and a heart that won’t give up 💙.

My most recent rehab horse that found me will certainly challenge me in ways yet discovered. I’m not sure that “rehab” is the correct word for him (more on that to come). One thing I know is that he found me for a reason and the level of reward I receive in working with him is unmeasurable.

While taking a chance on the “broken” horse I have gained more depth and has opened my eyes to new thinking.

Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow…
- Plato💙

25/08/2024

What a fun time hitting the trails with these amazing people!! Plus we did a paint & sip party and got a few more ground poles done!!

Who is ready for lots of fun pole exercises!!!

25/08/2024

Perfect weekend to harvest a beautiful bounty of chicken of the woods & nettles 🐔🌱🍄.

There are so many benefits and reasons why I love working with nettles! Using nettles in my tea and tallow products is a great way to apply the medicinal properties.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-of-nettle-tea

16/07/2024

Can we wish this lady a very special Happy Birthday today!? 🧁

Yes, we celebrated her surprise last month, but today is the day! Happy Birthday Melody, 40 looks goooood on you!

21/06/2024

GOLD shoes for a horse with a heart of GOLD🤩!!

Alex Ehr you seriously out did yourself on this set! Thank you for being such an integral part of my team at Royal Oaks!

07/06/2024

Benny Boo loves his EquiVibe sessions! He will often times close his eyes and take a nap💤💙! The best part is he gets unlimited monthly sessions which adds up to relaxed muscles, better circulation, helps reduce inflammation and lots of naps😀.

20/05/2024

What an invaluable & affirming experience to spend the weekend at the Biomechanics clinic presented by Dr. Gerd Heuschmann!!

Sadly my boys did not get to go, however next year will be a different story. I did however go home each day to put it all in to practice. Looks like I’ll need to find another beach so I can read the new books😆🏝️

I can’t even begin to describe how important the content of the weekend was! I’m grateful that these conversations and information has become more available and accepted in the art of riding.

Many years ago my horses charted a journey (unbeknownst to me😁) out of necessity that would develop a relentless curiosity to gain wisdom in the connectivity of the horse. I had no idea the journey would lead me to bodywork, herbalism, kinesiology, nutrition, PEMF, track system, biomechanics & tensegrity! Although the journey was created out of necessity it has opened my eyes, ears & heart into areas I never thought possible. The journey has just begun….

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them”
- Albert Einstein

19/05/2024

Strive to find the rainbow in everyday
regardless of the valley you may be in…

15/05/2024

What’s better than a day with PEMF, track life, EquiVibe & grass🤔. I love being able to offer options to help these horses live their best life🥰!

14/05/2024

Herbal ice & PEMF for the win!
The horses love when I combine herbal ice (aka delicious popsicle 😋) and PEMF to help with inflammation & sore muscles 💪!!

23/04/2024

I love days like today☀️!

These horses are just living their best life💙!
All the horses got worked, a number of spring cleaning projects got done, the weather was perfect, and I got done in time to enjoy the sunset🌅.

13/04/2024

Adding PEMF & EquiVibe for clients & personal has been the best decision!!! These two modalities have been such a game changer for the horses here!! It brings me such great joy to see these horses thrive 💙

12/04/2024

Juliette and I enjoyed the double rainbow over the outdoor arena this evening. I think a magical ride awaits the next person🌈🥰

09/04/2024

🫶👇

04/03/2024

Lots of smiles today while we enjoy the company of each other & the weather while out on the trails! Thanks for coming out everyone!

26/09/2023

🍂💙🍂