On Point Veterinary Services

10/31/2025

Henry came to work today and learned about driving. He says he likes it better than riding, so perhaps Bustin Bieber needs to start cross-training and learning to drive. 😉

10/31/2025

It was take your child to work day! 💕

10/30/2025

🐴🧠 Neurodynamics & Neuroplasticity in Horses

When we think equine rehabilitation, we often focus on joints, muscles and tendons. But the nervous system - and how it adapts or mal-adapts after injury - is a powerful force in movement, compensation and recovery.

Here’s what every equine rehab practitioner should understand 👇

1️⃣ Neural communication runs through more than nerves
Beyond the obvious nerves and spinal pathways lies a dynamic network of neural control: spinal reflexes, peripheral nerve mechanosensitivity, neural gliding, and central motor-pattern systems. These pathways respond to injury, loading, posture and movement. When a limb fails, the nervous system rewires. When posture shifts, neural tension often follows.

2️⃣ Neuroplasticity = the nervous system’s ability to change
In horses, injury, pain or chronic compensation triggers structural and functional changes in the nervous system. That might include altered timing of muscle activation, modified reflex thresholds, or sensitised neural tissue - meaning the “system” now runs on a new, less efficient program. Recognising these changes can explain why an apparently healed limb still under-performs.

3️⃣ Neurodynamics = how the nervous system moves with the body
Neural tissues don’t sit still. They glide with motion, respond to stretch, and adapt to posture. A tight dorsal sling, rotated pelvis, or chronic head carriage can place abnormal strain on neural pathways, limiting mobility, altering gait, and contributing to hidden dysfunction. Mobility limitations that seem musculoskeletal may actually be neurodynamic in origin.

4️⃣ Why this matters in rehab
When you see persistent gait asymmetries, subtle head nods, or rider-induced stiffness, ask: is the nervous system locked into a compensatory program?

⚡️Standard “stretch & strengthen” may fail if neural control hasn’t readjusted. You might need neural mobilisation, proprioceptive re-education, and spinal pattern retraining.

Movement becomes therapy not just for tissues, but for the nervous system - re-teaching the body how to control motion rather than simply doing motion.

✅ Takeaway
Rehabilitation isn’t only about bones, muscles or fascia. It’s also about rewiring the nervous system’s software to restore efficient, symmetrical, pain-free movement. When you think neuro-plasticity + neuro-dynamics, you step from reactive rehab into strategic movement design.

10/23/2025

🧠💪🏽 Laterality isn’t just a rider’s “feel” 👉 it’s measurable, it’s biomechanical, and it runs deep.

📊 Research by Krüger et al., 2022 (Laterality in Horse Training: Psychological and Physical Asymmetry in Horses, Animals, 12(8):1017) and Kuhnke et al., 2022 (A Comparison of Different Established and Novel Methods to Assess Laterality in Horses, Front. Vet. Sci., 9:789260) found that:

🔎 Rein tension is rarely equal. One rein almost always shows higher tension - and that isn’t a rider error. It reflects a fundamental left–right asymmetry in the horse’s neuromuscular system. What you feel in your hands is a direct representation of how the horse organises movement through the spine and limbs.

🔎 Hindquarter displacement is common. Even in apparently “straight” horses, the pelvis and hindquarters often drift a few centimetres off the midline. That subtle shift alters how force travels through the body, changes back muscle activation, and can lead to uneven loading in the forelimbs.

🔎 Rider asymmetry compounds the problem. The research also found that when a horse’s laterality matches the rider’s dominant side, rein tension and movement patterns become more balanced. But when they don’t, asymmetries often worsen - amplifying drift, poll bend, and uneven contact.

📏 What does this mean for us as vetrehabbers?
Laterality is not something to “fix”. It’s a pattern rooted in the horse’s brain, musculoskeletal system, and history. Recognising it allows us to:
✅ Design targeted groundwork to balance hindquarter control.
✅ Support more symmetrical development in the trunk and thoracolumbar fascia.
✅ Coach riders on how their seat and rein habits influence what happens beneath them.

🐴 Straightness isn’t about straight lines - it’s about balanced neuromuscular control. And the evidence shows that paying attention to these details can make the difference between subtle compensations and sustainable, symmetrical performance.

📆 Join us at the Vet Rehab Summit on 8 November, where Kevin Haussler will discuss Redefining Laterality in Horses, and Maria Teresa Engell dives into The Rider’s Influence on Equine Biomechanics and the Role of Off-Horse Training for Technical Riding Skills

10/19/2025

If you are an owner, trainer, vet, farrier, saddle-fitter — in short, anyone entrusted with a horse’s care — then there is one body of work you absolutely must make part of your foundation:

The groundbreaking research of Dr. Sue Dyson, internationally lauded for her work on equine locomotion, lameness, and the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram.

Why is this non-negotiable?

Because too much of the horse world still operates on opinion, tradition, and guesswork — methods and ideas handed down over decades without being challenged by science.

But horses don’t lie.

Their behaviors, posture shifts, subtle gait changes, unwillingness or tension under saddle — these are communications.

They are not “quirks,” nor should they be dismissed as mere “bad days.”

They are early warnings of discomfort, strain, or pain — long before overt lameness sets in.

Dr. Dyson’s research distills years of careful observation, peer-reviewed studies, and clinical validation into tools that allow us to see what we otherwise miss.

Her 24-behavior ethogram teaches us what horses do (or avoid doing) when ridden in pain — before the issue becomes overt or chronic.

As guardians of our horses’ welfare, we must move beyond subjective “this feels right” or “this is how things have always been done.”

It is our responsibility to know how horses truly work — physically, mentally, emotionally — because riding them is a choice, not their natural state.

They trust us to see the signs.

They rely on us to act before problems escalate.

When vets, trainers, farriers, and saddle-fitters all share a common, science-based vocabulary — when we can spot early indicators of pain together — the difference is profound:

Fewer breakdowns
More longevity
Better performance
Deeper relationships built on trust

If you want to be a true steward of horse welfare, then Dr. Dyson’s work must no longer be “optional” — it must be core.

Are you ready to raise the bar — for yourself, for your horses?

https://courses.equitopiacenter.com/product/how-to-recognize-the-24-behaviors-indicating-pain-in-the-ridden-horse/

10/13/2025

Register for the 2025 USDF Sport Horse Seminar! 🎓

Designed for riders, trainers, breeders, and judges alike, the USDF Sport Horse Seminar is an essential educational experience for anyone involved in breeding or developing dressage horses.

Whether you're evaluating prospects, preparing for inspections, or honing your judging skills, this seminar offers valuable insights into conformation, movement, and competition structure. Register now at the link below to join us at Hilltop Farm in November!

📆 Register by October 24
🔗 https://www.usdf.org/education/other-programs/sport-horse-seminars/seminar.asp

02/12/2025

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute/research-baker-institute/h5n1-avian-influenza-bird-flu

An update from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine on H5N1 Avian influenza In March of 2024, a group of scientists from the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center, in collaboration wit

02/07/2025

On Point Veterinary Services scheduling update for 2025:

Due to increased cancellations and missed appointments, I'll be charging for last-minute cancellations and missed appointments. Given enough notice (5-7 days), I can often fill appointment slots when clients have to cancel.

Any cancellations within 5 days of the previously scheduled appointment will be charged the full price of a chiropractic appointment ($120) and the travel fee, depending on the appointment location. If I can fill the spot, no fee will be charged. My phone number is (585)420-8386, and the best way to reach me is via text.

If you're canceling due to an emergency, please let me know.

I truly appreciate all of my clients, particularly those who stay on a regular schedule. Thank you all for entrusting me with your horses' health. I look forward to a year full of horses feeling in tip-top shape!

01/08/2025

Regular bodywork, stretching and core-strengthing exercises are very important in maintaining a healthy horse. 💕

Preventing Kissing Spines: A Key Aspect of Equine Welfare & Performance

Kissing spines, or overriding dorsal spinous processes, is a painful and often debilitating condition that affects the well-being and performance of horses.

While some cases may have a genetic predisposition, many occur due to preventable factors rooted in management, training, and care practices.

Understanding how to reduce the risk of kissing spines through these aspects is essential for any horse owner, trainer, or caretaker dedicated to equine welfare.

Prevention begins with recognizing the interconnectedness of a horse’s posture, muscle development, hoof balance and saddle fit.

Poorly conditioned back muscles, improper riding techniques, ill-fitting tack poor hoof care can contribute to abnormal spinal mechanics, increasing the likelihood of this condition.

Additionally, overworking young horses before they are physically mature can predispose them to long-term structural issues, including kissing spines.

Equally important is identifying and addressing early warning signs, such as behavioral changes under saddle, resistance to movement, or sensitivity when grooming the back.

Timely intervention with tailored management and training strategies can significantly improve a horse’s quality of life and performance after a confirmed diagnosis.

This topic, and other important horse welfare protocols, are part of Equitopia's library of resources, all underpinned with evidence and research.

We aim to empower you by gaining a deeper understanding of these critical prevention and management strategies.

Our membership includes access to a two-part webinar presented by Dr. Martin Neidhart, a leading expert in equine spinal health, who dives into this topic in detail.

This comprehensive resource provides a roadmap for welfare-centric care, training protocols, and management practices to prevent and manage kissing spines as part of a clinically relevant diagnosis.

Join today and ensure your horse’s back health for a lifetime of partnership.

See the benefits and learn more at www.equitopiacenter.com

10/24/2023

Fall is officially in full swing! Now is the time to crack down on housing, nutrition, and preventative health strategies suitable for the arrival of winter.

The graphic below lists some essential items on the horse owner's fall to-do checklist, but there is much more that needs to be done—like having your horse rugs repaired and waterproofed; securing and storing hay properly; assessing your shelters for safety and soundness; etc.)

Your equine veterinarian is one of your greatest allies this season: be sure to give them a call soon to discuss vaccination and deworming protocols appropriate for your horse’s situation; use this opportunity to chat about recommended changes in nutrition and exercise program as well!

10/06/2023

Justin was overdue for a saddle-fitting.

He’s 5, has done a lot of growing in the last 6 months and is getting much more fit.

Some of his other clues that a fitting was in order:

For the last few months I was noticing him leaning on my left leg. It didn’t change after massage or adjustments, but he did respond if I used another aid so I assumed it was my weak left leg.

While getting back into work over the last few weeks, he’s displayed resistant behaviors like head-twisting, acting spooky when he’s not a spooky horse (Always the same areas of the arena), dragging me into corners, and sucking back when being asked to transition to trot. Basically a pony in a thoroughbred body.

He’s tricky because after having time off (he had almost 4 weeks off with a sensitive popped splint) it takes a good 1.5 - 2 weeks of consistent work to get his brain back into his head and to convince him he’s a riding horse again. He doesn’t have a naturally strong work ethic.

He felt great after the fitting yesterday and our ride today was awesome. No head twisting, no spooking, he was willing to transition, and he was following my seat and easily moving off of my leg when asked. I could feel an even motion in his back under both seat-bones, whereas previously he felt locked-up under my left seat-bone. Riding him today was weirdly easy. He was my dream horse.

This wouldn’t be the first time his behavior changed after a saddle fitting, which is a huge reminder to me that I probably need him checked every few months while he’s still growing so much.

Granted; it’s hot out and he’s much better behaved in hot weather. I’ll keep you posted if he still feels awesome once it cools off again.

Also, his body shape has changed so much that he’ll need a completely different saddle in short order 🤦‍♀️. At least I knew this would likely happen when buying such a young horse. The Bates Artiste has been a great first saddle for us with all of the adjustability, but we’ve moved into the realm of getting creative with a shimmable half-pad, so a better fitting saddle would be ideal.

I’ll work on getting some before and after video for his next fitting to try and demonstrate differences in his movement.

09/26/2023

All of my Facebook messenger messages were deleted, so if you’ve been trying to contact me through messenger, please text me at (585)420-8386 so there’s the best chance that I’ll see the message.