CMB Performance Therapy

23/01/2023

Cantering and Galloping when temperatures are close to freezing (0C or 32F) causes airway inflammation, exacerbates equine asthma and increase the severity of lung bleeding (EIPH).

02/01/2023

Just like with people, horses don't respond to fad diets or fitness plans.

There is no magical cure to getting your horse fit or competition ready. It takes TIME which is not something people like to hear.

The body needs TIME to build, rest, recover, grow and strengthen.

Your horse can be stronger this season but you will need to start bringing them back to work now.

📸: .tales.photography
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25/12/2022

Merry Christmas!

25/12/2022

24/12/2022

The cold can be damaging to lungs! This is why I also stop nebulizer sessions when it reaches freezing temps

Combat Lung Damage In Cold Weather

The horse's lungs are designed to warm and humidify the air as it's pulled into the lungs. When working a horse vigorously in frigid weather, it must breath more deeply and quickly, not allowing the air to warm efficiently and humidify. Three studies have concluded working in temps 23 degrees or below can result in lung damage; narrowing of the airways, an elevation of white blood cells, and an increase in inflammatory proteins, 48 hours after riding.

Tips For Riding In Cold Weather
1. Take more time to warm-up and cool down at the walk, 10-15 minutes each.

2. Moving a horse from a warm barn to a cold arena to ride can be hard on the lungs. Again, take it slow.

3. If your horse is out of shape, working in temps below 23F may be overly taxing.

Extreme cold doesn't mean you have to stop riding altogether; it just means use discretion. Warm-up slower and for a prolonged period, train with less intensity and for shorter periods, and do so in the warmest part of the day.
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Shout out to Buck for remembering this post from 2019 and asking us to publish it again. Out follower are are the best!

22/12/2022

Stay warm out there!

20/12/2022

*** WINDGALLS, and WHEN YOU NEED TO WORRY ***

I’ve seen a fair amount of scary advice being handed out on social media recently, about tendon sheath effusions, so I have decided to write a little article all about “windgalls”, which is the basic term for a tendon sheath effusion.

I would like to start by saying that a windgall is ALWAYS something to show some concern about. If it’s in just ONE leg, it is something to be VERY concerned about, as it indicates damage to the tendon sheath, or the structures within the tendon sheath.

If a windgall is present in both hindlimbs, both forelimbs, or all four limbs, then it’s more likely to be of idiopathic origin, and less likely to cause any future lameness concerns. But it’s still essential to note it, and essential to know what is “normal” for your horse; for example, if he always has mild tendon sheath effusion in both hindlegs (windgalls), but one suddenly becomes much larger than the other, this would be concerning. Windgalls are far more common in the hindlimbs, compared to the forelimbs, and if I find them in the forelimbs when the horse hasn’t just done a lot of work, such as a big event, I would be concerned about poor conformation or foot balance in that horse. If I find them in the hindlimbs, the horse is sound, and the swelling is soft to palpate, then I wouldn’t be overly concerned.

Windgalls can be “articular” - associated with the fetlock joint - or “tendinous” - an excessive amount of fluid in the tendon sheath. Both types indicate changes/inflammation within the structure. So although many horses have tendinous windgalls, especially in the hind limbs, they are never “nothing”. Some inflammation has caused that excessive synovial fluid to form, and a “swollen” tendon sheath is sometimes just as important as a “swollen” joint, especially if it’s in just one leg.

The tendon sheath “houses” several important structures, the most important of which is the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). Injuries to the DDFT are never good, as this tendon is very important, and very hard to fix. More on this in part two.

In the absence of any effusion (swelling), so in an uninjured, uninflamed tendon sheath, it is almost impossible to see or feel at least the upper part of it. You can only ever feel where a tendon sheath sits, when it has an excessive amount of synovial fluid in it, which is when it is inflamed. A tendinous windgall is therefore an inflamed or injured tendon sheath.

Part two of this mini series, will include the structures in the tendon sheath, and how we go about diagnosing which structure is damaged. I will also explain why I use contrast radiography, rather than ultrasonography, to diagnose which structure is damaged in the case of a single limb tendon sheath effusion, and why ultrasonography (US) of a tendon sheath can be very inaccurate. (Note I am talking about the tendon SHEATH and not tendons outside of the sheath, for which US is the gold standard).

Please share, as I don’t want to see another post with someone being advised that a single limb tendon sheath effusion, is nothing to worry about! The photo also shows you exactly where the tendon sheath is on the leg.

09/12/2022

Respiratory care is so important for this reason!

24/11/2022

Happy Thanksgiving! May you all have a great weekend with family and friends!

16/11/2022

Did you know that the brain and tail are directly connected by fascia?

The Deep dorsal line is an important proprioceptive structure that encapsulates the spinal column and brain via the dura matter.
There is a direct link between the muscles of the poll, another important area of proprioception area, and the dura matter (myodural bridge). This deep line then extends all the way along the spine to the tail.
Abnormal cranial function and its related tension may place great stress on this line, while dysfunction along this line could logically create issues with head carriage and topline.
The dura matter has connections with major nerves like the trigeminal nerve and vagus nerve which is a major player in the autonomic system and therefore establishing connections between the dura matter and the viscera.

The interconnectivity of the body is so complexed and never ending it just gob smacks me! A problem in the tail affecting visceral function, via myofascial line influence on the connective tissue surrounding the brain, maybe!?

Join me and Ve-Ma-Therapy Dr Martina Neidhart as she discusses these kind of connections within the body, this saturday! at this link...

https://equineeducationhub.thinkific.com/courses/Applied-neurology-viscerosomatic-posture

13/10/2022

Light therapy is great for muscle relaxation and recovery!

08/10/2022

06/10/2022

Good info!

You see it all the time, you talk about it all the time but how much do you really know about the equine hock?⁠
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Also known as the tarsus (to vets), the hock is equivalent to the human ankle. It works as a hinge, moving by flexing and extending the hind limb. It is comprised of 6 bones, 4 joints and numerous ligaments. ⁠
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Lets go over the 4 joints in the hock:⁠
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🦴 The topmost joint, or the tibiotarsal joint, is the ball and socket joint. This joint is a high motion joint, responsible for 90% of the range of motion in the hock. This area is where "bog spavins" occur as well as commonly finding OCD.⁠
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The next 3 joints are high-impact, low-range joints responsible for only 10% range of motion in the joint:⁠
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🦴 Proximal intertarsal⁠
🦴 Distal Intertarsal ⁠
🦴 Tarsometatarsal⁠
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The most common cause of lameness is from the last two joints, distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal. Between these two joints is where osteoarthritis occurs, potentially leading to the fusion of these bones. Since these joints are so low-impact, fusion of these bones can occur without limiting the horse's movemet. ⁠
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How can we tell if the horse is having a hock issue?⁠
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💥 Stiffness/tightness but works out of it⁠
💥 Low back soreness⁠
💥 Weight shifting⁠
💥 Lack of impulsion⁠
💥 Gait changes⁠
💥 Difficulty picking up leg for farrier⁠
💥 Heat or swelling⁠
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Think your horse's hocks are bothering them? Speak with your veterinarian and get the checked out. ⁠
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26/09/2022

Wishing my clients good luck this week!

23/09/2022

Freely Forward Bodywork posts some incredibly educational videos about the horse muscular system!

21/09/2022

What happens when your fascia is unhealthy?

When fascia is well hydrated and healthy everything runs smoothly inside your body. It is housed throughout the entire body and is in charge of many major tasks. However, when areas become stiff, tense and inflamed there can be major consequences. Think of your fascia as a major highway system. When issues arise, it acts like a traffic jam and affects the entire system.

Injury, inflammatory processes, limited mobility, deficiencies, stress, surgery, scar tissue formation and much more can wreak havoc on the fascia. Diet has also been linked to play a major role in your fascia health.

Unhealthy fascia has been linked to pain, discomfort, stiffness, limited range of motion and even debilitating disease, including cancer. Make sure you take care of your fascia by staying hydrated, staying active, exercising, stretching and eating right. Your body will thank you!

https://fasciaguide.com/problems-linked-to-fascia/

20/09/2022

Every extra 1 cm of toe length increases the force on the deep digital flexor tendon by 110 pounds 🤯

Most injuries don’t “just happen”. It’s repetitive strain.

Always make the feet a priority and thank your foot care professionals.

https://www.wcf.org.uk/fwcf-thesis?tid=05231fe44f0e78ae58dcb03c893d15abe1970c65fb3306a66d7cb8f2bae460aa

Check out this mini class to learn all about the joints in the legs, common injuries and why, and taping for injury prevention.

https://sozoequine.thinkific.com/courses/leg-support

14/09/2022

5 Simple Tips to Reduce Dust! ⬇️

✅ Keep horses outside as much as possible
✅ Avoid sweeping while horses are inside
✅ Use low-dust shavings or pellets
✅ Soak hay if necessary
✅ Open windows while trailering

02/09/2022

I'll be at Clifford's Arena this Saturday! Send me a message if you would like to get your horse worked on!

01/09/2022

September schedule! With fall semester starting up, I will have very limited availability (if any) on Monday and Wednesdays. Please be aware that available appointments will be more conservative due to a higher course load. If you know you're looking to book an appointment, I appreciate a head's up so that I can prepare accordingly!

31/08/2022

Light therapy works on a cellular level to activate respiration which supplies energy! This energy increases the diameter of blood vessels and produces a relaxing effect.

✅Nutrients are better absorbed by the cells
✅Releases anti-inflammatories
✅Releases endorphins & serotonin!

Red light therapy also increases collagen production which aids in repairing damaged tissue. So many benefits from one session!

30/08/2022

Hi, I’m Chelsea! I have been around horses my entire life. I was involved in 4H for a number of years before competing through the National Barrel Horse Association & International Barrel Racing Association. I have two mares of my own- one I compete on and the other is still in training.

My interest in equine therapy has grown throughout my years of competing. I began seeing patterns of tension and soreness from training. After competing at IBRA National Finals, Josey began to have respiratory issues. Since then I’ve dove into nebulizer therapies. My eyes were opened to the amount of horses that struggle with mild asthma just simply from living.

Light therapy is my newest venture! To keep it short, one of my mares is a delicate flower. Cold hosing, wrapping, and poulticing became so much maintenance. After seeing a post with before and afters, I decided to invest into this therapy. It has cut recovery time in half for almost all incidents! I’m amazed by how quick injuries can heal with this modality. I love to see all of the tension horses release during their session and how they move freer afterward!

My goal is to help all horses, regardless of breed or activity level, to be healthy and comfortable. I continue to keep learning through webinars and completing certification courses about performance horse health and issues. I am so thankful for the horses I have been able to help, and I look forward to working with my clients to achieve their performance goals!

29/08/2022

So many benefits to nebulizer sessions! Support the function of your equine partner's respiratory system by scheduling an appointment today!

22/08/2022

Why is it important to stretch our horses? We have all heard it time and time again, stretch your horse after exercise, but why?
Much like human athletes (non athletes too!) our horses muscles need attention to remain healthy. Muscles can become stiff, and tight which increases the chances of a tear or sprain. We often do not think enough about injury prevention. By putting our horse through a series of gentle stretches, we increase their range of motion and ability to move more fluidly and in balance. Plus! Most horses really enjoy performing stretches 🥕

🐴10 benefits of stretching your horse 🐴
1. Increased range of motion and flexibility
2. Helps prevent injury by strengthening supportive tissue
3. Helps reduce post exercise soreness, stiffness and muscle fatigue
4. Helps improve dispositions by increasing relaxation and reducing stress
5. Increases performance on the ground and under saddle
6. Increases mental well being
7. Provides early warning signs to injury
8. Increases longevity of the musculoskeletal system
9. Fosters the ideal posture
10. Helps the rider/owner bond with their horse in new and exciting ways

Some science behind the stretch: muscles are made up of several muscle bundles, which in turn are made up of muscles fibres. These fibres have bundles called myofibrils which are rod like structures that run parallel to each other. Muscles as well as everything in the body is covered and interpenetrated by fascia. Fascia does much more than hold the body together, it also has nerves that make it almost as sensitive to touch as the skin. When it is under stress, it tightens causing restrictions and discomfort.

Book a session and I will be happy to spend the time showing and describing to you how to safely stretch your horses for maximum comfort and performance 🥰

22/08/2022

If the past two weeks have shown me anything it is that my clients have become amazing friends! ⁠
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From providing advice, supporting my business and myself, having me over for dinner or just being someone to lean on. Even though these are people I usually only see once a month and sometimes once or twice a year if I work on their horse alone, they are always there if I need something or have questions. ⁠
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Thank you to all of my clients for being a friend ❤️⁠
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21/08/2022

Help your horse feel it's best for finals day & recover from the long week! Send me a message to book a session!

19/08/2022

NBHA State Finals is almost halfway done! If you are looking to have your horse worked on before the finals round, shoot me a message!

18/08/2022