Pacific Equine Structural Integration

08/08/2024

WILD HORSE CONNECTION CALL TO ACTION concerning the trapped/removed Virginia Range wild horses.

CALL THE NDA 775-353-3608
Let them know politely that you want the Sunnyhills area wild horses in South Reno relocated to another part of the Virginia Range in the cooperative spirit of our range management agreement.

ACTION to do now!
Call the Nevada Governor 775-684-5670
Tell them the same thing!

Go on the website gov.nv.gov
Constitute Services
Contact the Governor
Share My Thoughts
Hit Submit
This established a permanent record!

We are having a rally tomorrow morning, 8/8 at 9:30am at the capitol building in Carson City. Please join us and voice your concern about these horses!

17/05/2024

Awesome raffle items!

17/07/2023

💔 I’m in tears this morning, it’s just too much sometimes. The Bureau of Land Management is in the middle of a helicopter round up in Nevada in record breaking temps. Forcing these wild horses to run for miles in to traps. It’s foaling season. There have been 11 deaths so far, 5 have been foals, this beautiful stallion that broke his leg jumping over the panels, ran away on three legs, being chased and eventually shot in the head. Several broken necks as these wild horses are forced into a small area through big metal panels.
This cruel, and horrendously violent. This has to stop, I just don’t understand how and why they actually get away with this, we the people foot the bill for this, we are letting them get away with this every time we turn a blind eye to this cruelty. This is the Bureau of Land Managements idea of a “humane gather” this is anything but that! It’s just too much sometimes.

11/02/2023

Please vote for the herd at Paradise Waits Mustang Sanctuary. 🙏🏼❤️

MyGivingCircle will donate $1 this weekend only

10/10/2022

Please VOTE for Paradise Waits Mustang Sanctuary 🙏🏽♥️🦄

Place your vote to help a deserving animal rescue organization win a $25,000 Grand Prize @ TractorSupply.com/RescueYourRescue!

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/

18/09/2022

The equine thoracic sling is a hot topic at the moment, but what exactly is it and what is all the fuss really about?

Unlike us humans; horses (and many other quadrupeds) lack any bony attachment (collar bone) between the forelegs and the thorax (body). Instead, the thorax is suspended between the forelimbs by a ‘sling’ of muscles, known as the ‘thoracic sling’. Exactly which muscles should be included under this term is an area of some debate. In future articles I will take a more detailed look at the most commonly discussed structures; how they should function to aid efficient and healthy locomotion, and how disfunction may be impacting our horses.

The thoracic sling is made up of various muscle groups, these include:
• Muscles of the chest including deep and superficial pectoral muscles
• Muscles of the shoulder including omotransversarius, subscapularis and subclavian
• Muscles of the ribs including ventral Serratus and latissimus dorsi
• Muscles of the wither and upper neck including rhomboid and trapezius
• Muscles of the lower neck including the brachiocephalic and sternomandibular

When conditioned effectively these muscles enable the horse to elevate the thorax (body) independently within the shoulder girdle. This much coveted phenomenon can make the difference between a horse who appears croup high / ‘on the forehand’, and one who floats effortlessly with their withers and back raised, and freedom through the shoulders.

While for some horses this may seem to come naturally, conditioning of the thoracic sling requires regular activation of the correct muscles. Many horses develop poor or weak posture from a young age, this may be due to conformational weaknesses or injury; but I believe that lack of active engagement of the thoracic sling muscles in daily movement is also a significant factor.

Modern management practices often leave horses stood for prolonged periods in stables or small paddocks, with limited variation of terrane and forage. This can result in horses who no longer use their bodies as nature intended; to balance up and down hills, stretch to reach browse nor walk for vast distances in search of food.

Over time muscles which are not regularly used will weaken and atrophy, resulting in overall postural changes and reduced performance. It is therefore essential that we assess the impact modern husbandry may be having on the development of our horses, and consider the implementation of environmental enrichment where ever possible; as these can have a greatly beneficial impact on long term movement patterns and postural development.

The muscles of the thoracic sling enable the forelimbs to move inwards or outwards from the body, shifting the centre of mass or balance from one forelimb to the other. This allows the horse to turn and manoeuvre efficiently at speed and when effectively conditioned, enables the horse to perform lateral movements from a basic leg yield, to the canter half-pass and pirouette.

In addition, these muscles control the movement of the scapula; both forwards and back, up and down (as well as towards and away from the body), while maintaining the integrity of its connection at the wither, absorbing concussive forces from limb impact and (in the case of the thoracic serratus ventralis) storing and returning elastic energy to aid efficient movement. It is therefore of vital importance that the thoracic sling is able to work effectively; without restriction or discomfort.

Regular assessments from a qualified body worker can help pick up any tension or restrictions which may be occurring through the muscles of the thoracic sling. Addressing issues early on will reduce the risk of injury occurring, and enable the horse to build healthy posture and maintain long term soundness.

03/01/2022

Yes! I’ve been using Tree Fort CBD for Old Man Traveler for 1.5 months now, I can attest to it’s ability to help with arthritis. After being on the equine CBD for for one month Traveler had his feet trimmed, he does every 6 weeks. The difference in this trim was amazing, he’s never been “easy to trim” but this time he stood calmly the whole time and the farrier reported that he lifted his back feet with ease (which he’s never done) and seemed pain free! I’ll add that Traveler has Squamous cell Carcinoma, it’s very present on his muzzle, since taking the Tree Fort Farm Equine CBD he’s had no new lessons and it seems there is some healing of the tissue around his muzzle. Please consider trying CBD for your animals, I have been able to keep him off NSAID’s which can have some negative side effects, especially in seniors. I am so grateful to Tree Fort Farms for making such a stellar product! 🙏🏽

IS CBD GOOD FOR HORSES WITH ARTHRITIS CBD is proving to be a popular choice for those looking for holistic treatments. However, there is little to none studies with horses and CBD. There is, however, a plethora of studies and papers detailing how CBD could assist in the treatment and possible revers...

06/12/2021

This is why I love my work so much. Facilitating the release of trapped emotions from trauma or injury in horses. 🙌🏽

Emotions + Fascia
❤️🕸

Emotions can be held in fascia….indefinitely. Until something comes in to release them where they are trapped.

Give “emotions in fascia” a quick google and the options to read on it are endless.

We’ve all experienced physical symptoms from a mental or emotional pain.

Worry showing up as an upset stomach
Anxiety showing up as nausea
Stress showing up as migraines
A broken heart steals your appetite, the list goes on and on.

But specifically, our fascia literally traps in negative emotions, trauma, and experiences. It holds on very tight to protect, to prevent it from being experienced again.

Most of the time we have no idea that something is even trapped until we get an emotional response or a release.

Because tape is so effective in addressing fascia, we can see how it also releases what is trapped in the fascia.

I was talking to a friend on the phone today about some of the really incredible mental and emotional changes we’ve seen in horses through tape.

It’s like a weighted blanket. It also mirrors touch.

It works on the nervous system to calm the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) and support the sympathetic nervous system (rest and digest).

It mechanically relaxes the fascia and allows the horse to release what is stuck.

My friend had a specific horse that had nearly been given up on - because of his trauma.

Through kindness and tape, that horse is brand new and the owner is amazed.

My personal journey with fascia and emotions is this:

When I started yoga around 10 years ago, I got to a point in my practice where I would go in for classes and just cry through the whole thing. Literal sobs. I had no clue what was happening.

(I was in a dark, heated room for hot yoga where my face was drenched in sweat, so the tears were mostly hidden 🙃)

I ended up in an emotionally and mentally vulnerable season, sweetly broken enough to let healing start to happen. Jesus met me on my mat every time.

Horses read and feel your emotions. They hold onto what you’re holding on to - in addition to holding on to their own things.

Do yourself and your horse a favor and get rid of some things.

Massage, fascial work, chiro, and tape are all excellent tools for addressing those trapped things - for both of you.

It takes work, and the journey is probably going to be ugly for a minute, but it’s always worth it.

01/12/2021

It's no secret that employers across all industries are hard-pressed for help right now. Dr. Debbie Spike-Pierce, president and CEO of Rood + Riddle Equine Hospital, worries that soon equine veterinarians won't just have a tough time finding people to work for them – their clients may have a tough...

23/11/2021

16/11/2021

Oh yes, tail pulls, wither and sacral stretching!

12/11/2021

11/11/2021

'For Heroes And Horses, The Poppies Grow'
Jacqueline Hurley, POSH Original Art

09/11/2021

This!

There are likely many more causes behind the behavior than listed on this wheel, a big one being confusing or inconsistent direction from the rider

04/11/2021

04/11/2021

So this cool thing happened. This sweet boy RU used to live in a box stall 24/7 let out daily or every other day for a quick turn out, some days longer than others, some days with friends and some days on a longe line for exercise. In reality though for most of his life he lived in a box stall, it was my job for 1 year to let this guy out, groom him, exercise him, clean his stall and love on him, it was heart breaking, there were 10 other horses as well, and this is the reality for thousands of domestic horses. Living in a box stall is the most unnatural way for a horse to live. I struggled when I first became an equine practitioner, I struggled seeing these horses in what I considered “jail”. Anyhow, this boy was purchased by a dear friend for her granddaughter, who has been is using him for 4H snd even took him to a Reining event just a couple months after purchase, they make a great team! So now, RU is 2 sessions into a 5 series, this boy used to get a few strokes from me in the past so he’s familiar with the work, he melts, releases, yawns all throughout our session. I’m so grateful to his new owners for taking such good care of this boy. RU now has a beautiful pasture he shares with his new friend Cash, and occasionally stays at s local reining barn when the weather is horrendous or he’s getting ridden s couple days in a row. Long story, I know but I wanted to tell his story, and point out that most of the horses I work on live in box stalls, they are exercised regularly and ridden almost everyday, I have so much gratitude to their owners for scheduling regular bodywork for their horses that give so much and work so hard.

31/10/2021

Looking forward to reading this, I work on a few young horses that are already getting hock injections.

Your horse’s piaffes have pfizzled. His slides have slid. His rollbacks have rolled back. His leads aren’t changing. Almost reflexively, someone will say, “Maybe he needs his hocks injected.” Maybe he does. But maybe it’s a lot more complicated than that. At least it should be. FIRST ASIDE...

28/10/2021

As some of you know I've been rescuing BLM mustangs from a kill pen in eastern WA for the the last couple years. This is a self funded rescue currently seeking non profit status. I have experienced two lay offs and an unpredictable work schedule due to Covid/vaccine mandates and the inability to find employees. I will be doing some fundraising in the next couple of months, bare with me, and if you can donate anything $5 - $500 towards the long term care of this small mustang herd we would be grateful! ❤️🙏🏼🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎🐎

Hello friends and family! The ponies could use some help with hoofcare this month, I'm looking to raise $180 for 3 trims, Peggy O, Traveler and Luna. If you can sponsor a trim, payments can be made directly to our farrier to PayPal at [email protected]
If you would like to make a partial donation, any amount helps! you can donate to PayPal [email protected] or -Lowe-13 please write in horses name you are sponsoring or donating towards. Thank you so much friends, we've had a rough year with all the Covid related lay offs and mandates, looking forward to a new, healthy year for everyone!
❤️🐎🙏🏼🦄✨🦋❤️🙏🏼🐎🤘🏽💙🐎🦄✨❤️

Farrier comes this Saturday.

Peggy O $60
Traveler $60
Luna$60
= $180

25/10/2021

Mobsta ~ you had my heart today. One of my regular client horses, I’ve been working on him for a little over a year now, his first session was the week he started a rigorous training schedule. He was hard to work on in the beginning, he’d constantly try to bite me whenever I worked on his neck and front end, now he melts into my hands asking for more. It’s been an incredible journey for both of us. I truly appreciate his owner for knowing how important body work is for a young Reiner like this, his body is still growing, he’s being worked hard, the release of fascial knots is so important!

07/10/2021

15/09/2021

BL 11

AMAZING ACUPRESSURE POINT SERIES #12: BLADDER 11Pinyin Name – Da ZhuEnglish Translations – Great Shuttle, Big Reed, Foot Taiyang Bladder 11Note: The Bladder Meridian is also known as the Urinary Bladder (UB) Meridian Bladder 11 (Bl 11) is known as an important acupoint for any bone issue includi...

14/09/2021

I also did session two on this massive performance horse yesterday, this guy melts into his sessions and has good releases, I can’t for session three, I have s feeling it’s gonna get deep!

14/09/2021

I haven’t posted here, in what looks like forever! Yesterday I was surprised with a really hard client, a sweet, sweet QH mare that has been through the ringer! Bad trainers, ill fitting saddles, and a bunch of youngsters using her for barrels. She was so uncomfortable I did not finish our session, I couldn’t really work on her hind end. Did I mention she recently got moved into a box stall after being out in a pasture 24/7 fir the last 6 months. OMG my heart ached fir her, luckily her human family is going yo do whatever it takes to get her found snd happy! I will update you on her progress. 🙏🏽💔

09/09/2021

Using the bit to release tension 🙌🏽

03/06/2021

Tail pulling 🙌🏽

Scientists found that a professional’s light, steady, straight pull at a slightly downward angle relieved pain at several sites along the equine spine.

27/04/2021

Ouch!

10/03/2021

Wow!

THE POWER OF COHERENCE. Here is a photo of a woman with cerebral palsy (and a nervous system that is misfiring) in a wheelchair. As the horses noticed her jerking movements, they realised her nervous system was misfiring and one by one, they laid down around her (slowing down their breathing rate, which slowed down their heart rate, which created the pulsing resonant field that caused her nervous system to entrain/synchronise with). She later reported that her jerking movements had calmed down significantly.

28/01/2021

My very smart vet always says “move it or lose it” I love him for this!

How critical is movement?

Well... we know that a stationary horse is an unhealthy one. This is because... by design the horse is meant to move several miles every day while grazing. Prevent this from happening and you are preventing major systems within the body from functioning properly.

But... how can the domestic horse be healthy you may ask? Well there are particular movements that provide longer and greater benefit to the horse than others.

Keeping a horse cooped up in a stall and then letting him run wild isn't the most affective or safest way to allow movement. Allowing a horse to run as he pleases is however an essential daily activity for every horse's health and wellbeing.

However... if you want to be the most effective in your horse's physical health then you must incorporate slow controlled movement that supports the skeletal structures and encourages the horse to use its haunches in such a way that lifts it's back in an upward manner while allowing the freedom of his head. This frees up the shoulders and hips while encouraging deeper and more relaxed breathing than when your horse runs wildly after being stalled. Working in such a relaxed and controlled state provides long lasting benefits to the musculoskeletal structures because of the added oxygen to the blood among other things.

Such movement also strengthens the muscles of the whole horse while helping balance out asymmetry that is so common in domestic horses.

If you'd like to learn more about the horse and equine anatomy I want to invite you to the because of the horse online horse fair taking place on the 25th and 26th.

I will be doing three presentations during this all new fair. You can get free access using my link below for the full 2 days. This link also gives you free access to 100s of other outstanding presenters you may also enjoy learning from. Click the link bellow to claim your free ticket to the fair.
https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/a/23333/v3QRRSFP

28/01/2021

How critical is movement?

Well... we know that a stationary horse is an unhealthy one. This is because... by design the horse is meant to move several miles every day while grazing. Prevent this from happening and you are preventing major systems within the body from functioning properly.

But... how can the domestic horse be healthy you may ask? Well there are particular movements that provide longer and greater benefit to the horse than others.

Keeping a horse cooped up in a stall and then letting him run wild isn't the most affective or safest way to allow movement. Allowing a horse to run as he pleases is however an essential daily activity for every horse's health and wellbeing.

However... if you want to be the most effective in your horse's physical health then you must incorporate slow controlled movement that supports the skeletal structures and encourages the horse to use its haunches in such a way that lifts it's back in an upward manner while allowing the freedom of his head. This frees up the shoulders and hips while encouraging deeper and more relaxed breathing than when your horse runs wildly after being stalled. Working in such a relaxed and controlled state provides long lasting benefits to the musculoskeletal structures because of the added oxygen to the blood among other things.

Such movement also strengthens the muscles of the whole horse while helping balance out asymmetry that is so common in domestic horses.

If you'd like to learn more about the horse and equine anatomy I want to invite you to the because of the horse online horse fair taking place on the 25th and 26th.

I will be doing three presentations during this all new fair. You can get free access using my link below for the full 2 days. This link also gives you free access to 100s of other outstanding presenters you may also enjoy learning from. Click the link bellow to claim your free ticket to the fair.
https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/a/23333/v3QRRSFP