Green Animal Osteopathy / Martine Groeneveld

16/01/2026

CASE STUDY OF THE MONTH

Because many people ask,
‘WHAT IS OSTEOPATHY AND WHAT DOES AN OSTEOPATH DO?’,
I started a case study series to illustrate how osteopathy works and what it could do from a WHOLE-HORSE perspective.

CASE STUDY # 3, WALLY

Wally was purchased in 2022 by Monica after she had unexpectedly lost her other horse. He was a 9 years old gelding. Monica loves Rocky Mountain horses for their kind demeanor and smooth gaits, something she appreciates at her older age. She hoped Wally would be her trusted mount for rides around their neighborhood, like her previous Rocky.
After the initial settling-in and getting used to each other, Wally started to show ‘attitude’ – not wanting to ‘listen’, seemingly mad when anything was asked of him. He was flighty/spooky, especially when seeing moving large, white trucks. He stumbled (EPM titer negative) and was diagnosed with gastric ulcers. This all led to unsafe behavior and rides.

I visited Wally for the first time in 2022. Several issues stood out, in particular in his head. It made me suspect he’d had some sort of impact in his life, like a fall or run into something. His poll, left TMJ and hyoid would not move in any direction and his teeth and jaw were very askew. Dental history was unknown.
With little improvement after the first visit osteopathy and dental care, the next step was to take x-rays of his head and teeth.

He was taken to a specialty hospital where he passed the initial neurological, eye and dental examinations. Nothing seemed ‘off’ and the medical staff believed x-rays would most likely not find any abnormalities. Monica persisted, something just wasn’t right. The x-rays did reveal several issues and were therefore followed by a head CT scan.
The diagnosis:
- fractured corner front tooth
- root abscess of one molar and mild sinus infection
- bony defect of the left TMJ and hyoid
- chronic bursitis at the poll (nuchal ligament)

He had a lot to be grumpy about.

The fractured front tooth was extracted and he was put on antibiotics for the root abscess. His behavior improved immediately, but the issues returned within a couple of months. The molar with the root abscess was eventually extracted as well and he seemed like a new horse overnight. His flighty behavior disappeared, he became calm to handle, stopped stumbling, and was no longer reactive to large/white trucks. He seemed overall much happier.

How could this be explained from an osteopathic perspective?
The fractured and abscessed teeth caused an irritation of the Trigeminal nerve (the nerve connecting teeth to the rest of the head) and the Vestibular system (the nerve network associated with balance). Overload of these systems caused dysfunctional gait (stumbling), spookiness and grumpiness (constant fight or flight behavior) and tension on the optic nerve (the nerve responsible for vision) causing vision symptoms (large, white moving trucks).

His bite and jaw will always be askew in a slant, because the bony changes in his TMJ wouldn’t allow full adaptation to a horizontal bite. He has a true structural wedge that requires ongoing maintenance to prevent further imbalance. He therefore also receives osteopathy every few months to help address the compensatory patterns that have developed in his body as a result of these structural changes. Even though the primary issues are located in his head and jaw, the effects extend throughout his entire body. To support him the best, the WHOLE HORSE needs to be addressed for optimal health and well-being.

A great outcome for this lovely horse who was trying to communicate he wasn’t feeling well.

10/01/2026

INCISOR (FRONT TEETH) POSITION AFFECTS AIRWAY AND BREATHING

Every cell in the body needs oxygen for proper functioning. Without it, tissues become fatigued and susceptible to injury and disease. It is the number one life force; no oxygen means no life.

A well-functioning airway and breathing mechanism is therefore imperative for overall well-being, longevity and performance. The position of the front teeth, and therefore the position of the mandible (lower jaw), are a determining factor for the functioning of the breathing mechanism.

This might be interesting to experience for yourself by doing the following:
- Sit or stand relaxed, hold your hand on your belly button and take a deep inhale. Try to bring this breath all the way down and push your hand up with this inhale.
The airway in your throat should be open and your diaphragm, the big breathing muscle in your rib cage, should be able to move downwards to create more volume in your lungs.
- Bring your lower jaw all the way out to one side, hold it there while taking the same deep inhale, trying to push your hand. You’ll notice it’ll be a lot harder, almost impossible to breath all the way down. Instead, to take a full inhale, the ribcage and shoulders will get tense and you’ll notice the capacity of the inhale will be less.
- Relax the lower jaw back to center and now bring it backwards towards your throat, creating an overbite (your lower front teeth are behind your uppers). Take the same deep inhale again. It’s also much harder with this jaw position to breath all the way down to your hand. Notice the tension in the back of your head and throat this creates.

This breathing mechanism works the same in horses. Position of the front teeth affects the position of the lower jaw, which affects the breathing mechanism.

In short, position of the front teeth affects the functioning of the breathing mechanism.

Omitting to pay attention to the front teeth during dental visits will leave the horse in a possible compromised breathing mechanism. Keeping the bite aligned from a young age will go a long way for the overall well-being and performance of the horse.

Have a look at your horse’s front teeth and ask questions to your dentist. Discuss what you see and try to decide together the best approach forward in case of issues.

22/12/2025

A 6yr old with a 2 degrees wedge and off set lower jaw to the right, is pretty easy to realign at this stage. Left unnoticed and untouched, this wedge would increase over the years with correlating body adaptations.
With this realignment, the body is given the opportunity to return to balance (= longevity of overall health and wellbeing). This is particularly crucial for a young horse just barely starting it's riding/working years.

19/12/2025

UPDATED SCHEDULE
If you see your area on the schedule, but haven't received a message yet, I very much welcome a reminder. Thank you 😊

COLORADO
Dec 20-21

SOUTH/NORTH CAROLINA
Dec 22-23: Aiken
Dec 27: Mooresville
Dec 28: Shelbey

CALIFORNIA
Dec 30: Sunland
Dec 31: El Cajon
Jan 1: Menifee
Jan 2: Poway, El Cajon, Bonita
Jan 3: Ramona, La Cresta
Jan 4: La Cresta, San Juan Capistrano
Jan 5: Los Angeles
Jan 6: Sunland
Jan 7: Thousand Oaks, Somis
Jan 8-9: Temecula
Jan 10: Santa Paula, Moorpark
Jan 19: Santa Barbara, Ojai
Jan 20: Santa Ynez Valley, Arroyo Grance
Jan 21: Santa Cruz
Jan 22: Gilroy
Jan 23: Salinas
Jan 24: Carmel Valley
Jan 25-29: Watsonville

Feb 1-3: Ramona
Feb 4: San Diego, Escondido
Feb 5-6: Temecula, Fallbrook
Feb 8-12: Bay Area

ARIZONA
Feb 14-15: Prescott

SOUTH CAROLINA
Feb 16-18: Aiken

NETHERLANDS/UK
Feb 19-27

SOUTH CAROLINA
Feb 27-March 6

OREGON
March 17-April 3

Working on the rest of the schedule.

13/12/2025

WHY DENTAL CARE Of THE FRONT TEETH (INCISORS) IS NECESSARY – A SIMPLE ANALOGY

Question:
Would you work with a hoof care professional who only works on the heels? Who would say “I never work on the toes, because it’s not needed.”

I believe the answer would most likely be 100% NO. We would find this a strange approach to hoof care that simply wouldn’t make sense. We understand the hoof grows and functions as a whole and therefore needs attention as a whole.

Then why would we believe this ‘half approach’ would be ok for dental care?
Teeth, like hooves, increase in length (hooves grow, teeth erupt) and function as a whole as well – ignoring the front teeth while only addressing the back is no more logical.

ALL the teeth, front and back, erupt at the same rate and are meant to wear at the same rate as well to maintain a balanced mouth. In domesticated horses, this natural wear doesn’t happen sufficiently, just as it doesn’t in hooves. The entire mouth therefore needs to be addressed at each dental visit, just as the entire hoof is addressed with each hoof care visit. Ignoring the front teeth will eventually lead to distortions, just as ignoring the toe will result in a distorted hoof.

Many dental providers omit the front teeth and only focus on the back teeth (molars). As long as this practice is ongoing, the likelihood of horses eventually developing a distorted mouth will be high. A balanced mouth, just like balanced hooves, has tremendous implications for overall movement and well-being.

It would be in the horse’s benefit to choose a dental provider who pays attention to the front teeth. This will give the horse all the benefits of a well-balanced mouth and a chance for a balanced body.

(pictures as examples of distortions)

16/11/2025

The past two months have been continuous travel, many miles driving and flying, but so worth it. Work, learning and fun combined in one go.

From California to Colorado, to visit an afternoon with a true master in the skill of listening and understanding tissues. Spending an afternoon with her was mind-blowing and three hours of experience felt like three years of learning, so much invaluable information and practice.

Then to South Carolina for work and also an equine head dissection with Diane Dzingle, osteopathic bodyworker and Equus Soma bone lady. We had assessed this horse osteopathically a couple of months prior and it was fascinating to see the tissues and joints during dissection while reviewing the notes at the same time.

Onto Oregon/Washington for two weeks working with equine osteopath, Rachel Ashworth from Balancing Point. A total of 71 horses looked at for body, teeth and feet.

A weeklong trip to the UK after Oregon started with the Trident Equine Dental Conference, all about incisors. A great initiative and very well organized conference, with every speaker emphasizing with research and experience the importance of working on the incisors.
Then a whole horse dissection with Lucinda Stockley from Equus360, Diane Dzingle and Matthew James Awcf (farrier). Likeminded people, all with their own expertise, collaborating in learning.

From the UK to Florida, for an amazing workshop on Functional Fascia at The Vluggen Institute in Ocala, with Gail Wetzler, organized by The World Alliance of Equine Osteopaths. With twenty graduated osteopaths in attendance, it was a great get together of familiar faces/friends and sharing of experiences. Most osteopaths work by themselves, so being able to spend a few days together with others in the same field feels very supportive.

From Florida up to South Carolina and onto Maryland and Virginia for work. Had the pleasure of working with Megan Wicks, equine osteopath, and her clients now for the fourth time and it's always a great experience. We were able to start trying out a new speculum, developed by Dale Jeffrey of Equine Gnathological Training Institute, which looks very promising in reducing stress on the TMJ's during dental work.

Back to California for a trip to the Bay Area and onto Nevada with new assistant Wies Groeneveld. She'll be coming on some of the trips while going through her vet tech and canine osteopathy program. We might be adding canine osteopathy back into the trips!

Updated schedule for the next few months will be posted soon. In case I haven't reached out personally yet, please feel free to send a reminder. Thank you.

20/10/2025

Very well organized and educational conference! It was a great gathering of likeminded people with the desire to share and continue learning. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. It was a great weekend.

14/10/2025

Two weeks in Oregon, with a quick visit to Washington, is finished and it was another great trip! 71 horses worked with looking at teeth, feet, body and faces, collecting more data, in collaboration with Rachel Ashworth, equine osteopath. Working together is invaluable for keeping your mind and feel sharp and to continue learning. We’ll do it again in the spring!
Rachel works in Oregon/Washington and in Arizona. She can be reached through her page.

https://www.facebook.com/BalancingPointEquineBodyWork?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

14/10/2025

Fall season means acorns on the ground and horses eating them. Please be careful and clean up as many as possible.

14/09/2025

Very much looking forward to visiting the UK and exchanging knowledge and experience with other professionals about incisors (front teeth). A part of the mouth often overlooked, but extremely important for whole horse health and movement.

🌟 Meet the Speakers of the 2025 TriDent Equine Dental Conference! 🌟

We’re thrilled to present a worldclass lineup of UK and international experts in equine dentistry, biomechanics, and performance!

🔹 Lucinda Stockley MRes, BSc (Hons), Adv. Cert. Equine Dentistry – Equine dental anatomist & biomechanist with 25+ years’ experience. Lucinda will explore incisor malocclusions, TMJ function, and their impact on whole-horse biomechanics.

🔹 Dr. Souel Maleh – Veterinarian, IGFP-certified equine dental practitioner, examiner & founding IGFP President. Souel will present on incisor adjustment and the challenges of EOTRH.

🔹 Dr. Christina Fritz, PhD – Specialist in animal physiology & neurobiology. Christina will share fresh insights into the role of nutrition and organic selenium in EOTRH development and prevention.

🔹 Martine Groeneveld – Equine osteopath with a unique focus on the link between dentistry, biomechanics & performance. Martine will discuss incisor guidance for optimal TMJ function, posture, and movement efficiency.

🐴 Don’t miss this outstanding program at the TriDent Equine Dental Conference 2025!
🎟️ Tickets: www.tridentequineconference.com

28/08/2025

Fun Fact that changed our views.

"If you keep horses teeth regularly maintained every 90 days to 6 months from a young age they may never know pain from the Bit in their entire life, or experience oral discomfort." ~ Randy Riedinger