Equine Bowen and Soft Tissue Therapy

12/12/2024

Interestingly, even with all of the information "out there", horses' behavior is often misinterpreted. (Even by experienced riders and trainers.)
Many times, a horse will buck/shy/rear, run backwards etc, due to pain in:
the withers
girth area
gluteal muscles and
hamstrings
Brachiocephalic
(lower neck muscles.)
This is due to pain and stiffness, inhibiting the horse's ability to move forward under saddle effectively.
There are a whole range of causes for these issues, ranging from poor training/ riding methods to bad saddle fits, paddock accidents, and just adaptation to coming into regular work.
It is important to give the horse the benefit of the doubt in these situations, rather than just assuming that the horse is "misbehaving."
Bowen and soft tissue treatment will address these issues by releasing muscle tension, and increasing blood flow to damaged areas, allowing healing.
I am happy to chat any time regarding any of these issues.
Cheers Annette

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03/12/2024

03/12/2024

I DON'T KNOW HOW SOME PEOPLE SURVIVE, WHEN THEY ARE SO INCREDIBLY STUPID!

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30/11/2024

Conformation is paramount in selecting a horse to compete in your chosen sport on. Many people don't understand the importance of good conformation. It has a direct bearing on the ongoing soundness, trainability and athletic ability of the horse.

Conformation is the science of body types. The word comes from "conform" and its meaning relates to how well or not a horse conforms to the proportions of the ideal horse. But there is more to it because the ideal horse for polo is very different from the ideal of a Grand Prix jumper. One main difference in this example is the length of the back.

The two lower images are of long backed horses. The left picture shows a horse jumping a high spread or oxer jump with the horse's back rounded in what we call a bascule, which translates to seesaw. In order to jump the challenging jump, the horse must round its back such that the apex or top of the jump arc is high enough to clear both top rails during the seesaw of the upward and downward arcs of the jumps path.

Imagine a horse with a very short back achieving the necessary bascule over this pictured jump. With a shorter back a horse will have greater difficulty smoothly arcing over a difficult jump than the long backed horse in the picture. Therefore, one element of overall conformation for a jumping horse to consider is the length of the back.

Similarly, but different, when you need a horse for a sport that requires lightning quick agility on the ground for gaming, working cattle or polo, a long back will slow the ex*****on of quick movements. For agility on the ground, a shot back is an advantage. I will put a link at the bottom about a short backed horse.

Conformation is science directly related to biomechanics. But due to all the variations in the ratios between parts of the horse, like leg length to back length to neck length, understanding and using conformation when selecting a horse is also art in addition to being science. The art is in predicting how the horse will move as it develops based on its conformation. Understanding conformation is a practical skill more than an academic exercise. People who fail to study conformation regularly make poor choices when purchasing horses.

link to short back horse post -
www.facebook.com/BobWoodHorsesForLife/posts/pfbid0XBEEpG8JmDWdtpS2ii9GskJRwdn6CdF11597qU5qWYjXs1ZF7mGGDL7M1WurqYp2l

27/11/2024

I still have a few appointments available for the next few weeks in the Seymour area. Give your horse an early Christmas present! PM to book. Cheers Annette

26/11/2024

This is a generalised chart, some breeds of horses take more or less time to mature, but it gives you an idea how and when the skeletal system develops. Bone is a living, growing tissue, which remodels its self constantly, has a rich vascular system, and requires adequate nutrition to stay healthy.
Exercise, including some riding can be good for young horses, providing it isn't overdone.(so many factors lead to being over done!)
Weight bearing and exercise do contribute to healthy bone development when introduced gradually.
As shown here, the verterbrae in the spine, are the last to fully develop, usually fully maturing at six years old.

25/11/2024

Its amazing how intricate the muscular system is! As you can see, there is no muscle below the knees or hocks. From knees and hocks downwards to the hoof, the limbs are bone, ligaments and tendons.
This explains why there can be a whole range of complications when a horse sustains a leg or hoof injury, as the circulation to the lower legs can often be compromised. With every day riding and sport, the flexor and extensor muscles of the limbs can become stressed and tight, causing a "pulling" or tightening effect on the tendons and ligaments below them. Over time this can contribute to tendon or ligament injuries.
The tightening of soft tissues can be very effectively addressed by regular bodywork.
Many of my clients have their horses treated four to six weekly, sometimes eight weekly, depending on the horse's work regimen.
Each horse is special! So give them the care and attention they deserve!

In the software, the muscles are divided in 3 layers

24/11/2024

Over the festive season, I will have a few Sunday appointments available, as I wont be taking any appointments on public holidays.
I will continue to take appointments on the main days during this time as well, so happy to see my usual clients as well as any new ones!
The Sundays available are: December 1st
15th
22nd
29th
January 5th
Just putting this up early for your convenience, and will send season's greetings to you all closer to Christmas !

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24/11/2024

Brenda and Irene do it again!

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19/11/2024

Next week I will be seeing horses in the Kilmore, Seymour and Northwood areas, and I have a few appointment times free. DM my page for more info! Cheers Annette.

18/11/2024

At this time of the year, the ground is very hard, this can cause jarring and cause pain in the forelimbs and pectoral muscles. If the transverse pectoral muscles are strained or jarred, the horse may become lame. I have seen quite a few instances of this lately, and it can even occur after being ridden on arenas with too deep or too shallow surfaces.
To check for any discomfort in this area, run your hand behind the horse's elbow, and around under the "armpit" regeon. The horse will flinch with even very light pressure if there is a problem. This is very easily managed wth Bowen or massage tecniques.
When checking for discomfort anywhere on a horse always remember how quickly they can react to pain, so always be careful, even with quiet horses!

06/11/2024

People always notice, how during a treatment their horses relax, and accept the release of tension in their muscles.
As the treatment progresses, the horse's stance will change noticeably, often going from a "camped under" look with the forelegs positioned back under the body, and the hinds unnaturally forward under the body.
The horse will yawn, and reposition it's legs to a natural stance after a relatively short time.
The muscles on the topline will appear softer too, and the horse will stretch its neck and lower the head, often looking drowsy.
Even though the treatments appear intense at times, the horse's feedback shows the effect of the tension release throughout the soft tissues.
Post treatment you may notice that the horse drinks more, and of course passes more urine. This is perfectly normal as toxins are being removed from the tissues via the lymphatic system, stimulating thirst and waste removal!
It is amazing treating these wonderful creatures, so rewarding to see improvements in their wellbeing, and getting feedback from everyone!

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06/11/2024

Its the time of the year to think about electrolytes for our horse. These are an important part of your horse's physiological well-being. (Same as us!)
If you are working horses and they sweat, they are losing a lot more than just salty fluid!
Sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium are depleted, as well as other trace elements.
Signs of electrolyte imbalance include sore, stiff muscles, irritability, and even a reduced fluid intake, resulting in very concentrated urine.
There are many great electrolyte replacers available at your local feed store, or you can ask your vet or equine nutritionalist for recommendations.
I am also happy to help and answer any questions! Cheers Annette.

04/11/2024

I have a few appointment times available around the Oaklands junction, Mickleham areas in the next few weeks. Pm for availabilities. Cheers Annette.

04/11/2024

I have a few appointments available over the coming weeks in the Broadford, Seymour, Northwood areas. Pm for times . Cheers Annette

25/09/2024

More driving spam!

25/09/2024

Got to Drive these beauties today, before treating Dolly, who is the right lead horse. Thanks to John Baird and Collette Apted or driver instruction and photos!