May Valley Holistic Veterinary and Saddlery Services

16/10/2024

**𝟱-𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗦**

New series of short blogs relating to all things equestrian 🤓. Each 5-MWCB will be supported with a 5-minute Vlog, so post any thoughts, comments or questions and we will answer them with a short video next week 🤓🤓🤓

To launch the 𝟱-𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗦 series Russell shared some thoughts about training aids ⤵️

𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗦

Training aids, such as side-reins, Equi-bands and Pessoa systems, are useful if fitted and used in the correct way, and based on sound reasoning, but does every horse need a training aid? The answer maybe no.

“When we are selecting a training aid, we must ask ourselves what is the overarching objective?” says Russell MacKechnie-Guire. “The idea behind training aids is that they can positively influence the horse’s posture, encouraging it to activate its core and round the back, and provide a variety of work. But if the training aid we use isn’t correctly fitted, used in the correct way, or suitable for that specific horse’s physical capabilities, it possible benefits will be limited and its use may be counter-productive.”

A survey undertaken by Russell showed that many owners use a training aid for multiple reasons, such as part of a fitting programme, general exercise, young horses and time constraints, to name just a few.

“One of my main concern with training aids is that owners don’t ask the question, ‘why am I using this, and is there a need?” he says. “People tend to reach for the most popular training aids or one being used by a friend on the yard, but it might not be the most appropriate for their horse.

“One of the other concerns is that most are used with the horse travelling on a circle – a circle induces asymmetries; if the circle size is too small and/or if the horse is going too quick, then these asymmetries are exacerbated. In order for a horse to turn, the horse will alter its body position, this can be visualised with the horse leaning in, and altering its head position when on the circle. Training aids that attach to the bit have the potential to mechanically influence head and neck position, which may limit the horse’s own biomechanical strategy when circling. Whilst this may be a goal, it is essential that owners are mindful of this and ensure that their lunging skills (i.e., the diameter of the circle and not allowing the horse to travel too fast) are not counterproductive to the overall goal.”

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗶𝗱

The most common aids used from the research Russell has undertaken are the Pessoa and side-reins, followed by the Equi-band system.

“From a personal perspective, I like the Equi-band (elasticated bands that go under the horse’s belly and round the hindquarters) as there is evidence to show that it influences back movement, leading to what has been described as increased stability,” says Russell. “That said, it is important to consider what the objective is and select a training aid that is appropriate for the horse and one that the handler can use safely and effectively. Side-reins are also a popular choice, and if using side-reins, ones with elastic inserts have been shown to be preferable.”

It's also important to assess the fit of the roller when using training aids.

“We found that rollers, if not sufficiently padded, can put pressure directly on the spine,” explains Russell. “With a horse that has had kissing spine surgery, it is often recommended that the horse is lunged with a training aid, usually a Pessoa, but the location where the roller sits on the spine and the effect that can have is not always considered, so it is essential to ensure that it is fitted correctly and well-padded where it sits over the spine.”

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲?

When using training aids, we’re looking for the horse to use its body biomechanically correct.

“Horse owners need to be aware of the signs of fatigue – horses may tire more quickly in a training aid when lunging, so look for tripping, stiffness and lethargy. Less is more, and as a guide, sessions should be less than 20 minutes including a in-hand warm up. Some people use training aids when doing pole work. Whilst this may be useful, I would be cautious with this approach. Pole work in itself is biomechanically demanding and complex for the horse; combined with a training aid, it may not be biomechanically useful, depending on the training aid.”

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
It's also important to assess whether the horse has the mental and physical capacity to work with the training aid.

“Always ask for help, and build the time up when beginning to use a training aid to allow the horse’s musculature to develop,” advises Russell. “There is a culture that you lunge for 10mins on the left, and 10mins on the right in a training aid, but it’s really important to take our time, prepare the horse and do a warm up and cool down without the training aid and off the lunge first. Walk first, like we would under saddle.”

When deciding which training aid would best suit your horse, Russell advises reaching out to your horse’s support team.

“Speak to your physio, trainer and vet to ascertain which training aid is best for your horse, how to fit and correctly use the training aid, and what exactly you are trying to achieve from it,” advises Russell. “The BHS have guidance on fitting training aids, but you could speak to your trainers, and read the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to fit, its important that we work as a team.”

Have thoughts, questions or comments, share them in the comments and they will be discussed in next weeks 𝟱-𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗦 - 𝗩𝗟𝗢𝗚

🔭🔭𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿🔭🔭

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀: https://www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲: https://www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/centaur-online/

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗣𝗗: https://www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/webinars-online-cpd-and-education-/

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: https://www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/scientific-research-publications/

05/10/2024

After attending some CE earlier this year and watching a veterinarian who is involved in rehabilitation work use a similar product this device has become one of my favorite tools. Caveat being that if your horse is scared of the vibration or sound of clippers this may be a no go. Also before you use a tool like this on your horse best to consult your veterinarians and/or licensed equine bodywork professional for suggestions and recommendations on how to best utilize a tool like this. Please listen to your horses and do not proceed if they tell you they are uncomfortable.

Also know if you buy by clicking through I may be eligible for a small commission.

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26/07/2024

A friendly reminder that illness happens but if there is a horse with a fever at your facility no matter how well you think you have it quarantined tell all the equine support professionals you might have coming to your facility. We’d much rather have to reschedule you than be the vectors of disease to clients horses or our own!

One horse at a boarding facility in King County, Washington, recently tested positive for equine influenza.

20/07/2024

Are you checking f***l egg counts?

21/02/2024

I was talking with a client today about how my job has evolved to the support roles where my goal is to maintain biomechanic efficiency of movement and to prevent “locomotor strategies” that lead to long term compensatory wear and tear.

What a great message to keep in mind.

And yes, in spite of all of our best efforts horses will still seem to live with one hoof on the self destruct button.

: What we in the horse world refer to as “maintenance” - joint injections, systemic drugs like Adequan or Tildren, and other medical interventions - are amazing tools to help us keep our partners healthy and sound. They can extend their comfortable years, and help horses with imperfect xrays or imperfect conformation continue to have useful jobs.

They’re also part of a big puzzle. Proper nutrition is key. Proper lifestyle management is key. Tack fit, shoeing, and thoughtful training with plenty of variety. None of these replace hock injections, nor do hock injections replace any of these. And there’s no one-size-fits-all to any approach either: some horses live long and healthy lives with less turnout than others, and some horses go their entire careers without needing a needle.

But the more movement there is in a horse’s body, the greater the risk of injury. Horses that do low-level work their entire lives, and have natural gaits for a 5, don’t abuse themselves like the mega-athletes that do the Grand Prix. And no matter the level or the gifts from God, when one part of a horse’s body hurts (due to saddle fit or bad shoeing or just the slow, methodical building up of topline that sometimes leaves us sore), they’re more likely to overstress another. And that’s how horses get the kind of injuries that take a long time to heal, if they heal at all.

Find the best trainer, the best farrier, and the best sports medicine practitioner you can, and then make sure they all talk to one another. Make the best choices you can, both for your horse and your wallet. And then say a little prayer to whatever you believe in, because there’s not enough corticosteroids in the world to prevent horses from being stupid in the field 🤣

31/01/2024

I’m pleased to introduce Lara. Some of you may already know her from around area (and beyond) dressage shows. Some of you may have already “met” her via text. She’s officially agreed to take on the daunting task of trying to get my schedule organized and answering simple daily questions while also making sure I “see” the urgent things that I need to take care of. (I may have a few more plans on how to use up her time helping me streamline my clerical tasks that get woefully neglected too!)
In any case if you want to get on the schedule please be sure to text my posted business phone number even if you’re used to contacting me through other routes! I promise this will be the most reliable way to get on the schedule. Reminder for now that I’m not taking new clients unless you are at or can truck to a barn I routinely go to. Also a reminder that I typically book 4-6 weeks out except for the odd opening that may be available when I’m in your area.