Horse Talk with Equine Physio Janice Little

15/07/2025

Follow our Kissing Spine Journey, from moderate to mild.

15/07/2025

He wasn’t naughty
He wasn’t an a**hole
He wasn’t “just being difficult”

He was however so skeletally compromised that a comfortable ridden life was never going to happen and time was against him. Not every horse is suitable to be ridden just the same as not every human is compatible with being an athlete. We need to normalise that behaviour is communication. We need to accept that there are many things in a horses body that make riding super hard for them.

This horse went through two breakers before his owner very diligently persisted with positive reinforcement training. He did make excellent progress, that is to be commended! But here’s my issue, positive reinforcement sometimes still masks these issues. It became obvious to his owner that he was becoming more internalised and less happy even in the paddock. Horses will try harder if you ask them nicely and there’s rewards for good behaviour. I’m not saying positive reinforcement is bad, it’s a great tool….im just saying it can mask serious issues. The biggest give away was how seriously assymetric he was. This is something I have felt many times while ridng these types. Asymmetry is normal but riding a horse that has wildly different left and right reins is not normal.

This is so complex on so many levels, so many.

Ever met a horse that was odd from birth? I believe inherited trauma is also a real factor, if you haven’t read the study on mice and how it took many generations to stop passing along, I suggest you do. It’s now well documented in humans too. Link below.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fearful-memories-passed-down/

This guys story is available on patreon.

https://www.patreon.com/collection/1606429in

13/07/2025

12/07/2025

09/07/2025

This lovely video talks about how starting a young horse can cause kissing spine.

07/07/2025

07/07/2025

07/07/2025

Just because someone says they're qualified, doesn't mean they are.

Recently, a friend told me their new therapist claimed their horse had a dislocated joint—and then told her that she will “reduce it.”

Let’s pause right there.

⚠️ That’s not possible.

If a horse had a true dislocation, it would be a medical emergency. The horse would be non-weight bearing, in visible distress, and require immediate veterinary intervention. Not massage. Not bodywork. Not “reductions.”

In this case? I had photos and videos of the horse just days before this supposed “dislocation” and “reduction.” She was moving normally. Now, nearly two weeks post-treatment, she’s lame, in pain, and exhibiting new-onset neurological symptoms.

This is not post-treatment soreness.

This is an injury.

And here’s what horse owners need to understand:

➡️ Terminology matters

Words like “dislocation” and “reduction” are not casual terms. They are medical terms, protected by law, and limited to use by those with specific medical licenses—like doctors or veterinarians. When a practitioner uses them inaccurately, it’s a red flag that they may not understand scope of practice or physiological contraindications.

This isn't just semantics—it's about safety.

Many owners don’t realize that manual therapy is a regulated profession in human healthcare. For example, in BC, Registered Massage Therapy became regulated in 1995. Before that, it was a basic spa course (~800-1000 hours). Today’s programs are approximately 2200-3000 hours, with extensive clinical training. The difference in education is massive—and it shows.

So here’s what to look out for:

🚩 A therapist tells you your horse’s joint is dislocated and they can fix it
🚩 They say it’s “normal” for your horse to be neurologic or lame for more than 48 hours after a session
🚩 They dismiss your concern or tell you to “trust the process” even when your horse is clearly worse

If any of this sounds familiar, walk away.

No treatment should ever cause injury. And if it does—even inadvertently—it is the practitioner’s responsibility to refer to the vet immediately, adjust their approach from that moment onwards, reassess frequently, and ensure the horse is not in pain.

As therapists, we are here to support the body—not damage it.

Please choose your practitioners carefully. Ask about their training. Ask about their scope. And if the language they use sounds like something out of a medical textbook—they better have the credentials to match.

07/07/2025