Taking care of the ribcage
Try these two bodywork techniques to restore range of motion and enable to ribcage to function better.
Tightness – what is the body protecting?
Tight muscles are most often a symptom, not a standalone issue. Whenever we are dealing with recurring tightness, we need to ask ourselves - what is the body trying to protect?
Do foals and youngsters need bodywork?
Even though they are not in work, foals and youngsters still benefit from bodywork. Solving minor issues ca prevent bigger problems further down the line.
4 things you need to know about the iliopsoas muscles
The iliopsoas is a group of three muscles that acts as a hip flexor and can often be a source of dysfunction for the horse. Here are some things to keep in mind about this area.
The benefits of resting postures
A lot of horses have a hard time relaxing and finding comfort in their own bodies. By inviting them into a resting posture, we can teach them that it is ok to relax and let go of the tension in their bodies.
It's never just tight hamstrings
Tight hamstrings is a very common issue in horses, but simply treating the tightness might do more harm than good.
Want to try some bodywork with your horse? Here's how!
If you are curious to try some bodywork moves on your horse, but are unsure how to approach it, here are some basic guidelines to help you on your way.
Can I work my horse after a bodywork session?
Most bodyworkers will recommend a break from work following a bodywork session, but this does not mean the horse should be kept in a stall.
What's the deal with different bodywork modalities?
There are so many bodywork modalities out there it can be hard to choose the right one. Here are some things to consider.
Girthiness is never normal
Unfortunately, girthy horses are very common in the equine industry. While we might be used to the sight of a horse pinning his ears while the girth is fastened, this is far from normal. There is always a reason behind girth aversion, and we owe it to the horse to find it.
Is the belly lift exercise always a good idea?
The belly lift is a very popular core strengthening exercise, but for some horses it might not be appropriate.
Try this technique for TMJ discomfort
Here is a set of very gentle, but powerful set of techniques that help horses with TMJ discomfort.
Hunter's bump – restoring functionality
We talked a little bit about what a hunter's bump is and how it occurs. In this post I want to delve a bit more into the practical aspect of dealing with this issue.
Should I be worried if my horse has a hunter's bump?
Hunter's bumps are a relatively common sight in horses, especially in big warmbloods. Most horse owners know what a hunter's bump looks like, but not many know where it comes from.
Try this move for the neck fascia.
Tightness in the neck is very common in horses and it is often caused by restrictions in the fascis. Here is a simple move you can try to loosen up your horse's neck.
Who needs good posture?
Good posture is not something that belongs only in the rehabilitation process. It is good for every horse, regardless of age, breed and workload.
Talking to the nervous system
A simple exercise you can do with your horse to release some front-end tension and address the nervous system.
Don't forget the nervous system!
The nervous system is an important component of restoring functionality in a body and should not be overlooked. Exercises that target the nervous system are gentle, but very effective.
Sticky stifles
The quite common issue of sticky stifles very often indicates an unbalanced hind end. It needs to be addressed not only through strengthening but by re-balancing the biomechanics of the hind end.
The underlying issues
With musculo-skeletal issues, we tend to focus on the dorsal aspect of the horse's body. But very often, the real cause of the problem is hidden underneath.