Equine Release

09/09/2026

‼️ Viewer discretion advised ‼️

The video is in the comments.

It’s a heartbreaking video, but it is also a reminder that horses are not machines.

They do have emotions.

As many intuitive therapist will tell you we will often pick up on what they are feeling during a treatment.
Whether that’s sadness
Grief
Depression
Pain etc

Go and give your horse a big hug

Thank you to RNR Horsemanship for sharing your heartfelt video to create awareness 🙏

08/09/2026

Watch until the end, it’s a really interesting process how he is re arranging his body. Watch the subtle adjustments he makes & then a beautiful Pandiculation

Starting with the fascial lines helps him to reorganise his posture and create the expansion his body needs.

By offering the horse the right input, the body will respond.

Once this response has happened, it opens up the whole body for me to start introducing some somatic movements.

A combination of:

Myofascial release ✔️
Rib entrapment therapy ✔️
Somatic exercises ✔️
In hand work ✔️
Ridden work ✔️

In my humble opinion, it’s the perfect combination for a whole horse journey.

Or even a perfect combination to start backing your youngster.

Whole Horse Therapist
To create long term change.
Not just treating the symptoms.
It’s a journey.
No carrot stretches here!

05/09/2026

Quick update on the little pony from Greece 🇬🇷

Blood results posted in comment section.

I will be writing about my whole experience in Lefkada soon, because there is alot I’d like to share with you.

But for now…

As some of you may already know, I was invited to Greece to work with some horses and children, teaching the children a more holistic approach to caring for the ponies, as well as carrying out bodywork on the horses and ponies.

While I was there, one little pony in particular really concerned me, Chocolate.

For those who followed her journey, you will remember just how physically compromised she appeared when I met her, severe muscle wastage, weakness, an abnormal gait and some very worrying neurological looking signs.

I have finally received her blood results so I wanted to share them with everyone who followed her story.

I did my best to try & get her the help she desperately needed while I was in Greece. Her iq era were absolutely amazing & are doing everything that they possibly can for her.
I’m not sure if these bloods give answers.

I think the kindest thing would be to lay her to rest

27/08/2026

When we start making changes that allow the body to move towards a more natural position, we can then start building from there and see how the horse responds.

Back in the beginning of July I was working with this particular pony, I didn’t feel that shoes were necessary and I felt they were potentially restricting his ability to make the changes his body needed to make.

His owner agreed to remove them, take a step back and see what happens along with some hands on body work.

Sometimes it’s about removing what the horse doesn’t need, giving the body the opportunity to adapt, and then reassessing from there.

The aim isn’t to take away the whole support system, but to identify what is helping, what may be hindering, and what the individual horse needs to move forward.

This post is not about barefoot V shod.
It’s about assessing the individual horse in front of me. And working on the body, not just concentrating on the feet. The pony has good feet so never really needed shoes anyway.

Removing shoes isn’t always as simple as just taking the shoes off & all will be well. Sometimes the horse has great relief & is absolutely fine.

But in many cases we have to be sensible & implement a change of diet ( this is massively important) boots, a more appropriate trim etc

25/08/2026

Miserable cow, moody mare, stroppy bi*ch, grumpy old boot ..

And I’m not talking about me 🥴

Are some of the phrases i often hear coming from owners when describing a mare that is showing behavioural issues.

Observe what happens when your mare comes in and out of season.
Does she suddenly become more or less comfortable, more or less reactive, or generally easier to work with?

If you notice a consistent pattern around her cycle, it may indicate that hormonal changes are influencing her behaviour or comfort.

Have you ever experienced lower back pain when you are having your monthly cycle?

The hormonal and physical changes associated with your cycle may contribute to discomfort and tension through your lower back, pelvis and surrounding areas.
Resulting in you feeling really crappy and walking in a way that makes you look like you need spinal surgery!

You may reach for pain relief or a hot water bottle.

So, why do some people assume a mare cant experience discomfort associated with her cycle?

Taking a whole horse approach means looking beyond her behaviour and considering what may be happening throughout the rest of her body.

Even addressing her emotional wellbeing is just as important.

My gentle visceral and cranialsacral work can help to address tension and restriction in the surrounding tissues and may help your mare feel more comfortable

I also recommend a hot ( dont burn her) towel that has been soaked in Epsom flakes over her lumbar area. The cloth conforms to the shape of her body and the moist heat can transfer into her tissue more effectively than dry heat ( hot water bottle)

I also recommend keeping a diary of her cycles so you can cross match if her behavior changes to her cycle.

There are also many herbal supplements that may also support her.

If your mare is showing signs of being uncomfortable please dont ride her.
Consider taking her for a walk in hand instead. Or just leave her alone.

Be considerate of what her body may be going through and give her the support she needs.

If she is still unsettled once she is out of season then further investigation needs to be considered like digestive issues, musculosketal pain, the way she is being ridden is often a cause ( i like to watch how the horse is being ridden)

What happens when shes in season?
What happens when she comes out of season? ... Keep a diary!

My treatments are not a replacement for your vet

21/08/2026

This was a question asked on one of the pages I follow:

“What do you think is one of the most important qualities to have as a therapist” ?

My reply: First & foremost to listen to the owner of the horse. Be on their side.
So many vets, trainers, therapists etc dismiss them. Often saying
"there's nothing wrong with your horse, get on & ride it"
When in fact there are many issues to be found!

I’ve heard far too many stories of this being said when it’s blatantly obvious often just by looking at the horses expression alone, it’s clear that there’s an issue.

Sometimes the owner just needs someone to listen to what they’re seeing and feeling about their horse. Sometimes they need a shoulder to cry on because they’ve been made to feel like they’re going mad because nobody seems to be listening.

So … you’re not crazy!
You’re not being dramatic!

I hear & see you & your horse!!

I believe the starting point is always listening to the owner.

Tell me what you think is an important quality to have ?

16/08/2026

15/08/2026

If you’ve not yet been to the Horses Inside Out exhibition, I highly recommend it.

Gillian is a fabulous educator. She teaches with such enthusiasm that you can’t help but become completely engaged in everything she’s teaching you.
Thank you to Gillian & your team.

The cake was also good 😊

I also had the pleasure of meeting Mark Johnson especially as I’m having some issues with my own horses feet, so our chat was very much needed.

It really resonated with the way I approach my own work. Mark is a hoof care provider who recognises the importance of looking at the whole horse, while as a bodyworker, I have to consider the feet too. You simply can’t look at one part of the horse in isolation when everything is connected.
I learnt so much from him, so thank you, Mark.

I was also fortunate enough to meet Derek, a retired saddle fitter who also takes everything into consideration when he fitted saddles. Again, we spoke in depth about the horse and the importance of assessing saddle fit by observing and analysing the horse from every angle. Thank you Derek.

Theres always something new to learn, question and take away.

Meeting like minded professionals is always a great opportunity to learn, share ideas and discuss the wonderfully crazy world of horses!



Mark Johnson Farrier - another way?

Horses Inside Out

15/08/2026

Great information about Cushings / PPID.

This is a great group to join

https://ecir.groups.io/g/main?fbclid=IwdGRjcATtagRwZG9mAWZkaWQWUMjC4LQ1HptDy2aeSbiwYMB2hXXsPmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR54dg_KSJawNQtwOaIqg6bpTBmaOwp43nys3PKK27nZlzlgcadVrAEwCeNOuQ_aem_TgZZYxC6wcphqMOBLbgD0w

You can help your equines by recognizing the early signs of PPID. https://www.ecirhorse.org/seasonal-rise.php

Increased drinking and urination in the fall.
Loss of topline and a potbelly appearance.
Weight loss.
Increased appetite.
Lethargy.
Skin sensitivities.
Minor shedding changes.
Worsening insulin resistance.
Appearance of new allergies.
Unexplained tendon or ligament problems.

https://www.ecirhorse.org/seasonal-rise.php

See also:
𝙋𝙋𝙄𝘿 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙞𝙨𝙚
Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD, and Kathleen M. Gustafson, PhD
LIVE WEBINAR: Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 5pm EDT.

RECORDED VIDEO ACCESS until 09.02.27

$30 USD https://www.ecirhorse.org/webinars.php

ECIR Group Inc. thanks our Diamond Benefactors for supporting this project.

DIAMOND
Custom Equine Nutrition, LLC (Vermont Blend)
Equine Balanced Support
California Trace
Forageplus
Soft Ride Equine Comfort Boots
Hay Chix