Equine Release

04/06/2026

🛑 Zoom meeting Sunday 7th June 🛑

I will be having another chat.
Any questions you would like to ask please comment below .

Iv just had a really lovely zoom call with one of the ladies that attended the
British Bridleless Competition

Her video is below
With two of her horses 🥰

I think this is a great opportunity for us to ask her some questions about her bridlelss journey.

The competition has brought so much positivity into the horse world and I think we should be celebrating it.

So, if you have any questions you would like me to ask Josette Planer

Please comment below
It’s going to be a great interview 🙌

03/06/2026

Who else is in awe of the videos circulating around Fb of the
British Bridleless Competition ?

I can’t stop watching the beauty of the rhythm, balance & natural flow of these horse.

When allowed to do so it really is a sight to behold 🙌

Well done to the organisers & the competitors who enjoyed show casing there superb talent to produce happy healthy horses that clearly love there jobs 🥰

01/06/2026

Starting Point

My role as a fact finder is to work back through compensations and try to identify the primary starting point, recognising there are often multiple contributing factors.

When you’re faced with a complex web of dysfunctions, it can feel overwhelming as though there is no clear place to begin. It may feel like you’re sinking into quicksand, unable to see a way through what can seem like a long, dark tunnel filled with many emotions. Frustration, sadness, anger and uncertainty ..

The reality is that horses will develop layers of compensation over time, if the initial problem goes un noticed ( tripping, bolting, head tossing etc) it’s where multiple systems begin to interact and reinforce each other.

The body is constantly trying to find the easiest path of comfort, but in doing so it may place strain on other structures like joints, muscles, tendons, fascia, and visceral tension patterns.

At this stage, the horse can appear disorganised in its movement and function, almost like a tumbleweed with no clear direction.

Secondary issues may begin to accumulate simply because the underlying imbalance has been present for so long. The nervous system can become caught in a habitual loop, maintaining these patterns as normal

Moving forward requires patience, consistency, and a structured approach. Its not about fixing everything at once, but about finding the first piece of thread, the entry point within the system. From there, careful and considered work can begin to gently unwind the compensatory patterns.

It’s also important to have clear, realistic expectations, as sometimes the process may lead to a change in direction, including the discipline the horse is best suited for.

This process often requires involving other professionals ( saddle fitter, dentist, vet referral, Hcp) commitment, time, and a willingness to look deeply at what is happening with your horse. And sometimes looking at yourself during the process.

With the right support from myself I’ll try my best to help identify the problem to gradually create clarity and direction where there was once only confusion.

My treatments are not a replacement for your vet.

30/05/2026

Raised eyebrow post 👀

Qualifications & Is science a fixed truth or is it a process ??

This is my own personal opinion, experience & observations over many years.

A long list of letters after a name means someone followed a curriculum, turned up on time, sat through lectures, revised, passed exams, and got a certificate. It tells you they completed a system of education.

It doesn’t automatically tell you how well they apply it in the real world.

It does NOT automatically mean they are good at their job.

There are highly qualified practitioners still using outdated practices.

And there are qualified but skilled practitioners with no letters after their name who get results.

Many still follow traditions and habits in the horse world that have never really been questioned just repeated so they become the norm.

Great for owners who like to be told what they want to hear.
Not so great for owners who are open minded.

Training gives the foundation but real progress comes from staying open, questioning, and evolving rather than staying fixed in one way of thinking.

Which leads me onto ..

Is science simply the best explanation available based on the evidence at that moment in time.?

As methods improve and new data emerges, conclusions can change.

But the science isn’t updated.

A lot of commonly referenced papers were done many years ago. Methods, understanding, and standards have moved on since then.

When we read a study, we shouldnt just read the title. We should be looking deeper into the papers. Read everything. Scrutinise every word.

Because words matter. They are important in any documentation. Words like …
May.
Suggest.
Could indicate.
Is associated with.

All mean … it’s not proven or certain, only a possible link or observation, not a confirmed fact.

Also ..

When was the research actually conducted and submitted?

Who funded it, and who benefits from the outcome?

How many horses were involved 6, 20, or 200?

What were their ages, genders, workloads, and existing conditions?

Under what conditions was the study carried out?

Was the study randomised?
Was it blinded?

Were the results statistically strong, or just suggestive?

Do the conclusions actually match the data presented?

Is a published paper the final word ?

Experience matters.
Science matters.
But neither should be followed blindly.

It’s good to read what’s being claimed.
But take more notice of what they actually proved.

Do your own research.
Ask questions.
Don’t be a follower.
Think for yourself.
Trust your instinct.
Your horse is your teacher especially if you observe & be quiet.
Be your horses advocate.

27/05/2026

When a foot is immobilised , the body has to compensate. We’re not just dealing with the foot, we are dealing with the whole system trying to stay upright.

So instead of going anywhere near the foot , I worked the compensation patterns. And i worked along the kinetic lines, taking the edge off the excess tension without fully releasing what the body still needs for support

With the right fore being restricted, the diagonal hind (left hind) takes more load and strain. That’s where you often start to see excess tension build up, through the hip, hamstrings, and into the pelvis.

Across the back into the right shoulder (trying to stabilise what the foot can’t do)
Neck and poll start bracing to help balance.

The left fore also becomes the main weight-bearing limb. So I checked the left fore for any increase in digital pulse, as this limb is taking more load and i wanted to make sure there was no serious secondary strain going on.

The aim isn’t to “fix” anything it’s to stop the compensation turning into a bigger problem while the foot heals.

These cases are a good reminder to
not just treat the injury/ area of disfunction in isolation .. you treat what the rest of the body is doing because of it.

24/05/2026

Long & Low

I remember years ago when “long & low” was everywhere, especially on Facebook, encouraging us to train our horses this way. The mare I had at the time I implemented it into her schooling (pics attached), and when I got Hank, I did the same. I did have a picture of Hank long & low but I deleted it a while back because I was to embarrassed to show it! Wish I’d kept it now because it’s perfect for educational purposes.

If I knew then what I know now ( good ol’ hindsight) I wouldn’t have done it because I do believe along with him being incorrectly trimmed for such a long time contributed to him developing navicular.

It’s not as simple as asking the horse to lower their head and bam the back is lifted ! especially with the weight of a saddle and rider.

What actually happens is increased demand on a body that can’t yet support itself. More weight shifts onto the forehand, so the ligaments, tendons, and joints take the load.

Instead of building strength, you reinforce a pattern the body is already struggling to manage.

The horse may look long & low, but functionally it’s just longer and heavier.

We need the horse to be able to organise and support itself first.

It may have a place briefly for a horse with a high head carriage linked to excess tension or stress ( finding the cause first )

Long & low should only ever be a small part of a wider rehab process.
Because it’s so hard to retrain a horse to start “ coming up” once they’ve been trained to go so low.

17/05/2026

For any therapists that use K Taping for your clients.

By applying the K Tape you’re giving the nervous system something predictable and non threatening to process

The consistent sensory input from the tape creates a feeling of safety.

This is a really good introductory offer.
Equine K Taping UK

A while ago, when I was practising the protocols for the head shaking k tape application, I discovered just how beneficial it can be for stressed and anxious horses - it doesn’t just help horses that suffer with head shaking!

One really important thing to mention: if you’re using this taping to help a stressed or anxious horse, please bear in mind that this is a highly sensory taping application and should only be applied for short periods of time (for example, an afternoon) and certainly not overnight.

I’m currently running an introductory offer which makes it really good value - £25 for the online module, plus a roll of tape delivered to your door (worth£12)

Link in the comments

15/05/2026

Wow!! I didn’t anticipate the response my HM post would receive, which is why I’ve taken some time before replying.

It’s certainly made me stop and think about sharing my own personal perspective on the data Iv collected.

The volume of helpful messages from professionals, clients, and people I don’t know who have offered me some extremely valuable advice has been significant.

After taking that on board, I’ve decided I won’t be sharing my perspective on this topic.

Not because I don’t have one but because I’ve seen the level of aggression, negativity and division this subject brings, and in hindsight, it’s not something I want to be involved in.

I’m not being shut down by anyone.

I’ve worked hard to build my clientele, and I’m mindful of where I place my energy and voice.

Whatever journey you choose for your horse it should always come back to the individual in front of you in any approach you choose for them.

I’ll continue focusing on the work I do and supporting the owners & horses in front of me.

🙏

13/05/2026

Hoofing Marvellous trim

Sitting on the fence

For now.

I’ve been reading for a very long time and at times interacting with the ongoing debate around the Hoofing Marvellous trim.

I’ve decided I’d like to put my penny’s worth in coming from a professional & a horse owners perspective.

I’m not a professional hoof care provider. I know the basics. I can see when a trim/ shoe isn’t / Is serving the horse & this is being reflected in the body. The body is my lane not the feet, but I am a fact finder so I have to look at the whole of the horse to help find the cause when others are struggling.

The post isn’t going to be about criticism. Hoof care practitioner bashing or anything else that tries to discredit anyone.

It’s just a personal observation on the HM trim versus other trimming approaches.

More soon

12/05/2026

Hocks
Iv written about them before.

Try this on your horse & watch their reaction. Dont over think it, remember to breath, and gently rest the pads of your fingers on one point at a time. Keep safe, you know your horse better than anyone.

A very complicated joint that can easily go wrong, with a knock on effect to the tendons& ligaments along with the pelvis, sacroiliac, lower back, stifles, hamstrings, glutes. The horse will probably try to alleviate discomfort by offloading onto the front end.

Also adding in with a bit of cranial work which I felt she needed.

So when im working on hocks, im rarely just working on just them, im influencing the whole body.

Applying the softest touch to a couple of key acupressure points can help the joint move more freely, and reduce built up excess tension.

BLADDER 60 sits on the outside of the hock and helps to ease excess tension through the back of the leg and hind end.

STOMACH 41 is at the front of the hock, where the joint bends, and supports better flexion and smoother movement.

It’s not a replacement for your vet.
But it really does help ease pain & discomfort.

I work holistically through the entire body, identifying areas of restriction and compensation, then releasing, supporting, and realigning joints, fascia, soft tissues to restore functional movement for your horse.