01/11/2026
I met a horse today who made me more sure than ever that this work, this idea swirling in my head, this amalgamation of all that I’ve learned about horses in my life, is worth pursuing.
Cricket is 14, has been through a phase of neglect in his life, and is coming back into health and work. He has a deep divet in one hamstring, the evidence of a significant tear or trauma to that hindquarter. Maybe he encountered a fence post and the wound was vicious. Maybe a deep muscle tear, or a bite from another horse. I’ll never know. In his front left, ringbone is consuming his pastern. He is lame, a noticeable head bob, which is to be expected as the bone degenerates.
I was asked to see him for bodywork. I put my hands on him and I had my information within seconds. His body is soft. Carrying some extra weight in fat pads behind his shoulders. His feet have significantly improved since the radiographs I saw from September. He had a vibe about him: was it anxious? Bored? Anxiously bored?
He didn’t need bodywork. He needed constructive movement. Carrying a compensation pattern for lameness can certainly be a strain on the body, and I could have spent an hour on intentional massage and bodywork, but that wasn’t my gut feeling. And my gut was 100% certain.
We took Cricket out to the sand arena, and all I asked him for was walk. This way. That way. This way again. Not that way. Over this pole. Back up a step or two. Rest, relax. Now walk again. Enough to give his mind some input and to gently raise his energy.
What I wanted was to start building his body up to better support the structural issues. At the same time I wanted him to use his brain. Pay attention. Be present. Enjoy yourself! You’re doing just fine.
Just a little work. Not anything dramatic or complicated. And I wanted his owner to continue in the same vein. We are not working to unravel his body. He needs to be woven together.
I’m still working on a more coherent package for what I did today. It’s the Sound Horse Project, and it’s for everyone.
