In Stride Osteopathy

11/13/2025

THIS POST 👌🏼--- 👇🏼

Now, it is important to note that not all stifle lameness is GI-related — sometimes it’s joint damage or another issue. But in my experience, horses with gut irritation or some sort of intestinal inflammation almost always show some involvement in the stifle and/or hip area, along with some other body restrictions.

👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

The “Stifle Lameness” That Wasn’t: A Story About Referred Pain

I once had a client who told me about a horse that developed an odd, on-again off-again hind-end lameness that no one could quite pin down. Some days the horse looked off behind, as if his stifle was sore; other days he moved completely normally. Nothing about it followed the usual patterns. Things that should have made a stifle issue worse didn’t seem to, and things that “should have” helped it, didn’t.

We were all very confused.

One day, the vet happened to be on the property with a brand-new scope and offered to scope several horses for gastric ulcers — partly to familiarize themselves with the equipment. When they scoped this particular horse, they found significant stomach ulcers.

The horse was placed on a veterinarian-directed ulcer-care plan, and within a few weeks, something unexpected happened:
the ulcers healed, and the mysterious “stifle lameness” vanished along with them.

It turned out the stifle itself had never been the problem. The horse had been expressing ulcer-related visceral pain as stifle discomfort — a classic example of referred pain.

Why Ulcers Can Look Like Hind-End or Stifle Issues

This situation is a great illustration of how the equine body handles pain. Signals from the internal organs and the limbs travel through overlapping pathways in the spinal cord.

Here’s what science tells us:

1. Visceral nerves and musculoskeletal nerves converge.

The stomach and the hindquarters share overlapping spinal segments, especially through the thoracolumbar region. When the stomach is irritated, the brain can misinterpret those signals as coming from the back, pelvis, or stifle.

2. Fascia connects everything.

The deep fascial membranes link the viscera to the musculoskeletal system. When the gut is irritated, the horse may brace through the abdomen and back, altering pelvic motion and limb loading.

3. Protective guarding changes movement patterns.

A horse in visceral discomfort often holds tension through the core, diaphragm, and back. This can create subtle gait irregularities that look orthopedic but aren’t.

When the gastric discomfort resolved under the veterinarian’s care, the nervous system stopped sending those distress signals — and the hind-end “lameness” disappeared.

✳️ Why This Matters

Not every hind-end irregularity originates in a limb. Sometimes the body is expressing visceral discomfort through movement changes.

This story is a reminder of how important it is to work closely with a wonderful veterinarian, and to consider the whole horse — inside and out.

https://koperequine.com/fascia-the-skeleton-of-the-nerves/

08/30/2025

THE EQUINE NUTRITION PROGRAM is now LIVE!!!

In a previous post, I mentioned that I teamed up with the London College of Animal Osteopathy to create and teach a program on Equine Nutrition. And now it's finally LIVE!!!

A horse's life and career rely on a strong nutritional foundation. Nutrition is not just a support system; it's the framework for sound development and resilience because it affects every single system in the body.

Therefore, this program will go beyond the basics of generalized equine nutrition, guiding students through complexities of dietary assessment and planning. Students will gain knowledge and practical skills to confidently evaluate, formulate and advise on equine diets across all life stages, workloads and health conditions.

I feel completely honoured and grateful to become a part of the LCAO team and look forward to helping people learn more about proper equine nutrition. When we understand how nutrition shapes the body from the inside out, we unlock the ability to care for horses in a way that is both scientific and deeply compassionate.

If you'd like more information, check out the link below!

07/03/2025

Even as a certified Int. Dip EO, I’m always grateful for the chance to keep learning and growing. It’s been amazing reconnecting with this supportive group and our inspiring instructors—constantly sharing new, gentle yet super effective techniques. Wrapped up a great few days with a filmed nutrition interview, and of course had to take the Brits to the Ponoka Stampede! Great weekend all around 💛✨🇨🇦

Photos from Corinne Schindler

04/23/2025

A fellow graduate explains how proper osteopath treatments feel for the horse and gives some good insight on when further treatments are needed.

What the Treatment Feels Like for the Horse

Equine osteopathy is generally very gentle and relaxing for the horse. Most horses enjoy it, especially once they start to release tension. During treatment, horses may:
• Yawn
• Lick and chew
• Drop their head
• Blink slowly
• Shift their weight or sigh

These are all signs of release and relaxation. The practitioner uses light to moderate pressure — it’s not forceful or aggressive like some chiropractic adjustments can be.

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How Often Are Sessions Recommended?

It depends on the horse and its needs, but typically:
• Maintenance/prevention: Every 3–6 months
• Performance horses: Every 1–3 months, especially during competition season
• Rehabilitation or injury recovery: More frequently at first (e.g., weekly or biweekly), then tapering off as the horse improves

Some horses only need occasional check-ins, while others benefit from regular care — especially if they have a demanding workload or a history of injury.

— here are some signs your horse might benefit from an osteopathy session:

Physical Signs:
• Uneven muscle development (e.g., one shoulder more built up)
• Stiffness when turning, bending, or backing up
• Head tilting or crookedness when moving
• Lameness that comes and goes but doesn’t have a clear vet diagnosis
• Reluctance to be groomed, saddled, or have certain areas touched
• Shortened stride or lack of impulsion from behind

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Behavioral Changes:
• Bucking, rearing, or resistance under saddle
• Difficulty picking up a specific lead
• Sudden attitude changes (grumpy, anxious, spooky)
• Avoiding contact or appearing “sour” during rides

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Performance Issues:
• Struggling with collected or lateral work
• Losing balance during transitions or on circles
• Refusals or hesitations when jumping
• Not tracking up or engaging hindquarters properly

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Sometimes these signs are subtle, and other times they’re very obvious. Osteopathy can help pinpoint and resolve hidden restrictions that might not show up on standard lameness exams.

04/04/2025

03/10/2025

**Equine Microbiome**
An osteopath and equine nutritionist perspective:

The microbiome is becoming increasingly important in equine care. I want to talk about hindgut issues in horses and the 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞 from the nutritionist and osteopath viewpoints. I find many horses show signs of hindgut issues that can often be improved with dietary modifications in conjunction with osteopathic treatments. I want to clarify that while the restrictions I observe in the hind end can stem from ̲𝚟̲̲𝚊̲̲𝚛̲̲𝚒̲̲𝚘̲̲𝚞̲̲𝚜̲ ̲𝚏̲̲𝚊̲̲𝚌̲̲𝚝̲̲𝚘̲̲𝚛̲̲𝚜̲ like hoof balance and musculoskeletal changes, it's important to note that a significant aspect of the hind end system involves a 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭 that can react dramatically to changes. There is existing evidence of a link between diet and behavior in horses. However, 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐠𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞 (𝐝𝐲𝐬𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬) 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦. An osteopath can help determine these differences that your horse is dealing with. ⁣
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Nutritionists Viewpoint:

The equine gastrointestinal tract hosts 𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘴 essential for digestion, immunity, and overall health. Horses have a remarkable symbiotic relationship with these microbes, and although well adaptable, various factors can cause a significant negative influence on the microbiome, leading to dysbiosis. A change in hindgut pH by just 𝟏 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭 can shift the balance from beneficial to harmful microbes, which can occur within only 5 hours. Each horse's microbiome is unique, with varying sensitivities.⁣
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Dysbiosis, which is commonly driven by diet and stress, can lead to symptoms such as:⁣
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- Digestive issues include diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, colic, changes in manure consistency, bloating and gas ⁣
- Behavioral changes such as irritability or anxiousness ⁣
- Poor performance or "not cooperating" ⁣
- Increase in infections and allergies such as skin allergies and diseases⁣
- Intermittent lameness⁣
- Possible food intolerances⁣
- Intermittent colic and colic symptoms⁣
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Osteopath's Viewpoint:

From an osteopath's viewpoint, an unhealthy microbiome can create tension throughout the whole body, potentially causing pain and imbalances. A sudden diet change can shock gut microbes, leading to their die-off. Stress increases acidity in the foregut and hindgut, further harming beneficial microbes. This creates endotoxins, causing intestinal inflammation, which alerts the central nervous system. In turn, the CNS signals nervous tension in fascia, muscles, joints, and adjacent organs, connecting the entire body from front to back.⁣

Maintenance of a Healthy Microbiome:
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To support a healthy microbiome, make dietary changes gradually over 2 to 3 weeks. Also, consider using 𝐩𝐫𝐞/𝐩𝐫𝐨/𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 and increase those to an extent when you know the horse will be going through a stressful event. Overall, evaluating the horse's microbiome and digestive health is essential. These assessments should be conducted with the 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 to ensure a comprehensive approach to the horse's well-being.⁣
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If you want to deepen your understanding, I will be offering comprehensive courses that include equine microbiome health with London College of Animal Osteopathy - LCAO scheduled for late spring 2025. Stay tuned for more details!

Photos from:
Bad Bacteria - Arch Magazine
Facial Lines - The Equine Documentalist
Immune Microbiome - MDPI

02/21/2025

I have been keeping a little secret! 🤫...one of the largest animal osteopathy schools in the world has asked me to team up with them to CREATE and TEACH some CPD courses in Equine Nutrition!!!

I am so thrilled and honoured for the opportunity to once again, do something I love which is helping animals and their people reach their fullest potential.

Keep an eye out for these online courses when they go live this late spring!

Although I will be focusing majority of my time on this, I am still working on horses and doing nutrition consults, so if your equine partners need a good treatment, message to get booked in.

London College of Animal Osteopathy - LCAO

01/27/2025

🐴**𝐇𝐀𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆**⁣🐴
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In this next post of my series - Is your feed program hurting your horse? - I will primarily talk about how the type of forage impacts a horse's digestive health , 𝐡𝐚𝐲 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 and 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐲 for your horse, as much of a domestic horse's diet comes in the form of hay. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. ⁣
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Forage is a VERY extensive topic, so to keep this post relatively short, I'll attempt to condense this in a nutshell. A horse's diet should primarily consist of structural (fiber) carbohydrates, mainly from forage. Fiber plays a crucial role in promoting healthy digestion and serves as a significant energy source for hindgut microbes. However, ̲𝚗̲̲𝚘̲̲𝚝̲ ̲𝚊̲̲𝚕̲̲𝚕̲ ̲𝚏̲̲𝚘̲̲𝚛̲̲𝚊̲̲𝚐̲̲𝚎̲ ̲𝚒̲̲𝚜̲ ̲𝚎̲̲𝚚̲̲𝚞̲̲𝚊̲̲𝚕̲; poor-quality forage can harm your horse's health.
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When assessing hay quality, it's essential to consider nutritional value and 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 and 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨𝐨. However, along with the 𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, there is an ̲𝚊̲̲𝚎̲̲𝚜̲̲𝚝̲̲𝚑̲̲𝚎̲̲𝚝̲̲𝚒̲̲𝚌̲ ̲𝚌̲̲𝚘̲̲𝚖̲̲𝚙̲̲𝚘̲̲𝚗̲̲𝚎̲̲𝚗̲̲𝚝̲ we need to look at as well. The nutritional value of hay is largely influenced by the 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 of the plants at harvest. Plant fiber consists of a fiber called 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞. As plants age and mature, the levels of lignin within them tend to increase. For instance, coarse hay typically contains higher concentrations of lignin. If the concentration of lignin is high, then the ̲𝚎̲̲𝚏̲̲𝚏̲̲𝚎̲̲𝚌̲̲𝚝̲̲𝚜̲ ̲𝚘̲̲𝚏̲ ̲𝚠̲̲𝚑̲̲𝚊̲̲𝚝̲ ̲𝚠̲̲𝚎̲ ̲𝚍̲̲𝚒̲̲𝚜̲̲𝚌̲̲𝚞̲̲𝚜̲̲𝚜̲̲𝚎̲̲𝚍̲ ̲𝚒̲̲𝚗̲ ̲𝚝̲̲𝚑̲̲𝚎̲ ̲𝚏̲̲𝚒̲̲𝚛̲̲𝚜̲̲𝚝̲ ̲𝚙̲̲𝚘̲̲𝚜̲̲𝚝̲ ̲𝚘̲̲𝚏̲ ̲𝚝̲̲𝚑̲̲𝚒̲̲𝚜̲ ̲𝚜̲̲𝚎̲̲𝚛̲̲𝚒̲̲𝚎̲̲𝚜̲ ̲𝚠̲̲𝚒̲̲𝚕̲̲𝚕̲ ̲𝚘̲̲𝚌̲̲𝚌̲̲𝚞̲̲𝚛̲. This means that forage harvested at the appropriate stage of growth is essential for optimal digestion and nutrition for horses. ⁣
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̲𝙷̲̲𝙾̲̲𝚆̲ ̲𝙳̲̲𝙾̲ ̲𝙸̲ ̲𝙺̲̲𝙽̲̲𝙾̲̲𝚆̲ ̲𝚆̲̲𝙷̲̲𝙰̲̲𝚃̲ ̲𝙸̲̲𝚂̲ ̲𝙶̲̲𝙾̲̲𝙾̲̲𝙳̲ ̲𝚀̲̲𝚄̲̲𝙰̲̲𝙻̲̲𝙸̲̲𝚃̲̲𝚈̲ ̲𝙷̲̲𝙰̲̲𝚈̲?⁣
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To help determine if hay is of adequate quality is, break open a bale and check for:⁣
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1) 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 - Look for a 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐟-𝐭𝐨-𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨. If the hay appears to have mostly thick stalks, it indicates that it was cut too late, resulting in a high lignin content, which is not ideal for feeding your horse. Instead, seek hay that has been cut earlier, as this will typically contain more flat leaves, fine stems, and fewer seed heads. For instance, grass and alfalfa should ideally be cut in the pre-bloom stage. For timothy hay, the head length should be in bud form or less than 1 inch long, while alfalfa should be harvested before it blooms. Hay that contains 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 suggests that it is from an early maturity plant, which is beneficial for horses.⁣
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2) 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 - When you pick up a handful of hay, does it feel soft and pliable, as small stems and flat leaves should, or does it feel harsh, pokey and brittle? Good quality hay should feel very 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, and it should feel pleasant in your hand.⁣
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3) 𝐒𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐲 - Doesn't the smell of freshly cut grass smell wonderful? Good quality hay has a clean, pleasant aroma known as "crop odour". If hay has musty, mouldy, or burnt odours, it's an indication of poor quality, can decrease your horse's willingness to eat it and cause further health issues.⁣
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4) 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐂𝐬 - 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 - The exterior of a hay bale often fades because of sun exposure, which is normal. However, the inside of the bale should be a bright green color. If the hay appears yellow, brown, black, or white, it indicates poor quality, suggesting that the hay is old, mouldy, or has been stored improperly. Additionally, the hay should be completely free of trash, weeds, dirt, and dust. ⁣
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Ensuring these points, and having earlier cut hay ̲𝚝̲̲𝚢̲̲𝚙̲̲𝚒̲̲𝚌̲̲𝚊̲̲𝚕̲̲𝚕̲̲𝚢̲ means higher digestibility and nutrient content for your horse, although this can be fully confirmed by a hay analysis. It's important to understand that, just like we gradually introduce a new grain to a horse over a period of 10 to 14 days, 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐲. Horses need time to adjust, as they cannot make a sudden change in their hindgut microbial balance overnight.⁣
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̲𝚆̲̲𝙸̲̲𝚃̲̲𝙷̲ ̲𝙰̲̲𝙻̲̲𝙻̲ ̲𝙾̲̲𝙵̲ ̲𝚃̲̲𝙷̲̲𝙴̲̲𝚂̲̲𝙴̲ ̲𝙷̲̲𝙰̲̲𝚈̲ ̲𝚅̲̲𝙰̲̲𝚁̲̲𝙸̲̲𝙰̲̲𝙱̲̲𝙸̲̲𝙻̲̲𝙸̲̲𝚃̲̲𝙸̲̲𝙴̲̲𝚂̲ ̲𝙰̲̲𝙽̲̲𝙳̲ ̲𝙾̲̲𝙿̲̲𝚃̲̲𝙸̲̲𝙾̲̲𝙽̲̲𝚂̲, ̲𝙸̲̲𝚃̲ ̲𝚂̲̲𝚃̲̲𝙰̲̲𝚁̲̲𝚃̲̲𝚂̲ ̲𝚃̲̲𝙾̲ ̲𝙶̲̲𝙴̲̲𝚃̲ ̲𝙾̲̲𝚅̲̲𝙴̲̲𝚁̲̲𝚆̲̲𝙷̲̲𝙴̲̲𝙻̲̲𝙼̲̲𝙸̲̲𝙽̲̲𝙶̲ - ̲𝚆̲̲𝙷̲̲𝙰̲̲𝚃̲ ̲𝙳̲̲𝙾̲ ̲𝙸̲ ̲𝙳̲̲𝙾̲? ⁣
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The first thing I would suggest is to 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 when feeding your horse. Finding the perfect hay—affordable, high-quality, leafy, low-calorie, high-protein, and with an NSC of 10% or lower—may be challenging. Prioritize what matters most to you, whether it’s price, availability, or nutritional content. Be prepared to pay more for better quality. If high-quality hay is scarce or too expensive, supplementing with hay balancers may be an option to maintain health. However, focusing on buying good quality hay can mitigate the risk of many health diseases, and allow you to reevaluate how many supplements you're feeding your horse as well. Always 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞'𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 to ensure the forage meets its needs, as one type of forage may work well for one horse but not for another. ⁣
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Overall, forage is an extensive topic that encompasses many different aspects that need to be understood, but following the steps mentioned above will help you choose quality hay for your horse. If you're unsure whether your hay is adequate, meeting your horse's needs, or if you want to learn more about the various factors related to hay, a certified Equine Nutritionist can assist you in this area.⁣
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In the next post, I'll discuss the importance of vitamins and minerals.

Pictures have been taken from:⁣
Rutgers University - Good Quality Alfalfa & Orchard Grass on the left ⁣
The Hay Pillow - Mature Cutting vs Immature Cutting⁣
North Dakota State University - Alfalfa Growth Stage

01/19/2025

🐴*** 𝐈𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌 𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄? ***🐴
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In this mini series, I’ll discuss 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 horses may face and emphasize the importance of reviewing your feeding routine to identify these concerns.⁣
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As horse owners, we understand that horses require water, forage, vitamins, and minerals for proper nutrition. However, ̲𝚗̲̲𝚘̲̲𝚝̲ ̲𝚊̲̲𝚕̲̲𝚕̲ ̲𝚏̲̲𝚎̲̲𝚎̲̲𝚍̲̲𝚜̲ ̲𝚊̲̲𝚛̲̲𝚎̲ ̲𝚎̲̲𝚚̲̲𝚞̲̲𝚊̲̲𝚕̲. So, what does this actually mean, and how can we identify if our feed routine is high enough quality for our horses? ⁣
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A high-quality feed program can mitigate digestive issues and even 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐬. While "digestive upset" often shows visible signs like bloating and diarrhea, poor digestive health can also lead to less obvious issues that may be misdiagnosed. Horses have intricate and sensitive digestive systems, making them prone to problems if not fed properly.

Symptoms of poor digestive health can include:⁣

- Girthiness & flank sensitivity⁣
- Kicking out or bucking⁣
- Stiffness, particularly in the ribcage and hindquarters⁣
- Changing lameness ⁣
- Laminitis or founder⁣
- Reduced propulsion from the hind end⁣
- Canter issues and toe dragging⁣
- Lumbar and thoracic muscle tension⁣
- Weight loss
- Not tracking up ⁣
- Hunched under appearance ⁣
- Irregular hormonal cycles⁣
- Hay belly, bloating or excess gas⁣
- Colic symptoms, loss of appetite and lethargy⁣
- Diarrhea or loose manure⁣
- Respiratory distress⁣

*𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬. 𝐒𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬.*⁣
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̲𝙷̲̲𝙾̲̲𝚆̲ ̲𝙲̲̲𝙰̲̲𝙽̲ ̲𝙰̲̲𝙻̲̲𝙻̲ ̲𝚃̲̲𝙷̲̲𝙴̲̲𝚂̲̲𝙴̲ ̲𝚂̲̲𝚈̲̲𝙼̲̲𝙿̲̲𝚃̲̲𝙾̲̲𝙼̲̲𝚂̲ ̲𝙱̲̲𝙴̲ ̲𝙰̲ ̲𝙳̲̲𝙸̲̲𝙶̲̲𝙴̲̲𝚂̲̲𝚃̲̲𝙸̲̲𝚅̲̲𝙴̲ ̲𝙸̲̲𝚂̲̲𝚂̲̲𝚄̲̲𝙴̲?⁣
From an osteopathic perspective, a horse's foregut and hindgut—both substantial parts of their anatomy—have numerous fascial, neurological and vascular relationships. Let me explain....starting with a small bit of anatomy....⁣😀
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The foregut breaks down feed into useable nutrients, while the hindgut, ferments undigested materials from the foregut, for most of the horse's caloric needs. Since horses 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚 𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 and require continuous access to forage to prevent gastrointestinal issues and maintain gut PH. Grazing protects against stomach acid, so horses 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟒 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞. The hindgut, particularly the cecum, hosts a variety of bacteria that break down/ferments fiber and provides about 75% of daily calories. Quality forage is crucial for maintaining the health of these microbial populations, as poor quality feeds high in starch (𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬/𝐡𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫) or long, stemmy, coarse indigestible fiber (𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬/𝐡𝐚𝐲) can disrupt the hindgut's acidic environment, leading to a microbial imbalance and issues like hindgut acidosis, ulcers, bloating, gas accumulation, and colic. ⁣
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Within the body, there is a significant neurological connection between vertebrae, muscles, fascia, and organs through 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐨-𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐬. Specific spinal regions supply nerves to organs, so irritation in an organ can cause a reaction in nearby spinal areas, leading to "protective" tension in the muscles and fascia, restricting muscle and joint movement. Conversely, limited spinal, muscular and fascial mobility can impair organ function.

For example, hindgut irritation can signal perceived "damage" to the nerves, resulting in spinal and joint immobility. Because the body is interconnected, tension in the hindgut may also impact nearby joints, urinary organs, reproductive organs, endocrine systems, and myofascial lines. This interconnectedness means that digestive issues can lead to sensitivity in various areas, creating a cycle of tightness and restricted movement until the root cause is addressed. This is often why a horse with a hindgut issue might also exhibit sensitivity in the poll area.⁣
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̲𝙷̲̲𝙾̲̲𝚆̲ ̲𝙳̲̲𝙾̲ ̲𝙸̲ ̲𝙺̲̲𝙽̲̲𝙾̲̲𝚆̲ ̲𝙸̲̲𝙵̲ ̲𝙸̲ ̲𝙷̲̲𝙰̲̲𝚅̲̲𝙴̲ ̲𝙰̲ ̲𝚀̲̲𝚄̲̲𝙰̲̲𝙻̲̲𝙸̲̲𝚃̲̲𝚈̲ ̲𝙵̲̲𝙴̲̲𝙴̲̲𝙳̲ ̲𝙿̲̲𝚁̲̲𝙾̲̲𝙶̲̲𝚁̲̲𝙰̲̲𝙼̲?⁣
By reviewing your horse's 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞, and ensuring a 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 of energy, vitamins, minerals, fat, and protein, along with access to fresh water, you are on your way to ensuring your horse has a good feed program to enhance their health. Just like us, horses that eat garbage, will show it in their condition. Reviewing your horse's feed program with a qualified Equine Nutritionist may alleviate GI tract issues, potentially resolving associated behavioral or soundness concerns without requiring further veterinary intervention.⁣
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As a certified Equine Nutritionist and Osteopath, this is why I put a big emphasis on the quality of a feed program, as I’ve seen how dietary changes can improve a horse's symptoms and well-being. As part of 🅼🆈 osteopathic assessments, I usually always take a look at what the horses feed program is if I feel something is off as good nutrition is 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 a horse may see in their lifetime. It is so important as osteopaths and horse owners, that we evaluate the 𝐖𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄 to ensure that all factors are considered. 😁

Next post, I will discuss how to ensure your horse is eating quality forage, so stay tuned!

Pictures have been taken from:
Succeed Equine - GI Anatomy
Research Gate - Viscerosomatic Reflex
Madbarn- Hay Belly

01/10/2025

January - limited availability

Call, text or DM to book an appointment

01/05/2025

12/31/2024

Here is your WINNER for the December giveaway!

❄️ FREE Equine Osteopathy Assessment/Treatment WITH a FREE Equine Nutrition Assessment - Catherine Laressa

Congratulations Catherine!!

Also....
✨I truly appreciate everyone who entered as you have supported my business in helping it grow and reach others so for anyone who didn't win the giveaway, your next session of service I will offer discounted! ✨

Stay tuned for locations/dates or send me a message to get booked in!