D B Equine Therapy

01/12/2025

❄️ Supporting Rider Movement ❄️

When temperatures drop, it’s not just your horse’s muscles that need extra care — yours do too!

As riders, our posture, balance, and flexibility directly influence how our horses move beneath us.

If we’re cold and tense, our muscles become tight and less responsive. This can lead to:

• 🔹 Reduced core stability, making it harder to stay balanced in the saddle
• 🔹 Restricted hip and leg movement, which affects clear communication through your aids
• 🔹 Increased tension in the shoulders and back, which can travel down the rein to your horse

When the rider’s body stiffens, the horse mirrors that restriction — often shortening their stride, hollowing through the back, or becoming less supple through transitions.

Wearing appropriate winter riding gear helps maintain warmth and muscle function, allowing both horse and rider to move more freely.

✅ Thermal base layers support circulation and prevent chill
✅ Fleece-lined breeches keep hips and thighs warm, aiding seat mobility
✅ Layered outerwear allows heat regulation without bulk
✅ Warm gloves and socks protect key joints and maintain feel

Remember: a supple rider encourages a supple horse.

Dress smart this winter — your posture, aids, and your horse’s comfort will thank you.

28/11/2025

🍂 Winter and Your Horse’s Natural Foraging Instincts 🍂

As the colder months set in, it’s important to remember that horses are natural foragers — designed to graze and browse for up to 18 hours + a day. 🌾

In winter, limited grazing and reduced movement can lead to:

⚠️ Digestive upset
⚠️ Increased tension in the jaw, neck, and back
⚠️ Boredom and stress-related behaviours

To help support your horse’s natural instincts:

🌿 Provide multiple small forage sources throughout the day
🍎 Offer variety — hay, haylage, hedgerow plants, or safe tree branches to nibble
💧 Ensure constant access to fresh water (horses drink less in cold weather!)
🚶 Encourage gentle movement and turnout where possible

DB Equine reccomends Botanical boost formulated to reinforce your horse’s natural defences through a potent blend of echinacea, slippery elm, seaweed, and oregano—proven botanicals that work in harmony to bolster the immune system as nature intended.

Supporting natural foraging not only helps maintain gut health but also keeps fascia, muscles, and the nervous system relaxed and healthy — especially during long, cold months. ❄️

To order your Radience Gold Botanical Boost contact Debbie 07762 415122

27/11/2025

27/11/2025

🧥 How Rugging Can Affect Your Horse’s Muscles This Winter

Rugging helps keep your horse warm during the colder months — but incorrect rug fit or over-rugging can have hidden effects on the muscles and fascia beneath.

⚠️ Too tight or heavy rugs can:
• Restrict shoulder and neck movement
• Create pressure points over key muscles
• Limit natural fascia glide and blood flow

✅ A well-fitted, appropriate-weight rug should:

• Allow free shoulder movement
• Sit smoothly without pulling or rubbing
• Keep your horse warm without overheating

✨ At DB Equine, we consider how rugging, tack, and seasonal changes all affect muscle health and overall comfort.

To book your appointment contact Debbie 07762 415122

26/11/2025

Want to see Debbie in action??

The wonderful has done a great video ... thanks Nicola.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y0ojPL6Gjc8&si=kKvSaLvMzOIWpbe5

We had Debbie from DB Equine come and adjust Rays saddle as it was a bit too low at the front.Join us for tonight vlog as she explains how she does it.

25/11/2025

❄️ Horse Rider Winter Wear — Stay Warm, Stay Flexible, Stay Safe ❄️

As the temperatures drop, it’s not just our horses who feel the chill — us riders do too! 🥶

Dressing smartly for winter riding keeps you comfortable, helps prevent stiffness, and ensures you can move freely in the saddle.

Here are a few winter wear essentials to keep you riding through the cold months:

🧤 Thermal Base Layers – A good moisture-wicking base layer keeps you warm without bulk, allowing full range of movement.

🧥 Insulated, Breathable Outerwear – Choose a jacket that’s windproof yet allows heat to escape when needed— ideal for mucking out and riding.

👖 Fleece-Lined Breeches or Riding Tights – These keep your muscles warm and supple, reducing the risk of tightness or cramps.

🧦 Thermal Socks & Waterproof Boots – Cold feet = tense rider. Keep your circulation happy with warm socks and supportive, insulated boots.

🪖 Thermal Hat Liners or Headbands – Perfect under your riding hat to trap warmth without affecting fit or safety.

And don’t forget — warm muscles move better, so just like your horse, take a few minutes to stretch before riding! 💪🐴

What’s your go-to winter riding must-have?
Drop it in the comments below! 👇

24/11/2025

So its official winter is here 😭❄️🌧🧥

No need to worry here at DB Equine we have some top winter tips and suggestions coming your way!

12/11/2025

🌟 Saddles Now Available Through DB Equine & The Saddle Bank 🐴

We’re excited to share that DB Equine now works alongside The Saddle Bank to offer a wide range of quality saddles to suit both horse and rider.

Through this partnership, clients can access a fantastic selection of over 1500 new and pre-owned saddles from trusted brands — all professionally checked and fitted to ensure the perfect match for comfort, balance, and performance.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade, refit, or simply explore what’s right for your horse, we can guide you through the process from selection to fitting, supported by The Saddle Bank’s extensive expertise and stock.

📞 Contact DB Equine today to discuss available saddles or to arrange your fitting consultation.

10/11/2025

✨ The Importance of Correct Bridle Fitting ✨

A well-fitted bridle isn’t just about comfort — it’s about communication and performance. 🐴💬

An ill-fitting bridle can cause:
❌ Pinching or rubbing
❌ Uneven pressure on sensitive facial nerves
❌ Head tossing, resistance, or tension under saddle

A correctly fitted bridle, on the other hand, allows your horse to:
✅ Relax through the poll and jaw
✅ Respond to lighter aids
✅ Maintain better balance and connection

Every horse’s head is unique — what fits one won’t necessarily suit another. That’s why professional bridle fitting is essential to ensure each piece of tack works in harmony with your horse’s anatomy.

As a LANTRA-accredited Bit and Bridle Fitting Consultant, I assess fit, pressure distribution, and comfort to help you and your horse communicate clearly and ride happily. 💙

📩 Message me to book a consultation or to learn more about how bridle fit impacts your horse’s way of going.

08/11/2025

❄️ The Benefits of Myofascial Release for Horses During the Winter Months ❄️

As temperatures drop, many horses start to experience increased muscle tension and reduced flexibility. Cold weather can cause the fascia — the connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles — to become less elastic, leading to stiffness, shortened stride, and even changes in posture or performance.

💡 What is Fascia?
Fascia is a web-like structure that wraps around every muscle, tendon, and ligament in the body. When healthy, it allows smooth, unrestricted movement. However, factors such as cold weather, reduced turnout, heavier rugs, or altered training routines can create tension and adhesions within this tissue.

👐 How Myofascial Release Helps:
Myofascial release techniques gently restore movement within the fascia, encouraging:

✅ Improved muscle flexibility and suppleness
✅ Better circulation and oxygen flow
✅ Enhanced range of motion and comfort
✅ Improved posture and performance

By maintaining the health and mobility of the fascial system throughout winter, horses are better prepared for the increased demands of spring work — and less likely to develop compensatory issues later on.

🐴 Supporting your horse’s body through the seasonal changes helps keep them happy, comfortable, and performing at their best all year round.
📅 Now is the perfect time to schedule a Myofascial Release session to help your horse adapt to the winter months and stay in peak condition.

Send Debbie a message 07762 415122 or visit DB Equine Therapy to learn more or book your appointment through Equigate

07/11/2025

✨ The Importance of Continued CPD in the Equestrian Industry ✨

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the BETA Bits, Bridling & Saddlery Conference 2025 — a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry experts and keep up to date with the latest research, products and best practices in horse welfare and tack fitting.

In such a fast-developing industry, continued professional development (CPD) is vital. New studies, materials, and designs are constantly emerging, and staying current means we can provide the very best advice and care for both horses and riders.

Every event like this reinforces just how much there is to learn — from subtle bridle pressure distribution to the latest in bit technology — and how small adjustments can make a big difference to a horse’s comfort and performance. 🐴

A big thank you to BETA and all the speakers for a truly educational and inspiring event.
Here’s to always learning, evolving, and putting the horse’s welfare first. 💙