JR Horse Services

04/01/2026

Sadly, we see more and more muesli like grains coming to the US after it took us 30+ years to educate horse owners in Europe about the disadvantages (please search for keywords such as "oil, grain, oats" etc on this site)

Currently companies that already produced horse feed with indigestible ingredients to begin with are throwing mixed feeds with chopped forage on the market. Those are marketing strategies made for the human eye, but they won't help your horses. I currently treat several horses a week with terrible bloating issues, f***l waters, girthiness, or unwillingness to move off the leg. Owners typically suspect ulcers but don't question what they feed.

Chopped forage content in concentrated feed, as is now offered in many mueslis, is counterproductive because it - like concentrated feed in general - is not being chewed enough. The structure has a fiber length of less than an inch, which slows down intestinal transit so that the feed ferments in the large intestine are stuck for up to a week. Together with the high molasses content and the associated bacterial and fungal contamination of these structural concentrates, this leads to incorrect fermentation and a significant metabolic burden. Structural additions to concentrated feed are not a substitute for hay!
I also often see these symptoms in horses that only eat peanut hay, hay cubes or alfalfa from pasture blocks. Please assure that you provide long and rather rough hay as a forage source to maintain correct speed in the intestinal transit and ensure proper digestion.

During a kinesiologic session I am able to muscle test feed intolerances. Lmk if you would like to get your horses tested.

03/27/2026

Booked out until April 13. If you are planning on an April appointment, please schedule now. First come first serve 😉

03/26/2026

Backing Up has Big Benefits

If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know this is one of Gillian’s all-time favourite exercises and for good reason.

Backing up is a simple, low-impact movement with no moment of suspension, making it ideal for horses at all levels. It can be performed both in-hand and under saddle, with the horse stepping in clear diagonal pairs.

When done correctly — with relaxation, impulsion, and a softly lowered head, backing up offers powerful benefits:
✨ Increases thoracic vertebral rotation
✨ Encourages core engagement (abdominals, thoracic sling, and hip flexors)
✨ Improves back mobility and posture
✨ Supports collection and overall way of going

This exercise asks your horse to shift more weight onto the hindquarters, maintaining flexion through the hindlimbs, lumbosacral area, and back throughout each step.

How to get started:
Begin with just 1–2 quality steps, and gradually build up to around 20. Focus on long, marching, correct steps rather than rushing or quantity.

Consistency is key. Try to include backing up as part of your daily in-hand work.

Want to perfect your technique?
Comment 'back' below and we’ll send you Gillian’s top tips video for a better back-up.

03/24/2026

I just treated this roach backed horse and am very pleased with the immediate change in the lumbar spine. 😎

03/20/2026

Spontaneous change of plans, yet almost booked out 😉

03/20/2026

FYI: Appointments are booked out until the 2nd half of April! I won't turn anyone away, but please note that it won't be possible to see your horse immediately. Picture of nosey patient for attention ;-)

03/19/2026

Patient of the day ❤️

03/15/2026

😍🐴

03/14/2026

Heads up! If the gas prices don't recover by mid April, I will need to postpone my trip out West! The RV is very thirsty and with the planned route I'd currently spend $4000 on gas alone, campgrounds not included 😳

03/12/2026

03/11/2026

Owners going through “laminitis” can often tell you everything in numbers.

The insulin numbers.
The ACTH numbers.
The number of kilos of hay fed each day.
The number of paracetamol tablets.
The grams of Danilon or bute per day.
The millilitres of the latest “laminitis supplement”.

But when I ask a simple question… how many centimetres are your horse’s heels?

Most owners have absolutely no idea.

And this is not me blaming owners. Not at all.

Many owners trust that their hoof care provider is keeping their horse’s hooves healthy and balanced. That trust is completely understandable.

But the uncomfortable reality is that very often they are not.

Time and time again we see hooves that are seriously out of balance. When this happens, the internal structures of the hoof (the pedal bone/P3), become imbalanced as well. The internal anatomy is forced to compensate for poor hoof mechanics.

The horse becomes sore.

X rays are taken.

And the diagnosis becomes “laminitis”, usually blamed on diet, inflammation, or metabolic issues.

Yet almost nobody stops to ask the obvious question.

What role did hoof balance play in the first place?

This is why I constantly encourage owners to spend some time learning about hoof care. You do not need to become a farrier or trimmer, but understanding the basics can make a huge difference to your horse’s long term soundness.

The resources are out there.
Much of it is freely available.

And the more owners understand about their horse’s feet, the better chance those horses have of staying comfortable and sound. 🐴