Form Through Function Equine Development

12/05/2025

11/22/2025

The Walk Continued ...

We spoke last time about seeing a quality walk. Now let's discuss how many riders hinder the walk.

1. Not moving with the horse. This is especially true if your job is sedentary. A good walk requires the horses body to move a lot which in turn requires the riders body to move a lot in synchrony with the horse. Hips, pelvis, and hands all need to follow the ebb and flow of the horses motion. The hands move forward as your pelvis moves back. It is important to make sure your hips are open and not locked restricting the back of the horse. Restricting any part of your body will restrict the horses ability to move correctly.

2. Driving the horse forward into an unforgiving hand. Riders that push the horse with the legs into a hand that is like hitting a brick wall. This will compress the horses neck and create rigidity down the entire spine creating a disengaged and abnormal gait.

3. Rushing the horse over tempo. Rushing the horse so fast that they cannot balance. This often results in disengagement and a lateral walk. You want a marching walk but it is imperative the horse can balance and maintain a natural 4 beat foot fall pattern.

4. Holding a forward horse with the hands, never giving and not using your seat or leg. This also results in a lateral walk and hollow back. Forward horses still need guidance with your seat and leg. You can keep them in a solid pace by not allowing your pelvis to move as quickly as their back. simply keep the full range of movement slower. You still need to give with the hands and follow in a steady contact with the bit. I find it helps to always keep your leg against a hot horse so when you do use it they are not surprised and you can make more subtle cues. On the inter side of the spectrum, if the horse is more whoa than go I find holding your leg a bit off is better as when you bring it on for a que they feel it more and respond better.

These are just a few of the ways we as riders can negatively impact the horse. I have been guilty of all of these until I learned better ways. Be present and conscious in you rising and see if you are doing any of these things.

videos to come in the future.

11/20/2025

🚨 In light of the recent Equine Herpes Virus outbreak with confirmed cases of the neurologic form of EHV-1 (EHM - Equine Herpes Myleoencephalopathy), we wanted to share the steps we have already taken to ensure the safety of our hospitalized patients here and ongoing appointments, as well as some helpful reading material on this virus.

Effective as of this morning 11/19, we are:
* Requiring horses stay IN/AT their trailer until a staff member arrives to take your horses’ temperature.
* Requiring each client to complete a questionnaire before their appointment which includes detailed travel and vaccination history.

⭐️ There are no confirmed cases of EHV or EHM in our hospital at this time. We will not be intaking ANY horses with symptoms of EHV1 and that have attended the event(s) in Waco, TX or Guthrie, OK. Our veterinarians are strongly advising those who have attended these events to stay home, quarantine any potentially exposed horses and check their temperatures twice daily. Horses with a fever greater than 101.5F should be monitored closely and can be treated with supportive care such as NSAIDs (Flunixin Meglumine) as needed and ensure adequate hydration. 

🚨 ANY horse that presents with a fever greater than 101.5 F may be hospitalized ONLY at the discretion of the doctor present and is required to be tested for EHV 1 & 4 on intake.  

Please see the attached factual documents provided by American Association of Equine Practitioners and Equine Disease Communication Center. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns at 918-827-8000. We are here to help and keep your horses safe!

 https://s3.amazonaws.com/allynova-uploads/data_files/data_files/000/007/694/original/EHV_Owner_Fact_Sheet_AAEP_2025.pdf?1763584034

https://s3.amazonaws.com/allynova-uploads/data_files/data_files/000/007/693/original/EHM_AAEP_Fact_Sheet.pdf?1763584026

 

11/20/2025

Hi Everyone,

With the recent outbreak of EHV 1 & 4 I will only be visiting one barn per day to work with horses and only visiting barns choosing to not allow any horses in or out. If for any reason I do have to visit more than one place in a single day I will stop home, shower, change, and disinfect my boots and spray my car with Lysol. I do not want to jeopardize the health of any animals while still providing service to my clients. Thank you all and stay cautious. Protect your horses.

11/16/2025

11/16/2025

11/16/2025

This is a horse I had the privilege to work with and help. The first photo was taken shortly before I met her about 8 weeks after a pelvis injury. The second photo was taken after 6 months of once a month sessions with me. It was a team effort with my bodywork, the owner doing exercises I prescribed, the chiropractor and veterinarian all working to help her gain as much function as possible. This filly does have time on her side as she was just a yearling and the pelvis doesn’t fully fuse until about 6 years old so the more we can develop her muscles and build mobility with strength the better her outcome will be.

Today she can gallop around the pasture and runs circles around her friends. I am so humbled and honored to be part of her recovery.

https://ftfequine.com/collections/service

11/15/2025

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11/15/2025

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11/13/2025

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11/13/2025

This is one session of results. in the before image this horse is dropped through his thoracic sling with his sternum withers and the front of his ribcage sagging down. you can see that his withers are sinking down between his scapulas and his heart girth is the lowest point. His leg position is staggered and he looks weak in his stance.

In the after photo you can see that his sternum and withers have lifted significantly, his shoulder angle has changed for the better his heart girth is no longer the lowest point and he is standing square in front and looks strong in his stance pushing up from the ground with all 4 legs. His back has transformed from long and weak in appearance to short and supported. he is also less biased in his neck. The underside of his neck is soft and arching and shorter than the crest where in the before he is braced and tense.

If you would like to see changes like this in your horse contact me
Text: 918-550-9711
Email: formthroughfunctionequine@gmail.com

https://ftfequine.com/

11/13/2025

Update on the Cutest Boy Gunner. He has had his teeth floated last week and had a visit from the saddle fitter yesterday. he is ready to begin light work in-hand with the saddle on! We are one step closer to riding 🥰