Form Through Function Equine Development

03/14/2026

The face you make when the bodyworker hits the right spot!

02/13/2026

❤️Success❤️

This summer I was contacted by a horse owner as a last resort before euthanasia. She had gone down the rabbit hole with multiple veterinary examinations, imaging, and tests, tried other bodyworkers and multiple supplements. I was told I was this horse’s last hope. If he was not able to live without chronic pain he would be euthanized as it was the kindest option.

He had intermittent lameness that was undiagnosed, he was irritable, reactive to touch, and very defensive of particular parts of hos body.

We found that he has a slightly asymetrical pelvis though there are no signs of a previous break.

Yesterday I was overjoyed to see him being tacked up to go for a short walk under saddle. He has been slowly coming back i to work in-hand and is now begun some short rides. My heart is filled with gratitude and joy!

Thank you Celeste Lazaris creator of Balance athrough Movement Method and Lazaris Nerve Release Technique and Angels Animals (Equine Myo-Manipulative Functional Therapy) for offering the certifications that afforded me the knowledge and skills that enable me to help horses and their owners.

Renew the Mind, Rebuild the Body, Restore the Spirit!

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Image credit: photo of a Leanin’ Tree card I was given years ago. Original art by Pamela Parker 2004 (according to card)

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

Buy here: https://ftfequine.com/collections/benefab-therapy-products

11/15/2025

Happy horses make me happy❤️