Ever since my journey as an Equine Massage Practitioner began, Horses Inside Out has been has been my go to resource for anything regarding equine anatomy or biomechanics. Gillian’s books were on my reading list when I was studying for my exams. And, once qualified, one of my favourite client recommendations has always been one of Gillian’s first releases, Pilates and Stretching.
Read MoreBack problems are some of the most common issues found in our horses today, and something many owners worry about. A horse with a back issue can feel uncomfortable when being touched or groomed, unhappy being tacked up or in their work and may also show lameness.
Back issues in horses can vary from tight, sore back muscles to muscle atrophy or even bony pathology such as Kissing Spine. There are lots of things we can do to help horses that are already dealing with these issues, however ultimately the best thing we can do for our horses is to try and help prevent them from developing these issues in the first place.
Read MoreIs your horse on box rest?
How can Equine Massage help?
It's widely known now that the box rest is not ideal for your horse, both physically and mentally, however it can be a necessary evil.
Should your horse become sick or injured and confinement for either a short or extended period of time is the only option available in order to give your horse to the very best chance of recovery.
Read MoreHave you ever had that feeling that even though your horse does not look obviously lame, there is something you are seeing or feeling when you are handling or riding them that just doesn’t seem quite right?
I think lots of us have been there, we know the horse isn’t performing as they used to, could this be an early warning sign of musculoskeletal discomfort?
Read MoreThis week Horses Inside Out hosted part 2 of the 3 part series of webinars that is currently running with Performance Specialist Dr Sue Dyson. Prevention is Better than Cure.
Last week part 1 was ‘Conformation Assessment: What Does Good Look Like?’
You can learn more about this in my previous blog.
Read MoreThroughout October 2024 Horses Inside Out are running a series of 3 webinars (one each week) with Dr Sue Dyson called ‘Prevention is better than cure’
Last night was the first in the series, titled ‘Conformation Assessment: What Does Good Look Like?’ Aimed at horse owners wanting to be able to assess their own horse in more detail but also at anyone looking to purchase a new horse, things to be aware of, what to look for in terms of conformation and potential longevity as a working horse and long term soundness.
Read MoreI recently attended a 2 day CPD at Rose Holistic Therapies led by Osteopath Louise Mauferon Vernet. I have studied with Louise before, I attended a whole horse dissection that she ran a few years ago, and more recently I attended a CPD she held on Visceral and Cranial techniques, which was also hosted by Jo Rose.
Read MoreEarlier this year Gillian Higgins from Horses Inside Out hosted Dr. Vibeke Elbrond for a day long seminar on Important Trunk Transitions: Functional Anatomy, Myofascial Integration and Dysfunction.
Vibeke was one of the team that has brought to us the research on the Myofascial lines in horses and is one of the authors of the incredible book, Equine Myofascial Kinetic Lines in Horses – For Professionals. Along with Dr. Rikke Schultz and Dr. Tove Due.
Read MoreAs an Equine Massage Therapist I already have a good understanding of what fascia is, and the role it plays in the body. But I also know that there is always more to learn and I was excited to see that Gillian Higgins of Horses Inside Out was going to be presenting a whole day online seminar on the subject, followed by 2 whole in person hands on days.
Read More‘If you don’t use it, you loose it’ or ‘To rest is to rust’. Two phrases you will often hear Gillian Higgins share in her lecture demonstrations, in reference to joint mobility and muscle memory. However on a recent trip I took to Sweden to assist Gillian with not only a lecture demo but also a day of teaching students to develop their palpation and anatomy, I realised it applies to your memory too!
Read MoreIt was at the 2020 Horses Inside Out Conference that I first became aware of Dr. Sue Dyson’s RHPE (Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram). You can read more about this in one of my previous blogs.
Since then Sue has been campaigning to get this information spread far and wide in the equine community and for it to become a go to assessment technique for musculoskeletal discomfort in horses & ponies for vets, therapists, owners, riders & trainers alike.
Read MoreThis year as part of the Horses Inside Out conference at Loughborough University in February, there was the opportunity to visit Gillian Higgins’ bigger and more comprehensive than ever Anatomy Exhibition. Either as part of the whole weekend experience, or as a stand alone entry for the exhibition alone.
I had heard a few rumours about some of the additions to this year’s exhibition and was so excited to see it.
Read MoreI couldn’t believe it when the weekend of the 2024 Horses Inside Out conference arrived in February. Where has the last year gone?
I had been looking forward to the conference as I have been laid up with a back injury for a few months and this was my first proper outing, I knew the line up of speakers was going to be incredible and this year the anatomy exhibition was going to be bigger then ever. That along with the opportunity the conference brings to catch up with my peers and friends and to meet new ones, I had been practically focusing my rehab from injury so that I would be fit enough to attend!
Read MoreWhen I first heard world renowned Equine Veterinarian and Dental Vet Specialist Dr. Chris Pearce from the Equine Dental Clinic present at the Horses Inside Out Conference in February 2023, I came away with mixed feelings. What I had just heard and learnt from Chris was absolutely fascinating and exciting for horses and the future of Equine Dentistry whilst at the same time making me feel uneasy about some of the dentistry practices, dental complaints and bitting injuries that horses have had to and are still having to in some cases endure.
Read MoreWhen I heard that Horses Inside Out would be hosting a whole day online Seminar with Jessica I could not wait to get my ticket so that I could watch it presented live.
And I have to say I was not disappointed.
This seminar, titled ‘Understanding Equine Orthopaedic Problems’ was an absolutely jam packed full day of information and fantastic dissection photographs and diagnostic imaging to see and have explained by Jessica.
Read MoreLast week I attended another CPD in person training day at Rose Holistic Therapies & Training.
This day course was led by Lucy Yeomans who I did Equine Acupressure training with earlier in the year. Lucy works with horses & dogs very much energetically. This was something I took some interest in during the Acupressure training and wanted to learn more about. And I was also very interested to learn how this type of work can be used to realign & rebalance a horse’s body and also release the Psoas muscles.
Read MoreThis week I have been on some training with Osteopath Sara Farina at Rose Holistic Therapies and Training School.
I have spent quite a bit of time at Rose Therapies this year doing various CPD days and have a few more planned too. Jo Rose hosts a number of different courses with a variety of course leaders.
This was my first time meeting Sara. She is an Osteopath from Italy, who works in the UK and around Europe treating humans, horses and dogs. She is very passionate about her subject and was a great course leader, open to discussion and happy to answer any questions.
Read MoreThis week I attended a CPD course with Racheal Maxwell of Animal Botanicals at Jo Rose Therapies & Training on Lymphatics.
I have been interested to gain some more in depth knowledge of the Equine Lymphatic System and how as a therapist I can help horses with lymphatic issues or edema.
Read MoreThe latest CPD I attended was just a few weeks ago with Jo Rose Therapies, the subject of the day was Integrating the McTimoney Corley Approach with Tuning Forks into Animal Structural Therapies.
This was an Equine and Canine CPD day, which meant I got to take my own dogs Elsie and Vera along as models :)
As I write this blog I have recently returned from an incredible few days away with someone who has become a good friend over the last 3 or so years. Gillian Higgins called me a few months ago to say she had been invited to Sweden to present one of her painted horse lecture demonstrations and was wondering if I would like to accompany her on the trip to be a helping hand. How could I say no!?
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