FAQ

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Typical Problems Solved with Healing Arts and Equine Science

1. Does your Equine have mysterious reoccurring lameness?
2. Does your Equine have ongoing stiffness?
3. Does your Equine have the inability to work in full collection?
4. Does your Equine have mysterious reoccurring lameness?
5. Does your Equine bit, kick or resist being saddled?
6. Does your Equine have reduced performance or stamina?
7. Does your Equine stumble when walking on even surfaces?
8. Does your Equine have a new gait abnormality?
9. Does your Equine have resistance to work to one side?
10. Does your Equine have a reduced work attitude?

Healthcare Professional Conduct

1. How is your body work different from a massage therapist?
2. Why do I need to inquire with my DVM prior to having body work applied on my equine?
3. Do you carry liability insurance?
4. Are you a Chiropractor?
5. Does your practice include Acupuncture?
6. What is the difference between acupressure and acupuncture?
7. What are some common causes of a sore back?
8. Why do horses have reoccurring back pain or sensitivity?

Saddle Fit

1. How often should my saddle fit be assessed?
2. How do I go about purchasing a Saddle that will fit?
3. What are some of the most common saddle fitting problems?
4. How do poorly fitted saddles impact your equine?
5. Why are there so many poorly fitted saddles?
6. Can padding cause poor saddle fit?
7. How complicated can it be to fit a saddle?
8. Will uneven hooves or shoulders cause a poor saddle fit?
9. Why should I re-flock my saddle?
10. Does your Equine have girth sensitivity?
11. Does you horse stumble when you mount or are walking on even footing?
12. How can a saddle cause lower leg injuries?
13. Can you give me some saddle purchasing tips?

General

1. Why is body work important?
2. Why should I have my equine Assessed?
3. How often should my equine be massaged?
4. Where or how do I find a EBW in my area?
5. Does your Equine have ongoing stiffness?
6. Does your Equine have increased bad behavior or reduced work attitude?
7. What are the benefits of educational clinics for my child?
8. What are the benefits of body work?
9. What are the benefits of Assessments?

Typical Problems Solved with Healing Arts and Equine Science

Does your Equine have mysterious reoccurring lameness? [top]

The vet has not diagnosed a specific lameness, but you know that you horse is not moving normally. You give time off and ‘bute for a few weeks. You return to riding, things seem okay and after a period of time, there is that abnormal movement again. It could be a repetitive motion injury due to compensatory movement to avoid pain or discomfort from many different sources. The solution is not more time off and bute, it’s finding the cause of the compensatory movement such as saddle fit issue.

Does your Equine have ongoing stiffness? [top]

Stiffness can be a symptom of tight muscles, fascia tissue restrictions, block bio-energy such as Qi, a nutritional deficiency, or a poor saddle fit. Even though you stretch the muscles, stretching will not open the fascia tissue. Tight fascia reduces ROM and causes pain. You need Myofascial Release.Blocked bio-energy can be released through acupressure, acupuncture, flower essences, aromatherapy and Cranial Sacral. Poor nutrition and hydration can compromise the tissues causing fiber adhesions that tighten the fascia and deplete tissues of necessary minerals for muscle relaxation.

Does your Equine have the inability to work in full collection? [top]

Are those chiropractic adjustments not holding? It could be due to muscle tension and fascia tissue restrictions.

Does your Equine have mysterious reoccurring lameness? [top]

Perhaps your horse has a repetitive motion injury caused by a poorly fitted saddle that causes compensatory movement and subsequent gait abnormalities.

Does your Equine bit, kick or resist being saddled? [top]

Many times these behaviors are indicators that the saddle does not fit. A correctly fitted saddle cannot be assessed fully until we have evaluated the riders balance and the horses ability to move while under saddle. A saddle may fit when the horse is standing, but with the out of balanced rider mounted and in action, the saddle fit can change and be causing pressure and/or pain in an unsuspecting area. Sometimes riders are forced out of balance because the horses shoulders are uneven which then causes the saddle to be pushed on a diagonal, thus the rider is now pushed to one side of the horses body. Solutions vary: The uneven shoulders can be corrected, changes in saddle padding. In some cases, the rider is out of balance due to an new or old injury and they hold their body in a compensatory posture. This can be corrected with the rider receiving massage, chiropractic, Rolfing or Myofascial Release and/or physical therapy and specific exercises.

Does your Equine have reduced performance or stamina? [top]

Muscles tension decreases range of motion and uses a lot of energy. Your athlete may need some massage and stretching.

Does your Equine stumble when walking on even surfaces? [top]

Does you horse stumble when you mount or are walking on even footing?Stumbling is over looked and rarely given the validity as a problem. Poor saddle fit at the shoulders causes compensatory movement, muscle tension that result with muscle spasms, tightening of the fascia tissue which limits range of motion and induces pain: all of which can be the underlying cause of stumbling or the appearance of leg lameness. Click here for Kay’s Story

Does your Equine have a new gait abnormality? [top]

It could be compensatory movement from muscle tension.

Does your Equine have resistance to work to one side? [top]

For an equine to move laterally they require freedom of movement at the shoulders to allow the appendage to move outward (abduct) and inward (adduct). A saddle that fits tightly at the shoulders and/or withers can reduce ROM and compensatory movement. In some instances the compensatory movement creates tension on the withers and is responsible for subtle (or severe) thoracic and cervical vertebral misalignments. This will reduce the ability for lateral bending due to bracing or guarding muscle tension to protect the vertebral misalignments.

Does your Equine have a reduced work attitude? [top]

Could be caused by fatigue from muscle tension from muscles that need stretching or a living environment with high stress

Healthcare Professional Conduct

How is your body work different from a massage therapist? [top]

Most massage therapists are trained and practice only the modality of massage. I have integrated other modalities and utilize my training in Saddle Fit, Equine Sciences (Biomechanics, Farrier, Dentistry, Nutrition) and equestrian riding/driving experience to identify the causes of an ailment seeking to eliminate/reduce the cause and address the ailment’s symptom.

Why do I need to inquire with my DVM prior to having body work applied on my equine? [top]

These modalities are very potent. If your equine has a specific disease and or condition that a modality could irritate, then a particular modality should not be applied. Your DVM will know if a particular situation could arise. That complication is referred to as a ‘contraindication’. These modalities and my services are not a substitute for proper veterinary care.

Do you carry liability insurance? [top]

Yes. It is very important that anyone working on your horse carries this insurance as it indicates that they posses a level of training and experience in their work that deems them suitable to work on your equine with little risk of doing harm. There are many persons representing themselves as professionals and do not carry insurance. Be aware that this puts your equine’s health and your pocket book at risk.

Are you a Chiropractor? [top]

No, however my work supports chiropractic adjustments. Usually it is muscle tension or restricted fascia that is pulling the skeleton slightly out of alignment. Until the tension or adhesions are relieved and routine specific stretching are added to the training program, many chiropractic adjustments hold a short period. Frequently after the tension is relieved the body will self-adjusts without requiring a chiropractor. Maintaining suppleness and a balanced training program are the keys to maintaining alignments. Be aware that California Law requires that direct manipulation action and/or the use of an ‘activator’ be performed by a California State licensed veterinarian, or by a California State licensed Chiropractor working under the supervision/direction of California State licensed veterinarian.

Does your practice include Acupuncture? [top]

No. California Law considers Acupuncture, which uses needles inserted into the body to stimulate the acupoints, as being invasive to the body thus it deems the action as being the practice of veterinary medicine. Therefore, the interpretation of state law requires that the action be performed by a California State licensed veterinarian, or by a California State Certified (Human) Acupuncturist working under the supervision/direction of a California State licensed veterinarian.

What is the difference between acupressure and acupuncture? [top]

The difference between them is that acupressure uses finger pressure atop the skin to stimulate acupoints whereas acupuncture uses thin needles that are inserted into the body to stimulate the acupoints.Acupressure and acupuncture are the same in that both are the ancient Oriental medicine art that works with Qi and accessing the body’s internal pharmacy. They evolved from the same roots as shiatsu.

What are some common causes of a sore back? [top]

It could be due to poor shoeing, incorrect saddle fit, worn-out saddle pad, sore shoulder, tight fascia tissue, unbalanced rider, tooth ache, weak abdominal muscles,poor conformation, certain stall/paddock settings, or early onset of a lower leg injury.

Why do horses have reoccurring back pain or sensitivity? [top]

Many times we humans do not recognize the sympotoms of back pain and the condition is over looked until an injury occurs. Having your veterinarian evaluate the back and a body worker check your saddle fit may provide much needed information about you particular horse's situation.

Saddle Fit

How often should my saddle fit be assessed? [top]

An assessment should be done anytime there is back pain, a change in the equine’s body condition, discipline, training, the rider’s body condition, prior & post reflocking and any evidence of Direct or Indirect Trauma. Click here for Kay’s story.

How do I go about purchasing a Saddle that will fit? [top]

Understand that buying a saddle is a multiple step process of checking each potential saddle on your equine’s back and testing it. First, hire a Saddle Fitter or qualified EBW to evaluate your equines functional anatomy and prepare prepurchase guidelines before you start your search. Second, gather 3 to 6 saddles that meet the guidelines and have your fitter evaluate all saddles at one fitting. Any reputable Saddlery will allow you to evaluate the equine fit without prior purchase. Many manufacturers’ have demonstration models for that purpose. Third, be prepared to go on another refined search and evaluation.

What are some of the most common saddle fitting problems? [top]

They are excessive pressures at the withers, restricted shoulder locomotion, poor weight distribution, rocker and bridging, and inappropriate girth/cinch size or position.

How do poorly fitted saddles impact your equine? [top]

There are two categories of impact on the equine: Direct Trauma and Indirect Trauma. Direct trauma is a result of direct contact of the saddle (with or without pads) to the skin and muscles. These injuries are easily identified through visual and palpation exam. Indirect trauma is a result of compensatory posture or movement, which the equine adapts to lesson pain and pressure. These traumas are identified as secondary injuries, performance decline as well as undesirable and/or unsafe behavior. Click here for Kay’s story

Why are there so many poorly fitted saddles? [top]

• Poor consumer information and education.
• Many traditional saddle designs fail to accommodate biomechanics, physiology and ergonomic requirements of equines.

Can padding cause poor saddle fit? [top]

Yes. The fact is that many times padding is inappropriately added and increases pressure and/or pain at the shoulders and withers. This reduces range of motion and the horse adopts compensatory movement.

How complicated can it be to fit a saddle? [top]

There are a minimum of 50 issues to address when fitting a saddle for horse and rider. Note that a saddle which does not fit the rider can cause rider imbalance which the horse then adopts compensatory movement to support the rider. See the list of Indirect Trauma in the Does it fit? Section

Will uneven hooves or shoulders cause a poor saddle fit? [top]

It could be that your saddle does not fit on one side of this asymmetry and you need a custom pad or a different saddle style to accommodate the shoulders. If there has been a history of poor farrier or inconsistent farrier work, the appendage skeletal alignment may have been altered resulting in the adapted shoulder position. In some instances with early detection it can be corrected with the body worker and farrier together. If pathological changes are occurring, the veterinarian may need to guide the process.

Why should I re-flock my saddle? [top]

Over time and saddle usage the flocking becomes compressed and unforgiving, looses it cushioning effect. As well, back profile changes with conditioning and the panels need re-flocking to be adjusted to this profile.

Does your Equine have girth sensitivity? [top]

It could be caused by muscle tension at the withers or any muscles underlying the saddle.

Does you horse stumble when you mount or are walking on even footing? [top]

Does you horse stumble when you mount or are walking on even footing?Stumbling is over looked and rarely given the validity as a problem. Poor saddle fit at the shoulders causes compensatory movement, muscle tension that result with muscle spasms, tightening of the fascia tissue which limits range of motion and induces pain: all of which can be the underlying cause of stumbling or the appearance of leg lameness. Click here for Kay’s Story

How can a saddle cause lower leg injuries? [top]

Poor saddle fit can cause stumbling causing slipping and the resulting strains and sprains, as well as repetitive motion injuries (tendonitis, DJD, Navicular Syndrome) from compensatory movement to name a few. See the list of Indirect Traumas in Saddle Fit.

Can you give me some saddle purchasing tips? [top]

The key insight to have about purchasing a saddle is that it is a multiple step process of checking each potential saddle on your equine’s back and testing it. First, hire a Saddle Fitter or qualified EBW to evaluate your equines functional anatomy and prepare prepurchase guidelines before you start your search. Second, gather 3 to 6 saddles that meet the guidelines, check how well the saddle and rider fit while at the saddlery eliminating those that don’t meet rider requirements, and then have your fitter evaluate the remaining saddles with your equine and rider at one fitting. Any reputable Saddlery will allow you to evaluate the equine fit without prior purchase. Most manufacture’s have demonstration models for that purpose. Third, be prepared to go on another refined search and evaluation. There are both advantages and disadvantages of buying a used saddle. Keep in mind that your equine’s back profile will change with age and conditioning, thus a saddle that has some ability to be adjusted should be considered. Discuss these matters with your saddle fitter in advance of your search.

General

Why is body work important? [top]

Being adjunct to conventional veterinary medicine, it gives you access to therapies which are not typically within the training and auspices of veterinary services. Many times these modalities address the cause of an ailment thus providing relief from the symptom. These therapies and modalities are not a substitute for proper veterinary care. When appropriately included in the team of professional services for your horse, they enhance your horses well being and can reduce unnecessary time your horse is out of service or experiencing performance decline. Click here for Ruby’s story

Why should I have my equine Assessed? [top]

There have been numerous advances in the various sciences pertaining to equines that it is very difficult for the non-professional horse person to keep up. Thus, you may be in a situation whereby ‘You don’t know that you don’t know’. Many magazines publish articles, but that does not necessarily mean that it is the most current science or understanding. Hence, being a professional, I regularly participate in continuing education to keep-up with what is current. Click here for Charlie’s story

How often should my equine be massaged? [top]

An assessment should be done anytime there is a change in discipline, training, rider, saddle, confinement, extensive travel or an injury. Equines under different demands benefit with different intervals: The equines ridden 3-5 days weekly needs every 4 weeks. Retired and pleasure need every 6 weeks. Injured and high performance equines will vary with lay-up and training intensity. Click here for Ruby’s story

Where or how do I find a EBW in my area? [top]

Check the web site of the International Equine Body Worker Association at www.iebwa.com. There is a directory of certified Equine Body Workers located worldwide.

Does your Equine have ongoing stiffness? [top]

Even though you stretch the muscles, it will not open the fascia tissue. Tight fascia reduces ROM and causes pain. You need Myofascial Release.

Does your Equine have increased bad behavior or reduced work attitude? [top]

He could have the slow onset of a repetitive motion injury or indirect trauma injury from a saddle fit issue.

What are the benefits of educational clinics for my child? [top]

Because I focus on the science of the horse, the history and significance of the animal throughout civilization children learn to appreciate these wonderful animals for more than the ribbons they win. As well, they learn other communications skills that reinforce patience, teamwork and gentle handling: kind-heartedness. As well, it’s fun to just be with horses without the focus on the riding discipline or competition.

What are the benefits of body work? [top]

• Increases range of motion and overall gait quality
• Provides comfort to muscle injuries
• Improves the disposition
• Improves stamina
• Relieves muscle spasm and tension
• Aids in pain reduction
• Increases circulation, aids in healing and repair of injuries
• Enhances overall performance
• Helping your equine to feel good

What are the benefits of Assessments? [top]

Managing the equine in domestication and equestrian activity services is a complex undertaking. It requires volumes of information and years of experience. Many times we are in a position that we ‘don’t know that we don’t know something’. It’s these instances where what we don’t know goes unnoticed. Hence, assessments that are based in the healing arts and equine sciences provide us the tools to investigate the equine beyond standard equestrian practices.