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Equine Release, Somerford, Congleton (2026)

15/10/2026

Horse of The Year Show

Feel feee to share to create awareness

As a former show judge, I believe we need to have an honest conversation about what we are rewarding in the showing world.

We can only judge what is in front of us, and the welfare of the horse must always come first. Our responsibility is to place the best example of the breed or type at the top.

But sometimes, there simply isn’t a truly good example in the class. We end up placing what is often described as “the best of a bad bunch.”

Once that horse is placed at the top ( or top 3) it can become a benchmark for others, including owners and people outside the ring who may assume that the horses placed are true examples of their breed or type. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

In my opinion, winning a class and being a genuinely good example of a breed or type are not always the same thing.

The same applies to HOYS and RI qualifiers. Judges may once again have to select the best horse from a weak group, meaning that some horses who qualify may not actually be strong examples of the breed or type. As judges, we may feel we have no choice but to place them.

In my personal opinion, horses that do not meet the required standard should not go forward to compete at HOYS or RI. It would take a very brave judge to make that decision, but perhaps it is one that needs to considered?

I have seen too many horses yet again competing at HOYS with questionable conformation & many showing clear signs of being lame/body lame.

Far too many overproduced, over bitted, overbent, obese horses & riders that are far too big riding children’s ponies!

I wonder when there will be a big shake up within the societies to start implementing better welfare standards & judging criteria.

And most importantly having judges that are brave enough to make difficult decisions with the complete backing & support of the societies they are affiliated to.

13/10/2026

B12

I know this post isn’t equine related, and I understand that horses are generally not recognised as suffering from B12 deficiency.

But …

Please take the time to read this. In the hope it may help one person.

I wanted to write this post for anyone struggling with certain symptoms, desperately seeking answers, but feeling like nobody is listening or helping. I was given medication, misdiagnosed & left feeling like I just have to learn to live with my everyday battle. Because that is exactly what it is. A battle! An excruciating painful debilitating battle. I thought I was going round the bend.

I know, because this has been my life for many years.

Back in 2020, after years of struggle I started delving deep into my symptoms. I went down a rabbit hole that led me down many different paths, until eventually I came across B12 deficiency.

I asked my doctor for a blood test. When my results came back, I was told they were “normal”. They fell within the NHS guidelines, but me being me, I did my own research. So I requested another more specific blood test & I took those results and researched the hell out of them. I joined numerous B12 groups and contacted specialists in the field to learn as much as I could.

Despite being told my blood results were normal, I discovered that there was more to understand than simply being told I was within the NHS reference range.

Iv been in an incredible amount of pain most of my life, suffering with severe muscle and joint pain, as well as neurological symptoms, Severe anxiety & depression.

I had already been diagnosed with “fibromyalgia” years earlier. And now a recent ADHD diagnosis.

Eventually, after writing to my doctor and referencing NICE

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239/chapter/recommendations

I was started on a loading dose given by my doctor of B12 injections. The doctor didn’t even know that you have to take the cofactors to make my B12 more effective! The plan was then to have one injection a month. Which is what the doctors recommend 🤦🏻‍♀️

But that wasn’t enough. It never is when your symptoms reach the neuropathy stage!
AND tablets are not effective. You have to have injections.

My symptoms were affecting my nerves, and I still wasn’t getting the relief I needed. I eventually took matters into my own hands and began self injecting ( You cannot self inject without first being in the presence of a medically trained person) sourcing my B12 from Germany.

And this is another reason why you should not be going to a beauty salon to have a B12 injection without a blood test

1. If your body doesn’t need it, it will excrete it via urine ( that’s an expensive p*e)

2. You have to take cofactors aswell

3. And one injection every now & again will never work. If it makes you feel better then I guarantee you it’s a placebo effect.

There are far more important things to consider when you are genuinely B12 deficient.
We have to understand why that is. So that means more blood tests.

For some reason, I stopped my B12 in 2022. Perhaps it was because I had started to feel better. I can’t remember exactly what led me to stop

Without really realising it, my symptoms had gradually returned. I put it down to my “fibromyalgia” or menopause because there is so much overlap between the symptoms people experience.

I started using a HRT patch, hoping it would help. But it made absolutely no difference to my symptoms.

Then, quite by chance, I stumbled across a podcast.

And suddenly, that bloody light bulb went on again!

How had I forgotten about B12?

While I’ve been busy helping others, I seem to have put my own health on the back burner. I’m also a qualified human holistic therapist, and I’m so used to supporting other people ( aswell as their horses) that I’ve just kept pushing through myself.

But to be open & transparent in the hope this post helps others is that I’ve been struggling badly.

I’ve spent much of my life dealing with symptoms that overlap with other conditions. Instead of improving, I’ve been getting worse.

Some days, I literally cannot get out of bed because my whole body feels like it’s crashed. Some days the fatigue is so severe that I have to stop whatever I’m doing and rest.
I’m exhausted & sleep doesn’t revive me. The pain throughout my body can be unbearable. The brain fog. The anxiety & being able to function in society can be a struggle.

And then it got me thinking some more ( it’s what I do, I think far to much 🤦🏻‍♀️ ) when we look at people’s Facebook profiles or business pages, we don’t necessarily see the person behind the posts. We might think they have it all together, that life is wonderful and they’re living the dream.

We have no idea what someone might be dealing with behind the scenes. I speak to horse owners who declare exactly this.

Some of the symptoms associated with B12 deficiency include:
Brain fog Irritability Muscle weakness Chronic pain Neurological symptoms Confusion Tingling in the hands and feet Muscle cramps Changes in temperature sensation Tinnitus Severe fatigue Anaemia Anxiety and depression Joint and muscle pain Vision loss Dizziness Heart palpitations

These symptoms can overlap with many other conditions, which is one of the reasons it can be so difficult to get answers.

So, if any of this resonates with you, please don’t let anyone dismiss what your experiencing.

It’s the same with your horses. Nearly every client i go to they tell me no one is listening to them. When they, as the owner knows something is not quite right with their horse.

And they are always right!
I hear you !
I am always on your side.

So, If your doctor keeps telling you that your blood results are fine, but you’re still struggling and something doesn’t feel right, find another way to get the help you deserve. Get a copy of your own blood results.

As I tell my clients, and many of you who follow me here, educate yourself. Research.

I’m not claiming to be an expert in B12. Or going against your Dr.

I’m sharing my own experience and what I’ve learned through my own research.

I’m also not suggesting that B12 deficiency explains everyone’s symptoms. But I do believe it’s important to understand the possibilities, particularly when you’re struggling and searching for answers.

B12 deficiency also affects children!

If you’ve been struggling for years without getting the answers you need, it may be worth you also going down the B12 rabbit hole.

Sometimes, the things we learn along the way can change the direction of our journey.

I’m sharing this because I know what it’s like to struggle, to keep going when you feel dreadful, and to wonder why nothing seems to be helping.

I am not diagnosing anyone.

And sometimes, even when we’re so busy trying to help everyone else, we need to remember to look after ourselves aswell.

Great fb group to join ⬇️

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19bVaZC2G7/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Great podcast to listen to on Spotify ⬇️

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6sFXRm2JzLiRUZDx02WXA5?si=a1j83oX3TB2qkHKPCvxgcA&utm_source=copy-link

12/10/2026

Iv sped the video up.

By using a gentle lateral movement, I’m inviting her to soften through her jaw, neck, poll, I’m influencing her thoracic sling, allowing the head and neck to lower in their own time.

It’s about creating an opportunity for her to let go of excess tension, rather than forcing a stretch or position.

Such a great gentle movement.

10/10/2026

When your horse starts to feel different in a positive way & you notice.

One of the things I love about my work is feedback from owners about the little changes they notice after a session.

After Lloyds second session with me his owner described her horses energy as feeling lighter on their morning ride, even in the rain.

I try to help create more expansion, freedom and ease within the body, while encouraging greater awareness of how the horse moves and where their body is in space, their proprioception.

Every horse is different, and I’m always interested in those subtle changes that owners know are meaningful to their own horse.

looking at the whole horse.
Not just the presenting problem.

09/10/2026

How well do you understand your own body when you’re riding?

As someone who spends time looking at how horses move and compensate, it was a valuable reminder that us riders need to be just as willing to look at ourselves.

As riders, we spend so much time thinking about our horse’s way of going, balance, straightness and movement. But how much time do we spend understanding our own biomechanics?

Being aware of how our body moves, where we hold tension, how we balance and how we use our muscles can have a significant impact on what happens underneath us.

And what about our breathing? It’s surprisingly easy to hold our breath, breathe shallowly or develop a restricted breathing pattern when we’re concentrating, feeling tense or trying to get something right. This can influence how your horse moves & breaths.

Our proprioception, the body’s awareness of its position and movement in space is equally important. If we’re unaware of what our body is doing, how can we make consistent, informed adjustments in the saddle?

So with all of this in my mind I recently had a lesson with the fabulous Emma Malone Effective Riding with Emma Malone Equestrian

And I think it’s fair to say I was in very knowledgeable capable hands.

Emma is an

▪️ Accredited Rider Biomechanics Coach (Mary Wanless RWYM Level 1).

▪️ Franklin Method® Equestrian Level 1 Educator

▪️ Equipilates™ Registered Trainer

▪️ Equitation Science Practitioner

▪️ Advanced Body Control Pilates Teacher

We used a riding simulator, ( Racewood simulator in Tarporley, Cheshire, UK ) which meant I could concentrate entirely on my own body without worrying about how my asymmetry, imbalance, breathing and lack of body awareness might affect a real horse.

I also took my own treeless Heather Moffat saddle.

I could focus on how I move, how I breathe, where I hold tension and what my body might be doing without me even realising it.

And Emma was there to gently highlight all of this to me in a positive way.

08/10/2026

Creating long term change

Myofascial Release (a hands on technique using gentle, light sustained pressure to work with the fascia which is the connective tissue surrounding and interconnecting muscles and all the other internal structures, to support tissue mobility and movement)

It’s the same horse.
Owner sent me the picture a week later, once the tension had released & the body was encouraged to organise itself.

One of the things I love about this work is that my intention is not just directed to a joint or muscle.
I’m always working with your horses nervous system. Which influences how their body responds, regulates muscle tension and coordinates movement.

It’s very rare you will see me working on muscles.

Rather than forcing a restriction to change, I give the body time to respond. I allow the nervous system to process the input, the surrounding tissues to adapt, and movement to become easier where change is possible.

My left hand is gently pulling on the mane.

I will post another video about this. Which will explain how you can help your horse .

07/10/2026

When I first met this beautiful Section D gelding, he wasn’t a happy pony.

His ears were back, his expression was not a happy one & his body language was telling me not to touch him. So I had to work even slower to let him know it’s ok.

He was spooking with his owner. Even walking him out of the yard could be difficult because he was so reactive.

I recommended a completely different diet, one that was more species appropriate, and started working on regulating his nervous system. I also gave his very proactive owner an exercise regime to work on with him.

Because he was always functioning in a high state of arousal, his body was under constant stress, contributing to inflammation and weight gain. Since changing his diet and helping to regulate his system, he has lost weight and his digestive system is now working much better for him.

When I returned for my second visit, I was greeted by a very different pony. A much happier, calmer pony who was more comfortable with being handled.

Once his nervous system was more regulated, I was able to work deeper during his second treatment.

When a horse is stuck in a sympathetic state (spooking & reactive), learning can become much more difficult. By helping to down regulate his nervous system, he is calmer, more able to focus and now in a much better place to learn.

When a horse feels safe, they gain confidence.

He is now calmer and safer for his owner to begin the groundwork I’ve recommended, building his confidence and preparing him for the next stage of his education when he is eventually backed.

His owner has been an absolute credit to him throughout this process. She has listened, put the work in and given him the time he needed. ❤️

02/10/2026

Struggling with canter leads?

I was asked to go and visit a lovely Traditional Cob because her owner said she was struggling with right canter.

So my intuition immediately went to her left hind.

There are so many reasons why a horse may struggle with canter leads ranging from rider error, digestive issues, dental issues, shoulder restrictions, hamstrings, forelimbs pain…

Why did I feel the need to go directly to her left hind?

Well, it was because when a horse strikes off into right canter, the left hind initiates the movement.

I wanted to know

What is that left hind actually doing?
And what other body parts are compensating?

Asking for a simple rein back and then turning her into a small circle made it clear.

I could see that her left stifle wasn’t giving me the stability I wanted. I do think this is a huge contributing factor as to why she is struggling with the right canter.

The usual remedy ( not from me) would be “To back her up a hill to strengthen her stifles”. Or “ Walk her over poles”

Surely we should be asking why there’s a problem in the first place?

1. She may briefly lose confidence in that hind limb because of
pain she may not want to fully load her joint, so it momentarily unloads it.

2. Instability within the stifle structures that help control the joint aren’t providing normal stability.

3. Poor muscular control particularly if the quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles aren’t coordinating effectively.

4. Patellar problems particularly if the patella is intermittently catching or not moving normally.

5. Meniscal or ligament problems these can interfere with the stifles ability to remain stable under load.

6. Or even compensation elsewhere ( which she has) restriction or pain in the pelvis, lumbar region, hock, hoof etc. can change how a horse loads the stifle.

And this is exactly why I don’t believe in giving every horse the same generic exercises.
Asking a horse to back up a hill with issues like this your asking for trouble !

Like I mentioned above what if the stifle isn’t the only thing involved? We should not be treating the horse in isolation!

We should be asking WHY is this happening to the horse 🤔
And a huge part of my job is to try & trace it back to the cause.

And if needed refer to a vet for further investigation.

Then we can decide what that individual horse actually needs.

01/10/2026

“NAVICULAR” and what’s it got to do with a door kicker?

While I’m on a “Navicular” awareness campaign 😆

I wanted to share my thoughts about horses that repeatedly kick the stable door & how that repeated force creates concussion through the limb and hoof.

As I mentioned in my previous post, navicular syndrome is incredibly complex and has multiple contributing factors & affects multiple different internal workings of the hoof.

However, repetitive concussion and mechanical stress can absolutely affect the internal structures within the hoof. And trust me, you really don’t want to have to deal with a horse that has this! Because it is a long road to rehabilitate.

But it isn’t just the physical consequences we should be thinking about. What is happening emotionally to that horse while it is repeatedly kicking that door?

Hunger, frustration, stress, anxiety, fear, pain, boredom, separation.

Simply having a need that isn’t being met.

Prolonged stress creates issues that usually can’t be irreversible. It directly impacts the horse’s digestive system and is a primary risk factor for gastric ulceration and hindgut dysfunction.

We shouldn’t look at kicking as an isolated behavior. The physical and emotional horse are entirely connected.

Yes, you can put soft kick boards on the inside of stable doors. Yes, there are devices designed to discourage horses from kicking. Sometimes these things are necessary to protect the horse, the stable, and the people around them.

BUT shouldn’t we also be asking… WHY is this horse kicking the door in the first place?

“He needs to learn to be patient” has traditionally been the default answer. But perhaps the better question is… “What need is this horse trying to communicate?”

Stopping the behavior doesn’t solve the reason behind it. It’s a bit like putting on an anti-cribbing collar 🤦🏻‍♀️ the horse will simply internalize the stress and find another way to express themselves.

Our responsibility as handlers isn’t just to stop the behavior. It’s to look at whether the horse’s physical, emotional, and environmental needs are actually being met. It’s about listening to the behavior instead of simply trying to silence it.

Sometimes, the behavior is the clue
Not the problem.

As always do your own research.

27/09/2026

NAVICULAR

I think there is still a huge misconception that when someone says a horse has “navicular” they simply mean there is something wrong with the navicular bone.

But it’s much more complicated than that.

The navicular bone is only one part of the picture.

Inside that relatively small area of the hoof capsule there’s a whole collection of structures that work together, including the navicular bone, navicular bursa, deep digital flexor tendon, impar ligament and collateral sesamoidean ligaments.

Any of these structures can be involved in pain and pathology.

And very often, more than one structure is affected at the same time.

Navicular disease is the older term and generally referred to degenerative changes involving the navicular bone.

Navicular syndrome is broader. It describes a clinical syndrome of foot pain associated with the navicular apparatus and surrounding structures not simply “a bad navicular bone”.

Years ago, being told your horse had “navicular” often meant the horse was written off, with very few options available.

Our understanding, diagnostic imaging and rehabilitation approaches have changed enormously since then.

Thankfully, times have changed.

🛑 There are horses that can be successfully rehabilitated and go on to have comfortable, useful lives.

And my own horse is one of them.

Diet, hoof balance ( he is barefoot & I now trim his feet myself) the way the foot/body is managed are all important considerations

I have to take every day as it comes and adapt to what he needs from me.

Some days he doesn’t want to be ridden. And that’s OK.

Some days he’s eager to get out on a hack.

But what I have noticed with him while out hacking is that he will sometimes chooses to walk in the middle of the very quiet straight lanes. Thankfully, the lanes are quiet enough for us to do this safely.
* ( I am not telling anyone to do this. This is my own horse hacking in an area that is safe to allow him to do this) *

I’ve come to the conclusion that the camber of the road may be putting more pressure through the soft tissue structures within his hoof capsule when he walks towards the edge. Making it uncomfortable for him.

The subtle twisting and shearing forces inside his hooves, this puts uneven, heightened tension on his collateral sesamoidean ligaments. It also alters the angle at which his deep digital flexor tendons glides over his navicular bone and bursa. My horse is intelligently protecting his soft tissues from that painful lateral torque.

It’s something I’ve become much more aware of because I know what is going on inside his feet.

For me, rehabilitation is about observing the horse rather than simply applying a diagnosis to them.

Be curious as to why your horse does certain things.
Because there is always a genuine reason.

As always do your own research ☺️

Equine Release

15/10/2026

13/10/2026

12/10/2026

10/10/2026

09/10/2026

08/10/2026

07/10/2026

02/10/2026

01/10/2026

27/09/2026

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