Equine Release

30/05/2026

Raised eyebrow post 👀

Qualifications & Is science a fixed truth or is it a process ??

This is my own personal opinion, experience & observations over many years.

A long list of letters after a name means someone followed a curriculum, turned up on time, sat through lectures, revised, passed exams, and got a certificate. It tells you they completed a system of education.

It doesn’t automatically tell you how well they apply it in the real world.

It does NOT automatically mean they are good at their job.

There are highly qualified practitioners still using outdated practices.

And there are qualified but skilled practitioners with no letters after their name who get results.

Many still follow traditions and habits in the horse world that have never really been questioned just repeated so they become the norm.

Great for owners who like to be told what they want to hear.
Not so great for owners who are open minded.

Training gives the foundation but real progress comes from staying open, questioning, and evolving rather than staying fixed in one way of thinking.

Which leads me onto ..

Is science simply the best explanation available based on the evidence at that moment in time.?

As methods improve and new data emerges, conclusions can change.

But the science isn’t updated.

A lot of commonly referenced papers were done many years ago. Methods, understanding, and standards have moved on since then.

When we read a study, we shouldnt just read the title. We should be looking deeper into the papers. Read everything. Scrutinise every word.

Because words matter. They are important in any documentation. Words like …
May.
Suggest.
Could indicate.
Is associated with.

All mean … it’s not proven or certain, only a possible link or observation, not a confirmed fact.

Also ..

When was the research actually conducted and submitted?

Who funded it, and who benefits from the outcome?

How many horses were involved 6, 20, or 200?

What were their ages, genders, workloads, and existing conditions?

Under what conditions was the study carried out?

Was the study randomised?
Was it blinded?

Were the results statistically strong, or just suggestive?

Do the conclusions actually match the data presented?

Is a published paper the final word ?

Experience matters.
Science matters.
But neither should be followed blindly.

It’s good to read what’s being claimed.
But take more notice of what they actually proved.

Do your own research.
Ask questions.
Don’t be a follower.
Think for yourself.
Trust your instinct.
Your horse is your teacher especially if you observe & be quiet.
Be your horses advocate.

27/05/2026

When a foot is immobilised , the body has to compensate. We’re not just dealing with the foot, we are dealing with the whole system trying to stay upright.

So instead of going anywhere near the foot , I worked the compensation patterns. And i worked along the kinetic lines, taking the edge off the excess tension without fully releasing what the body still needs for support

With the right fore being restricted, the diagonal hind (left hind) takes more load and strain. That’s where you often start to see excess tension build up, through the hip, hamstrings, and into the pelvis.

Across the back into the right shoulder (trying to stabilise what the foot can’t do)
Neck and poll start bracing to help balance.

The left fore also becomes the main weight-bearing limb. So I checked the left fore for any increase in digital pulse, as this limb is taking more load and i wanted to make sure there was no serious secondary strain going on.

The aim isn’t to “fix” anything it’s to stop the compensation turning into a bigger problem while the foot heals.

These cases are a good reminder to
not just treat the injury/ area of disfunction in isolation .. you treat what the rest of the body is doing because of it.

24/05/2026

Long & Low

I remember years ago when “long & low” was everywhere, especially on Facebook, encouraging us to train our horses this way. The mare I had at the time I implemented it into her schooling (pics attached), and when I got Hank, I did the same. I did have a picture of Hank long & low but I deleted it a while back because I was to embarrassed to show it! Wish I’d kept it now because it’s perfect for educational purposes.

If I knew then what I know now ( good ol’ hindsight) I wouldn’t have done it because I do believe along with him being incorrectly trimmed for such a long time contributed to him developing navicular.

It’s not as simple as asking the horse to lower their head and bam the back is lifted ! especially with the weight of a saddle and rider.

What actually happens is increased demand on a body that can’t yet support itself. More weight shifts onto the forehand, so the ligaments, tendons, and joints take the load.

Instead of building strength, you reinforce a pattern the body is already struggling to manage.

The horse may look long & low, but functionally it’s just longer and heavier.

We need the horse to be able to organise and support itself first.

It may have a place briefly for a horse with a high head carriage linked to excess tension or stress ( finding the cause first )

Long & low should only ever be a small part of a wider rehab process.
Because it’s so hard to retrain a horse to start “ coming up” once they’ve been trained to go so low.

17/05/2026

For any therapists that use K Taping for your clients.

By applying the K Tape you’re giving the nervous system something predictable and non threatening to process

The consistent sensory input from the tape creates a feeling of safety.

This is a really good introductory offer.
Equine K Taping UK

A while ago, when I was practising the protocols for the head shaking k tape application, I discovered just how beneficial it can be for stressed and anxious horses - it doesn’t just help horses that suffer with head shaking!

One really important thing to mention: if you’re using this taping to help a stressed or anxious horse, please bear in mind that this is a highly sensory taping application and should only be applied for short periods of time (for example, an afternoon) and certainly not overnight.

I’m currently running an introductory offer which makes it really good value - £25 for the online module, plus a roll of tape delivered to your door (worth£12)

Link in the comments

15/05/2026

Wow!! I didn’t anticipate the response my HM post would receive, which is why I’ve taken some time before replying.

It’s certainly made me stop and think about sharing my own personal perspective on the data Iv collected.

The volume of helpful messages from professionals, clients, and people I don’t know who have offered me some extremely valuable advice has been significant.

After taking that on board, I’ve decided I won’t be sharing my perspective on this topic.

Not because I don’t have one but because I’ve seen the level of aggression, negativity and division this subject brings, and in hindsight, it’s not something I want to be involved in.

I’m not being shut down by anyone.

I’ve worked hard to build my clientele, and I’m mindful of where I place my energy and voice.

Whatever journey you choose for your horse it should always come back to the individual in front of you in any approach you choose for them.

I’ll continue focusing on the work I do and supporting the owners & horses in front of me.

🙏

13/05/2026

Hoofing Marvellous trim

Sitting on the fence

For now.

I’ve been reading for a very long time and at times interacting with the ongoing debate around the Hoofing Marvellous trim.

I’ve decided I’d like to put my penny’s worth in coming from a professional & a horse owners perspective.

I’m not a professional hoof care provider. I know the basics. I can see when a trim/ shoe isn’t / Is serving the horse & this is being reflected in the body. The body is my lane not the feet, but I am a fact finder so I have to look at the whole of the horse to help find the cause when others are struggling.

The post isn’t going to be about criticism. Hoof care practitioner bashing or anything else that tries to discredit anyone.

It’s just a personal observation on the HM trim versus other trimming approaches.

More soon

12/05/2026

Hocks
Iv written about them before.

Try this on your horse & watch their reaction. Dont over think it, remember to breath, and gently rest the pads of your fingers on one point at a time. Keep safe, you know your horse better than anyone.

A very complicated joint that can easily go wrong, with a knock on effect to the tendons& ligaments along with the pelvis, sacroiliac, lower back, stifles, hamstrings, glutes. The horse will probably try to alleviate discomfort by offloading onto the front end.

Also adding in with a bit of cranial work which I felt she needed.

So when im working on hocks, im rarely just working on just them, im influencing the whole body.

Applying the softest touch to a couple of key acupressure points can help the joint move more freely, and reduce built up excess tension.

BLADDER 60 sits on the outside of the hock and helps to ease excess tension through the back of the leg and hind end.

STOMACH 41 is at the front of the hock, where the joint bends, and supports better flexion and smoother movement.

It’s not a replacement for your vet.
But it really does help ease pain & discomfort.

I work holistically through the entire body, identifying areas of restriction and compensation, then releasing, supporting, and realigning joints, fascia, soft tissues to restore functional movement for your horse.

11/05/2026

This is going to be a great day.
I’m looking forward to attending the Cheshire event on the 7th June.

I think there’s some places left if anyone wants to come along

Here is my updated list of workshop venues and dates for this year. I’m really excited as this year I have some lovely new venues and there are more to be added!

23rd March Liss GU33
22nd April Woodbridge IP13 collaboration with NAVP
26th April Leicester LE7
18th May Chard TA20
7th June Cheshire WA16
9th June Lake District LA11
11th June Catterick DL9
12th June Chesterfield S42
14th June Kimblewick NR20
16th June Daventry NN11
28th June Sussex GU28
15th August Arundel BN18
13th September East Grinstead RH19

Please bear in mind that the groups are small therefore book up very quickly.

11/05/2026

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting on this beautiful Shire mare and she looked after me so well. I haven’t ridden for a long time, so it felt good to be back in the saddle.

I was definitely a bit wobbly, and her huge, rolling stride didn’t make things any easier for my balance. Something I’ll try to work on.
Maybe a little canter next time 😬
Good job I had taken extra pain relief!

I didn’t know this breed are now considered endangered, which makes moments like this even more special.

10/05/2026

I’ve deleted my previous post

“What a corker ”

Reading it back, I acted on impulse when I wrote it and pressed post.

To be quite honest, some days I find this equine industry really hard. I can’t seem to escape the constant barrage of things I see and hear. It’s becoming a real struggle. I’m grateful I have like minded professionals I can talk to, because I know I’m not alone in feeling disheartened by parts of this industry.

I deleted the post because it was a knee jerk reaction.
I overheard a conversation that had absolutely nothing to do with me.
The person being given the advice wasn’t my client.

So really, I should have just closed my ears.

What gets me is I don’t like seeing people being ripped off, ( in any situation) I dislike injustice and I’m not a fan of information being given that has no real credibility or substance behind it, especially when there’s a risk of the horse coming to harm. Because ultimately, it’s the horse that suffers.

But… it’s still not my client.

And iv learnt a lesson.

I’m a bu**er for taking on everything, people’s energy, problems, situations etc
I’m a problem solver. I care to deeply. I always want the best for the horse and the owner.

I’m the one still awake researching at 3am to try & solve an ongoing mystery that the owner or vet can’t get to the bottom of! But not everyone works that way and they don’t have to.

I also want to be clear about something that is very relevant to my deleted post.

I’ve spent a lot of time educating myself across multiple areas of the horse. As a whole horse therapist, working from an osteopathic perspective I have to because everything is connected.

That includes nutrition, saddle fit, training, teeth, feet etc not to the level of a specialist in each field, but enough to recognise when something is out of balance and potentially influencing what I’m seeing & feeling in the body.

Without that broader understanding, I wouldn’t be able to do my job properly.

And equally if I don’t have knowledge in a particular area, I won’t comment on it. But I will go away & learn about it.

So i think that’s why I got my knee jerk reaction because it does make me question where the authority comes from when someone makes a strong statement about a horse’s anatomy or way of going, without having the depth of understanding to back it up.

Because comments like that aren’t just opinions they influence decisions.

And those decisions have consequences for the horse & the owner! Do people ever think of consequences?

Also, a comment was made on that post & I want to be clear that there is a difference between criticism and constructive criticism, and if someone is being paid to do a job that can’t accept either, then ego is involved. And when ego is involved, nothing changes.

And the industry doesn’t need anymore egos.

At the end of the day, when we’re working with a horse, the first principle should always be simple.

Do no harm.

For me personally, whatever I do, I will always be able to explain why.
I’m a “why” person, and I encourage owners to be the same. Ask questions. Understand what’s being done to your horse and the reasoning behind it.

So, my takeaway from that deleted post:

To step back and stop taking responsibility for things that aren’t mine to carry.

Don’t come on Facebook to air things in the heat of the moment

If I do, say it in a more measured way

Stop assuming everyone thinks like me

Stop trying to fix everything

Stop trying to control what isn’t mine to control

💫🙏💫