Behind the Scenes with Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio, 12th December 2024
This week we explore the importance of teamwork in equine care, advancements in competition welfare with the FEI noseband device, and lessons for equestrians from New Zealand’s greyhound racing ban.
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Keeping the Horse at the Heart of the Team
What a week it’s been! Between treating horses and people, our family Christmas celebrations, the school Christmas concert, and everything else the season throws our way, I imagine many of you are feeling the same whirlwind of activity. It seems there’s always so much to juggle in the lead-up to Christmas. I usually like to stay ahead of the game, but I haven’t even finished writing my Christmas cards yet, let alone posting them! For some, that might sound perfectly normal. For me, it’s a little stressful—but here we are.
Still, I didn’t want to miss sending you this newsletter, even if I’ll allow myself some breathing space over the festive season. This week included a couple of long-distance visits to treat horses, and I was reminded of something that’s central to my work: the importance of being part of the horse’s team.
One of the challenges I faced as a newly qualified physiotherapist was accepting that we don’t always find clear answers. We all like to feel in control, and knowing what we’re dealing with is a big part of that. But in equine physiotherapy, there are times when the root cause of a problem remains elusive. Sometimes we don’t know if an issue is medical—relating to internal systems like digestion or circulation—or neuromusculoskeletal, involving nerves, bones, or soft tissues.
The key, I’ve learned, is not always to “fix” the problem but to manage it in a way that works best for the horse and their human. This shift in mindset took time, but it’s been invaluable. Often, it requires a bit of trial and error to figure out what keeps the horse comfortable or ensures their human stays safe.
That’s where the value of the team comes in. A collaborative approach between the veterinarian, coach, physiotherapist, saddle fitter, farrier, equine dental technician, nutritionist, and other specialists often provides the best outcomes, even when the problem doesn’t have a clear name or diagnosis. Together, we can find solutions that prioritize the horse’s well-being while supporting the rider’s goals.
At the heart of it all, it’s about relationships—the horse’s relationship with their human, and the professional relationships within the team that cares for them. For me, being part of this collaborative effort is one of the most rewarding parts of my work, and I’m grateful to all of you for allowing me to be part of your horse’s journey.
Wishing you a smooth and joyful run-up to Christmas!
New FEI Noseband Tightness Device: Enhancing Horse Welfare at Competitions
The FEI has developed a measuring device to check noseband tightness at FEI events. According to the information on the short YouTube clip demonstrating the use of the device, titled ‘FEI Measuring Device for the control of noseband tightness at FEI Events’, “the FEI Measuring Device is a pass-through tool that is inserted under the noseband, over the nasal bone, and drawn through from top to bottom. The test is quick and straightforward, taking just a matter of seconds to complete.” As I’m sure you’re aware, the International Society of Equitation Science developed a measurement device several years ago, and their taper gauge is available for purchase from their website. The devices both work to ensure a minimum spacing between the noseband and the horse’s nasal bone, to improve comfort and welfare for the horse. The International Society of Equitation Science published a position statement on restrictive nosebands in 2019 and pointed out that research is ongoing. The research that contributed to developing the FEI measuring device, titled ‘Noseband type and tightness level affect pressure on the horse’s face at trot’, was published in the Equine Veterinary Journal. This study measured forces occurring at various points on the horse’s nose, at different noseband fittings, with results finding there was a threshold at which the forces significantly increased. The device will begin a phased roll-out across FEI events in the first quarter of 2025.
New Zealand to Ban Greyhound Racing: What It Means for Us as Equestrians
On December 10th, 2024, I came across a headline that caught my attention: “New Zealand to ban greyhound racing.”The article explained that an unacceptably high rate of injuries led to this decision. Racing Minister Winston Peters stated, “This is not a decision that has been taken lightly but is ultimately driven by protecting the welfare of racing dogs.” The SPCA has since called on other countries to follow suit.
But what does this have to do with us? And, more importantly, what does it have to do with horses?
Imagine, for a moment, that you’re not part of the horse world. You’re simply a compassionate, well-meaning person who cares about animal welfare. How might you react if you overheard someone discussing the new whip they’d bought for their horse? Or if someone casually described their horse as “rude” or “awkward” after it had thrown them off? What would you think if you saw a child attaching spurs to their heels and digging them into a horse that was visibly reluctant to cooperate?
Even as a horse person, these scenarios might make you pause. Or perhaps, like many of us, you’ve been exposed to these practices for so long that they’ve become normalised. I know a whip and spurs can be used appropriately, as tools to guide and refine. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t often see them used in ways that, to an outsider, might look harsh—or even abusive. After all, we wouldn’t dream of using a whip or spurs on a dog or a child. So what makes it acceptable for a horse?
The truth is, I don’t have the answers. But I often wonder if normalisation blinds us to practices that others might find deeply uncomfortable. I recently listened to an animal welfare specialist discussing zoo animals. Research has shown that the general public often has a more accurate perception of animal welfare than zookeepers, precisely because the public hasn’t become desensitised to questionable practices over time.
The ban on greyhound racing was ultimately driven by public pressure, fueled by an awareness of unacceptable injury rates and welfare issues. If we, as equestrians, don’t start addressing the many normalised but problematic practices in our industry, might we one day face a similar reckoning?
The choice is ours—to act now, before others force us to change. For the sake of the horses we love, it’s a conversation we can no longer afford to ignore.
Sue Palmer MCSP, aka The Horse Physio, is an award-winning author, educator, and Chartered Physiotherapist. Sue specialises in understanding the links between equine pain and behaviour, focusing on prevention, partnership and performance. She promotes the kind and fair treatment of horses through empathetic education, and is registered with the RAMP, the ACPAT, the IHA, the CSP and the HCPC.
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You can find The Horse Physio on the web, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on YouTube, book an online consultation, or take a look at Sue’s online courses.
Horse Health Check: The 10-Point Plan for Physical Wellness
Head to Hoof: An Introduction to Horse Massage
Horse Massage for Horse Owners
Stretching Your Horse: A Guide to Keeping Your Equine Friend Happy and Healthy
Kissing Spines In Horses: Preventive Measures and Long-Term Management Solutions
Harmonious Horsemanship, co-authored with Dr Sue Dyson
Understanding Horse Performance: Brain, Pain or Training?
Horse Massage for Horse Owners
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