Back pain in horses - The Horse Physio - Sue Palmer

Tag: Back pain in horses

In hand core strength and postural stability exercises for your horse: Chapters 2-4

By Sue Palmer on October 3, 2024

A lot of core stability exercises are about moving the horse slightly off balance so that he needs to engage his muscles to maintain that balance. The tail pull works by using the tail as a lever to create the imbalance. As with the other exercises, it is subtle, using gentle pressure. There should be no discomfort involved, and you should find that your horse relaxes into the exercise after a minute or two. If he doesn't, perhaps this isn't the right exercise for him. A horse who is uptight will not be engaging his muscles effectively. He will be tensing those movement muscles getting ready to run, rather than using the stability muscles.

“Please listen to me”

By Sue Palmer on July 18, 2024

I don’t want to buck you off. There’s a sharp pain every time I go into canter when you’re riding me, and I can’t help but react to it. I don’t understand it, it doesn’t happen if I canter in the field. Please listen to me. I know you love me and want the best for me. I don’t know how else to tell you I’m hurting.

The ABC of Horse Massage (Horse Massage for Horse Owners with The Horse Physio)

By Sue Palmer on February 25, 2023

Think of the online course 'Horse Massage for Horse Owners' as a recipe. I’ve written it as an ‘ABC’ of Horse Massage. The ingredients of massage are explained and taught separately – anatomy and technique – and then mixed together in specific measures in a specific order with specific timing to create a simple, effective, enjoyable massage routine.

What is the role of close spinous processes, so-called ‘kissing spines’ in horses? A guest blog by Dr Sue Dyson

By Sue Palmer on December 13, 2022

There are many misconceptions in the equine world, one of which surrounds horses that behave normally in hand and on the lunge but perform sub-optimally when ridden or behave ‘badly’ – and sometimes get labelled as naughty horses. If thought is given that an underlying cause may be pain, there is often an assumption that because this behaviour is only seen when ridden and since the change is a rider sitting on the horse’s back it must reflect primary back pain.

‘Horse Massage For Horse Owners’ – Compression

By Sue Palmer on January 7, 2022

You can buy ‘Horse Massage for Horse Owners’ on Amazon (affiliate link), or from The Horse Physio. Join my mailing list today for FREE bonus content at www.thehorsephysio.co.uk. Compression Practising on yourself Rest your hand lightly on your forearm, just above your wrist, and slowly slide it towards your elbow. As you reach the end […]