Helping The Horse

ACHIEVE BALANCE

Dr. Raquel Butler BVSc, G.Dip ABM, GCLTHE, EMRT, CCMRT, Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics Equine Science Lecturer at Charles Sturt University Contributions from Catherine McDowell – Herbalist

When was the last time you stood back and observed your horses posture? It is important and valuable to do this as an independent observer rather than with the emotional attachment of an owner. A balanced body will create a balanced, relaxed and trainable mind.

Recognising when a horse is holding tension will aid in your understanding of their emotional state. If your horse is tight in his back with his head raised, ready to spook, to bolt and reactive, he is probably in a state of tension and high emotions. If his head is neutral, back soft, limbs in a balanced position, he is more likely to be calm with the ability to observe rather than react. It is amazing to observe the transformation in a Biomechanical Medicine session of a pony with a history of flipping over in response to minimal pressure due to the extreme tension in the body. Within one session the pony was able to trot with the head and neck stretching forward and start to respond to the handlers guidance with lightness. This is the power of relaxation or tension in the body. I don’t know about you, but when I have pain and stiffness I am generally a bit grumpy. When a balance of relaxation and fascial freedom is achieved in a horses body they become more amenable, more able to focus and respond in an appropriate manner without the resistance and tension.

Observing your horse’s posture

There are many ways you can observe your horses posture that will improve your relationship with your horse as you pick up small changes before they become big problems. Some questions you can ask next time you see your horse. How does your horse urinate? Do they rest a limb? Are they extremely stretched out or very focused? Does their tail lift or are they urinating on their tail. Do they stand stretched ouf for a long time? Does it look comfortable and easy? How does your horse graze? Do they have wide stance with one limb always forward or keep the hind legs in one place and under the body. Do they bend their knees or only graze for short times? Does he alternate which forelimb is forward or can he can walk and graze easily and stand square? How does your horse stand? Doesn’t rest a particular leg but does rest his hind legs when sleeping,

Fully stretched and looking easy Resting a hind limb, greater tension in the face and back

often square, legs in line with the shoulders and hips, chest behind shoulders? Rests one limb mostly, never stands square, resting leg in awkward positions, limbs camped under or out from the body, chest protruding forwards beyond the shoulders?

This horse is standing with the fore and hind limbs camped under. The head and neck are raised and there is tension through the face and jaw.

Hoof balance

One of the most important factors for balance in the horse is the balance of the hooves. The hooves are important for symmetry, balance, proprioception (spatial and limb awareness), circulation and for fascial health of the whole body. A balanced hoof will promote whole body balance and correct angles through the scapulas and pelvis. They will allow the thoracic sling to work freely so the horse can lift through the forehand and engage the hind-end. A balanced hoof will not crack or flare and will have the following features: - A dorsal wall and heel angle within 5 degrees of each other - The heels and soles either side of the frog with be balanced - The frog will be wide and open in the central sulcus and be able to contact the ground in motion - There will be no crevice between the heels, the central sulcus of the frog will stop in line with the start of the heels - They will not have an offensive odour or discharge - The coronet bands will be smooth with good angles. When the line of the hind foot coronet band is followed forwards, it should intersect the carpus or below. If it is intersecting above the carpus such as through the elbow or abdomen there is likely to be a negative palmar angle which will create a lot of strain through the lumbosacral and pelvic area. - Frog 2/3 of the sole of the hoof - Aligned with the bony column of the limb, specifically the pastern. How do you maintain a balanced hoof? First of all take notice of your horse’s hoof balance and wear. Start asking your farrier/trimmer questions. Get them attended to every 4-5 weeks rather then every 6-8 weeks to begin creating positive change. Use natural hoof supplements and feed as required - soils are typically deficient in copper and zinc (which are very important minerals for hoof health). Ensure the hoof care is promoting a balanced interaction of the hoof with the ground i.e heel first landing and with the frog being loaded in weight-bearing.

Hind coronet angles: The green line indicates where the angle of the coronet band should transect (through the middle of the carpus). The red line is the alignment of this horses coronet band showing a negative palmar angle of the hind foot .

Saddle fit

The fit of the saddle will be influenced by the symmetry of the horse, the symmetry of the rider and the saddle itself. A well fitting saddle will allow your horse to move freely, especially through the spine and scapulas. It will not rock or slip or shift forwards or back and the centre point of the seat will be balanced. The girth will be aligned with the girth groove/seat of the horses chest. This is a flatted area of the chest behind the elbow of the horse. A well fitting saddle will allow the horse to lift its back to develop a topline and engage the core, reach with the nose, laterally flex through the spine and move freely. It will also help the rider to sit in a better position and aid them and the horse. It is important that you have your saddle checked at least every 6 months by a professionally qualified saddle fitter. It is also important to have it checked when your horse is coming back into work or has changed shape i.e at the end of spring!

Dental health

The balance of the teeth are very important in the balance of the temporomandibular joint (your horses jaw joint) which is surrounded by a myriad of nerves and fascial connections from the rest of the body including all the way to the hind foot! The bit is also placed in the mouth and it is important to ensure that the bit fits your horse. A well fitting bit will not squash the tongue, hit the roof the mouth, sit on the bars (the horses jaw bones), pinch the cheeks or hit the molars. It will sit comfortably in the mouth and the horse will have a quiet, soft mouth without the requirement for a noseband

to keep the mouth closed. The tongue has a direct connection anatomically via the omohyoid, and cuteneous trunci muscles to the fascia around the stifle. Pressure on the tongue can have a significant effect on the ability of your horse to engage the hindend. Ensure you get your horses teeth checked by a qualified Equine Dentist i.e Equine Dental Vets at least every 6-12months. To thoroughly assess the horses mouth they need to be sedated. The sedation allows the dentist to have a really good look right up the back and thoroughly check for cavities, which could be causing pain. There are also qualified bit fitters available to recommend the best fit and type of bit. You would be surprised by the huge amount of variations between horses mouths. A horse that is heavy, pulling, opening their mouth may have bit discomfort.

Joint health

The horses skeletal system is still growing until they are between 6 and 8 years old, depending on the breed. Unfortunately it is rare that a horse has always been in a balanced posture with all gear fitting and correctly using their body with balanced teeth, feet and myofascial system so they are very prone to the limb joints undergoing wear and tear. Any performance horse should be on a joint supplement to maintain the joint fluid and cartilage and slow down degeneration. Healthy well-moving joints will promote a healthy spine and healthy tendons and ligaments. The digestive system feeds the whole body and so is therefore vital for energy, hydration, cellular function in all the organs including the muscles. A healthy immune system will allow the horses body to eliminate toxins freely with good lymphatic flow. A healthy nervous system will promote balanced use of muscles and a balance of energy.

McDowells Tendon and Bone This formula promotes the re-growth of attachment points and the re-tensioning of stretched or damaged ligaments.

McDowells Infect-A-Clear Robust immune systems routinely eliminate infective and metabolic waste as part of a healthy system. A system that is overloaded with inflammation, infection or metabolic waste has a much harder time recovering. The herbs in this mix have been traditionally used to stimulate the horse’s own natural elimination which may help to clear these naturally occurring metabolites thereby improving the immune system’s response.

McDowells Equigesta-Pre Traditionally this combination has been used to aid and promote beneficial intestinal microorganisms. It can be used daily as an equine prebiotic to support and stimulate the growth and activity of good bacteria in the digestive system.

100% natural ingredients developed specifically to support the microbiome and soothe the gut.

McDowells Perform-A-Calm Perform-A-Calm is formulated with herbs that have traditionally been used to nourish and calm the nervous disposition of horses that seem to be overly anxious in their home or when introduced to new stimulus.

Maintaining fascial health

Fascia is like a moist clingfilm layer that allows the underlying structures to slide freely. It covers all of the organs, muscles, bones and nerves and is a continuous layer throughout the body. Healthy fascia will mean the horse’s muscles are all blending under the skin without lines defining them. A horse with healthy fascia will have a soft coat that is shiny but not stuck to the underlying tissues.

To promote fascial health in your horse;

- Dynamic and static stretching at least twice a week - Cross training - Ensure that salt is added to your horses diet and this is increased with sweating in heat and exercise to promote hydration. - Regular body work sessions After balancing all of the above then practice the power of observation. Observe your horse every time you interact with them - observe their demeanour, their facial expression, their gait, their interactions with other horses, their urination, faeces, energy and willingness to interact with you and with their work. Learn how to listen to them and allow them the time to have an opinion. Instead of just lifting the leg up to clean the hoof, gently place your hand there and wait and see if they offer the leg to you. Perhaps you have to pick it up with more insistence? Is this the same on every leg? If not, then why not? The horse knows what you are asking and they may have done it a thousand times, so if they are not doing as expected then ask ‘why?’. Ask why do they swish their tail when I do an exercise one way and not the other way. Why do they struggle with the canter transition or balance in the trot? Why, and how, does their head move in each gait? The power of asking ‘why’ will create a dialogue with your horse rather than a one-way conversation where only you get a say. The more you open up the dialogue the more the horse will communicate with you and guide you on this journey. It may not always be what you want to hear, however it will always improve your relationship with your horse when you trust their response. Ask why and proceed to figure it out to make your horse more comfortable and make you aware of their weaknesses, so you can make them their strengths.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Raquel Butler

BVSc, G.Dip ABM, GCLTHE, EMRT, CCMRT, Equi-taping practitioner Equine Science Lecturer –Charles Sturt University Integrated Veterinary Therapeutics President of the Animal Biomechanical Medicine Association A fully qualified Veterinarian, biomechanical medicine qualified in osteopathic techniques, chiropractic techniques and injury rehabilitation. My passion is your animal, providing them with the highest quality care and addressing the underlying problems rather than the symptom picture. My aim is to optimise your horses performance and wellbeing holistically to provide you with a happy comfortable horse so you can enjoy the time that you spend together – whether that be competing at the highest level or a retired horse in the paddock. I believe that prevention is better than cure! Many breakdown injuries can be prevented if underlying problems are identified early and managed.

Contributions from: Catherine McDowell Medicine of Mother Nature…

As a Dorothy Hall graduate working along side the well known Robert McDowell for many years and furthering my education with Dennis Stewart, I have developed my own unique application of herbal remedies. Working primarily with animals (Horses and Dogs) has been the most rewarding. Having seen herbs work so well in so many cases has proven to me time and again the under-utilised power of herbal medicine. It is heartening to see now Vets, and some Medical Doctors seeing the traditional application of herbs as useful. My comprehensive service includes free animal consultations 24/7 via my web site, and face to face consultation at 61 Corporation Avenue, Bathurst NSW 2795. CLINIC: (02) 6331 3937 INTERNATIONAL: +61 2 6331 3937 EMAIL: info@mcdowellsherbal.com WEB: www.mcdowellsherbal.com