Horsempower

03/03/2026

POOR ETTA! I thought she wasnt going to make it!!! Head on ground, squirting runny poo, elevated heart rate and couldnt find a bloody thermometer with a good battery! Vet was called immediately as I took her vitals and performed some gentle body work moves. What happened in the next half hour was quite extraordinary as squirting stopped, head lifted, she moved over towards horses in neighbouring paddock (seperated in case of infection) and within the hour she was stomping and demanding her food ( which sadly we couldnt give her).

HOT HUMID WEATHER = HIGHER RISK FOR COLIC AND COLITIS
When weather turns warm and humid we often see a spike in gut issues.

COLIC general term for abdominal pain in horses
SIGNS pawing,rolling, kicking at flanks, no appetite, generally no poo
COLITIS is an inflammation of the large intestine
SIGNS Watery diarhea, fever, depression, no appetite
Both can be mild or life threatening.

WHY IS THE WEATHER A FACTOR?
>BLOOD FLOW is redirected to the skin to cool the body so less blood is available to the gut. Reduced blood flow to the intestinal lining can weaken the mucosal barrier. Increase permeability can allow endotoxins to enter circulation

>MORE FLUIDS LOST hence electrolytes and become dehydrated which slows gut motility, increases toxins in the colon, can cause impaction Colic.
This time of year also either horses are getting more hay (ideally ad lib hay where gut doesnt go empty for more than two hours) as the grass loses its nutrition and with more hay horses need to drink more OR they are not getting enough hay and horses are getting too hungry and eating whatever they can and close to the ground which can cause impaction colic or a plant that is toxic which can cause colitis.

POOR Etta may have ingested too many blackwood leaves in her water trough, so make sure troughs are cleaned as they can have leaves that are not good for them or leaves can harbour mould and fungal spores.

FEED SPOILS FASTER warm and humid = perfect environment for bacterial multiplication, mould growth, mycotoxin production mycotoxin production fermentation in buckets. I dont soak feeds at all or never overnight during hotter months because of this.

GRASS SUGAR RISES rapidly after warm rain so watch that with particularly metabolic/laminitic ones.

BACTERIAL GROWTH in the environment
Warm, damp conditions increase environmental salmonella (well known cause of colitis) survival.
Clostridial growth which are already present in the gut but can be triggered to increase via sudden feed changes, overload of feed/grain, antibiotics, transport, high heat, dehydration.
WASH YOUR BUCKETS! CHECK HAY FOR DAMPNESS/MOULD.

By the time the vet arrived Etta was pushing us around to evade the needle, bloods were taken and she was given electroyltes. Her temp was 38.8 (so def inflammation) and bloods showed the inflammatory markers. So not out of the woods yet so keeping a close eye on her and keeping feed simple.

Why did her discomfort level improve after some body work? was it just a coincident, well I am quietly confident it did help her as its not the first time but I have never seen a response that quickly and dramatically!
It may have improved her vagal tone (vagus nerve has a cranial to gut connection), improved gut motility, improved circulation, lymphatics, decrease abdominal wall tension and mesenteric mobility,(hammock that hold intestines in place) whilst keeping in mind that inflammation is the bodies amazing "go to" to protect the body from damage! so body was doing its job still! So moves are gentle and as much as the horses can tolerate, often they are very receptive to it and want more. I do know that I have had good responses with horses whilst owner is waiting for the vet.

What moves did I do? Well you will have to sign up to my free introductory course to find out JOKING !!!😜 I don't own them lol but I will promise to do a video soon because I think all owners should be equipped to be able to at least help their horses whilst waiting for a vet! Anyone can do these moves! Vets are expensive enough without adding on a body worker at the same time, however a follow up full body work session is highly recommended and I am always happy to help anytime of course!

26/02/2026

📣MARCH WHEREABOUTS📣🚙

THURSDAY 5th
MEREDITH/ TEESDALE/ BANNOCKBURN and surrounds
1 SPOT LEFT!

FRIDAY 20th
COLAC and surrounds

FRIDAY 27th
LEXTON/BEAUFORT/AVOCA and surrounds

BALLARAT and surrounds most other days



OFFERING Equine Body Therapy ( EBT) a bowen based modality inc Osteopathic mobilisation and redlight/photonic. Plus a complimentary saddlefit static inspection on request and pre booked!

$90 per horse per session , discounts for more than 3 horses in one location
For bookings contact Sarah 0400321159 or pmt

17/02/2026

Whats your Fire Horse New Years resolution?

The Year of the Horse is about movement, heart and forward energy.
In a Fire year, that spark is stronger more sensitivity, more spirit, more power.
But fire doesn’t need to be suppressed.
It needs direction and regulation.

Horses mirror our nervous systems.
When we show up calm, clear and grounded, their bodies soften.
When we’re rushed or tense, they brace.

If you want bodywork to go deeper and hold longer..

• Allow time for your horse to eat and settle before sessions
• Avoid rushing beforehand
• Give them turnout and space to integrate after
• Regulate yourself breathing, slowing, being present

A regulated nervous system allows guarded tissue to release.
That’s when real change happens.

Happy year of the Fire Horse 🔥🐎

06/02/2026

I’ve always been a bit apprehensive about putting things on horses “for their benefit”.
Rugs for sun protection.
Paddock boots for what exactly? Havent worked that one out, I know Im old school ! so
Please enlighten me?

And I often find myself wondering do we really know what effects these things have on them long term? ie tendon health and circulation with boots?
Horses are not fragile creatures. They are extraordinarily well adapted to their environment.

They roll in mud because it acts as a natural sunscreen, insect deterrent, and skin conditioner.
Their eyes are designed to receive light and environmental signals that influence hormonal balance and the production of nitric oxide a key molecule for circulation, nerve signalling, and tissue health.
Sunlight on the skin plays a vital role in vitamin D pathways and broader metabolic health.

When we cover the eyes, particularly with fly masks that include darkened mesh or extended sun blocking peaks, we are altering light input in a very real way.
Light entering the eyes isn’t just about vision it’s part of how the nervous system, endocrine system, and circadian rhythms stay calibrated.

That doesn’t mean fly masks, rugs, or boots are always wrong.
There are situations where they are genuinely helpful, but I believe they should be used with intention, not automatically, and not continuously without question.

Are we protecting or interfering?
Supporting adaptation or preventing it?
Solving a real problem or creating a new one we don’t yet understand?

Sometimes “doing less” is actually doing more.
The question isn’t can we put things on horses
it’s should we, and why?

Emma and Shea do a deep dive as they do into this very topic that I found very intetesting!

In this thoroughly insightful and enjoyable chat, Shea Stewart takes us through the incredible role that sunlight has on our body and the bodies of Horses. There…

01/02/2026

Yesterday’s EBT refresher course was excellent!! Our teacher and founder of EBT Sue Parker never ceases to amaze me with her investigative skills!! We refreshed our knowledge, learned new information and moves, one being a rip snorter technique to address sciatic issues which Im keen to try and she was also happy for us to share any techniques with one another that we have adopted over the years. Great jam packed well rounded refresher! Forever grateful to Sue 🙏r

26/01/2026

SALT is ESSENTIAL !!

Horses cool themselves by sweating and equine sweat is rich in electrolytes, especially sodium and chloride. These two minerals (salt) make up the core of electrolyte balance and are lost in large amounts in hot weather.

Why salt matters
Sodium and chloride..
•Regulate HYDRATION and THIRST
•Enable NERVE signaling and MUSCLE contraction
•Support HEART rhythm and GUT motility
•Stabilise the NEUROMUSCULAR and autonomic nervous system

Salt doesn’t just replace sweat it KEEPS WATER INSIDE MUSCLE CELLS where it’s actually needed. Sodium creates the osmotic pull that allows water to move from the bloodstream into muscle tissue and stay there. At a cellular level, sodium supports the sodium potassium pump, which keeps MUSCLE fibres properly HYDRATED , electrically STABLE and able to CONTRACT and RELAX efficiently.

Most of the sodium in the body is stored in the blood and extra cellular spaces with only 2% in the muscles. When sodium is low in the “resovoir” due to deficiency muscles don’t hold water well. Cells shrink slightly, nerve signalling becomes more irritable, and this can show up as TIGHTNESS, CRAMPING/TYING UP, FATIGUE or a generally “tense” horse. Drinking water without adequate salt can dilute sodium further, reducing effective hydration rather than improving it.

When SODIUM IS LOW, nerve cells become more excitable and inefficient, which can SHOW UP as TENSION , REACTIVITY or an inability to settle. Correcting a salt deficit restores normal nervous system function, which can look like a CALMER horse.

Forage isn’t enough!
Grass and hay are naturally sodium-deficient. Even horses at rest require added salt, and in summer or work, losses rise dramatically.

Electrolytes rely on salt!
Electrolytes without adequate sodium intake are incomplete. Sodium drives water absorption in the gut and replaces the largest proportion of sweat losses.

Staying in my lane!
I’m not a nutritionist, but salt is unique as sodium and chloride are tightly regulated by the body. Excess is excreted by healthy kidneys.
Whatever the weather and time of year free access to water, salt supplementation is highly recommended. It’s often my first go to recommendation for nervous unregulated horses.

Myth busting..
“They take what they need from a lick”
Many horses don’t consume enough from blocks alone, especially in heat, but you can do both!

“Electrolytes replace salt”
Salt is the primary electrolyte. Powders are an addition, not a substitute.

“Salt is dangerous”
With unlimited water and normal kidney function, excess is safely excreted.

Bottom line:
Salt is a BIOLOGICAL NECESSITY In summer, adequate sodium intake supports hydration, cooling and a more stable nervous system.

And bonus ITS CHEAP and can be purchased from most produce stores for around $20 per 10 kg bag so lasts for ages!

I put salt in my water everyday for all the above reasons!
So keep you and your horses hydrated! especially on days of extreme heat!

26/01/2026

HORSE HEAT & FIRE READY CHECKLIST

1️⃣ Hydration
✅ Unlimited water source and place hay nearby to encourage them to drink more
✅ Loose salt or salt block available
✅ Wet feeds a little extra well if feeding
✅ Avoid heavy grain feeds

2️⃣ Shelter & Environment
✅ Shade with good airflow (trees, shelters)
✅ Avoid enclosed shelters/stablex hot spaces
✅ Damp down dusty yards

3️⃣ Body Prep
✅ Remove rugs, fly masks, and tack
✅ Avoid working them
✅Sponge or hose them if they are struggling or access to dam ideal

4️⃣ Fire & Smoke
✅ Float ready & fuelled
✅ Halters easily accessible
✅ Have feed, water, buckets and whatever else you may need in float in case of evacuation.
✅ Tag mane with contact info if in fire prone area.
⚠️ Do NOT panic if you smell smoke! Horses will pick up on our anxiety and may not load well if you need them to.
Find out where the fire is and weigh up pros & cons of moving horses low visibility = higher risk

6️⃣ Keep an eye on them
✅ Respiration & sweating
✅ Gums & hydration
✅ Strength / alertness
⚠️ Red flags: rapid breathing, excessive/no sweating, weakness, dullness

A GROUNDING REMINDER
Horses are naturally adaptable animals and, in the wild, cope with heat remarkably well.
But domesticated horses are not living in their natural habitat as much as we try and emanate it. They still rely on us for water access, shade, airflow, and smart decision making.
Calm, practical support helps them do what their bodies already know how to do

Summertime blessings
Even though summertimer has its risks remember it’s an amazing time of the year and offers endless opportunities to spend valuable time with your horse so enjoy it!!

18/01/2026

With bum up and head down lately on the last leg ( Thesis) of my Equine Osteopathic training I am proud to say it’s finished, submitted and marked and I actually achieved top marks! which is big for me as academia has never really been my strength! It was a longvtime coming and a bloody good work out for the old synaspses!

My thesis was on Hypermobility and the Role of Osteopathic Manual Treatment, which was somewhat ambitious due to the scarcity of empirical research in the field. So extrapolating from a load of human studies. I got onto this because i was seeing a lot in practice. I am particularly interested in how osteopathic treatment can address the impact of instability on the autonomic system, which can sadly lead to anxiety in horses. Finding the right balance in treatment is crucial, and I believe that ongoing research will further refine our understanding of this complex issue. So much to know so much to learn! so fascinating!

I am so grateful to the London College of Osteopathy to all my clients and mostly to the horses that allow me (a stranger to many) into their personal space to assess, to palpate, to articulate. ! If they are guarded the first time 9 out of 10 times they are much more accepting and relaxed second time around when they have had time to process the changes.

I am so fortunate to be able to draw on two very powerful remedial foundational modalities Bowen (EBT) and Osteopathy that fit together like a glove. And in a couple of weeks I will be topping it all off with a 10 year EBT refresher with the very talented, well respected and founder of EBT Sue Parker!!

11/01/2026

Wishing all my clients in the Colac, Gellibrand, Meredith and Skipton areas safety from fires!

09/01/2026

Stay safe everyone and my recommendation is only move horses off property if absolutely necessary as In my experience I have seen more safety issues with too many horse floats on the road in low visibility and especially at night.

06/01/2026

Even though shade may just seem a given I have seen horses without it on days of extreme heat 😫 My lot love a good waterhole they can splash around in! No riding or exercise i think is a given.

What do you do? Do you have any innovative ideas or substitutes for the lack of a dam and even shade?
I remove fly masks to optimise air flow and if i rugged I would remove them too? What do you do in regards to that ?
Love to hear?