Cavit Equine

07/09/2025

Spot the difference… I’ll wait 🐴🤍🐴🤎

Proud to see some of the Cavit Equine Crew out there competing, having fun, and showing what great partnerships can do! 🏆🌟

.w._.equestrian_ .stachurski

07/09/2025

✨ Progress over perfection ✨
It’s not about getting it right every time — it’s about showing up, learning, and taking the opportunities that come your way.

This photo is extra special: one of the very first horses I trained and sold on behalf, alongside my soul dog Moses 🐾💙 A reminder of how far the journey goes when you just keep moving forward.

05/09/2025

🌟 Exciting opportunity at Cavit Equine 🌟

Nicolette is thrilled to share that she now has some openings for regular lessons and, for the first time in a while, a rare training spot for one horse has become available! 🐴

As an FEI dressage rider and trainer, with extensive training in the ESI system plus competition experience up to FEI, she brings a kind, clear approach to every horse and rider combination. Whether you’re looking to build confidence, refine your training, or step up in competition, Nicolette would love to help you achieve your goals.

📍 Based in Jimboomba
📲 Contact Cavit Equine here, on Instagram , or call 0421 252 853 to secure your place.

Spots like this don’t come up often – get in quick to join Cavit Equine Crew! ✨

02/09/2025

✨ A fun day both in and out of the saddle! 🦘

Today I was lucky enough to have my friend and mentor, Jody Hartstone of The Equine Catalyst, come to stay. It felt just like old times being back in the arena together, bouncing ideas around and enjoying the process of learning and refining. I’m always grateful for the knowledge, perspective, and encouragement Jody brings — a true reminder that great friendship and mentoring makes all the difference. 🐴💡

And because balance is everything, we followed our training session with some fun at Movie World 🎢🎬 … proving that whether it’s horses or roller coasters, it’s always better shared with great company!

Feeling inspired, refreshed, and excited to bring this energy back to my own training and coaching.

30/08/2025

Is your horse afraid of the chiro? Try an osteopathic approach instead.

Many owners have shared with me that their horses, who are anxious about the chiro and don't respond well to the forceful 'thrusting' involved, are much more relaxed and comfortable with osteopathic techniques. In my experience, the gentle yet powerful osteopathic approach is very effective for all horses, but especially for those who are prone to being more sensitive or nervous.

This is likely because an osteopathic approach to treatment uses a wider range of techniques to improve mobility and function in joints, bones and vertebrae, the nerves, the internal organs, the muscles, fascia, ligaments and tendons, and bodily systems — all without the ‘need’ for forceful adjustments. There is no hammer or rubber mallet involved, so if your horse is sensitive to the more intense chiropractic techniques and tools involved, they might find the application of osteopathic techniques to be a far more comfortable and positive experience.

Some horses can have trouble tolerating the short-lever HVLA (high-velocity, low amplitude) techniques that chiros use. HVLAs can be utilised in an osteopathic treatment session too to engage the restrictive barrier, but if your horse does not tolerate this technique well, there are many other osteopathic techniques that can be employed such as LVHA (low velocity, high amplitude) techniques; long lever techniques; Balanced Ligamentous Tension; Functional Method Technique; Fascial Unwinding, cranial osteopathy; craniosacral; pumping techniques and lymphatic pump; vibratory force techniques; soft tissue manipulation, visceral manipulation – all aimed at restoring overall whole-body balance, mobility and functionality, and to reduce any pain and discomfort.

After a thorough case history and assessment, I take into account not only what your horse needs physically, but also what will work mentally and emotionally for your horse too. If your horse has been afraid of the chiropractic techniques, I will take that into account and choose a technique that will deliver the desired results while also keeping your horse calm. I work with your horse and want them to have a great experience.

An osteopathic approach to treatment also has a broader scope and focuses on the whole body and the interconnectedness of the systems; and in helping to restore the horse's natural ability to self-heal and self-regulate towards homeostasis (by removing the barriers to health, mobility and function). While the practice of chiropractics stems from the early beginnings of osteopathy (the founder of chiropractic, Daniel David Palmer was a student of osteopathy's founder, Dr Andrew Taylor Still), osteopathy differs in its philosophy to that of chiropractic. To put it in very simplified terms, chiros tend to centre around the alignment of the spine, and how it affects the nervous system while in osteopathy, the guiding principles acknowledge that the body functions as an integrated whole, and disturbances in one area (local) can affect overall (global) health. How the muscles, joints, joint capsules, tendons, ligaments, bones and vertebrae, nerves, fascia, viscera, fluids and systems of the body all inter-relate and communicate is of importance. Osteopaths understand that structure and function are reciprocally interrelated and that a change in one will affect change in others. Mobility and function are important, as is the body’s innate ability to heal itself if the barriers to health are removed. The practitioner trained in osteopathy is that ally to help identify and facilitate the removal of those barriers.

So, if your horse doesn’t respond well to chiro treatments (and if you find yourself having to have the chiro out very regularly to make adjustments), and you're looking for a gentler way to help your horse feel their best for longer, let's chat. Send me an email at: majestichorse@outlook.com.au or text me on: 0466077561. You can also contact me through my website: majestichorse.com.au 💙

23/08/2025

My clients know I love the respiratory diaphragm…..but why exactly?

Well, put simply, because the respiratory diaphragm has such a massive influence on the health and wellbeing of your horse. I often refer to it as the ‘pump’ of the body. In an osteopathic approach to treatment, fluid flow is SO important – it directly impacts tissue health, immune function, and the body's natural healing processes. When the diaphragm is restricted from optimal movement in any capacity, the results can be far-reaching. For example:

🐴 Interrupted fluid flow: Fluid exchange is vital for normal physiology, as all the necessary processes of the body occur because fluids flow. If you don’t have good fluid flow (through channels, spaces and across membranes), all systems of the body are impacted and the return to homeostasis is significantly impeded resulting in a reduction in vitality in the body. When this occurs, disease shortly follows. If the respiratory ‘pump’ is not working optimally, then the blood flow (specifically the aorta and vena cava which pass through the diaphragm) as well as the lymphatic, interstitial, and cerebrospinal fluids are affected.

🐴 Postural and functional change: Beyond fluid dynamics, a dysfunctional respiratory diaphragm can lead to significant postural and functional issues. When the diaphragm isn't working optimally, it can influence the mobility of the ribs, creating a cascade of knock-on effects as other muscles compensate for this impaired function. Periarticular muscles like the intercostals may have to work harder than they were designed to, leading to their own dysfunction over time. Other key muscles such as the erector spinae and latissimus dorsi, can be impacted as well as the thoracolumbar fascia. The result is often wider myofascial issues and postural changes.

The Phrenic nerve which innervates the diaphragm originates in the cervical spine, so if there is dysfunction in the diaphragm there can also be dysfunction in the neck and vice versa (as the phrenic nerve also receives information from the fascia covering the organs). The spleen, liver and pancreas are all in communication with the diaphragm (as are many other organs eg. heart, lungs, stomach) so they may also be influenced by dysfunctional diaphragm action.

If there is restriction in the lumbar vertebrae, there may be an issue with the diaphragm (as the crus of the diaphragm attaches into the lumbar vertebrae). The crus of the diaphragm connects into the hindlimb (via the lumbar and psoas connections), so there may be pelvic changes and hindlimb issues. *I write “may” as each horse must be assessed for their individual presentation and the influencing factors (internal and external) taken into consideration as well. We could also hypothesise that if you have an anxious horse, they are most likely not using their diaphragm correctly (and may instead be using their scalene muscles more).

🐴 Cavity pressure gradients and gaseous exchange issues: The interaction between intrathoracic and abdominal pressure is a key component of spinal and pelvic stability. A dysfunctional diaphragm action may affect cavity pressures which can then affect peristalsis through the digestive system (directly impacting the gastrointestinal system). The diaphragm's movement is also fundamental to creating the pressure gradients that drive the entire process of gaseous exchange. An issue with the action of the diaphragm can lead to reduced lung capacity and oxygen intake, and inefficient gaseous exchange. If you have a horse with asthma, you will automatically be thinking about the lungs and respiration, but there are many ways that the horse can experience diaphragmatic disorder with instances of shallow, laboured, inefficient breathing, intermittent coughing etc, occurring every day that might not be noticed because the horse ‘seems’ fine. These horses however may be labelled as ‘lazy’ during exercise because they either fatigue quickly or don’t appear as athletic as others. It could be that their diaphragms aren’t working optimally, and they aren’t breathing efficiently or effectively.

As mentioned earlier, the diaphragm influences fluid flow (and as fluids also act to provide structural support helping to dissipate forces throughout the body and enabling improved shock absorption), if your horse has arthritis, having a functional diaphragm is imperative to help with this shock absorption and support.

So, everything in the body is connected and in constant communication and correlation. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated (a core osteopathic principle) – if you have a change in one; you have a change in the other. There is also more than one diaphragm in the body and when one diaphragm is impacted; all are impacted – pelvic floor, thoracic inlet, tongue, tentorium cerebelli. This can create a domino effect, leading to multi-layered issues throughout the body.

Just like us, horses are a ‘fluid body’ and fluid mechanics is vital to health and balance. For the restoration of homeostasis; the ability to respond quickly to illness, disease and injury; and the maintenance of health and vitality, we need to have the optimal functioning of the whole body and a large ‘influencer’ on that is the functionality of the diaphragm. The same is true for humans as much as it is for horses.

There are several different osteopathic techniques for addressing the respiratory diaphragm and the choice and application of these will depend on each individual horse’s presentation and current state of health 💙

21/08/2025

So exciting for NZ. I would like to bring up in DQ so EA can do something similar. Love that NZ is leading the way 🙌

I’m incredibly proud to share that Dressage New Zealand has become the first discipline in equestrian sport in New Zealand to adopt a comprehensive, discipline-specific horse welfare policy. This document isn’t just thorough and practical—it’s a genuine commitment to putting the horse first.

As a member of the Social License Committee for Dressage New Zealand, I’ve been fortunate to play a small part in shaping this policy. We’ve had some excellent discussions within committee, and this document represents a strong first step toward ensuring our sport keeps its social license to operate here in New Zealand.

Why this matters:

It covers lifetime care, guiding us to support our horses before, during, and after their competition careers, ensuring they thrive at every stage.

It sets out the essentials—adequate feeding, clean water, safe housing, and proper mental and physical enrichment through movement and social interaction.

It highlights the importance of well-fitted, well-maintained equipment, adjusted for comfort as well as function.

It includes clear expectations for prompt veterinary care, biosecurity, vaccinations, microchipping, and anti-doping compliance.

Dressage isn’t just about performance—it’s about responsibility, horsemanship, and advancing equine welfare in a meaningful, structured way. I’m proud to have had a hand in this milestone, and even prouder that Dressage New Zealand is leading the way as the first discipline in the country to take this step.

Here’s to setting the bar high and ensuring our horses always come first. 🐴💙

Check it out here: https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/DNZ-Horse-Welfare-document_V2-June-2025.pdf

20/08/2025

✨ Competition Debut ✨
“Cobigan Shari Amour” stepped out for her very first competition at the Cedar Grove Dressage Group EA event last weekend — and what a start! 🏅 1st & 2nd place, just shy of Champion 🎉

The absolute highlight? So many comments on how happy and confident she looked in the ring 🥰 Couldn’t be prouder of this special girl!

Huge thanks to:
🤍 Sharon & John – for trusting me with her training
🫶🏼 Majestic Horse Therapy – for your sponsorship
💕 The Bit Fitter – for her recent dental & fitting
✨ Atkins Saddlery – for keeping her saddle comfy
🔨Sam Buchanan – for keeping her feet in top shape

Shari really is the sweetest partner – excited for what’s ahead ✨🐴

13/08/2025

A very good read. Really hit a cord with me.