Emma Barber Healing Hands Veterinary Physiotherapy

25/07/2025

It’s official, she’s 16hh!

I’ve told her she’s only allowed one more inch at the most!

11/07/2025

Today I’ve been to Sherwood Forest to the secret encampment of Maid Marion and Robin Hood 🌳 🏹

I’ve been to see the lovely Pye, owned by Katie Smart who plays the role of Maid Marion at Sherwood Forest with her partner Rob as Robin Hood!

They take part in medieval re-enactments around the country and eventually Pye (and Milo) will join them for their adventures!

If you fancy a go at archery or want to meet Maid Marion and Rodin Hood they can be at found at Sherwood Forest, and they will be performing around the country at various events.

08/07/2025

08/07/2025

That’s a lot of scenery 🌳 ☀️

05/07/2025

Eve learning to park!

I have always taught my horses to park at the main yard gate from the fields so I can shut it behind us. It started from when I used to bring all my 3 in together and couldn’t turn around to shut the gate behind us, and it has just become the norm!

So it now Ellin teaching Eve to park and wait for mummy (well teaching her in between biting and telling her off, Queen Ellin 👸🏼🦄🫣🤣).

04/07/2025

In hand and groundwork is not just for the big boys!

This is Tribute, owned by Julie 🦄. Here we are working on some in hand exercises to help Tribute relax and focus more on his body. This helps regulate the the nervous system, creates improved flexibility and strength, and develops the horse/handler relationship 💕

So many benefits from simple effective exercises, do you fancy a go?

Www.emmabarber-vetphysio.co.uk/groundwork-training

01/07/2025

This is really a sad thing to say, that young riders don’t want to spend as much time devloping their horses. THATS WHAT RIDING IS ABOUT!

Unfortunately we live in an instant gratification society. We can order something from the shop in the morning and get it by the afternoon (Argos), we can fast forward the adverts and find out information we need straight off our phones. Don’t get me wrong, this is amazing! But its part of what creates a society that aren’t willing to wait for anything!

Horse training (and rehab) shouldn’t be one of the things we are unwilling to wait for! These young horses may look mature and developed, but we know the body isn’t fully mature until at least 8.

Please, take the time to develop your young horses slowly, build a relationship and grow together. You will be rewarded in the future with a sounder, mentally well rounded horse who can be a partner for life, not just for instant gratification and disposal.

Which way for Dutch breeding?
“It’s the canter, the canter from the offspring of Vivaldi, especially from Expression, is very good and they have a very high level of rideability. For the future that is more important, the younger riders do not want to spend so much time, so we need to breed a horse that learns his exercises very easily and very quickly. Horses that do the work very quickly and in harmony, longer in the neck, light in the contact and very supple. That is the direction for the new generation.” Read more:
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2025/06/dutch-dressage-breeding-how-did-it-start/

28/06/2025

If your horse has received trauma to the head, it might develop suture periostitis.

It’s often seen as a firm lump in the region of the forehead and usually doesn’t cause any issues apart from cosmetic changes.

25/06/2025

I had a ride today on the lovely Martha at Equipilates, and I’m pleased to say she behaved impeccably 🦄

There was great advice and exercises from Lindsay, with some real fine tuning of my position and my understanding of my position in the saddle.

Towards the end of the lesson we worked on flying changes, so now I just need to find a real horse to continue my practice on!

Would highly recommend a lesson to any rider wanting to fine tune their skills!

18/06/2025

We are so lucky to have such great venues locally here in the midlands.

Today I got some free CPD at Pickering Grange Equestrian for a Christian Langeder demo.

I haven’t followed Christians work before, but a client and friend, Kirsti France, recommended him to me.

An interesting demo, which followed much of my ethos of light, mindful work. One to do a little more research around!

Never stop learning!