Advanced Animal Performance

10/09/2025

The old boy loves to do this🤣🤣

THE HACK PIAFFE!! If you know you know!! They never do this when asked (not a dressage dive) but will always show their moves when they get their sights on the zoomy place you have your bombs round!!!

10/09/2025

What a great way to start my holiday🤣 cheers Tango🤦🏼‍♀️

I am on holiday until the 1st of October but still catching up with messages and booking appointments, just at a slower rate🐌

I am back to uni on the 22nd so my availability will be limited 🐴❤️

06/09/2025

Very interesting study, and also highlighting the importance of keeping your horses checked over regularly to diagnose these issues 🐴

🤓 Did you know?
In a study of 310 horses with back pain, 68% were diagnosed with kissing spine. Not that surprising, right?

🤯Well here's the shocking part…In the same study they found that out of 70 horses with NO history of back pain, 39% still showed signs of kissing spine on X-rays....

👉So, kissing spine doesn't have to be a career ending diagnosis. With proper, treatment (medical and non-medical) and training, a lot of horses can go on to be successful riding horses.

🧐It is my personal opinion, and the longer I do movement training the more certain I become, that kissing spine is frequently a posture problem.

Posture can be changed but what affects it goes way beyond just conformation.

Mental and emotional state are the big and often times overlooked influencers of posture, and changing that takes time and patience. Which is probably why so many people fail at retraining their horses.

❤️It requires you to look deeper at your horse but it also requires you to step back and take a look at yourself...

03/09/2025

🔎 Why Saddle Fit Matters More Than You Think

This video shows a client’s pony who had started to show clear signs of discomfort under saddle:
• Bucking
• Resistance to move forward
• Difficulty engaging properly

After assessing the pony, it was clear the saddle was too long, sitting past the last rib and putting direct pressure on the longissimus dorsi — the largest and most superficial muscle along the horse’s back. This muscle plays a key role in stabilising and extending the spine during movement. Constant pressure in this area can quickly lead to muscle fatigue, tension, and spasm.
The saddle was also affecting the thoracolumbar junction, where the more rigid thoracic spine meets the more mobile lumbar spine. This transition point is essential for collecting, lifting through the back, and engaging the hindquarters. When compromised, performance drops — and behavioural signs like bucking or resistance often follow.

Using my experience and hands-on assessment, I noticed early indicators like rubbed hair over the back and reactivity to palpation. A dynamic assessment confirmed limited range of motion and discomfort. While I’m not a qualified saddle fitter, nearly 20 years of working closely with horses has taught me how to spot the physical consequences of poor saddle fit.

There were also signs of compensation through the nuchal ligament, which supports the head and neck and connects into the thoracic spine. When the back is sore, horses will often adjust posture through the poll, neck, and forehand — which creates a chain of tension throughout the body.

📌 Once the saddle was removed and manual therapy was introduced, this pony began to show clear improvements in both movement and comfort.

✅ Key takeaway: A poorly fitted saddle doesn't just cause localised discomfort — it affects the horse’s entire back chain, posture, and performance. If your horse is showing signs of discomfort or behavioural changes, it’s worth considering saddle fit as a contributing factor.

01/09/2025

Another 3rd over the weekend for sponsored rider Ottilie and her new pony Timmy!

Keep up the fab work Ottilie!❤️

01/09/2025

❓ Is your horse feeling stiff, struggling with rehab, or just not performing at their best? ❓

That’s where I come in 🐴…

I’ve trained to the highest standards here in the UK and continue to grow my knowledge with regular CPD training, making sure I always bring the best, up-to-date care to every horse I see.

In 2023, I travelled to America🇺🇸 to further my education, studying shiatsu massage, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release with world-renowned equine therapists. This experience gave me advanced techniques that I now use to support horses of all ages and disciplines.

I’m also currently completing my veterinary chiropractic degree, ensuring I stay at the cutting edge of research and evidence-based practice in animal health.

✅ Fully qualified
✅ Fully insured with Balens
✅ Dedicated to your horse’s comfort, recovery & performance
Every horse deserves to feel and move their best – whether that’s for competition, leisure, or happy hacking. 🌟

📩 Get in touch today to see how I can help your horse feel their absolute best!

18/08/2025

Super interesting!! 😮😮

Great to see Melissa Troup Equestrian Coach BHSI & McTimoney Animal Chiropractor research into effects of rug layering on horses’ stride length featured in Horse&Rider Magazine this month.

Well done Melissa. 👏👏 McTimoney College of Chiropractic

18/08/2025

Our wonderful sponsored rider Ottilie, out and about on her new pony Timmy.

They attended Boyton Hall on Sunday for their first ever show together getting a clear round and a 3rd.

So excited to support and watch this pair on their continued adventures. Well done Ottilie and Timmy 🐴🥰❤️

16/08/2025

12/08/2025

💧 Is Your Horse Hydrated? How to Check in Hot Weather 🐴☀️ Please feel free to share to raise awareness❤️

Hot days mean higher risk of dehydration for our horses – and it can creep up quickly. Here’s how you can check in just seconds:

1️⃣ Skin Pinch Test

Gently pinch a fold of skin on your horse’s neck or shoulder. In a well-hydrated horse, it will spring back immediately.
⚠️ If it takes more than 2 seconds, dehydration could be a concern.

As you can see in this video, this horses skin doesn’t spring back immediately… dehydration is beginning to show. (The correct aftercare was taken to increase this horses hydration levels)

2️⃣ Gum Test (Capillary Refill Time)
Lift your horse’s upper lip and press a fingertip on the gum above the teeth.
✅ Healthy gums: pink, moist, and colour returns within 1–2 seconds.
⚠️ Warning signs: pale, dry/tacky gums or slow colour return.

💡 Tip: Perform these checks daily in hot weather, especially after exercise or travel.

If you see signs of dehydration, contact your vet immediately.

Keeping horses cool with shade, fresh water, and avoiding midday exercise will help prevent dehydration – but regular checks are your best defence.

📸 Share a photo of your horse staying cool this summer!

11/08/2025

Too hot for riding today, a bath and dry off in the shade for my boy today☀️☀️

What’s your day consisted of? Drop below in the comments⬇️⬇️