The Horse Physio

21/03/2026

The Ridden Horse Performance Checklist
8: Repeated changes of head position (up / down, but not in rhythm with trot)

Research shows that if 8 or more of this list of 24 ridden behaviours are shown, it’s highly likely that the horse is in musculoskeletal pain.
Find out more on the Harmonious Horsemanship website.
The Ridden Horse Performance Checklist is adapted from:
Dyson, Sue & Berger, Jeannine & Ellis, Andrea & Mullard, Jessica. (2017). Development of an ethogram for a pain scoring system in ridden horses and its application to determine the presence of musculoskeletal pain. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.10.008

Head tossing or telling you something?
When a horse’s head bobs or lifts and drops repeatedly during trot—and it’s not in rhythm with the gait—it may be easy to assume they’re being fresh, resistant, or inattentive. But it could be something far more important.
This behaviour is one of the 24 signs in the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), developed through rigorous scientific research to identify musculoskeletal discomfort under saddle.
In Harmonious Horsemanship, co-authored with Dr Sue Dyson, we explore how to interpret these subtle but significant signs—and what you can do next to support your horse.

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👉 www.thehorsephysio.co.uk/newsletter



Image shared with thanks to Train with Trust
https://www.facebook.com/trainwithtrust
https://trainwithtrust.com

21/03/2026

The Connection Between Horse and Human
Over the years, I’ve seen how closely horse and human reflect one another.
When a horse moves freely and comfortably, the rider does too. And when we take care of our own health and happiness, our horses feel the benefit.
That’s why my work bridges both — physiotherapy and education for horses and humans. It’s about understanding, prevention, and compassion; about movement, strength, and partnership.
Read more about how harmony begins with understanding:
🌿 Healthy Humans, Happy Horses: How Physiotherapy Brings Harmony to Horse and Human
👉 https://www.thehorsephysio.co.uk/healthy-humans-happy-horses-a-journey-of-harmony-and-well-being/

21/03/2026

Improve your partnership, unlock your horse’s potential.
Recognising and addressing pain leads to a happier, more willing horse. Learn how in Harmonious Horsemanship—the essential guide for every rider. 🐎💡
📖 Order now! Sign up for The Horse Physio newsletter for the link and a 20% discount - link in bio!

21/03/2026

A client once said to me,
“He’s just a bit tight… but he always is this time of year.”

When I placed my hands on his back, there was a subtle holding through one side. Nothing dramatic. No big reaction. Just a quiet guarding.

That small awareness changed how we managed his workload over the following weeks.

Massage isn’t about fixing everything.
It’s about noticing earlier.

That’s why I created the Horse Massage Mini Masterclass — a gentle introduction to using your hands more thoughtfully.

If you’d like to begin, you can join here:
https://email.thehorsephysio.co.uk/h/r/F57E816D351E9CAD2540EF23F30FEDED

21/03/2026

Today I’m grateful for good health, fresh coffee, and the weekend.

What are you grateful for today?

21/03/2026

20/03/2026

A saddle slipping to one side…
It’s easy to assume it’s a saddle problem.

But what if it isn’t?

Often, what we’re seeing is asymmetry in the horse’s movement.

The saddle is just responding to what’s happening underneath it.

Not the cause…

But the consequence.

And this is where our role changes.

From fixing…

To understanding.

If you’d like to explore this way of thinking more, I share reflections like this each week — link in bio.

Read the full blog here: https://thehorsephysio.thinkific.com/pages/blog?p=saddle-slip-in-horses-asymmetry

20/03/2026

Horses can get confused if we give mixed messages. Asking them to go faster and slower at the same time, for example, can leave them not knowing what to do.

“Simple lines and words that say more than many long paragraphs.”

From Drawn to Horses, a gentle book of reflections and drawings about life with horses.

Available here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drawn-Horses-Mothers-Daughters-Reflections/dp/1919214712

20/03/2026

The Ridden Horse Performance Checklist
7: The bit pulled through the mouth on one side (left or right)

Research shows that if 8 or more of this list of 24 ridden behaviours are shown, it’s highly likely that the horse is in musculoskeletal pain.
Find out more on the Harmonious Horsemanship website.
The Ridden Horse Performance Checklist is adapted from:
Dyson, Sue & Berger, Jeannine & Ellis, Andrea & Mullard, Jessica. (2017). Development of an ethogram for a pain scoring system in ridden horses and its application to determine the presence of musculoskeletal pain. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.10.008

When the bit slips, ask why.
If the bit is being pulled through your horse’s mouth on one side during ridden work, it’s more than a tack issue—it may be a sign that something isn’t right.
This is one of the 24 behaviours listed in the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE), a research-based tool designed to help identify pain that often goes unnoticed. Asymmetry like this could suggest discomfort affecting how your horse is using their body.
In Harmonious Horsemanship, co-authored with Dr Sue Dyson, we explain how these signs can be recognised and what they might mean—so you can respond with informed compassion.

🌿 Sign up to my newsletter for early access to resources, regular insights, and a 20% discount on the book.
👉 www.thehorsephysio.co.uk/newsletter



Image shared with thanks to Train with Trust
https://www.facebook.com/trainwithtrust
https://trainwithtrust.com

20/03/2026

My Philosophy of Care
I believe physiotherapy is both a science and an art. The science gives us knowledge; the art lies in how we apply it to each individual — horse, human, or partnership.
My approach is evidence-informed, proactive, and compassionate. It’s about helping you and your horse move freely, comfortably, and confidently, with strength, balance, and understanding.
Whether through a treatment, a book, or an online course, my goal is the same: to share knowledge that empowers — and to help create harmony between horse and human.
💚 Healthy Humans, Happy Horses: How Physiotherapy Brings Harmony to Horse and Human
👉 https://www.thehorsephysio.co.uk/healthy-humans-happy-horses-a-journey-of-harmony-and-well-being/

20/03/2026

Riding should never be a battle.
If your horse resists, rushes, or seems ‘grumpy’ under saddle, they might be trying to tell you something. Harmonious Horsemanship helps you decode their behaviour. 📖🐎
🔗 Buy now! Sign up for The Horse Physio newsletter for the link and a 20% discount - link in bio!