JR Horse Services

03/26/2026

Backing Up has Big Benefits

If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know this is one of Gillian’s all-time favourite exercises and for good reason.

Backing up is a simple, low-impact movement with no moment of suspension, making it ideal for horses at all levels. It can be performed both in-hand and under saddle, with the horse stepping in clear diagonal pairs.

When done correctly — with relaxation, impulsion, and a softly lowered head, backing up offers powerful benefits:
✨ Increases thoracic vertebral rotation
✨ Encourages core engagement (abdominals, thoracic sling, and hip flexors)
✨ Improves back mobility and posture
✨ Supports collection and overall way of going

This exercise asks your horse to shift more weight onto the hindquarters, maintaining flexion through the hindlimbs, lumbosacral area, and back throughout each step.

How to get started:
Begin with just 1–2 quality steps, and gradually build up to around 20. Focus on long, marching, correct steps rather than rushing or quantity.

Consistency is key. Try to include backing up as part of your daily in-hand work.

Want to perfect your technique?
Comment 'back' below and we’ll send you Gillian’s top tips video for a better back-up.

03/24/2026

I just treated this roach backed horse and am very pleased with the immediate change in the lumbar spine. 😎

03/20/2026

Spontaneous change of plans, yet almost booked out 😉

03/20/2026

FYI: Appointments are booked out until the 2nd half of April! I won't turn anyone away, but please note that it won't be possible to see your horse immediately. Picture of nosey patient for attention ;-)

03/19/2026

Patient of the day ❤️

03/15/2026

😍🐴

03/14/2026

Heads up! If the gas prices don't recover by mid April, I will need to postpone my trip out West! The RV is very thirsty and with the planned route I'd currently spend $4000 on gas alone, campgrounds not included 😳

03/12/2026

03/11/2026

Owners going through “laminitis” can often tell you everything in numbers.

The insulin numbers.
The ACTH numbers.
The number of kilos of hay fed each day.
The number of paracetamol tablets.
The grams of Danilon or bute per day.
The millilitres of the latest “laminitis supplement”.

But when I ask a simple question… how many centimetres are your horse’s heels?

Most owners have absolutely no idea.

And this is not me blaming owners. Not at all.

Many owners trust that their hoof care provider is keeping their horse’s hooves healthy and balanced. That trust is completely understandable.

But the uncomfortable reality is that very often they are not.

Time and time again we see hooves that are seriously out of balance. When this happens, the internal structures of the hoof (the pedal bone/P3), become imbalanced as well. The internal anatomy is forced to compensate for poor hoof mechanics.

The horse becomes sore.

X rays are taken.

And the diagnosis becomes “laminitis”, usually blamed on diet, inflammation, or metabolic issues.

Yet almost nobody stops to ask the obvious question.

What role did hoof balance play in the first place?

This is why I constantly encourage owners to spend some time learning about hoof care. You do not need to become a farrier or trimmer, but understanding the basics can make a huge difference to your horse’s long term soundness.

The resources are out there.
Much of it is freely available.

And the more owners understand about their horse’s feet, the better chance those horses have of staying comfortable and sound. 🐴

03/08/2026

I often hear people say "we had many different therapists come out, but I never felt a difference when I rode, until you treated the horse".
Remember: the part of your horse's spine that you see and feel is only a tiny, thin spinal process of every vertebrae. The actual vertebraes are deep down under 3 layers of muscle and connective tissue. By massaging only the surface and manipulating a small spinal process, you won't get a release of the actual blockage that is so far away from where you work with your hands. No offense, we all enjoy a nice massage and there's nothing wrong with getting one. But people see and feel the alignment of the spine after energetic osteopathy because the muscle spindle cells are treated deep down, next to the actual vertebraes.