Journey of Phoenix - The horse everyone gave up on

03/25/2026

02/14/2026

“𝐆𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬” — 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

“Gelding scars” have become a hot topic on social media and within the massage and bodywork world. While the discussion often comes from a genuine place, the terminology and understanding surrounding it can be misleading.

The label of "Gelding Scar" in reality is not the accurate term.

Let’s break it down.

Any incision through tissue creates a scar. By definition, every gelding has a scar from castration. The presence of scar tissue alone is not abnormal — it is part of normal healing.

What matters more is how the surgery was performed and how the individual horse healed.

Years ago, a few european osteopaths brought to the United States a deeper anatomical and physiological understanding of castration’s and long-term effects. They recognized that some geldings develop internal and external restrictions depending on:

•The surgical method used
•The tools and amount of traction applied
•The degree of tissue trauma
•Post-operative healing
•The mobility and health of anatomical structures that remain connected after removal of the testicle and epididymis

Structures still connected through the vas deferens, vascular supply, neurological pathways, fascia, and associated connective tissues can influence the lumbar spine, diaphragm, sacrum, hind limbs, bladder, kidneys, and urethral region and more.

When excessive traction or force is applied during surgery, especially to structures still attached, tension patterns and pathology may develop. These often lead to very typical "symptoms" such as:

•Difficulty engaging the hindquarters
•Shortened stride or Toe dragging behind
•Difficulty with or maintaining one canter lead
•“Bunny hopping” at the canter
•Resistance to lateral work
•Ear pinning when asked to engage hind end
•Difficulty lifting through the sternum
•Sensitivity along the ventral midline
•Tightness through the psoas region
•head tossing

& more...

These are not “mystical scar adhesions,” but biomechanical and physiological responses within interconnected systems.

Everything in the body is connected. Restrictions do not exist in isolation.

Through training in European Visceral Equine Osteopathy, we assess if internal structures may be involved. If deeper visceral structures are involved, superficial massage of the scrotal area will not resolve the restriction. It requires anatomical knowledge, palpatory skill, and an understanding of how internal mobility influences the entire system.

There are osteopathic approaches that can improve mobility of structures affected by castration.

As with any restriction, we must assess the whole horse — not just the incision site.

If you are interested in a comprehensive assessment or would like to learn more about how castration may be influencing your gelding’s biomechanics, feel free to reach out. We are happy to help!

12/06/2025

𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞…

We recently visited a horse we see on a regular basis. Normally he greets us with ease, soft eyes, curious, comfortable.

But this time was different.

He was anxious. Worried. On edge. His body said he wanted to leave.

The owner quietly suspected another professional in the barn was the cause. No “proof,” just a feeling based on the horses actions.

And here’s the important part:

As soon as that professional left the barn, the horse returned to his normal self. Instantly.

No drama. No lingering tension. Just back to being the horse we know.

Horses don’t behave this way “for no reason.” They communicate through their bodies, their breath, their expression, and when something feels unsafe or uncomfortable, they show us.

The owner could have dismissed instinct, chalked it up to training issues, or like so many horses endure, punished the behavior.

Instead, the owner listened.

Shoutout to the owners who choose awareness over reaction. Who observe first, rather than correct first. Who understand that a reason always exists.

Because when we’re willing to listen, horses never stop telling the truth.

09/04/2025

𝑫𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌?

For just $25, we’ll check your horse to see if their mouth is in balance or if dental work is needed.

✅ Quick & easy
✅ No commitment
✅ Honest insight into your horse’s health

Give your horse the comfort and care they deserve.

12/17/2024

Today was special.

Recently, Phoenix showed a "change" to his right front hoof (not lamness but balance wear change). It was time to evaluate further.

Phoenix was a classic case of modern dentistry and training. This did not help his body, which was plagued with trauma. In general terms, his teeth had "too much" dentistry. The reason for this was no one understood why he had the pathology he did in his teeth. This made his molars very small "low crown". He had a hard time chewing his food amongst many other consequences.

Phoenix being the muse in my life, the reason I went back to school... I held him in a regard that in order to help him, I wasn't good enough. I constantly would second guess myself.

Today was completely different. Humbly and confidently, we worked to help Phoenix. Knowing exactly what to do to help him.

Over 8 years of school to get to this point and looking at him, the horse he has become, not one second or sign he was in distress, worried, fearful or stressed is the best feeling in the world.

Thank you to my family for sticking by me and Phoenix, allowing me to venture down a rare educational path and believing in us.

Thank you Lauren Poteet not only for being my friend but my partner and the "objective" one when it comes to my guys. It's not always easy to be the practitioner with your own herd... when feelings are involved.

Thank you Vanessa Helvey for your support and friendship. It's been a road huh?! You are an incredible healer and TRUE Osteopath.

Phoenix is the reason I became an Osteopath, Osteopathic Dentist and Podiatrist. Finishing school isn't the celebration, it's being able to help Phoenix and horses like Phoenix that is. In order to help and understand him, it required YEARS of study and school. Unfortunately, veterinary means did not have the answers, understanding, or able to provide the help Phoenix needed. This doesn't mean veterinary medicine isn't helpful. Veterinarians are not Osteopaths and Osteopaths are not Veterinarians. The specialties are just different.

If your are interested in learning more, check out Infinity Equine. If you are in Arizona & surrounding areas reach out to Vanessa Helvey!

09/18/2024

𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲

Equine Osteopathic Dentistry takes understanding the horses WHOLE body mobility into account while "balancing" the dental occlusion of the horse.

Horses erupt tooth throughout their lives however, they ONLY HAVE A LIMITED SUPPLY for a lifetime. Once it's gone it gone.

This fact is incredibly important to understand as Equine Dentistry currently does not have the horses' individuality or long-term wellness at the forefront. Not on purpose but the education and understanding the bodies' entire anatomy, physiology, and mobility lacks. The immediate "sharp points" and "malocclusion" pathologies are identified and removed. The teeth are viewed as structures that need to be symmetrical, visually perfect, and so on. The problem with this is not being able to understand why pathologies and imbalances occur in the first place in the mouth.

Not only "how" we do what we do is important but "why". So many theories and schools of thought exist. Osteopathic Dentistry sets apart the questions and takes into account the entire anatomy, physiology mobility, and more of the horse.

Our goal is to not only improve the balance but identify and work with the cause of the imbalance (which can be anywhere in the body). VERY often nerves and vascularity are affected. This causes behavior concerns, reluctance to the bit, headshaking, adverse reactions when touching ears or pole area, weight concerns, stress, salivation issues, reoccurring areas of tension, reoccurring areas the need "to be adjusted" & more.

We are often asked why our dentist evaluates the entire body prior to addressing the mouth. Simply put "it is all connected, and to be able to effectively address any imbalance, we need to be able to work in your horses individual best interest".

If your interested in Equine Osteopathy or Equine Osteopathic Dentistry reach out, send us a message, call or FB us.

01/19/2024

So many different dimensions explored up to this point. Phoenix is a muse!

Completely different horse.

11/25/2023

09/08/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=242330072136354&id=100090780892908&mibextid=avESrC

What is relaxation and why is it important when with horses?

Horses’ natural response to uncomfortable situations is to flee and can startle easily. Horses are also very sensitive, and they can feel a human heartbeat 4 feet away. Knowing these things, it is only logical to want a horse in a relaxing atmosphere when interacting with them.

Horses are non-verbal communicators (obviously), but they do talk if you are willing to hear them. They talk through body language. Even very subtle movements are clear communication. Sadly, most only hear loud communication such as pinning ears, kicking, stomping, biting. Imagine how much happier horses would be if they didn’t have to yell so loud. Any parent can understand and relate to this. This goes both ways, such as a rider that has loud aids. Horses are sensitive to touch. How I see it, strong aids are our way of pinning ears, kicking, stomping, and biting at the horse.

If we are willing to be in the moment and listen to the subtle communication, then the horse will in return be willing to listen to the rider’s subtle aids. When I say “subtle” I mean flowing, soft, effortless. It’s being so in the moment, open enough where the conversation is magical. It’s like a faint whisper, a frequency, an intuition. True understanding that is a complete effortless flowing feeling.

If a horse is stressed, annoyed, misunderstood, pushed, feeling off, tired or just having a bad day like us, their body will hold tension. It is our job to help them find relaxation so they can cope with emotions. If they are having trouble, can’t cope, don’t feel listened to or respected, they naturally go into protection. Fight, flight, or freeze. Nothing good comes from this as they cannot use their body correctly. By incorrectly using muscles will create compensation patterns. Horses will sacrifice themselves to please us. It is important for the rider to be educated enough to know the differences and how to create relaxation. If not, over time it will create injury. This usually starts with labeling a behavior then to lameness. Often, this is where a rider loses confidence not only in themselves but also in their horse due to behavior.

In the end, this is truly unfair to both the horse and rider.

So, what if there was an instructor that could help and educate the rider about themselves and horse so they can thrive in true partnership? Someone that could see imbalances whether it was the horse or rider? Able to offer understanding and help to find true relaxation, flow effortlessness, soft connection, true partnership and confidence between horse and rider?

Would you take a lesson?

-Lauren Poteet

08/30/2023

Does your horse need a trim? Are you concerned about lamness, laminitis or founder?

We have some openings to work with our Podiatrist & Anatomy/Physiology Specialists!

Focusing on Rehabilitation and taking on regular clients as well.

Reach out to get on our schedule!

*Located in Chesapeake City*

Trailer in prices slightly less than travel
Trailer in $60 & up
Travel $70 & up

Donkeys & Mules too!

08/29/2023

Frank...
Is a 24ish year old "rescue" OTTB living his life out in a sanctuary. Frank is a shell of a horse and the only emotion he expresses to humans is that of fear learned from pain.

He has acres upon acres of grass to graze on. Unfortunatley, he can no longer process nutrients efficiently to maintain a healthy weight.

Upon examining his mouth, he presented with multiple fractures due to previous trauma. It was also evident that untreated oral bacteria/Infection events caused significant decay and additional fracturing. One of which was in his incisors...decayed and broke into many sharp pieces that caused a huge ulcer. This led to permanent scarring under his lip.

The tooth in this picture is one of the last teeth in his mouth. It came out in hand very easily and unexpectedly. It was extremely sad because he no longer has the dignity of his teeth.

The importance of dental care in horses is so essential. It is not about smoothing every edge or "sharp point" but truly understanding what the individual needs. They have a LIMITED supply of tooth eruption in their life and we MUST treat it with caution and care. Horses develop anomalies in their mouth for a reason. Humans, need to learn this. Floating the teeth due to antiquated ideas or limited education needs to change.

Frank had years of "removing sharp points" through power floating and typical hand "floating".

I will forever carry this tooth with me as a reminder how precious and important Dentistry is to each and every horse.

Each is an individual. Patterns of their body and hooves, show up in their teeth (and vice versa).

Thank you Frank for showing how important this journey is. Your struggle is not without purpose.