Connecticut River Equine

09/08/2025

Fall Laminitis Awareness

It's time to keep fall laminitis on your radar for your equines! Depending on where you are on the globe, the seasonal shifts may already be causing some problems, and for others it may be a bit later into the fall.

There are a few reasons why fall laminitis happens in equines.

The seasonal changes, like increased rain, can trigger new growth of grass, just like it does in the spring. This new grass growth is higher in sugar. The frosty nights that start occuring add another layer of problems. Photosynthesis, which creates sugars during the day, is happening just like in spring and summer, but in the warmer temperatures, respiration occurs overnight and the plants utilize their sugar storage for growth,making grass lowest in sugar in the early morning. In cooler temps, respiration is suppressed and the sugars are retained overnight so that sugar content is not going down! Often we will tell people in the spring and summer that early morning grazing is the safest but that is NOT the case when the temperatures drop below 6 degrees C (43 F) at night.

On top of the grass being higher in sugar, another factor is that equine's metabolisms are gearing up for the winter! The body naturally goes through hormonal shifts to increase fat storage and quite a bit of energy goes into growing the new coats. Insulin levels naturally rise this time of year, but in animals with metabolic issues, the sugar levels in the grass can create dangerous levels of insulin in the body, triggering laminitis.

And then there is PPID ( Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction-formerly known as Cushings disease), which is responsible for a lot of fall laminitis cases due to the seasonal rise of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) during the late summer/Fall.
It's normal for ACTH to elevate in all equines this time of year as it is part of the body preparing for winter, however in PPID horses the rise can become quite excessive. This rise creates elevated cortisol, which can either cause hoof pain due to decrease in circulation or induce insulin resistance, triggering laminitis. Equine's don't even need to be eating fall grass for this to occur as it happens all on it's own when they have unmanaged PPID. Access to higher sugar feed ( hay, grass or concentrates) increases the risk of insulin related laminitis even more in these animals. Subclinical or acute fall laminitis is often one of the first signs of PPID, so make sure if you have an equine that is showing signs of sore feet this time of year, that PPID and insulin testing is part of your investigation into why. Keeping your PPID animals moving as much as possible over the colder months is also imperative to keeping their circulation healthy and preventing fall and winter laminitis.

Something else that isn't always discussed is also how the new grass growth affects the gut. Sudden changes in diet, increased carbohydrates, different fibre/moisture content etc can change the microbiome in ways that negatively affect the animal, either just with diarrhea or f***l water, or more seriously with colic and laminitis. This type of laminitis is not always linked to insulin, but actually to toxicity in the gut due to unhealthy bacterial growth or die off and how that affects fermentation in the gut. An equine does not need to have insulin regulation issues to suffer from this type of laminitis.

There are other factors that may contribute to sore feet during this time of year that are not caused by laminitis. One of the main ones is seasonal shedding of callused material. This shedding is perfectly normal and natural, but depending on the footing they live on, or the weather, this can cause temporary discomfort because their built up summer protection has disappeared. In a healthy hoof, the newly exposed and softer sole and frog should harden up quickly. Having hoof boots on hand to aid in this transitional period during seasonal shifts can help for exercising comfortably. In cases where hooves are already compromised or rehabilitating, good therapeutic turnout boots or some other form of hoof protection ( tons of options these days!) can keep the comfortable.

If your equine is experiencing hoof pain this time of year and it is accompanied by heat, digital pulses, reluctance to move ( so many people call subclinical laminitic horses "Lazy"), exaggerated heel first landings in the front feet, leaning back off the front hooves or standing in strange postures, laying down more frequently or for longer periods, increased respiration, difficulty turning or going down hills, or other unusual signs of discomfort, please contact your vet and hoof care provider. Laminitis IS an emergency, and the triggers need to be identified and eliminated ASAP and a treatment and rehabilitation plan put in action to prevent serious damage and dysfunction.

07/28/2025

07/03/2025

Listened to the episode on arthrogenic muscle inhibition today. Excellent content!

My Podcast is coming back!!

*Vet Physio Research Rewind* explores the background, science, and significance behind equine physiotherapy research. Join me as I reflect on my own studies, critique methodologies, and connect the dots between past findings and the wider industry landscape. It’s a deep dive into the ‘why’, ‘how’, and ‘what next’ of veterinary physio research. It’s a mix of storytelling, science, and reflection for anyone interested in how we care for our equine athletes and companions. There's also some doggy tails in there too!

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gillian-tabor/episodes/Vet-Physio-Research-Rewind---My-new-podcast-direction-e34v14r

06/01/2025

Turnout is one of the most polarizing topics in modern horse keeping. So, let’s skip the debate. We’ve gathered some results from veterinary science, peer-reviewed journals, and international welfare assessments. These are real numbers, from real studies, so you can make strategic decisions rooted in evidence, not tradition.

-A 25% reduction in soft tissue injuries was found in adult horses turned out for at least 12 hours daily, compared to those kept in stalls greater than 12 hours daily. (Reilly & Bryk-Lucy, 2021)

-Comparing turnout duration, a study found that horses with only 2 hours of turnout exhibited significantly higher energy levels, anxiety, and behaviors such as rearing, bucking, and fence running, whereas horses receiving over 12 hours of turnout were more likely to walk, graze, and remain calm. (Hockenhull & Creighton, 2010)

-Foals receiving inconsistent turnout (9 to 23 hours per day) had 4.6 times more musculoskeletal injuries than those with 24/7 access to turnout. Furthermore, for every extra acre of turnout, there was a 24% reduction in injury risk. (Brown-Douglas et al., 2022)

-A study on 2-year-old horses found that those kept in individual stalls required more time to get used to training activities and showed more unwanted behaviors, like resistance or agitation, than horses kept on pasture. The stalled horses needed an average of 26 minutes of training time, while the pastured horses needed only 19 minutes, to complete the same task. Additionally, the stalled horses were more likely to show unwanted behaviors during training (8 instances on average compared to just 2 for pastured horses). (Rivera et al., 2002)

-Stall-kept livestock experience a higher incidence of hoof-related issues, including uneven hoof growth and lameness, while those with access to turnout demonstrated healthier, more balanced hoof development. (Black, R.A. et al., 2017)

-A European welfare study using the AWIN protocol assessed 315 horses in group-housing turnout systems. Only 2.3% of these horses exhibited signs of lameness, compared to lameness rates as high as 33% in stalled horses across various studies. (AWIN Welfare Assessment, 2023)

-Within just one day of moving from group turnout to individual stalling, equine cortisol levels spike, and their white blood cell count shows significant changes, including a 25% increase in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and a decrease in infection-fighting cells like monocytes and T cells. Additionally, behaviors indicative of stress, such as oral manipulation, neighing, pawing, and apathy, became evident in most horses within a week. (Schmucker et al., 2022)

-Horses with regular turnout showed higher heart rate variability, indicating improved balance in their autonomic nervous system and greater stress resilience. (Rietmann et al., 2004)

-Welsh ponies who received daily pasture turnout in a herd exhibited fewer stress-related behaviors, were significantly calmer, less fearful, less reactive, more interactive with humans, and more adaptable in learning tasks compared to ponies housed in impoverished environments (stalls with limited turnout). Even three months after the study, ponies in the enriched group retained these positive behaviors and demonstrated higher curiosity and superior learning performance. (Lansade et al., 2014)

Can you find a single peer-reviewed study that shows horses kept stabled 24/7 are sounder, healthier, or happier than those with regular turnout? Even the most finely tuned, performance-focused horses are still horses. Just like any other, they require room to roam, stretch their legs, and engage in natural behaviors such as grazing and socializing.

It’s important to recognize that no horse truly dislikes turnout. If a horse resists going outside, it’s due to improper conditioning, previous negative experiences, or being overwhelmed by a sudden change in environment: what’s known as "flooding." Horses who’ve been confined for extended periods or who’ve never had proper exposure to outdoor spaces may react with anxiety or reluctance. These reactions stem from fear, not from an inherent dislike of turnout. With patience and gradual exposure, every horse can be reconditioned to embrace the outdoors. After all, instincts tell them to roam, graze, and move, it's in their nature.

Of course, there are times when limiting a horse's movement is necessary, such as during health issues or transportation. In these instances, it’s crucial to understand the physiological and psychological changes that occur so we can minimize stress and discomfort.

Turnout is a biological necessity. To support our horses’ overall health and well-being, we must prioritize their freedom to move. After all, a healthy, happy horse is one that has the opportunity to be just that: a horse.

05/30/2025

I am completely blown away on Day 1. I knew this was going to be amazing!

05/28/2025

Trailering horses in the summer months comes with some special concerns.>>>https://bit.ly/EQSummerTraileringTips

05/08/2025

01/28/2025

These last two dissections solidified my mission. Each body laid before me provided exactly what I needed—confirmation, clarity, and an unshakable anchor in the stance I have taken in the equine industry.

Today, I want to honor these two lives—their stories, their bodies, and the undeniable truths they revealed.

Because here’s the thing: The body is not a collection of isolated parts. There is no clear line where one tissue ends and another begins. It is a seamless, functional unit. If you have never witnessed this firsthand, I strongly urge you to attend a dissection. Only then can you truly grasp the magnitude of A.T. Still’s foundational principle: The body is a unit.

Each of these horses had a story. One, perhaps, more heartbreaking than the other, but both equally profound.

A story of wear and tear—bodies pushed beyond their limits, living in dysfunction for the sake of survival.

A story of stoicism—pain and dysfunction endured at a level no human I know could withstand without breaking.

A story of pathology—dysfunction assessed by vets, yet only fully understood post-mortem.

As I disassembled their tissues, I felt their stories move through me. And in some strange way, I felt relief—relief that they no longer had to bear the weight of their bodies as instinct-driven survivors, forced to push through in silence.

Neither of these horses were abused. In fact, both were deeply loved and cared for by their owners. And that is what makes these revelations so staggering.

Because if these horses—loved, managed, and given every advantage—carried so much dysfunction, then what about the horses who are truly neglected? Pushed to compete beyond their limits? Ignored when they cry out in subtle ways?

What might their bodies reveal?

Here’s my biggest takeaway: A powerful affirmation that what we observe, palpate, assess, and analyze in living horses is real.

The movement patterns we question.
The restrictions we feel in soft tissue.
The dysfunction we suspect in joints.

It’s all there.

And yet, when I bring these findings to horse owners, my recommendations are too often dismissed.

But now, I have held these truths in my hands—both in life and in death. And I will not forget.

I thank these two horses deeply—for the lessons, for the perspective, and for reigniting something in me that had begun to wane under the weight of entrepreneurship and the relentless push of this work.

Because at the core of it all is this: Listen to the horse.
Many of the dysfunctions we uncovered this week may never have been visible on imaging. Had these horses still been alive, they could have been misdiagnosed, mislabeled—or worse, left undiagnosed entirely.

They were lucky. Many are not.

So for the love of the horse—listen to them.

If they struggle, resist, or show you aversive feedback, seek professional support. And if that professional dismisses you—find someone else. There are practitioners out there who will listen.

I met over 40 of them this past week. In one state.

Keep searching. Keep questioning. Keep advocating.

The horse is counting on you.

A heartfelt thank you to Alwardt Mueller Trinity Equine Services and School of Animal Massage for facilitating this profound learning experience. Because of you, many horses lives will be improved.

08/18/2024

Pain and discomfort behaviors in horses tend to be incredibly subtle, and not always appreciated or recognized by many equine professionals and/or experienced horse owners.

This subtlety makes it all the more important for us to be acutely aware of even the smallest changes in our horses' behavior and demeanor.

One behavior that can sometimes indicate discomfort is the Flehmen response. While it's often just your horse's way of investigating interesting smells, there's more to this expression than we think.

The Science Behind It.

The Flehmen response primarily helps horses analyze scents by transferring them to the vomeronasal organ (Jacobson's organ) in the roof of their mouth. This organ is critical for processing pheromones and other chemical signals, especially those related to reproduction and individual identification.

The Muscles Involved.

• Levator Labii Superioris: This muscle lifts the upper lip.
• Lateral Nasal Dilator: Responsible for flaring the nostrils.
• Caninus and Zygomaticus: These work together to pull the corners of the lips upward and backward.

The coordinated action of these muscles is what creates that distinctive silly expression.

When Flehmen Might Signal Stress.

While usually a normal investigative behavior, the Flehmen response can sometimes indicate stress, anxiety, or physical discomfort in your horse.

Here's what to watch for.

• Increased frequency, prolonged or repeated responses, especially in familiar environments
• The behavior occurring without new smells around (at least as far as we humans can detect)
• The behavior accompanied by other stress signs like sweating, elevated heart rate, or restlessness
• The behavior occurring during sudden environmental changes

Why You Should Care.

Understanding the nuances of the Flehmen response can help you:
• Identify potential stressors in your horse's environment
• Adjust your horse’s program if your horse seems overwhelmed
• Monitor your horse's health more effectively
• Communicate valuable information to your vet or equine professionals

What You Can Do.

• Observe: Pay attention to when and where your horse exhibits the Flehmen response.
• Context is Key: Consider what's happening in the environment when you notice this behavior.
• Keep Records: Note any changes in frequency or context of the Flehmen response in your horse's records.
• Be Patient: If you notice this behavior during training or in new situations, allow your horse time to process and adjust.
• Consult Professionals: If you're concerned about increased Flehmen responses, discuss it with your vet or equine behaviorist.

Remember, EVERY behavior our horses exhibit is a form of communication one way or another.

07/18/2024

“Whilst osteopathic lesions can be painful, they also produce far-reaching physiological effects, which can impact the body globally and wreak havoc on many of the animal’s systems.” E. Andrews
This is why osteopaths analyse the whole body and use their detailed understanding of the physiological processes and anatomical connections to understand not only the local but also global impact dysfunctions can have.

06/08/2024

Somehow good horsemanship mostly gets a failing grade in the understanding of how to properly develop a horse's ability to carry itself.

We see so many horses travelling with a hollowed back.

The bottom picture contributes greatly to ulcers, sore back, neck issues, bad teeth wearing, stifle and hock issues, weird wear patterns on the feet, a loss of work ethic and many other problems.

Poor development will also lead to a shorter span of sound working time

In other words, your horse won't last nearly as long.

We sure have to learn how to do better.

Thank you to hertzensferd.de for this really good illustration

06/07/2024

Do You Really Understand Your Horse’s Vision?

We all know that horses are dichromats and can only perceive two color pigments (blues and yellows). This makes their color vision dramatically more muted than our trichromatic human vision.

Even bright green tones that seem distinct to our eyes can be extremely difficult for horses to differentiate from green backgrounds like grass or bushes. Their limited dichromatic vision simply cannot tease apart different shades within the green spectrum when there isn’t enough contrast.

A 2014 study looked at whether fence color itself affected show jumping accuracy in a group of 20 horses ridden by 2 professionals. The study found that when jumping in a well-lit or white indoor arena, horses made significantly more errors like knocked rails when negotiating blue fences compared to green ones. Mares showed an even bigger difference than geldings and stallions, struggling more over the blue jumps. This suggests potential sex-related variation in color perception or cognitive processing. However, when the experiment moved outdoors onto a grass surface, they struggled equally between the blue and green fences outside. This highlights how environmental contrast and conditions likely influence their ability to discriminate hues.

When horses can’t clearly differentiate jump elements from the surroundings, this causes significant stress, anxiety, and confusion for the horse which can lead to: ▪️Increased muscle tension ▪️Technique and postural issues▪️Higher risk of soft tissue injuries

So what can we do to set our horses up for a safer, less stressful experience?

✅Use blue and yellow jumps or wings ✅Place bright orange or white cones/markers next to jumps ✅Paint thick black and white stripes on jump cups/standards ✅Use solid colored jump rails against contrasting backgrounds ✅Add checkerboard panels on wings using differentiated blues/yellows ❌Avoid using just red and green tones on jumps ❌Keep jump decorations simple, avoiding multi-colored patterns

At the end of the day, your horse will have unique color biases that you should get to know well to minimize the stress in his body, anxiety, and injury risks.