Elite Equine Rehab - EER

24/10/2025

🐴 Welcome to Elite Equine Rehab! 🐴

**Where Making Comebacks Bigger than Setbacks is Our Specialty!**

At Elite Equine Rehab, we specialize in providing top-notch post-surgical and injury supportive veterinary care tailored for your beloved horses. With over **27 years of experience**, our accredited rehabilitation specialist is dedicated to ensuring your equine companions receive the best possible care.

Our Services Include:
- **PEMF Therapy**: Promotes healing and reduces inflammation.
- **Multi-Level Laser Therapy**: Enhances tissue repair and pain relief.
- **Cold Compression Therapy**: Reduces swelling and aids recovery.
- **Shockwave Therapy**: Accelerates healing and improves mobility.
- **Functional Therapy**: Customized rehabilitation programs to restore strength and flexibility.
-**HaloTherapy**: Increase oxygen saturation through clearing the lungs to aid in clearing breathing issus and promote healing systemicly.

Why Choose Elite Equine Rehab?
- **Expert Care**: Our specialist brings decades of experience to every treatment.
- **State-of-the-Art Equipment**: We utilize the latest technologies to ensure effective recovery.
- **Compassionate Environment**: Your horse’s well-being is our top priority.

**Rehabilitate, Restore, and Revive** your equine partner with us!

📞 **Contact Us Today!**
Schedule a consultation and let us help your horse get back to their best self!

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719-428-0104

24/10/2025

20/10/2025

Research indicates that horses with kissing spines—characterized by overlapping or impinging dorsal spinous processes—often experience inflammation or fibrosis of the interspinous ligament.

This chronic irritation can result in several significant issues:

🔹 **Increased Sensory Nerve Fibers (Hyper-innervation)**
• This phenomenon, known as neuronal sprouting, frequently occurs in chronically inflamed or damaged tissues.
• It increases sensitivity in the affected area to mechanical pressure, movement, and even gentle touch.

🔹 **Clinical Implications**
• This heightened sensitivity explains why horses with kissing spines may exhibit erratic or unpredictable behaviors while being ridden, despite showing no obvious signs of lameness.
• Pain from hyper-innervated tissue can be sharp and localized, often intensified by back movement or the pressure of a saddle or rider.

Osteopathy can be extremely beneficial for horses both before and after kissing spines surgery. Its holistic approach focuses on optimizing body mechanics and facilitating recovery through various techniques, including:

✅ **Enhancing Mobility**: Gentle manipulations can help realign the spine and improve range of motion, which is vital for pre-surgery preparation and post-surgery recovery.
✅ **Boosting Circulation**: Improved blood flow aids healing by promoting nutrient delivery and waste removal from tissues.
✅ **Releasing Fascial Restrictions**: Addressing restrictions in connective tissues can alleviate pain and improve movement.
✅ **Alleviating Compensatory Patterns**: Osteopathy helps correct imbalances that develop due to pain, encouraging more natural movement.
✅ **Supporting Healthy Posture**: Encouraging the horse to adopt a better posture reduces pressure on the spinous processes, enhancing comfort and mobility.

Over time, these benefits enable the horse to engage its core effectively, lift through the thoracic sling, and minimize pressure between the spinous processes, leading to improved movement and overall well-being.

🧠 **Bonus Insight**
This type of neural adaptation is also seen in humans with chronic back pain, where increased nociceptive input in ligamentous or fascial structures can lead to pain sensitization and avoidance behaviors.

The interspinous ligament connects the spinous processes of adjacent thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, providing spinal stability and limiting excessive flexion. In conditions like kissing spines, this ligament may become inflamed, thickened, or fibrotic, contributing to pain and mobility challenges.

19/10/2025

🐎 The Digestive System & Horse Movement 🐎

Humans and horses, as mammals, share a similar anatomical structure.

Each has a brain housed within the skull that governs and regulates all bodily functions, from muscle movements to the digestive tract's operations.

The brain issues commands and gathers feedback through the spinal cord, which runs along the spine within a protective channel (vertebral canal). In horses, this spinal cord extends from the brain in the skull down through the neck, past the withers, along the back, and to the tail.

The spine consists of segments known as vertebrae—individual bones linked by soft discs that serve as shock absorbers. Between each vertebra are openings that allow nerves from the spinal cord to branch out into the body, facilitating communication with the surrounding skin, muscles, fascia, joints, blood vessels, and organs.

Thus, the nerves stemming from the spinal cord relay instructions to the organs and muscles while also receiving feedback about their status.

💡 HERE'S THE FASCINATING PART...💡

Each vertebra corresponds to a specific nerve or group of nerves that interacts with designated organs, muscles, skin areas, and joints. Consequently, distinct sections of the spine and spinal cord are responsible for sending and receiving signals from particular muscles, skin areas, joints, or organs.

Through neuro-anatomical dissections, researchers have developed a "Horse Blueprint" that illustrates the relationship between each vertebral section and the corresponding organs and muscles.

👀 AND HERE'S THE REALLY FACINATING ASPECT... 👀

Specific regions of the spinal cord communicate with particular skin, muscle, joint, and organ areas. Therefore, an issue in one spinal region can lead to problems in the associated skin, muscle, joints, and organs.

Conversely, a problem with a specific organ can irritate the corresponding spinal cord area, leading to discomfort in that spinal segment and affecting nearby muscles and skin—creating a vicious cycle.

For instance, an ovarian issue may irritate the first three lumbar vertebrae, while a liver problem might affect the upper part of the withers (thoracic 6-9).

Mapping the entire digestive system reveals that it involves the whole spinal column from neck to tail.

Thus, if there's a digestive issue, it can cause spinal irritation, resulting in reduced mobility and potential performance problems, including lameness!

Pretty fascinating, right? And this is just the beginning.

This highlights the importance of viewing the horse holistically to achieve optimal results. It certainly keeps my work interesting. 🧐

18/10/2025

Some horses respond well to, sometimes even prefer, deep manipulation, positioning themselves to guide the process. They will literally move themselves to place the “feels good” where they need it most.

Others prefer to be invited into the “conversation”, a “listening with your hands”approach, with slow, gentle myofascial and trigger point release that feels like sifting through layers of various types of fabric, while carefully examining and recognizing retentioning throughout the process…. Facilitating the body’s ability to unwind one thread at a time. Tyically, this method is less about physicality and more about a thoughtful interaction with clear intention. It becomes more of an emotional release while also achieving the phyical as a secondary. In this way, the horse does much of the work, allowing them to maintain control, go inward and process through a calm energy. It requires grounded patience, nuances guided by feel, and a quiet flow.

Then there are those that enjoy a combination of both styles.

If the practioner Is educated and skilled in both techniques and attuned to the horse, it won't matter which approach they choose, although it may take a few sessions to discover their preferred blend.

Photo Is of a session working on a new mare forElite Equine Rescue. She is working on some trauma relief and definitely has an appreciation for both approaches to her therapy.

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17/10/2025

With state-of-the-art technologies and the latest in industry techniques, the horses here at Elite Equine Rehab are not only healing at an exponential rate, but are getting their daily dose of “feels good” too.

Much has happened with laser technology, since the discovery of the positive effect of laser light, within specific weave length, by E. Mester, B. Szende and P. Gartner in 1986. The real breakthrough however did not occur until 1998, where a research team headed by Dr Wheeler et. al. During their research into growing plants in microgravity for NASA Advanced Life Support. Discovered that laser light in the range of blue and red, promoted growth in plants while in space, and build a portable Low Level Laser (LLL) unit. The Grow Lights consist of light emitting diodes (LED), and were taken into space to grow plants in microgravity.

One of the major problems, having humans in microgravity during long periods of time, has always been, that the human body do not heal or heal extremely slow, while in microgravity. Wounds and injures, sustained in outer space, only heals after the astronauts’ returns back to earth. This had NASA worried, since even small injuries could be potentially fatal, if the astronaut was not promptly return to earth, thereby jeopardizing long term space missions.

Soon it became apparent, that the astronauts tending the vegetables and plants in the grow lights, while in microgravity, healed faster. This launched the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center research, into the effect of LLL on living tissue. Especially lights with wavelengths within the range of 450-900nm. In 2002 Harry T Wheelan et. al. published their findings, which would become known as the NASA LED's.



Photon Energy

As light goes from one energy level, to a lower energy level, a photon is released. The released photon, from light within the specific weave lengths of 450nm,660nm and 850nm are then absorbed by the mitochondria. The mitochondria is the power plant of the cells, it's here the ATP (energy) is produced. The photon stimulates the energy being metabolized, in the muscles and the bones, along with the epidermis. The LED treatment promotes accelerated normal healing and regeneration of the tissue. But will not produce overgrowth or neoplastic transformation in the tissue. Thereby shortening the duration of recovery after an injury, by promotion accelerated healing in the tissue, reducing pain and inflammation in soft tissue and joints.



Blue Light

The photons of blue light with a wavelength of 450nm, will pe*****te the surface of the epidermis by 0.3mm. Already being used by numerous companies, for the treatment of acne, reduction of scares, promoting hair growth for the prevention of hair loss, and rejuvenation of the epidermis. Along with promoting rapid healing of a diabetic leg wound, with very good results.



Red Light

The deep red light, with a wavelength of 660nm. Will pass the epidermis and into the underlying muscles and ligaments, with as much as 23cm. Delivering the photon energy, to increase cell growth with as much as 140-200%, thereby decreasing wound size with more than 36%. The Improvement of musculoskeletal was greater than 40%, in injured Navy SEAL team members. Along with a 47% reduction of pain, in children with oral mucositis. Additionally the anti-inflammatory effects in wounds, muscles and joints of red LED's with a wavelength of 660nm, has been well documented.



Infrared and near-infrared light

Infrared (IR) light and near-infrared light with a wavelength of 780nm - 900nm is close to invisible to the human eye. IR light pe*****tes the deepest into soft tissue and bones and has been proven in numerous researches to lessen skeletal muscle fatigue in humans, along with shorten the recovery time after strenuous exercise.

Both acute and sub-acute wounds in various stages of edema and degrees of infection, shows accelerated healing, when being treated daily with near-IR LED's on the afflicted area, along with a reduction of pain after the first or second treatment, without any side effects from the treatment and very little scar tissue after the wounds has healed up.

14/10/2025

Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation (ECVM) is a genetic condition involving malformed vertebrae that cannot be corrected through manipulation treatment or any other therapy, but may be helped with surgical intervention.
Osteopathy, however, can provide symptomatic relief for the pain and dysfunction caused by the condition by improving mobility in the surrounding joints and soft tissues.

As ECVM primarily affects the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae (C6 and C7), where malformations disrupt the attachment points for muscles that stabilize and lift the neck. The body then tries to protect the areas affected by these malformations. This causes compensatory strain and restrictions and causes imbalances throughout the horse's body, including the sacroiliac joint, back, and limbs. Osteopathy uses manual therapy to address these secondary problems caused by ECVM. Adjustments aim to restore function and range of motion in the joints and muscles surrounding the malformed vertebrae. By manually releasing restrictions, a functional therapist can alleviate some of the stiffness and discomfort caused by the body's compensations.
ECVM can often lead to chronic muscle spasms, tension, and reduced mobility in the back, pelvis, and limbs. Using soft tissue techniques, such as myofascial release, trigger point therapy and massage, the therapist can relax stiff muscles, decrease pain, increase circulation and range of motion.
ECVM can sometimes lead to neurological deficits if the spinal cord has become compressed. While osteopathy cannot cure this, treatments, such as cranio sacral therapy, that addresses the cranial sacral system—the membranes and fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord—can promote optimal CSF and other fluid flow and neural function, potentially mitigating some of the neurological symptoms.
As a holistic treatment modality, osteopathy views the horse's body as a connected system. A practitioner can assess how the neck malformation affects other areas like the thoraciv sling, thoracic spine and thracic cavity, sacroiliac joint and pelvic region. A 2025 study showed that a single osteopathic manipulation can improve thoracic, lumbar, sacroiliac joint and pelvic pain and improve gait parameters in sport horses.
Because ECVM is a congenital, genetic condition, the goal of treatment is not a cure but rather long-term management to minimize symptoms and maximize the horse's quality of life.
Successful management of ECVM often requires a team of professionals. An osteopath works alongside veterinarians, farriers, dentists, and saddle-fitters to provide comprehensive care. Issues like poor saddle fiit, unbalanced feet or unattended teeth can exacerbate symptoms and should be addressed accordingly prior to wenaing in any type of exercise program.
It is important to work with the professionals such as your vet, osteopath and/or rehab specialist to deveop a rehab plan that includes rehabilitation with reconditioning and proprioception work. While osteopathy provides valuable relief, it cannot fix the underlying malformed vertebrae. In severe cases, osteopathy may not be sufficient, and conventional veterinary treatments may be needed in conjunction with pallative care or more advanced diagnostics may be necessary.

14/10/2025

Just more Bad Assery… JS

When your young clients have more grit than a lot of young men these days. I am truly blessed and honored to be able to do what I do.

13/10/2025

I am honored to have had the opportunity be interviewed and featured in The Plaid Horse. I am truly blessed to share my passion and be a vessel to heal these magnificent animals. I will forever be grateful to the amazing team behind me at Elite Equine Rehab - EER. Without them, this dream would not be my reality.

By MARGIE SLOAN Gina Hluska, founder of Elite Equine Rescue & Rehab in Colorado Springs is making comebacks bigger than setbacks for her four legged rehab residents. The blending of scientific and holistic modalities proves to be the winning protocol for performance horses facing the challenge of re...

13/10/2025

When your client is a Bad A$$!! Congratulations Bailey, Ryan and Team!