Have you ever had to rehab a horse using “stall rest?” Horses aren’t generally keen on being stuck in a stall all day. Think if it was months of stall rest….18 months! That is the longest I have ever heard of, and I absolutely disagree with it. The owner involved was doing her best. The vet involved was doing his … Read More
Episode 18: Alligator Wrestling
During my career as an equine veterinarian & bodyworker, I have heard a few fascinating stories. This was a good one. It was the first time I heard a horse described as an alligator. Listen to the podcast (link below) for the full details. Short version is the horse could not go straight. Trying to make him go straight turned … Read More
Episode 17: Antibiotics — How to Avoid them
Today’s podcast is about how to avoid antibiotics. Why would we want to avoid them? Well, most antibiotics are toxic to the body, especially the kidneys and liver. And antibiotics kill bacteria–both infectious bacteria and healthy intestinal bacteria. It is best to think about WHY we use antibiotics, and to start thinking about other possibilities. We will always need antibiotics … Read More
Are adhesions good or bad?
Last week I shared photos of a weepy eye horse (see article here) I appreciate the questions that came in, and thought I’d explain more about adhesions. Adhesions in the body are groups of cells used for “sticky-gluey” tasks. Just like adhesive tape. What do adhesions do? Adhesion formation typically happens with inflammation. The body uses the adhesions to keep … Read More
Are we getting “weepy eyes” wrong?
Are the flies really to blame? Is it allergies? Horses can get “weepy” eyes, most often when flies are around. Some just “weep” tears, but others have white or yellow discharge with the tears. Typically this issue is blamed on flies or other bugs. It is said the flies irritate the eye, which then weeps and sometimes becomes infected. Since … Read More
Episode 16: Two quick tips for lameness
We have a fairly short podcast for you on Horse Mysteries Solved. It is “Two quick tips for lameness”. One is a suggestion for knowing when to call the vet vs. when to call the bodyworker (super easy). The other is how to tell which leg is lame or off or just funky. I hope you’ll find it useful, … Read More
Episode 15: Is coughing a problem?
Let’s say a horse is coughing. Is that a problem? My argument is: No, coughing is not a problem. Rather, coughing is a sign or symptom of a problem. But not a problem itself. You may find that obvious. However, many of us have inadvertently picked up on fixing symptoms, rather than the underlying cause. Examples: Have a … Read More
Episode 14: Scar tissue — what can be done about it?
Have you had frustrations with a horse with scar tissue? Common scenarios: Short-strided hind end issues after gelding Tendon or ligament adhesions (stuck together) after injury Difficult breathing or coughing after bout with ‘flu or pneumonia Stiff or difficulty bending with chronic diarrhea These are just a few examples to give you the idea that scar tissue can … Read More
Podcast Episode 13: When is it too late?
When is it too late? When should you just give up trying to heal a specific problem? Ever? I vote no! :) The body is always trying to heal itself. AND, it’s always making new cells. Even new cells of bone and cartilage and liver and even brain! This is called “cellular turnover.” … Read More
Podcast Episode 12: Most common cause of hind end trouble – and it’s not the hocks
Can you guess the most common cause of hind end problems? Most people will get it’s the hocks. Nope. The hocks are the most common compensation for hind end problems. But they’re not the most common cause. That award goes to the pelvic symphysis. It is responsible for lots of issues. A short list is: Bunny hopping Tripping behind Cross … Read More
