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By Chris Bates, Osteopath and Equine Therapist, Lecturer at London College of Animal Osteopathy (LCAO)

It’s that time of year again- red noses, wooly hats, and waterproof gear! But while we know how we feel when the weather takes a turn, do we really understand how our horses react? If you spend long enough at the stables this time of year you will undoubtedly hear someone ask “What rug are you putting on him tonight?”.

Likewise, you’ll see owners sticking their hands under rugs to check their horse’s temperature. The problem is that there is no “one size fits all” answer.

As we know from an Osteopathic perspective, each horse is an individual case and will react differently. In this two-part “seasonal” series, we will look at common cold weather considerations.

To clip or not to clip?

Imagine you’re riding your horse on a lovely autumn afternoon and suddenly notice they’re sweating. Perhaps you have a jacket on and feel warm, but remember, it’s your horse that’s doing the leg work (literally).

As the days get shorter, horses react to diminishing daylight. Reduced daylight causes an increase in Melatonin. This hormone has a number of functions, including regulating cycles in mares and control over sleep.

It also stimulates the growth of winter coats. Horse coats are perfectly suited to insulation, rain protection and can actively regulate temperature by trapping air or flattening down. The problem comes when we want to exercise our horses while they have this thick covering.

Clipping removes the coat down to short fine hair which allows the horse to regulate better through sweating. This is why clipping removes the areas that are most prone to heavier sweating such as neck, girth, and flank.

Finding the right clip depends on the type and intensity of exercise you ask of your horse. Generally, the more intense the exercise, the more the coat is removed. However, this also depends on the way the horse will be rugged when not working.

A full clip (everything off) is usually not needed unless the horse is in regular winter competition/work as well as fully rugged and often stabled.

A good standard clip for an adult horse in moderate to regular work of medium intensity is a blanket clip or trace clip. These leave a sufficient covering over the back and help to keep the organs warm, thereby reducing risk of colic or rapid weight loss.

The important thing is that the horse shouldn’t lose condition from over sweating, but still be able to regulate their own temperature when not under saddle.

Our advice is to speak to your Osteopath, Trainer or Stable Manager as to which clip would suit and always use an experienced and safe professional to do the job.

Food Glorious Food!

Colder weather brings with it the need to reassess our horse’s diets. Many owners believe that horses should be fat going into winter, but this is not completely true.

Yes, it’s useful for horses to be in good condition heading into winter as the cold necessitates the body to metabolize that “fuel” to regulate body temperature. However, making any changes to diet brings the risk of digestive distress such as colic or overfeeding issues like laminitis.

Forage such as hay/grass should make up the bulk of the horses diet, in colder months however the access to grass may well be reduced and so supplementary hay should be offered.

Forage being digested produces heat, regulating the horses temperature. Field feeders are useful as they reduce the chance of hay becoming mushed into the ground and wasting money, not to mention the risk of ingesting sand, stones or mud.

If you’re feeding your horse concentrate meals then feed them as little and often as possible. Horses do best with trickle feeders as excessive single feeds can lead to colic or choking from fast overfeeding.

A good feed balancer is useful to ensure sufficient vitamin and mineral intake. It’s also important to check the horse’s water. If you are in an area where freezing is likely then frozen troughs and buckets will cut off their access. Hydration is very important whatever time of year.

Check back next week for Part II of our horse care in winter series.

For more information on how you can become an Equine Osteopath, click here 

By Chris Bates, DO, Animal Therapist and Lecturer at London College of Animal Osteopathy (LCAO)

If you’ve read the news or opened social media in the last 6 months, you know that much of the world is in a deep economic recession.

As countries try to find solutions to their financial woes, many of us worry not only about feeding families and heating our homes but also about the rising costs of equine ownership.

Our horses are an extension of us, and in these troubling times, it’s hard not to worry as to how to maintain their health and quality of life.

Despite the dire news that lights up our screens every day, all is not lost. There are many ways to cut back on costs while keeping your four-legged family members happy and healthy. Let’s talk about some ways to keep costs down and still enjoy time with our horses.

1. Sharing Duties

In many livery stables, owners pay dearly to cover the care of their horses while they are at work or otherwise engaged.

Luckily, the stables are shared with other owners who may be retired or simply work part-time. It often pays to speak to your barn companions and see if you can come up with a way to share duties.

If you have something to offer, such as teaching skills, therapy, or tack repair, then bartering can really pay off!

Sometimes, offering to muck out a friend’s horse in return for them catching yours from the paddock can save you big time, especially when considering the prohibitive costs of relying solely on the stable’s staff.

Of course, if you are on a contract to pay a set fee, then you can try to discuss this with your stables manager.

2. Bulk Deliveries

If you and your stable companions use the same supplier of feed, hay, and bedding, then organizing a bulk delivery with each recipient paying a percentage can really help cut down on expenses.

Often, people will use a certain feed type for their horse while unaware that the supplier provides the same feed or similar at a smaller cost. Many big brands will charge more per bag, but it’s worth checking the nutritional information of the less expensive brands as they are often exactly the same.

If there is a difference in the content, but you feel it could still provide your horse with the required diet, check with your vet or contact an equine nutritionist. Often, this one-off expense of getting advice more than makes up for overspending in the long term.

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3. Second-Hand Sales

Check your local equestrian club’s notice boards, tack shops, and horsey social media for local second-hand sales. You’d be surprised how much stuff horse owners accumulate over time, and much of it might be useful for you.

We all know the feeling of walking into an equestrian store and being shocked at the price of things like tack, grooming supplies, and clothing. Second-hand sales can be a great place to find bargains and maybe even make some new horsey friends while you’re at it.

You might even be able to make a little extra cash by selling some items you no longer need. If you buy things such as bridles or girths, always check the stitching and look for any rips or weakened materials – this could save you a costly accident.

If buying saddles, ask the owner if you can pay a deposit and return it if your saddler says it isn’t right for your horse.

Rugs can often be found at good prices at second-hand sales, but consider re-proofing outdoor rugs with a proofing spray and always wash your new purchases to avoid passing any issues like mites, bacterial infections, or ringworm.

4. Shoeing

While this will depend on your individual horse, it might be possible to save some money by changing how you shoe your horse. If your horse is not doing a lot of work, maybe taking shoes off and just doing regular pairs for the winter will suit.

Or if you are riding but only in an arena on a good surface, your horse might do just fine with a half set. Speak to your farrier about options that would work for your horse. This can certainly save you some money.

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5. Reevaluate Supplements

Take a good look at your supplements. Does your horse really need all of them? Supplements can get pretty expensive, and many are an expensive way to create luxury horse manure!

Unfortunately, there is not a lot of scientific data on many supplements- some can even be detrimental, like garlic, but that’s another discussion.

If your horse is getting a well-balanced diet, it may not need certain supplements. If you feel what you’re giving your horse is helping, then by all means, keep it.

It’s worth thinking about and possibly cutting one or more supplements from your horse’s diet to save money.

There are always other ways to save during tough times when you own horses. Keep your eyes peeled on our social media and our website for more great tips and ideas.

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For information on how you can become an equine osteopath, click here

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By Chris Bates

Osteopath (DO), Equine Therapist, and Lecturer at London College of Animal Osteopathy

What is osteopathy and its history? Let’s take a look!

Key Takeaways 

• Osteopathy was developed during the late 19^th century.
• Using osteopathy on animals gained popularity in the 20^th century.
• Animal osteopathic treatment includes gentle techniques and lifestyle recommendations.

History of Osteopathy

Andrew Taylor Still (1828 – 1917) was a medical Doctor, Minister, Legislator, Inventor, and Author born in Virginia, USA. As a frontier man and serving as a physician in the Civil War, he was strongly affected by the failures of the medicine of the time.

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He lost children and a wife to illness and was unable to help so many using the conventional methods used at the time. Through his deep study of anatomy and the natural world, he developed the philosophy and practice of Osteopathy and began teaching his work to students after the practice showed incredible results.

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Osteopathy developed in line with the laws of the natural world. A patient-centered approach that focused on understanding the configuration of internal and external factors that led to the “condition” of the patient.

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In Osteopathy, we talk about the condition of the patient, not a condition the patient has. If we see why the symptoms are correct, then we see how to resolve the configuration.

‍Osteopathy Today

Osteopathy is used and recognized all over the world and has practitioners who specialize in various spheres such as working with children, pregnancy, headaches, and of course, working with animals.

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Osteopathy started to become popular in the treatment of animals in the 20^th century and is continuing to grow more and more. Pioneers like Stuart McGregor D.O. (LCAO clinical director and lecturer) developed the practice and created training courses.

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As the veterinary profession continues to see the value of Osteopathic care, highly trained and skilled practitioners are in high demand.

Why Animals Are Good Candidates for Osteopathy

Animals are excellent candidates for Osteopathic treatment. Osteopaths are well-versed in the physical, behavioral, emotional, and environmental factors that lead to altered function.

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These factors are specific to each animal and each animal is treated as an individual. Osteopaths take the time to understand the animal as fully as possible to devise not only a treatment plan but also advise owners on safe and effective care.

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Care includes gentle hands-on therapy, advice on feeding and lifestyle, exercise recommendations, and referral to appropriate practitioners such as nutritionists.

Osteopaths always work as a team with the veterinarian and within each country’s legal framework, always consult your veterinarian when you are concerned about your animal’s health.

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You can learn more about Animal Osteopathy by getting in touch with the London College of Animal Osteopathy (LCAO).

For more information on LCAO’s program in animal osteopathy, click here

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By Siun Griffin

Equine Physiotherapist and LCAO Contributor

London College of Animal Osteopathy instructor, Rachel Pechek, is overcoming the odds in a real heartwarming case. This story shows that with patience, determination, and dedication, it’s possible for some seemingly ‘lost causes’ to have a happy ending.

Let’s start at the beginning.

7 years ago, a lame Standardbred yearling filly named Sweet Sheets entered a Canadian auction ring. Coming from a family of fast horses, she had a lot going against her as her lineage had many known lameness issues.

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In this case, a buyer stepped in and took a chance, determined that Sweet Sheets would “land on her hooves.”  To help her, Sweet Sheet’s owner started researching different therapies.

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During this time, the mare still did not come sound, and many vets thought the problem area was in the lower limbs, but no definitive diagnosis could be pinpointed.

Eager to find the cause, the owner took Sweet Sheets to the USA for a bone scan where a hot spot indicating some kind of trauma was detected on the right sacroiliac, but again no definite issue was found.

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Over the last year, Rachel has been working with Sweet Sheets, who is now 8, and has treated her six times to date. This was the first time an osteopath worked on the horse. During early visits, Rachel assessed her to have severe restriction in the left shoulder and right upper cervicals.

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The right hind also presented issues from lower lumbar compensation. As Rachel says, “All in all, she is a classic type two lesion pattern that Stuart discusses in the LCAO program.” It’s a complicated case indeed.

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In the beginning, Rachel focused on the mare’s front end due to extreme reactions in the hind end from pain. The owner noted that when doing light training with the cart, the mare would swing her hind to the right when asked to go faster, likely to escape the pain.

By the third session, clear improvements were seen. The mare could jog comfortably with no hind end swinging, and her attitude and willingness to work were improving.

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After the fourth session, it was possible to ask the mare for more speed when in the cart. With the pain subsiding, the mare started to enjoy the work and showed her own competitive determination.

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During the 5th and 6th sessions, Rachel now found the mare much more even with nearly equal use of both shoulders. She is doing so well that she is ready to race for the first time in her life. This event will take place in a couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

Sweet Sheets is in a place that most people thought was impossible!

Rachel used OAB techniques when accessing the mare and found that myofascial release was an important starting technique for her recovery journey due to the pain present.

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As Sweet Sheet’s pain subsided, and she made other physical improvements, Rachel was able to apply more OAB to help her recovery progress.

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On her most recent visit to the mare, Rachel helped release a facial restriction, ventral to her lumbar spine, deep within her abdominal cavity.

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When released, the mare looked at Rachel in a way that just showed so much relief. Post-treatment, the owner was delighted to inform Rachel that the mare is now performing at 100% during training!

For more information on how you can become an equine osteopath, click here 

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By Chris Bates,

Osteopath, Horse Trainer, and Lecturer at London College of Animal Osteopathy

Spend enough time with horses and no doubt you’ll come across tendon injuries.

Whether mild or serious, many horses will experience pain and lameness stemming from their lower limb in their lifetime.

With equestrian competitions growing more challenging, vets and therapists find themselves facing these problems more frequently.

So why are tendons getting injured? First, let’s take a look at how tendons function.

Horse Tendon Function

The tendons of the horse’s lower leg are made up of strong bands of fibrous tissue that are mostly formed from type 1 collagen.

This densely packed tissue sits in parallel fibers that connect muscle to bone. Tendons and ligaments are the main soft tissues found on the horse’s lower leg.

The angle made by the horse’s fetlocks down to the pedal bone inside the foot creates a tensile structure with the tendons. This structure suspends the weight of the body and holds potential energy like a coiled spring.

This allows for energy efficiency when the horse is in motion as the recoil in those structures supplies some momentum.

What Affects Tendon Health?

Hard ground, temperature, poor nutrition, and trauma will greatly affect tendon health.

Harder ground does not provide enough cushioning and causes extra stretch through tendons.

Another detrimental factor is temperature. The use of boots or bandages while providing impact protection, trap heat in the tendon, putting it at increased risk of injury.

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What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Tendon Injury?

The most noticeable signs of tendon injury are heat and lameness.

Signs vary from very obvious, to subtle changes to the horse’s gait or behavior. The signs of lameness will differ depending on the leg or legs involved.

Tendon injuries occur most often in the front limbs as they support more weight. However, these injuries can still occur in the hind limbs.

Rehabilitating Tendon Injuries

When rehabilitating any tendon injury, we must be aware of risk factors.

Using softer surfaces, assessing nutrient deficiencies, reducing the risk of trauma, and allowing the horse to regulate its temperature as naturally as possible are all essential parts of the tendon rehabilitation process.

Basic Guide To Rehabilitating Tendons

‍0-60 days – The horse is either confined to box rest or a small paddock on its own.

By Maria Rondon

Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

Over the years, breeders have been increasingly more interested in feeding equines with fat-based diets. Given the fact that horses do not have gallbladders, myths say that they can take advantage of diets with fat, due to their constant production of bile. Moreover, recent research has shown that a diet based on fatty acids has multiple beneficial effects on equines and may even enhance the life of breeding and performance horses. Let’s describe those benefits!

WHAT IS FAT

First of all, let us define a simple term: what is fat? When talking about fats fed to horses we mean triglycerides, which consist of three fatty acid molecules attached to a glycerol molecule. Whether the fat is saturated fat or unsaturated oil is determined by the chemistry of the fatty acid molecules.

Among the unsaturated fats (commonly referred to as oils) usually fed to horses, we can find corn oil, soybean oil, and canola oil. Saturated fats, on the other hand, can include lard or tallow, and they usually originate from animals.

SOURCES OF FAT

It is quite uncommon for saturated fats to be used by commercial grain concentrates for horse feeding. Usually, these use unsaturated fat or vegetable oil to supplement their diet.

Several sources of vegetable oils used to feed or supplement a horse’s diet go anywhere from 6% to 100% fat. Depending on the feed, you may find soybean, canola, corn, or even rice oil, which can reach up to 100% of fat in their contents. Another source can include stabilized rice bran which reaches up to 20% fat.

More recently, fish oil with Omega 3 and 6 has been tried on horses, but horses usually don’t find it tasteful.

IS FAT DIGESTIBLE BY HORSES?

Horses are capable of digesting vegetable oil from the aforementioned sources. The oils are digested in the small intestine, and horses can digest large amounts of oil, up to 20% of the total diet. This is due to the constant production of bile from the liver, which is continuously secreted to the small intestine during digestion.

HOW MANY CALORIES CONTAIN THE FATS?

Vegetable oil is the most caloric-dense element in a diet for horses. It contains up to 150% more energy than its equivalent weight in oats or 130% more energy than its equivalent weight in cracked corn.

IS FAT SAFE TO FEED?

When trying to feed your horse with fat supplements, always take into account that you should carry over a 14-day adaptation period in which you have to control how much you are feeding it to your horse. Horses that are not used to being fed fat may reject the feed or may go through a case of digestive problems, such as transient diarrhea.

Nonetheless, over-supplementation of dietary fat does not result in cases of colic or laminitis as it happens with grains. You should not be afraid of feeding fats to your horse, as what’s considered a “high fat” diet may feed your horse up to 20% of their calories in fat, whereas a usually a typical diet in humans contains 40% fat. Researchers so far have not found a link between Coronary disease in horses and a high-fat diet, unlike in humans.

HOW MUCH FAT CAN BE GIVEN TO A HORSE?

Horses are capable of digesting large amounts of fat. In carefully controlled scientific experiments, horses have been fed as much as 230 g of oil per kg of diet, or approximately 11 cups of oil per day. Practically speaking, the maximum amount of oil top-dressed to feed would not exceed 2 cups per day for a 1000 lb horse. More oil can be fed in special circumstances, but all sources of fat should be gradually introduced into the diet to avoid feed refusal and diarrhea.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS

Fat can supplement oats and corn to provide additional energy to a high-energy demanding horse. Not only that but replacing a portion of your typical rice/grain-based diet with vegetable oil can help out in mitigating the risk of digestive disorders commonly associated with starch-rich grains.

This means that a fat-supplemented diet can result in a safer feeding alternative to traditional grain mixes used in diets to get thin horses to gain weight.

Horses that have been contraindicated grain diets, such as horses with a past history of laminitis, can also be supplemented with fat to avoid causing any more harm to the horse by having it meet its caloric demands while not excessively feeding it forage.

Anecdotal claims by breeders and farmers compiled in papers report that these high-fat diets make horses calmer and more level-headed compared to traditional feed with no fat added.

Fat also provides the horse with a source of essential fatty acids and aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, and E.

Compared to humans, fat is not something that has to be cut out from a horse’s diet to maintain it health. It can help increase their caloric intake, provide vitamins, and help them keep a balanced diet without having to abuse grain supplementation, thus reducing the risk of suffering gastrointestinal problems. While not all horses require fat supplementation in their diets, it’s always a nice possibility to keep them sound!

Source: https://training.ifas.ufl.edu

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By Maria Rondon

Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

Unlike humans or other species who can enjoy perfect living standards even with limb problems, horses often require extra attention to their limb health, as both their productivity and quality of life can significantly drop when they suffer from problems in their extremities. Not only that but as they have to support their immense weight (along with, sometimes, the weight of cargo or humans), horses are not lacking from limb problems, sadly.

For this reason, it’s vital for any horse caretaker, physician or owner to know about limb deformities that might affect their horses before the problem becomes difficult to manage and the horse develops arthritis, laminitis, instability, and lameness.

Most of the angular limb deformities horses suffer tend to slip under the radar, given that the images and texts that describe them often show them in the most exaggerated form. A vet with an X-ray or an animal osteopath with a good eye can detect them and determine if they are an issue, or mild enough to not cause a problem.

To learn how to differentiate between the known angular limb deformities, check the list below.

1- Valgus

The term “Valgus” refers to an outward deviation of a limb or joint compared to the midline of the animal. Depending on which specific joint presents valgus it might appear that it has the contrary effect: the adjacent joint deviating inwards.

Valgus can present itself in almost every joint of foals and horses’ joints, each type of valgus is known by a different colloquial name.

• Carpal Valgus or Knock Knees: in young horses and foals, the hoof often points outwards when the carpal valgus is in place; in older horses, it might turn inwards to compensate. It receives this name because, because of the fetlock valgus, the knees appear to be closer together.
• Tarsal Valgus: this limb deformity is often confused with the famous “cow hocks”. In this type of limb deformity, the point of the hock deviates inwards, while the rest of the limb deviates outwards. As the hoof is deviated outwards, the horse with tarsal valgus appears to be splay-footed.
• Fetlock Valgus or Toe Out: most times this limb deformity is associated with knee abnormal rotation. In this limb deformity, the hoof and the pastern angle are away from the midline at the fetlock level.
• All types of valgus are often congenital and can affect one or both legs. However, in the case of tarsal and fetlock valgus, one leg is often worse than the other.

2- Varus

Contrary to valgus, the term “Varus” refers to an inward deviation of a joint or limb. Often, varus tends to be more destructive to the joints than valgus, and the horse with these deformities is more likely to suffer osteoarthritis in contiguous joints given that they compensate for the deformed joint.

Varus is more common in the regions of the carpus and tarsus but, even then, it is rare to find a horse with varus.

• Carpal Varus or Bow Legs: in this type of deformity, the leg is angled inwards from the carpus, forming a “bow” shape in the front legs. These tend to appear in old horses with arthritis, horses who had lax ligaments at birth, or who suffered a rupture of the common digital extensor tendon while young.
• Tarsal Varus, Toe in, Pigeon Toes or Fetlock Varus: here, the horse’s limb deviates towards the midline below the fetlock. This deformity often appears combined with metatarsal misalignment (also known as “offset cannons”) as a compensation mechanism. 
  

  3- Limb hyperextension

  Also known as “Lax tendons”, this limb deformity is common in newborn/post-mature foals and, in these cases, it can resolve on its own in the first days of life as the animal grows with the help of therapy and exercise. However, if not treated, the foal can also develop incomplete ossification and lax ligaments, further complicating the correct development of the limbs.

  Its main characteristic is that the limbs appear to bend unnaturally, mostly in the carpal and tarsal joints. It can affect both forelimbs or both hindlimbs at the same time.

  

  4- Windswept legs

  This is how it is known as the classic combination of limb deformities in post-mature foals: carpal valgus and varus in the front limbs and/or tarsal valgus and varus. The legs often look bent sideways forming a curvature. Sometimes, hyperextension is also present.

  It often originates if a foal had a long gestation and ran out of space in the womb. Gladly, it often resolves on its own in just a few days after birth with the help of exercise and therapy.

  

  5- Offset Cannons

  This limb deformity is characterized by a misalignment of the metacarpal or metatarsal bones compared to the tarsal/carpal joints. Although some consider it a conformational treat, it involves structural weakness if it’s present in both hindlimbs or forelimbs (i.e. the horse might be less stable when going downhill or other situations)

  If a horse has offset cannons it has a higher risk of developing a splint (or exostosis), so their legs need close monitoring. They also have a high risk of developing acquired fetlock varus, given their tendency to turn their foot inwards.

  Race horses with offset cannons also have an increased risk of suffering injuries in the medial carpals, and sport horses overall are more prone to suffer carpal and tarsal osteoarthritis.

  

  6- Carpal rotation

  Also known as “bench knees”,  this limb deformity is also known by some as a conformational trait of quarter horses, or in horses with a wide chests and narrow limbs.

  In this limb deformity, the cannon bones, the lower knee bones, and the feet are rotated slightly outwards. It’s often accompanied by fetlock valgus. The medial part of the hoof often wears out faster in horses with this deformity.

  

  Identifying the first signs of a limb deformity, whether it’s present in a newborn foal or in an older horse, it’s the first step to ensure the integrity of their musculoskeletal system. After knowing how to identify the 6 most common types of horse limb deformities you can act fast and prevent further deterioration of the limb with osteopathic care, veterinary attention, and exercise therapy.

  Additional Resources: https://thehorse.com/139117/conformation-and-limb-deformities-in-horses/

By Jane Clothier

Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

Much like with any other animal, checking for pain in horses can be very difficult. As they are technically prey instead of predators, they tend to hide their pain under certain circumstances, such as unknown environments, the presence of strange animals, or other people. If you are going to treat a horse for the first time, this can be a bit of a challenge.

Nonetheless, there are still some signs that there is something not quite right with the horse. These can be very hard to notice but also can be obvious, in which case it’s better to start seeking professional help.

You should know how your horse usually behaves, so keep that in mind because it’ll make it easier to notice these signs.

Here are some of the subtle signs.

1. Ear position

Your horse may not be feeling all too well if its ears are back for more than 5 seconds while being ridden. Horses use their ears as part of their body language. You can count that your horse may be afraid of something if its ears are back or that maybe there’s something else happening to your horse.

2. Eyes

Monitor your horse’s eyes. If the muscles around your horse’s eyes are tense, its eyes have a glaze, or your horse shuts them while being ridden, that’s a sign that your horse is in pain, and you should try to see what’s happening.

3. Mouth

A horse with its mouth open and its tongue sticking out might be hurting. If your horse has never done this before and you find it has become common, seek help as your horse might be in pain. It could mean that something is happening to its teeth, in which case, you have to try to figure out what is making your horse behave this way.

4. Head

Probably one of the most obvious signs that something is happening to your horse. Trained horses usually have their heads in vertical positions.

Nonetheless, a horse that can’t keep this position, going a bit more up or going overbent, is a clear sign that something’s happening.

Another sign related to the head is if your horse is shaking its head a lot. It could mean that there’s something happening to your horse, and you should seek immediate help.

5. Inconsistent Eating

Horses have a big appetite.

If you have noticed that your horse is not eating consistently, doesn’t want any of the food you’re giving to it, and doesn’t want to move while being ridden; then it could mean that your horse is in pain; it can be related to ulcers.

Although this isn’t in any way a definitive sign that your horse has ulcers, it’s worth noting that it does mean that the horse may be in pain.

6. Bucking or Kicking out

Most people blame disobedience and stubbornness when their horses constantly kick or refuse to go into a trot. It could very well mean that your horse is in physical pain, mainly back pain.

7. Switching leads behind while in canter

Often horses that have inflammation of the suspensory ligament in their hind legs change their leads. Lameness would be hard to detect if both behind legs are affected. If you notice your horse bunnyhopping or changing leads in its behind legs, it could mean that something is not right with it.

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Although these are only some signs that your horse is in pain, keep in mind that there are many others. What’s most important is to know your horse and how it behaves when it is healthy. Remember, prey animals like horses tend to conceal their pain, so it’s up to you to identify the signs your horse is making.

By Jane Clothier

Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

Interest in treating animals with osteopathy has grown considerably in recent years, with an unprecedented number of postgraduate and lay programs in musculoskeletal therapies emerging in online programs. As a global leader in animal osteopathic education, London College of Animal Osteopathy (LCAO), has recently launched one of the highest levels of training currently available, providing osteopaths with the opportunity to expand their careers through work with animals. The rapid uptake of the International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy by veterinarians, osteopaths, and animal body workers has demonstrated this kind of accessible learning for animal osteopathy is in high demand.

The International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy, with optional equine and canine streams, has grown from the lifelong work of the LCAO’s founder, Stuart McGregror, D.O. Stuart’s interest in treating animals was already showing itself when he graduated from the UK’s European School of Osteopathy in 1984, with his dissertation The Principles of Osteopathy Applied to the Horse being the first known work about osteopathy for horses. His long-term aim was to find a way to use osteopathic techniques to work with and benefit animals, and he achieved that sooner than expected.

Upon graduation, he immediately began treating horses and dogs, and it was not long before his Osteopathy Centre for Animals in Oxfordshire, England, was formed. Other osteopaths and veterinarians soon came across Stuart’s work and were keen to learn more. It made sense to start bringing his new and evolving techniques together in the equine and canine osteopathy programs that he has now been teaching since 1998 in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Throughout this time, he has continued to refine both the approach and his methods of instruction, leading to the Osteopathic Articular Balancing training that he practices and teaches today.

What is Osteopathic Articular Balancing (OAB)?

Stuart describes OAB as a general osteopathic treatment that is deeply rooted in classical osteopathy and the philosophies of Andrew Still. It gently disrupts the body’s state of dysfunction and restores integration, thereby creating a homeostatic state of health. This is achieved through functional techniques with slow, controlled, long lever moves, with a focus on quality of movement rather than range of motion.

As Stuart says, “One of the main principles in osteopathic medicine is that treatment should restore health to the local tissues. This involves the restoration of blood supply, nerve supply, and lymphatic drainage. Where any of these are absent, the tissues can only be in poor health.”

In practice, OAB is a system of techniques that ease pain, remove tension and restriction, and restore full movement in every joint of the animal’s body. The therapist examines the functional anatomy of each joint and its accompanying structures, before mobilizing associated bones. The direct and indirect relationships throughout the skeletal system are also considered, with posture, gait assessment, and palpation forming part of the assessment.

To learn more about the International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy (Int’l DipAO)  clickhere