Harper Equine

After a few days away I brought the Harper Equine horse (The Tank) in for a fuss. He's not a fan of hands on massage but prefers more gentle, soft approaches.Today I did Bladder Meridian. It can be slow and rather boring but this technique can have dramatic results on some horses. The Tank did not disappoint - hyperventilating, rapid blinking, multiple yawning, fidgeting - all big releases. Try it with your own horse - it's easy to learn and helps calming and bonding :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPVyG37Wve0

The Bladder Meridian: Relaxing the horse using The Masterson Method The Masterson Method is an innovative form of equine massage that allows the horse to release deep, accumulated pain and tension in muscles and connective. T...

Some fun for Saturday night :D

Arabian stallion playing circus games: H Tobago H Tobago, Arabian stallion, international champion, sire of many champions including 4 British National Champions, all-time highest-ranked Arabian sire in th...

Truly hilarious collection of videos :) The last one is my favourite :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wsOr0m-hAo&index=2&list=PLfYc1fRT-ZngPcBXy_yD87FQlWaehHoZa

If horses were people - Episode 1 As much as we love our horses, some of their behavior is a little...weird. Imagine if you're best friend or co-worker acted like that? That's exactly what we...

It will be interesting to read the research when it is released
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-news/2014/04/07-stabled-horses-colic-risk.aspx

Stabling Horses and Increased Colic Risk Research out of the United Kingdom suggests that moving horses from pasture to stable could increase colic risk.

So the Harper Equine horse has been lame and dragging a leg. In the absence of any heat, swelling or injury, it appeared mechanical. I got the vet out who believes horse has done the splits and pulled a muscle in his chest. He's for 10 day's Danilon and field physio then vet is hopeful for a full recovery. It is important for any new lameness to be checked out by a vet. I could spot mechanical lameness and my theory was that muscle strain was behind it, BUT I am no replacement for a full lameness exam by an experienced vet. Any decent massage therapist will refuse to see a horse with a new and undiagnosed lameness until a vet has attended and given permission for body work. On the plus side, the Harper Equine Horse appears to be feeling better on the Danilon ;)

Found time to attend to my own horse today. Like many draft horses he prefers a slow and gentle touch. A mixture of Masterson Method and myofascial release suits him best. But when you are hungry and short of time these methods can be frustratingly slow! I tried to speed things up by doing some sports massage on his back area but he quickly let me know this was not his preference. Sigh!

Looking forward to spending the day learning AND visiting the Arabian stud. Please share to anyone who may be interested in attending :)

You may find your horses tugging you over to the hedge to sn**ch at the dandelions at the moment. Please let them. Dandelions are a fine blood cleanser and diuretic. A natural detox for the liver which is excellent at this time of year especially when horses are starting to go out onto the spring grass. If you have a hedge or weedy verge nearby then take your horse for a browse on the herbs and plants they don't often get access to in ex-dairy livery fields. Nature is supplying what horses need to balance the sweet spring grass and the horses know it :)