Holistic Wellness
- Confessions of a Timid Rider, Equestrian Life, Fitness and Conditioning, Holistic Wellness, Horse Training
I Get My Saddle Evaluated Regularly So I Don’t Break My Horse
I’ve been a bodyworker with multiple certifications for many years. Trust me, I’ve seen a lot. The thing I hate the most, however, is working on a horse to have them feeling there best only to have them ridden in improperly fitted tack and undo all my efforts. The ill effects are instantaneous and significant, especially if you know where to look. That’s why I reached out to my friend, Sabine, a few years ago and asked about her husband’s certification program, SaddleFit4Life. After a lot of research I signed up for the course so that I could offer evaluations to my clients. More, I wanted to learn how to…
-
Working with the Neurological Horse
Confession: My pony had EPM and now has been diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease. I knew that Ferrous had recovered from Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis or EPM before I bought him and there was the potential for flares since it never truly leaves the body. I always made allowances for that when he showed signs of stiffness or imbalance during exercise but never made any changes to his exercise program or supplements as a result. Then he began to show signs of prolonged neurological issues and he was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease and inflammatory issues associated with it. Suddenly our wellness and exercise game had to completely pivot. Neurological Disorders…
-
Probiotics for Horses: Do They Really Make a Difference?
I have been dealing with health issues the last few years that took a long time to identify and I am still recovering. I believe in treating the body as a whole (yes, I am addicted to Coca-Cola) but reached out to an integrative doctor for help. The first thing she did after testing me was put me on an intense probiotic. The one I had been taking wasn’t sufficient. Immediately, I recognized a difference in my body. If probiotics are great for humans and health and our immune systems begin in the gut…then isn’t that even more true for our equine friends? Horses are sensitive and tend to colic…
-
Top Tips for Keeping Your Horse Cool in the Summer Heat
Summer is tough on our equine friends. Here are my top tips for keeping your horse happy and cool in summer.
-
Pony Conditioning Week 3
With two weeks of reconditioning under our belts, I'm excited for the next few weeks. This week the veterinarian will return for the spring shots and we can discuss his progress. More, Ferrous has done well with the 15-20 minute workouts so I am going to push for 30 minutes now while varying the difficulty and the type of work to continue strengthening different muscle groups and tendons and ligaments.
-
Coarse Mane & Tail No More
I struggle with removing knots from my horse's coarse mane and tail. Finally, there is a natural product that really works for us!
-
Pony Conditioning Week 2
I thought my pony was an easy keeper but it turns out when he isn't regularly exercised he is basically a jellyfish- nothing firm about him. Thank you for joining us on week two!
-
Pony Conditioning- Week 1
7 weeks during pandemic lockdown and and my pony's top line just disappeared. This is week one of our rehabilitation diary.
-
Six Mind & Body Apps to Help You Survive Your LockDown
Confession: I need a little non-pharmaceutical help with my anxiety while the barn is closed and I can’t get in the saddle. These are my favorites ways to help keep me calm, balanced, and active. It’s not easy to be on house arrest. Whether you are single, married, or with a full family all vying for your attention- none of us are quite at ease. After all, there is a terrifying new reality looming over us. Whether we want it to or not our world has shifted forever. The uncertainty is what I struggle with most. I am not in control, certainly. I do not know how long my family…
-
When Good Saddles Go Bad
Confession: I've slowly been crippling my pony. I had no idea my saddle was the reason his ribs and pelvis are constantly out of alignment or that he couldn't physically move forward well. I just thought he was lazy. Saddle fit makes all the difference between a healthy horse and long-term damage.
-
Holistic Wellness is Not Just for the Horses
Fitness isn’t enough. I need to achieve balance with chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, massage, and nutrition. After all, I believe in holistic wellness for horses, why not for myself? Being a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT) has its advantages. My own horse receives bodywork that includes chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, and sports massage regularly and reaps the benefits. I joke that my horse has an amazing life. But the truth is, he isn’t the only one that needs these things. For the past few years, I’ve suffered from periodic back pain due to sciatica. Carrying heavy photography equipment, massaging animals in awkward positions, or sleeping on the ground…
-
Relieve Your Dog’s Itchy Skin Naturally
The temperature is dropping and with it the humidity. The end result is dry, itchy skin for both you and your dogs. Prevent dry skin and relieve the itch. Does your dog have dandruff when you go to pet him or her? Is your pet licking their pets and biting at itchy, irritated skin? You are not alone. Many animals suffer from allergies or environmental dermatitis. The good news is there are many natural relief options available. The first step naturally treating your dog’s itchy skin is to focus on the cause. Allergy, Environmental, or Parasitic? Pruritus, the excessive scratching related to itching, is the second most common cause for…
