D B Equine Therapy

He has been the biggest influence in my life and career, thanks to his work and understanding the horses voice
we all benefit from it but we have to keep learning from him
Thanks to you all horses will be forever grateful
RIP Monty Robert’s

A few of you have asked so here is our practitioner code

This is so important please read
Food for thought 💭

Just a thought — we probably shouldn’t expect horses to spend 16 hours every day in one single feeding posture. 💭

In free-ranging horses living in a natural environment, feeding involves continual changes in:

• neck angle
• limb position
• body orientation
• roaming
• reaching
• turning
• grazing on slopes and varied terrain

We often fixate on the groundwork/ridden work, however do we really give enough attention to how our horse eats for the rest of their day?

The way in which our horse eats adds to their daily “postural load”, it influences how their tissues are recruited, and it really does deserve as much attention as their exercise.

So, haynets?

A study comparing horses eating from the ground, hay racks and elevated hay nets found that higher feeding positions consistently altered head and neck posture. Horses fed from elevated systems spent significantly more time with their neck held above wither height and showed greater head twisting while grasping forage (Hernadez Garbati, 2025).

Looking at the morphology, neck posture was affected by feeding position… but crucially, the mandibular angle was significantly wider when horses were fed on the ground.

In a study by Zebish et al. (2014), hyperflexion of the neck in ridden horses led to changes in the width of the mandibular angle as a welfare stress factor. It was associated with an increase in neck circumference and in the thickness of the jaw muscle, with a consequent compression of the larynx, thus reducing air exchange and producing higher flow resistance. From this, research has extrapolated the data and drawn attention to the fact that high haynets could affect the jaw joint over time, in addition to the functionality of the horses breathing, back and neck posture (Hernandez Garbati, 2025). Even though a lower hay net promoted a better back posture than a high haynet, it was not sufficient to maintain a neck posture and mandibular angle similar to that obtained from horses fed from the floor.

However — we do need to look beyond the haynets, and consider varying feeding postures to mimic their natural environment as much as possible.

Please do not forget that from tomorrow we will only be accepting bookings through the Equigate app its so easy .... and FREE for our customers to use!!!

📲 Connecting with DB Equine on the Equigate App is quick and easy!

To help us provide a smoother, more efficient service, all bookings and messages are now managed through Equigate. It keeps everything in one place, including your appointments, treatment reports, invoices and messages.

Follow these 4 simple steps to connect with DB Equine:

✅ Step 1
Download the Equigate app for FREE from the App Store or Google Play, then create your Client Account.

🐴 Step 2
Go to "My Stuff" and add your horse(s) or animal(s).

📍 Step 3
Add your address, making sure it's the location where your horse is kept.

🔗 Step 4
Click the link below to connect directly with DB Equine:
https://app.equigate.com/connect/A47799

Once you're connected you'll be able to:
✔️ Request appointments ✔️ Send messages
✔️ Receive appointment reminders ✔️ Access treatment reports and invoices
✔️ Keep all of your horse's information together in one place.

Thank you for supporting DB Equine as we continue to improve our service and reduce administration, allowing us to spend more time doing what matters most – helping you and your horses. 💙🐴

🧵 Saddlery Repairs & Alterations – A New Partnership 🐴

To continue providing the very best service for our clients, DB Equine is delighted to be working alongside Smeeth Saddlery for all minor saddlery repairs and alterations.

🔹 What stays the same?
✔️ All saddle flocking ✔️ Saddle adjustments
✔️ Saddle fitting appointments ✔️ Ongoing aftercare and support
These will continue to be carried out by DB Equine as part of our saddle fitting service.

🔹 What will now be completed by Smeeth Saddlery? • Girth strap replacements • Minor stitching repairs • Small leather alterations • General saddlery repairs and maintenance
Working with a highly experienced saddler means your tack receives expert craftsmanship, while allowing DB Equine to continue focusing on providing professional saddle fitting and horse welfare.

If your saddle or tack requires a repair, simply get in touch with DB Equine and we'll advise on the best course of action, or you can contact Smeeth Saddlery directly.

📍 Smeeth Saddlery
165 Salts Road
Walton Highway
Wisbech
PE14 7ED
📞 01945 585998
📧 [email protected]

Thank you for your continued support. We're excited to be working together to keep both you and your horse safely equipped with quality workmanship every step of the way. 🐎