Richard Valdez Massage Therapy

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Here's an effect of saddles that are too narrow.

When I've come across this, the physical and emotional trauma I've felt in the horse has been sickening. The physical damage is done - you can't put back what's gone.

The emotional distress can be enormous and I sincerely believe it's emotional trauma that has built up over many months and/or years, as an unprotesting horse continues to do as asked, despite the problem being exacerbated whenever the rider's weight hits the saddle.

Perhaps they become numb to it over time, and it's only with deep and gentle work that the problem is revealed. I hope that enough of the distress is released for the horse to continue its ridden career with renewed heart.

I've usually been with a new owner when we've come across this, thankfully not that many times, and we've taken heart that the horse knows its needs (and pain) are seen and heard. Sometimes we can't change what's there and what's been done, but we can certainly help with the horse's response to it.

This isn't a new observation - there's a reason Balance Saddles call this the 'junction' - but it's always worth building awareness and *empathy. (Please excuse the limitations of images - it can be hard to find what I need!)

- Dr Jane Clothier

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Equine Asymmetry vs Laterality

A 2024 study by Zetterberg et al., Prevalence of Movement Asymmetries in High-Performing Riding Horses Perceived as Free from Lameness, shook up what we thought we knew about performance horse biomechanics - revealing that over 70% of elite dressage and showjumping horses without any clinical signs of lameness showed measurable vertical movement asymmetries.

📊 Here’s what they found:
Using objective motion analysis, the researchers discovered that most of these “sound” horses displayed head and pelvic movement asymmetries that were similar in magnitude to those seen in lame horses.

These asymmetries were consistent across different gaits and persisted even when horses were warmed up and performing at their usual level.

In many cases, riders and trainers did not perceive any abnormality - the horses were competing and training at a high level without ever being flagged as “unsound.”

💡 What does this mean for us as rehab professionals?
👉 Movement asymmetry is not always lameness - but it is information. It tells us about underlying muscular imbalance, compensation strategies, pain history, or functional adaptations that may increase injury risk over time.
👉 Subtle asymmetries can affect saddle fit, rider balance, joint loading, and long-term soundness - even if the horse never “looks” lame.

💡 How do we start to differentiate between asymmetry, laterality, and lameness?

👨‍🏫 This months webinar with João Paulo Marques: DVM, MRCVS, IVCA, IVAS, CERP starts to unravel this question.
🟢 Equine Asymmetry and Laterality: Part 1
During this webinar, we will explore morphological and functional asymmetry and laterality in horses, reviewing key findings from the literature. The webinar will provide insights into how these factors influence equine performance and movement, laying the foundation for clinical applications in rehabilitation and training.

📢 Comment EQU if you would like the link to register for this webinar

✍️ In this image, we can see a pelvic drop together with muscle atrophy of the left hind gluteals which may point us towards instability or core weakness. Or it may not - because a still image in an asymmetric gait does not give us enough information.

Have a question for me? In today's blog, you'll learn how to submit potential queries in my "Dear Audrey" series.
Read more ➡️ https://declue-equine.com/dear-audrey/

https://youtu.be/aKqYXy8DK0U?si=hb7tv97ClhljZksS
My Horse folks need to watch this!

DeClue Equine: Why the "SI" is NOT the reason why your horse cannot canter, sit or push! The Veterinary profession has focused on the "SI" as one of the prominent problems of why horses are struggling in performance. How many of you have had your...

Cody says what’z up!!

The drawing reins… The poison of the equitation… Here a “little explanation” about this tool… So many riders are using the drawing reins and this as a habit and normal practice, wich is very unfortunate because it is one of the or even the worst system you can use… Again we can provide the proof by the biomechanic principles and it’s without a doubt the most aggressive tool that riders can use … Riders who are putting them and tell me, “Yes but I hardly use them when I am riding” Then “Why do you put them ?” Addiction… Lack of correct training and trainers… Laziness… Monkey see .. Monkey do 🙈 Lack of self comfidence and insecurity… No respect and the attitude of “ I don’t care and don’t mind” The reason why I am starting to show some details of the drawing reins is that it is a real Nightmare for the horses… They can’t bring themselves into the only correct balance, the natural one Limiting them of using their head and neck is bringing lots of psychological stress and physical damage …‼️ Now for sure I will have some quite interesting comments on this subject…. Just think twice before using them and don’t follow without thinking the other riders who are using them…. To be continued…. @bolleke_007 @juan_vdh @lucie.massala @steveguerdat #jumping #jumpingdressage #dressagetraining #horses #dressage #eventing #biomechanicshorses #

Pastern Joints Of Horses - Problems, Diagnosis & Treatments The soundness of both performance and pleasure horses is greatly influenced by the health of its pastern joint, a critical structure that absorbs and

Check out this article on the thoracic sling really pinpoints, muscle dysfunction in movement!
https://www.animalosteopathycollege.com/blog/understanding-and-strengthening-the-thoracic-sling a thoracic sling really pinpoint a lot of basic issues and movement!

https://www.animalosteopathycollege.com/blog/understanding-and-strengthening-the-thoracic-sling

Understanding and Strengthening the Thoracic Sling London College of Animal Osteopathy provides top quality training to the veterinary and animal care community, osteopaths, and musculoskeletal therapists.

To all my Horse friends out there I wanted to share this book. I think it’s one of the most comprehensive books to help physical problems before they crop up or to keep your horse physically in his best shape.
In my practice over the years, I have seen many of the same reoccurring muscle and myofascial problems. I think they can help be avoided with these types of exercises.

55 Corrective Exercises for Horses: Resolving Postural Problems, Improving Movement Patterns, and Preventing Injury 55 Corrective Exercises for Horses: Resolving Postural Problems, Improving Movement Patterns, and Preventing Injury