Many years ago, when working on a racing yard, I noticed one of the 'superstar' mares of the yard had strange lines running down the back of her tendons. Being young and naive, I asked one of the older, more experiences stable staff what it was. I was given a dirty look and told to shut up! Subconsciously, this one of the core memories that sparked my interest in injury management & rehab.

The stifle joint in horses is a complex, hinge joint. Anatomically, the stifle is comparable to the human knee, connecting the Femur and Tibia together. The stifle is crucial for both stability and dynamic movement, facilitating shock absorption during weight-bearing, rapid flexion and extension during locomotion, and the "stay apparatus" that allows horses to stand at rest. However, due to its complex structure and the significant forces exerted upon it during work, the stif

The importance of good foot balance in equine biomechanics cannot be overstated, but is so often overlooked. A horse's hooves are its foundation, supporting the entire body and playing a critical role in locomotion. Good hoof balance is essential for the horse's soundness, performance, and overall health, as it ensures that weight and forces are distributed evenly through the limbs and joints. Poor hoof balance, on the other hand, can lead to a cascade of problems, ranging fr

Elastic recoil energy refers to the energy stored in a biological tissue when it undergoes deformation—such as stretching or compressing—and subsequently released when the tissue returns to its original shape. In equine locomotion, this concept is critical for efficient movement, as it allows horses to conserve metabolic energy while maximizing propulsion.

We have all seen the protruding appearance in the hindquarters and probably passed it off as a confirmational defect or told "he's always had that". It's a condition often not talked about or understood.

Obesity in horses places considerable additional stress on their musculoskeletal system, leading to a range of problems that can severely impact their mobility, performance, and overall quality of life. In the past 12 months, I have seen more overweight and dangerously obese horses than I have every come across! This seems to be a growing problem within the equestrian community. Are we killing them with kindness?