Welcome to a Whole New Way of Looking at Your Horse
… and really understanding what is going on inside them!
Whether you’re dealing with training challenges, saddle fit issues, mysterious lameness, or behavioral quirks like spookiness or head shaking, you’ve found your solution. Our mission is to empower you with the knowledge to uncover and address these and many more issues effectively.
Are joint injections or medications like Previcox or UlcerGuard becoming routine for your horse? Heavy dewormers and vaccinations? You’re not alone in questioning what’s considered normal. We believe there’s always a better way and we’re here to show you how.
A Commonly Overlooked Problem with Horses
Learn how a first rib misalignment can impact your horse’s comfort and performance. Did you know this issue is a common root cause for conditions like mysterious lameness, high-low hoof syndrome, and roach back? It’s all interconnected, and understanding how can make a world of difference in your horse’s health.
Online Courses
Voted the best online equine bodywork courses by hundreds of students! When you enroll get lifetime access, live support, and tons of bonus offers. Learn from home at your own pace. Available with subtitles in English, French, Spanish, and Dutch so that you can learn in multiple languages.
Hands-On Clinics
Learn in person at one of our hands-on horse bodywork clinics available globally. In just 9 days you can become proficient in equine bodywork and every level of Holistic Horseworks courses. Can’t find a clinic near you? If you can host a clinic at your barn, you can attend for free!
Recommended Practitioners
Looking for someone who can perform Holistic Horsework’s approved equine bodywork in your area? Visit our recommended practitioners page for equine care professionals from around the world. Become a recommended practitioner by completing a home study or clinic.
Dealing with Lameness, Arthritis, Hock Injections, Roach Back, or Hunter’s Bump?
So many times we’ve been told, “That’s just your horse’s conformation,” but that’s not always true. After just one hour of bodywork, your horse can stand taller, with a relaxed neck, wider stance, straighter legs, and a higher back.
When the body is unwound, your horse can stand and perform with proper alignment. This allows them to distribute weight evenly, engage muscles correctly, and prevent strain, injury, or lameness from overworking the incorrect body parts. By achieving this balance, your horse will experience better health and performance!
Does your horse look like the photo on the left, with a high neck and a hollow back? After a 1-hour Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding session, they could look like the photo on the right, with a relaxed neck and high back! This is a horse’s natural posture.
Level 1: Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding is available to learn in an online course and a hands-on clinic.
Spooking, Head-Shy, Hard to Bridle, Uveitis, or Metabolic Issues?
At some point in their lives, often during their formative years, horses have a “pull back” incident when tied to a fence or post. As they struggle and struggle to get free, the halter pulls against the top of their head causing the cranial bones to compress. If left unaddressed, this can lead to health issues.
Take a look at the following diagram. In the photo on the left, the eye is puffy, swollen, weepy, and red. This five-year-old horse was diagnosed with uveitis and was scheduled to have their eye removed.
The photo on the right is the same horse just one hour after an Equine Cranial Decompression session. During the next vet exam, the vet told the owner they no longer recommended removing the eye!
Level 3: Equine Cranial Decompression is only available to learn in a hands-on clinic. However, Equine Cranial Sacral Energy Work may also help.
Hi, I’m April Love
Holistic Horseworks Founder
I’ve created a unique IICT (International Institute for Complementary Therapists) approved methodology that I teach through in-person, hands-on clinics as well as virtual home study courses. I’ve also trained and vetted many instructors who share this practice worldwide.
Holistic Horseworks Global Instructors
Our dedicated team of instructors brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to equine professionals and horse owners around the world. Each instructor is certified in Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding and proficient in all levels of the Holistic Horseworks methodologies.
Level 1
Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding
Home Study Program
Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding is a therapeutic technique for horses that focuses on gently releasing tension in the muscles and joints. Unlike traditional equine massage therapy courses, this method combines gentle yet effective bodywork techniques with subtle energy work to promote release, relaxation, and alignment. It’s designed to be easy to perform, making it accessible for all horse owners and equine practitioners.
Level 2
Cranio Sacral Unwinding & Advanced Applied Kinesiology
Home Study Program
Equine cranial sacral therapy seeks to identify and address imbalances or restrictions within this system, which may arise from physical trauma, stress, or other factors. Practitioners use gentle touch and manipulation techniques to release tension, improve fluid flow, and promote overall balance and well-being in the horse. By addressing issues in the craniosacral system, this type of bodywork therapy aims to support the horse’s natural ability to heal and maintain optimal health, performance, and behavior.
Educational Horse Care Articles
Foals Need Bodywork, Too!
Early bodywork can profoundly impact your foal's development, ensuring they grow into healthy, balanced, and well-adjusted adults. Let's talk about essential timing and techniques of early bodywork, helping you recognize signs of misalignment and understand the benefits of starting bodywork from a young age.
Summer Heat and the Best Electrolytes for Horses
As the summer heat sets in, it's important to consider your horse's electrolyte needs. Proper electrolyte supplementation can help keep your horse happy, healthy, and performing their best even in the hottest weather. Discover the importance of electrolytes and get our top recommendation for the best electrolytes, along with tips on when and how to use them effectively.
Help! My Horses’ Eye is Swollen, Watery, or Goopy.
Are you seeing swelling above or below one of your horse’s eyes? Is the inside corner of the eye inflamed and pink? Is the eye constantly weeping, watery, or goopy? These are all symptoms of equine uveitis (inflammation of the eye). You can learn how to prevent or help improve this issue yourself with our easy-to-learn hands-on horse bodywork techniques and save thousands of dollars on multiple vet visits.
My Horse Has Kissing Spine! What Do I Do?
Wonder if your horse may have kissing spine? Or have you just received a “kissing spine” diagnosis from your vet? Don’t give up hope! Learn to improve this issue yourself while saving thousands of dollars on additional veterinary treatment options and medications. Let’s explore what causes kissing spine, its symptoms, how it’s diagnosed, and the holistic and traditional treatment options available.
Summer Time Tune-Up for Your Horse
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, it’s time to give our equine companions the extra care they need to thrive during the summer months. From hoof health to hydration and performance support, here’s a quick guide to tuning up your horse for the season ahead.
The Equine Ribcage: Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Connections
Get more power + stamina! The ribcage has a vital role in your horse's overall function. Its extensive connections to breathing, intestinal health, the psoas muscle, and spinal health significantly enhance your horse's performance capabilities.
Biomechanics of the First Rib
Ready to explore some insightful and helpful biomechanics info about your horse’s shoulder, first rib, front limbs, and hooves? Mastering this knowledge can keep your horse happy and moving freely well into their 30s! How do you know if your horse dealing with troublesome issues in these areas? Read on…
Tips to Tune-Up Your Horse in Spring
As the vibrant colors of spring emerge and the weather warms, horse owners are gearing up to provide their equine companions with the care they need for the season ahead. Here are some essential spring tune-up tips to keep your horse happy, healthy, and ready for action.
Maintaining Healthy Weight in Older Horses with Vegan Fat Sources
In this episode, our founder, April Love, shares valuable information on maintaining the well-being of older horses, focusing on a simple recipe for a vegan fat source. The discussion delves into practical tips for horses with missing teeth, difficulty gaining weight, and the importance of identifying and addressing insulin resistance.
The Hyoid and First Rib Connection
Many people talk about the hyoid as the cause of an issue. The equine industry has established that the hyoid is connected not only directly to the tongue, forelimb, and poll but also indirectly to the hindquarter. However, looking at this from a holistic perspective, it is also important to consider what else the hyoid is affected by. The prominent first rib misalignment, as we talk about so often here at Holistic Horseworks, will not only impact the front end of the horse but also back to the hind end and even all the way up to the hyoid.
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