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
How to Find the Cause of Lameness in Horses
When a horse shows signs of lameness, pinpointing the exact cause can be challenging due to compensatory mechanisms. Horses often redistribute weight and movement to avoid pain, making the actual injury difficult to locate. Here’s a practical step-by-step guide to help you identify the root cause of lameness in horses.
5 Must-Know Hore Care Tips for Winter
In this comprehensive guide, we'll share five essential cold weather horse care tips straight from the experts at Holistic Horseworks.Whether you're dealing with freezing temperatures, icy conditions or relentless mud, these strategies will help you keep your horse happy and healthy through even the harshest of winters.
Want to Love Your Horse’s Lope? Try Horse Yoga + Bodywork
Horse owners and riders are always looking for ways to improve their horse's health, movement, and performance. A smoother trot or lope isn't just about conditioning; it’s often a matter of addressing underlying physical restrictions. April Love, the founder of Holistic Horseworks, introduces an innovative way to tackle these issues—Horse Yoga.
Dogs Love Bodywork, Too! (Prevents ACL Tears and Hip Displaysia.)
If you’ve ever watched your dog run and noticed something a bit off—like both hind legs moving together or noticeably dragging their toes—it might be more than just an aging issue or a minor injury. Proactively managing canine skeletal health can prevent long-term joint issues such as hip dysplasia and ACL tears.
Effective Pain Relief for Horses with Kissing Spine
Effective Pain Relief for Horses with Kissing Spine Share this article: Table of Contents Kissing spine sounds terrible and it can end your horse’s career by causing bucking or bolting under saddle which can be extremely dangerous to the rider. You may ask is it a genetic defect? The answer is no. It is caused […]
Natural Remedies for Laminitis in Horses
Natural Remedies for Laminitis in Horses Share this episode: Table of Contents Horse’s hooves have to support the entire body. Hoof care must be the foundation for complete health care. In this episode, April discusses various hoof issues and effective solutions for maintaining healthy hooves. Whether you’re dealing with laminitis, foundered horses, or general hoof […]
Prevent Uveitis in Horses for Healthier Eyes
Prevent Uveitis in Horses for Healthier Eyes Share this article: Table of Contents Do you notice swelling above or below your horse’s eye? Is the inside corner inflamed and pink, or is the eye constantly tearing up? Maybe there’s a weird discharge? These are telltale signs of equine uveitis, or, more simply said, inflammation of the […]
Improve Horse Performance with First Rib Alignment
Improve Horse Performance with First Rib Alignment Share this episode: Table of Contents Join us in this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks with April Love as we explore the often-overlooked significance of the first mobility rib in equine anatomy. She sheds light on how misalignments of the first rib can lead to various issues with […]
Emotional Healing for Healthier & Happier Horses
Emotional Healing for Healthier & Happier Horses Share this episode: Table of Contents In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April Love delves into equine care, focusing not only on the physical aspects but also on the emotional well-being of horses. She discusses the importance of addressing the emotional component, as it directly affects the […]
Avian Flu and Other Viruses May Be Affecting Your Horse’s Vitality
There has been a lot of news about Avian Flu infecting cattle and humans. Is it possible horses could contract this and other diseases? What can horse owners do to protect their horses? In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April discusses ways to keep horses as healthy as possible and empower people to help their horses rather than always relying on paid services.
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