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
Is It Really a Training Problem, or Is Your Horse in Pain?
If your horse bucks, resists the canter, or just feels off under saddle, the first thing many people assume is that it’s a training issue. Maybe the horse is being stubborn, or maybe it just needs more groundwork. But I want to let you in on something I’ve seen over and over again—those “training problems” are almost always your horse trying to say, “Ouch, that hurts!”
Did You Know That Saddle Fit Issues Are Really Horse Body Issues?
Saddle fit isn’t just about the saddle — it’s about the ever-changing body of the horse beneath it. While it’s tempting to invest in custom saddles or quick fixes like padded inserts, lasting comfort and performance come from addressing the root of the issue: your horse’s physical balance and symmetry.
Useful, Helpful Tips and Tricks for Horse Care | April Love’s Interview on The Backyard Horse Enthusiast
What would you do if your horse was limping, colicking, or spooking—and no one could tell you why? That question lit a fire in April Love that would grow into a global mission: helping horse owners uncover the root causes of mystery lameness, behavioral issues, and chronic pain that traditional methods often miss.
Mud Fever Prevention and Remedies
Mud season is not fun for horseman, but standing in mud for long periods of time can mean pesky skin and hoof problems for the horses. The key is to stay on top of things.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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