A cow-hocked horse refers to a conformational issue where the horse’s hocks are positioned closer together than normal when viewed from the rear. We’ll explore why this happens and discuss ways to address and prevent such issues for a healthier, sound, and rideable horse.

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...

Does your black horse fade to brown in the summer? In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April discusses how the color change is likely due to a copper deficiency in the horse’s diet. She suggests feeding the horse Dynamite Liquid Trace Minerals once a week to provide the necessary copper and prevent the fading of its black coat.

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. When the vertebrae’s bony parts, called the “spinous process,” are too close together, they rub against each other, causing friction and heat. This leads to calcium buildup, resulting in calcification that can almost fuse the vertebrae in some areas. The irritation a horse experiences from kissing spine would be similar to you having a back spasm or herniated disc!

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 people such as thoracic outlet syndrome, frozen shoulder, tendonitis, bursitis, and carpel tunnel syndrome. So think about all the things it could be impeding your horse’s freedom of movement in the front end. This is what starts the high-low hoof syndrome, horse not picking up right or left lead, mysterious lameness, kissing spine, behavioral issues, and even roaring in horses requiring expensive tie-back surgery.

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!”

Mud fever, also known as pastern dermatitis, scratches, grease heel, etc., is a common skin condition in horses caused by a combination of wet and muddy conditions, bacteria, and fungi. It typically affects the lower legs, especially white ones, and, if not addressed properly. can cause discomfort and lameness. Immune-challenged horses are also more susceptible to getting mud fever.

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.

Freezing temperatures and snow bring several misconceptions on how we care for our horses. In this article, April Love examines five common winter horse care myths, and what horse owners need to know. Let’s take a look at some commonly held misconceptions. “It's cold,...

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…