Welcome to Holistic Horseworks Talks!
Hosted by April Love, the founder of Holistic Horseworks, this podcast offers valuable insight and solutions to those “little issues” that are often encountered with equine companions.
With her wealth of knowledge and decades of experience in working with them, April offers a unique perspective on horse health and well-being. Through this podcast, she answers listener questions and shares real-life stories that resonate with horse owners everywhere.
In a world where horses face so many challenges in their daily lives, and the “good ol’ ways” just aren’t cutting it anymore, this podcast brings fresh content to listeners, providing them with innovative approaches and techniques to address the challenges of today’s modern horses.
This podcast explores a variety of topics, including horse bodywork, natural remedies, emotional wellness, and the importance of understanding the horse as a whole, sentient being. April Love’s dedication to promoting not only horse health but also a harmonious bond between horse and rider shines through as she offers practical advice and insightful guidance. Her authentic and compassionate approach, combined with her expertise in holistic horse care, provides a platform for horse owners to explore new horizons and find effective solutions to enhance their horse’s overall well-being.
Whether you’re dealing with mysterious lameness, behavioral and training issues, issues, saddle fit, hoof balance, or high vet bills, the Holistic Horseworks Talks podcast is an invaluable resource for horse owners everywhere.
Tune in to embark on a journey of discovery, learning, and empowerment as you navigate the world of holistic horse care. Let April Love’s wisdom and stories guide you toward a deeper understanding of your horse’s unique health needs and a more fulfilling partnership with your equine companion.
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Horse 101: Everything You Wish You Had Known Before You Got Your First Horse
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Horse 101: Everything You Wish You Had Known Before You Got Your First Horse
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.
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.
High-Low Hoof Syndrome: Unlock the Underlying Secret to Balanced Hooves
High-low hoof Syndrome is a condition that has long puzzled vets, farriers, and horse owners. It refers to an imbalance in a horse’s hooves, where one hoof has a steeper angle compared to the other. Standing and working on this imbalance can lead to a variety of biomechanical issues that affect not just the hooves but the entire musculoskeletal system of the horse.
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.
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.
Are you ready to treat a wound in an emergency?
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks, April retells a story about an incident in one of her clinics. Despite being told repeatedly to NOT tie the horse to the corral panels, one student did just that. When the horse spooked, the corral panel hit another student in the head and caused a small but bloody gash. While her students were wondering what to do, April stepped in to treat the wounded student.
Caring for Older Horses: Arthritis, Mobility, Nutrition, and Hooves
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April Love shares helpful practices for caring for older horses. She offers information not only about supporting the symptoms of arthritis but even more importantly, preventative measures to keep it at bay for as long as possible. April also shares many other useful tips for aging equines such as choosing healthy feed to keep on weight, the importance of daily stretching, and even hoof care.
How does your horse’s environment affect their mood?
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, host April Love delves into the often unseen environmental factors that can significantly affect a horse’s behavior, mineral assimilation, and overall immune system.
Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, April sheds light on how power lines, water sources, and even natural elements like trees out in the pasture can impact a horse’s well-being.
The Importance of the First Rib in Horses
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.
Horses Grieve, Too. How to Help Them.
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April offers guidance on helping your horse cope with the loss of a pasture mate. Horse’s herd is their family, and the absence of a companion can be deeply distressing. While it’s natural to want to replace the lost companion immediately, April suggests giving your horse space to grieve and process their emotions.
Why won’t my horse pick up its hoof?
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April, addresses a question about a horse that refuses to pick up one of its hooves. If the horse is avoiding putting weight on one hoof, the focus should be on understanding why it’s uncomfortable shifting its weight rather than forcing the hoof to be lifted.
Do you have a “Moody Mare?”
In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April Love discusses ways to handle moodiness in mares during the summer when they are cycling. The main concern is that the moody behavior may affect interactions with other horses, and impact performance at horse shows or events. By understanding the mare’s specific needs, balancing her hormonal system, and addressing any physical discomfort, it becomes possible to improve her behavior and overall well-being. Similar to humans, horses can become irritable when in pain.
Young Horses With Cow-Hocked Posture
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.
Black Horses That Fade Out in Summer
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.