Kathleen Faveros Equine Skeletal & Muscle Therapies Center in Emerald, Queensland
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A COMMON PATTERN OF STRAIN - further expansion of fascial lines and biomechanics In my opinion a large number of cases present with this pattern embedded... within them. Often as one part of many complicated layers within the body that each need figuring out. So care has to be taken when explaining this as it is far more detailed than can be explained in this short post. ----------------------------- As I have mentioned a thousand times...THE WHOLE BODY IS INTERCONNECTED. Therefore this pattern can begin at any one of these points. So in theory it could start in the organs or the lumbars as much as it could start in the feet or teeth. (Though the organs play a far bigger role than you would think....) This pattern seems to be a common set of compensatory ripples that follow a combination of fascial lines and biomechanical strain. Where the original/root issue emanated from will be the epicentre for these ripples of compensation. In the early stages the issues are localised and have weak or limited hold on the other areas. However, as time goes by without addressing the root factor(s) then the compensatory ripples start to reach those other regions on the path and ingrain deeper. As the other regions become involved they begin to also cement the issue in the root area as well as start adding to the next region on the compensatory pathway. The longer the issue goes un-addressed the worse the problem gets and the harder it is to unwravel as the body begins to make stronger and more severe structural changes. Such as hoof balance, joint shape, muscle balance and dental balance. The further down this path of compensation the horse has travelled the more it is imperative to treat THE WHOLE HORSE and not only change/address one problem ie do not just change the feet without ensuring the body can deal with this and that the teeth, saddle etc are supporting these changes. By changing the wrong thing you are actually unwittingly introducing a decompensation which can and likely will create other issues. A case of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul..... Knowing what you need to change and how much you can change all at once is the key. Too little is not enough but too much causes other issues. As you can see from the diagram in certain cases there would be little point trying to change the feet and leaving all the strain elsewhere with poor dental balance, body and organ issues etc etc. So for example, by chasing the perfect HPA too quickly or dramatically altering saddle fit in some cases will result in decompensatory issues that create more issues than they solve.....but we will be discussing COMPENSATIONS and DECOMPENSATIONS next time. So in summary, any long standing issue in your horse will likely have affected far more areas than you would have thought. These issues spread out in certain patterns due to fascial and biomechanical relationships. This was just one pattern of many. To tackle these intricate cases successfully evaluating and treating THE WHOLE HORSE is key!!

Are you an equine assisted practitioner interested in learning more about working with children? Our upcoming online Masterclass series, The Child’s Inner Worl...d will uncover and teach the language, activities and structure to help children grow and heal with horses. To learn more, please email and register your interest by Monday, 9 November. Uncover your own creative potential and understand how to deliver sessions that are truly safe and effective for children Email [email protected]

Thick saddle pads food for thought? Many riders use extra thick saddle pads, multiple pads, numnahs , gel pads, raisers you name it Despite the best intentio...ns this can seriously backfire and create more problems instead of helping. A well-fitting saddle used with a thick pad can become too narrow around the shoulder/whither area and hence put pressure on the vulnerable long back muscles, the triceps and the connection between shoulder and thorax, it can also cause the saddle to tilt backwards putting pressure on the back muscles behind the rider’s seat. When using multiple pads like a cotton saddle pad plus gel pad or numnah this construction can slip and slide easily and then rub and it prevents the saddle from sitting close and in the right position remember you communicate with your horse also via your seat bones do you think any signal would go through a thick heap of padding? A new fitted saddle is quite an expense hence it is understandable riders are looking for cheaper ways to make a saddle fit but judging by the number of horses with severe movement restrictions and scar tissue due to ill-fitting saddles I see as a therapist and knowing the amount of work (and money) that needs to be put in to get the horse sound again (and motivated and trusting after a period of discomfort and pain ), it might be worth consideration whether a saddle fitting or even if needed another saddle wouldn’t be the cheaper and safer option in the end.

Wanting to have a better understanding of the Horse beneath you & how to prevent injury due to underlaying manifesting Musculoskeletal aliments than my next Course is for you. Dates are 7th & 8th on November for all information please call Kathleen on 0419732148