Allergies…. A seasonal irritation for some and a constant worry for others. Allergies can present a major health challenge for our animals and ourselves. When they become severe, it can be critical to get medical intervention quickly. As humans, we can vocalize our discomforts and evaluate what factors may have been at play to cause our bodies to go into a histamine response. For our animals however, its’ not that easy to determine when they start to feel unwell and then trace it back to what fa...
Jul 28, 2021•52 min•Season 2Ep. 24
As a bodyworker, we can see a variety of horses in any given day and we likely have worked on horses from many disciplines. However, it isn’t uncommon to get in involved with having more clients based in a certain discipline. Whether that be because it’s the discipline we ourselves compete in, or because it’s the barns we’ve been working in predominantly that have a specific focus. Whatever it may be, we thought it would be fun to chat with individuals from a variety of different equine sports t...
Jul 14, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Often when we talk about riding for straightness, the image of a horse, collected and engaged, going in a straight line down the long side of the arena comes to mind. But how do you achieve straightness in the corners? Or out in the field? And why is it important to work on straightness in our horses? How do we as bodyworkers, help riders achieve success here? Today we chat with Crystal Kroetch of Carousel Stables. Crystal is a master at the art of achieving straightness in horses and has worked...
Jul 07, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Todays guests are Tyler and Kayleigh Albrecht of Albrecht Performance Horses. Tyler is a professional trainer and Kayleigh, a non-pro in the western performance discipline of Working Cow Horse. One of the most exhilarating western sports to watch, working cow horse competitions showcase an incredibly athletic horse, versed in multiple events, all combined into one sport. With roots going back centuries to the vaqueros of Mexico working cattle on large tracks of land primarily in the state of Cal...
Jun 30, 2021•53 min•Season 2Ep. 21
We have been bandaging and splinting horses limbs for years, in order to help heal an injury, to hopefully prevent one from occurring or to give support during stalling and shipping. But the technology of compression bandages took a turn for the better many years ago with the Equicrown products. In todays episode, we talk with Donna von Hauff of Strathcona Ventures who is the technical specialist and distributor for Equicrown products here in Canada and many other parts of the world. Her knowled...
Jun 23, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Mention Chuckwagon Racing and it is bound to get the heart pumping!! This is a fast paced, exhilarating discipline that marries the traditions of our western heritage with todays sport performance horses. It has many fans and loyal supporters that follow the wagons around the circuit of Western Canada throughout the spring and summer. The last two years have been difficult for the wagon families, as it has been for many of us, but with families to support and dozens of horses on top of all that,...
Jun 16, 2021•41 min•Season 2Ep. 19
We started our discussion on acupressure with Jesse McCowan of Birch Animal Wellness and Tallgrass Canada in episode #5 on March 10 of this year. Today we are going to look specifically at the use of acupressure to help our horses transition from Spring to Summer season. Transitions are something we all experience, a process or period of changing from one state or condition to another. The transitions from one season to season can be especially difficult for a horse when they grow or shed their ...
Jun 09, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 18
PEMF or Pulsed Electronic Magnetic Therapy, is a relatively new modality, with the majority of the studies being done in the last 20+ years. It has been talked about more so recently in conjunction with equine therapies as there are now so many various types of equipment and individuals utilizing it. Like many tools, it can be a beneficial addition to a bodyworkers kit when applied properly and knowledgeably. In today’s episode, we’re talking with Cassidy Barnert EST, BSc Kinesiology of Evolutio...
Jun 02, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 17
As a bodyworker, we can see a variety of horses in any given day and we likely have worked on horses from many disciplines. However, it isn’t uncommon to get in involved with having more clients based in a certain discipline. Whether that be because it’s the discipline we ourselves compete in, or because it’s the barns we’ve been working in predominantly that have a specific focus. Whatever it may be, we thought it would be fun to chat with individuals from a variety of different equine sports t...
May 26, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 16
We see it often, a horse that is sore, lame or simply just “off”. Recovery is often dependent on so many factors including the individual itself (age, temperament and severity of injury), environment they can recover in (large or small, controlled or just turned out?), time commitment of caregiver (are they around 24/7 or only can deal with it once a day?) and use of a team approach (including the vet, farrier and bodyworker). Sometimes not matter how well the recovery seemingly goes, underlying...
May 19, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In the world of health, there can often be more than one way to approach a problem. Always looking at it from a team approach, but many modalities exist to help form individual health plans. In today’s episode we are going to look into one such modality that has been around for millennium, but which has only recently been formally studied and given a name; Zoopharmacognosy (an animals ability to self select elements to help itself heal). We will be talking with one of the few individuals trained...
May 12, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Chiropractics. Always a word that will evoke a lot of discussion when you talk about it in the equine world, especially the Equine Bodywork world. We tackled this topic last year with Dr Sarah Pedersen as well and had a phenomenal interview with her, talking about what the legalities of using this modality are and why it is so important to ensure you have a qualified, insured and certified (by a governing body) practitioner who is laying hands on your equine partners. There are two types of prac...
May 05, 2021•54 min•Season 2Ep. 13
When we talk about riding horses, more often than not, that means we’re sitting in a saddle of some design, with a pad and other tack such as the cinch and breast collars. The FIT of these pieces of equipment are vital to the comfort and biomechanics of your horse, and for you as the rider and partner in sport. Without proper fit comes pain and compensation which leads to postural imbalances, in both horse and rider, and potentially can cause long term damage to the tissue it’s putting pressure ...
Apr 28, 2021•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 12
Hundred of years ago, horses were the staple mode of transportation for humans. These days, it’s the horses being bundled up and hauled all over the world! With that hauling comes stress and potential for many incidents to happen. As bodyworkers, we work to help mitigate the soreness these horses can go through while hauling, but what if we could be pre-emptive with our plans and help the horses arrive more relaxed and without as much tension? Today we talk to two very knowledgable individuals w...
Apr 21, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 11
As a bodyworker, we can see a variety of horses in any given day and we likely have worked on horses from many disciplines. However, it isn’t uncommon to get in involved with having more clients based in a certain discipline. Whether that be because it’s the discipline we ourselves compete in, or because it’s the barns we’ve been working in predominantly that have a specific focus. Whatever it may be, we thought it would be fun to chat with individuals from a variety of different equine sports t...
Apr 14, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 10
As a bodyworker, we can see a variety of horses in any given day and we likely have worked on horses from many disciplines. However, it isn’t uncommon having more clients based in a certain discipline. Whether that be because it’s the discipline we ourselves compete in, or because it’s the barns we’ve been working in predominantly, that have a specific focus. Whatever it may be, we thought it would be fun to chat with individuals from a variety of different equine sports to discuss the ins and o...
Apr 07, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Nutrition…. One of the most common questions we get is “what should we be feeding our horses?”. A loaded question for sure and one that is not that easy to answer. No one answer will even be the same, as each horse will have their own unique requirements. There isn’t a product on the market that is fit for every horse, although with marketing and the amount of opinions out there, you would be sure there must be a magic formula! I’ve had experience caring for horses that needed to be fed up due t...
Mar 31, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Spring is in the air here in Canada and that usually means our show seasons start just around the corner. Some of us may have been already working on strengthening our horses condition while others might just be getting their heads wrapped around it. Regardless of where you are at, todays’ episode is going to be one to listen to as we break down where and how to evaluate a conditioning program to enable your horses the strength and proper posture they require for sport. Tina has been a bodyworke...
Mar 24, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Spring is in the air here in Canada and that usually means our show seasons start just around the corner. Some of us may have been already working on strengthening our horses condition while others might just be getting their heads wrapped around it. Regardless of where you are at, todays’ episode is going to be one to listen to as we break down where and how to evaluate a conditioning program to enable your horses the strength and proper posture they require for sport. Tina has been a bodyworke...
Mar 17, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 6
As equine bodyworkers, we often work in multiple modalities of soft tissue. One such modality that is gaining in popularity for the benefits it can deliver in a gentle and affective way, is acupressure. Today we talk with Tallgrass Canada owner, Jesse McGowan in regards to acupressure and how it can compliment or stand alone as an option in woking with equine and canine athletes. Jesse holds a bachelor of science in animal behaviour as well as her training in complimentary therapies of acupressu...
Mar 10, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 5
We often talk about our the horses condition or fitness when evaluating their performance. We need to consider that there are two partners connected, when we work with riding horses. There are many factors at play of course which include their own posture and balance as well as tack or blanket fit, but what about us, the rider? We need to consider how our fitness, balance and posture affect our equine partners and how they then need to compensate to find their own balance while performing sport....
Mar 03, 2021•51 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Kissing spine is seemingly becoming more prevalent in sport horses these days. Possibly due to improved diagnostic imaging, but it certainly is a buzz word these days. Often associated with an end to their career, it can rage in severity but certainly doesn't have to be the end of their riding. As you'll hear in todays episode, a great conditioning and rehab program can bring back their abilities. Last episode we talked with Emma Baldwin on the owners perspective to equine bodywork. Today we loo...
Feb 24, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 3
We often talk about the team approach here on this podcast. And there wouldn't be a team without the horse owner. The center piece of who brings in the professionals to work with their horses, we wanted to chat with one of our owners to hear her thoughts on bodywork, exercises, stretches and how to incorporate it all into a daily routine. Emma Baldwin along with her husband Kurt operate Bar EK stables from Sundre, Alberta. Their riding lesson program means there are plenty of horses around that ...
Feb 17, 2021•59 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Season 1, episode 7: Throwback to last year at this time when we were dealing with a severe case of ulcers on one of my mares. Listen through as Katie and I go over her case and discuss this common occurring disease. Update: Annie is doing well and spent the summer being ridden by a young rider in local shows where she excelled! We continue to monitor her for signs of ulcers and are careful to watch that she has enough fiber, water and gut health support through simple supplementation. Ulcers ar...
Feb 11, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Welcome back to the Equine Bodytalks Podcast!! I'm excited to start this new season after learning from season 1 and knowing more about podcasting. Today I'll be sharing what you can expect to hear this season and look forward to bringing some bonus material in the coming days. As always, this podcast is about opening the conversation around equine wellness and the equine bodywork industry. Please reach out to me through social media and by email, lets #opentheconversation equinebodytalks@gmail....
Feb 10, 2021•8 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Today's episode continues on our discussion about the profession of Equine Bodywork. We have a great guest, Tina Watkins EST, EEBW3 who operates InHand Equine Therapy here in Alberta. She is going to talk us through what it takes to be successful in this industry as well as what the day in the life of a bodyworker actually entails. Tina opened her doors as a bodyworker in 1996 and has seen it grow from a niche to being more mainstream as a therapy option for performance horses. For more informat...
Jan 16, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Today we get into the heart of what this podcast is about, equine bodywork. Owners, trainers, vets and everyone in between often have very strong opinions when it comes to individuals in the horse world doing alternative therapies. They either swear by them, think it’s the next magic pill or they think it’s hocus pocus. People will use someone without knowing what it is they do only because so and so said to or they’ve found a bodyworker who has worked with their horse to make significant improv...
Jan 16, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 5
2020 has been a rollercoaster year for everyone. There has been highs and lows and surprises at every turn. It was also the year Expand InHand launched their new continuing education platform called PODs. Today we sit down with InHand Equine Therapy found Tina Watkins to review the latest POD with Dr Mattson on forelimb, shoulder and thoracic sling and look forward to what is coming ahead! For more information about our continuing education short courses for equine professionals and owners cours...
Oct 14, 2020•57 min
Today we take a tour across the Atlantic with Nikola Kinnard-Comedie of NKC Equestrian Training based out of the UK. We talk about all things educational for equine professionals and owners alike. She is super active on social media, and has some amazing content and conferences coming out, you don't want to miss! Check out her website at: https://www.nkcequestrian.com You can find her on Facebook @nkc equestrian training and Instagram @nkc_equestrian For more information about our continuing edu...
Sep 23, 2020•50 min
Today's episode is about gut health and the G's Organic Solution formula which has been shown to help create an improved gut biome naturally. I interview the founder of G's and she takes us through how they came to produce a product backed by research for equine care. Interested in more information on G's Organic? Check out their facebook and instagram feeds as well as their website https://gsorganicsolutions.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 13 min
