Some time ago, my young horse, Brasco, and I got to a point in our training where nothing felt right. I became increasingly frustrated with him and he with me. In hindsight, I wish he would have just bucked me off to get my attention. However, being the smarter of the two of us during our struggle, he knew I wasn’t ready to listen. One day I looked at him and wondered why he was not the fit athlete I knew he could be and I began to ask question after question of equine professionals . . .“Why do my horse’s feet look like that and why are they looking more and more unlike each other? Is that normal? Why are my horse’s withers so high? Why does he have no strength in his tail? Why can he flex comfortably one way and not the other? Why is one shoulder more developed than the other? What happened to my horse’s fluid movement which is now short and choppy? Why can’t I find a saddle to fit?” All of the responses that I received simply were not logical. So, I embarked upon a journey that resulted in balancing Brasco both mentally and physically so that he could be the athlete that we both new he could be.

An education in barefoot hoof care, saddle fit, diet and nutrition, supplementation, exercise, biomechanically correct movement, bodywork (acupuncture, chiropractic medicine and massage) and proper dental care have together resulted in a healthy horse and a partnership that we now enjoy. And, as the journey continues, I extend heartfelt thanks to the wonderful people we have met along the way.

Jennifer

Jennifer Reinke
Member, Pacific Hoof Care Professionals
Education, Equine Sciences Academy