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The Official Blog of 24HorseBehaviors.org

Hosted by The Train with Trust Project

Video Q&A: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The Train with Trust Project The Train with Trust Project

Video Q&A: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Learn how the horse’s lumbo-sacroiliac region functions, what kinds of issues cause pain in and around the area, and how to spot signs of trouble.

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Video Q&A: Rehabbing Equine Ligament Injuries
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Video Q&A: Rehabbing Equine Ligament Injuries

“We cannot shortcut the repair of ligament injuries, we have to give the horses sufficient time, and to try to put them back into work too early is false economy.” - Dr. Sue Dyson

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Assessing your horse’s response to the use of pain-relieving medication (e.g. “bute” trial)
Dr. Sue Dyson Dr. Sue Dyson

Assessing your horse’s response to the use of pain-relieving medication (e.g. “bute” trial)

“It is important to be aware that improvement in performance and behaviour during medication and/or deterioration in performance after stopping medication are positive indicators of the presence of pain. However, a negative response to phenylbutazone does not preclude the presence of pain, because phenylbutazone is not effective in relieving all sources of pain.” Dr. Sue Dyson

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Video Q&A: What Does a Happy Horse Look Like?
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Video Q&A: What Does a Happy Horse Look Like?

“A horse which is pain free should stand for grooming and tacking without fidgeting constantly. It shouldn’t be picking up limbs, it shouldn’t be swishing its tail, it shouldn’t be opening its mouth or threatening to bite, because all of those are not normal behaviors. Many horses who are normal will particularly enjoy being groomed in some specific areas, for example when you use a curry comb to effectively scratch the withers, which is where horses mutually groom each other.” Dr. Sue Dyson

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Video Q&A: Bucking, Rearing and Unwillingness
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Video Q&A: Bucking, Rearing and Unwillingness

Dr. Sue Dyson clarifies the various reasons a horse may buck or rear and common causes of general unwillingness under saddle, based on her extensive research involving thousands of horses.

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Video Q&A: No Hoof, No Horse
The Train with Trust Project The Train with Trust Project

Video Q&A: No Hoof, No Horse

In a conversation with the Train with Trust Project, Dr. Dyson answers the question, "What should a healthy hoof look like?" and discusses the current research on barefoot trimming vs. shoeing, how to look for a good farrier, the latest developments in boot/shoe technology, the crucial role of communication between vets and farriers, and more.

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Video Q&A: The 24 Behaviors Film - Where Are They Now?
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Video Q&A: The 24 Behaviors Film - Where Are They Now?

Jody Ambrose & Megan Phillips of the Train with Trust Project host a live discussion about the making of the sensational, award-winning film that started it all - The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain: Shifting the Paradigm of How We See Lameness.

Hear what the experience has been like for the cast and producers and how the film’s message is having a significant impact on the horse industry. Learn what happened to Galina when cameras stopped rolling, how she is responding to treatment and what she is doing now!

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Impinging Spinous Processes, aka “Kissing Spines” – What You Should Know
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Impinging Spinous Processes, aka “Kissing Spines” – What You Should Know

Renowned equine orthopedic veterinarian Dr. Sue Dyson answers questions about impinging spinous processes (ISPs), commonly known as "Kissing Spines").

Dr. Dyson explains what we know about ISPs; how or if we should respond to such radiographic findings; and what a conservative care plan for kissing spines should look like.

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Video Q&A: Social License to Ride - What It Is & Why It Matters
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Video Q&A: Social License to Ride - What It Is & Why It Matters

How do people outside the horse world feel about what we do, and why does it matter?

“Social license” refers to an unwritten agreement between the public and those who ride horses, that what we do is okay.

In order for riding to be socially acceptable, the majority of people need to agree that we make right and ethical decisions for horses. Maintaining this trust is important to the future of horse riding in its many forms.

In this conversation with Dr. Dyson, we examine current issues within this debate and discuss ways we can find common ground by looking at what the evidence tells us are the best practices to ensure the wellbeing of our equine partners.

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Canter dysfunction & lumbosacroiliac joint region pain
Dr. Sue Dyson Dr. Sue Dyson

Canter dysfunction & lumbosacroiliac joint region pain

“Management of lumbosacroiliac joint region pain includes local medication, manual therapy and groundwork to strengthen the supporting muscles, and appropriate modification of the training and management programme. This is often a long-term project rather than a ‘one-off’ treatment.” Dr. Sue Dyson

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Video Q&A: Canter Dysfunction
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Video Q&A: Canter Dysfunction

Beginning with a detailed description of the biomechanical complexity of the canter, Dr. Dyson explains how problems with the gait, which are commonly considered a training issue, are very often related to underlying musculoskeletal pain or other physical variables.

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Video Q&A: The Science of Saddle fit
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Video Q&A: The Science of Saddle fit

“The aim of the saddle is to facilitate you riding in balance such that you are as close to the horse’s center of gravity as possible, and so that it will facilitate you being in rhythm with the horse’s movement as far as is possible.” - Dr. Sue Dyson

In our ongoing conversation with Dr. Sue Dyson about the well-being of ridden horses, learn how many elements of saddle fit for both horse and rider, are underestimated factors affecting soundness as well as performance.

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