Kelly’s Blog

Understanding & Treating Hindlimb Suspensory Ligament Injuries in Horses with Dr Jessica Kidd

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , , ,

Veterinary expert Dr. Jessica Kidd, who we were fortunate to have overseeing Hugo’s case, takes a deep dive into proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD) in this informative video. She breaks down why hindlimb PSD is more challenging to treat than forelimb cases, highlighting the anatomical constraints that make conservative treatment less effective.

Groundwork for Connection: Building Trust & Willingness (Step by step guide to Join Up)

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , ,

This video demonstrates initial groundwork exercises designed to build a connection with your horse and encourage them to willingly follow your lead. The focus is on gentle communication and establishing a partnership, not on scaring the horse.

You’ll see how the presenter approaches the horse calmly, establishes eye contact, and uses gentle movements to encourage the horse to move off and change direction. The importance of the handler’s confident body language is emphasized, ensuring the horse can see and follow them. Maintaining visual connection in these early stages is key.

IH Trainer Sandra Williams: Full Join-Up & Preparing a Horse for Ridden work

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , ,

Full Join Up™ Guidance Join IH Trainer Sandra Williams for a demonstration of Intelligent Horsemanship methods for starting a young horse (or working with a new one). You’ll see a full Join-Up™, adhering to IH ‘guidelines to starting young horses’.

This video covers: a straight Join-Up™; safe tack introduction (training saddle/normal saddle & breast strap); a second send away with saddle (stirrups rolled); invitation in; correctly fitting hobble (with twist); long lining (walk, trot, 2 x direction changes, back up); safe line removal; introduction of rider (stroking, hobble as neck strap, attaching reins); safe leg-up positions (including showing offside eye); rider on (safe tight circles, hind leg stepping under); moving to a larger circle (if confident); safe rider removal; safe exit; self-tack removal; stroke, walk, safe pen exit. Throughout, we emphasise safety awareness and clear communication, demonstrating the initial stages of preparing a horse for ridden work using IH principles.

Equus University The Dually Halter (Online Version of Dually DVD)

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , ,

Many of us don’t have a DVD player these days… so here is an online version of the DVD that comes in the pack when you buy a Dually.

To watch the rest of Monty’s Dually videos visit the Equus Online University. Ⓒ Equus Online University 2004: All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: Please note no copyright infringement is intended, and I do not own nor claim to own any right to the original production by Equus Online University

Monty Roberts: Understanding & Using the Dually Halter.

How To Fit A Dually Halter (Correctly) with Intelligent Horsemanship

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: ,

In this video IH Trainer Sandra William shares her key tips for getting the right fit with your Dually Halter. Using her own horse Jack. Starting with the initial setup of the halter and how to offer it to your horse in a way that’s often less intrusive. Getting the placement right on the nose and ensuring a comfortable yet secure fit under the throat are crucial, and I’ll guide you through what to look for. We’ll also touch on how the halter should sit to allow free movement and clear breathing. Plus, a quick reminder about rechecking the fit after a little use.

Pie & I Take on TREC! Watch Out For The Low Hanging Branches!

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , , ,

This video gives you a taste of the time I decided to enter Pie and myself into a TREC competition! Easy, right? 😉

You’ll see a session where I’m getting more than a few pointers on my technique for the tricky ‘low branches’ obstacle, followed by some exciting TREC competition footage and a bit of get-up-and-go inspiration!

Carrot Stretches Without Getting Bitten! Maintaining Mobility & Flexibility in Horses

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , ,

In this video, I’m sharing some of the gentle stretching exercises I do with my amazing now 30 year old veteran horse, Pie. We’ve been together for almost two decades now, and just like us as we get a bit older, keeping Pie mobile and flexible is important for his well-being so he can continue to enjoy life (and maybe even a fun ride or two!).

Training tips for the ‘Injection Phobic’ horse

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , ,

This video demonstrates techniques to help horses become more comfortable with handling and potential injections. It focuses on a horse exhibiting extreme fear and avoidance behaviours when approached around the head or neck, likely due to a negative past experience. The video highlights the horse’s fearful reactions, such as rearing, tension, snorting, running backwards, and spinning. It then emphasizes the importance of establishing good general control, including leading, backing up, and responding to pressure.

Happy Worming! Easy Steps for a Stress-Free Experience

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , , ,

In This video I show you how to make worming a much less stressful experience with a “cunning plan” to get Blondie used to the worming syringe. You’ll see how I initially let her sniff it and even seemingly lick it a bit. It’s all about letting her investigate and get familiar with it.

Teaching Your Horse to Stand Still: Essential Training Tips

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , , ,

This video demonstrates techniques and principles for teaching your horse to stand still reliably in a variety of situations. Whether it’s for TREC competitions, farrier visits, veterinary procedures, grooming, or even tolerating applause, standing still is a skill your horse simply must master. You’ll see examples with Pie, who’s already pretty good at it, though the presence of a rather distracting donkey in the arena is noted!

Horse Owners’ Essential: Mastering the Bowline Knot for a DIY Rope Halter

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: ,

Welcome back to Intelligent Horsemanship, your go-to channel for all things equine! In this video I’ll show you how to create a makeshift rope halter that is incredibly handy for those unexpected situations. Imagine encountering a loose horse, needing to safely catch a wild one or just simply forgetting to take your headcollar to the paddock.

Befriending The Untouched Horse Demonstration

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , ,

This video gives you a real insight into the very early stages of working with a truly wild and frightened horse. This particular horse reminds me so much of an American Mustang – completely untouched and naturally wary. Our main aim here is to gently introduce a head collar using absolutely no force whatsoever.

Acceptance Training Techniques For Clipper Shy Horses

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , ,

In this video, we’re tackling a common challenge for horse owners: clipping a horse who absolutely hates it! Meet Billy, a lovely chap who usually needs to be sedated just to get the clippers anywhere near him. As I explain, for some horses like Billy, it’s not about being naughty – it’s genuine fear, anxiety, and sometimes even being terribly ticklish that makes clipping a real ordeal.

Helping Overcome A Fear of Show Jumping Poles Demonstration

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , , , , ,

Join Dr. Rosie Jones McVey and Kelly Marks in this insightful video as they work with Ivor, a lovely Irish Draft horse who’s developed a real fear of poles. Despite being bought as a potential hunter, Ivor refuses to go anywhere near poles, even when they’re simply lying on the ground. This video demonstrates a gentle and effective approach to help Ivor overcome this fear so that he can eventually progress to jumping show jumps.

Ditch Jumping 101 – Gentle Introduction for Young Horses

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , ,

In this video, we’re taking a look at how to introduce young or inexperienced horses to ditch jumping for the very first time. We start right at the beginning, letting Barney have a good look at the plastic tray you often find at the bottom of competition ditches. Then, we progress to walking him over a flat representation – just some black plastic laid on the ground. It’s all about those small, steady steps!

Horsemanship Essentials – Clipping

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , , , , ,

This episode of “Horsemanship Essentials” demonstrates techniques for helping horses overcome their fear of clippers. Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks guide viewers through a step-by-step process using horses with real fears of clipping.

Horsemanship Essentials – Phobia Of Cows

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , , , , ,

Horsemanship Essentials – Phobia Of Cows Featuring Kelly Marks, Monty Roberts and Team This episode documents Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks works with Calypso, a Thoroughbred cross Irish sports horse […]

Horsemanship Essentials – Control Of Emotions

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , , , , ,

Horsemanship Essentials – Control Of Emotions Featuring Kelly Marks, Monty Roberts and Team This episode of “Horsemanship Essentials” focuses on the crucial role of emotional control for humans when working […]

Top Marks – Making It Happen

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , , , ,

This episode of “Top Marks” features a live demonstration addressing common horse behavioural issues. The programme showcases gentle, step-by-step techniques aimed at building horses’ confidence and trust to help them overcome specific anxieties.

Top Marks – Being Brave

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , , , ,

This episode details the efforts to train horses to be brave for different purposes. The programme focuses on acceptance training (desensitisation) with horses to various stimuli and helping them overcome specific phobias through gradual training techniques.

Top Marks – Loading

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , , ,

This episode of “Top Marks on the Road” features a loading clinic in Gloucester, where the host works with three horse owners and their horses to address loading difficulties. The programme details the initial challenges, the techniques used to overcome them, and the importance of understanding the root cause of each horse’s reluctance to load.

Top Marks – Nappy Horse

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , ,

This episode of “Top Marks on the Road” focuses on a nappy horse ‘crash course’ where Kelly works with horses exhibiting reluctance to move forward or leave other horses. The programme documents the assessment and training interventions used to address this challenging behaviour.

Top Marks – Mounting Manners

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , , , , ,

This episode of “Top Marks on the Road” focuses on mounting issues experienced by three different horses and their owners in Somerset. The programme demonstrates initial training interventions aimed at helping these horses stand still and accept being mounted calmly.

Top Marks – The First Challenge

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , , , , ,

This episode of Top Marks documents the initial activities and challenges faced by a team preparing for a horse demonstration event in Dorset. The programme focuses on assessing horses for suitability, addressing behavioural issues, and introducing young horses to the demonstration environment.

Top Marks – Facing Fears

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Addressing Equine Fears and Building Trust Through Understanding and Patience. This episode of “Top Marks – Facing Fears” focuses on addressing various behavioural challenges in horses through understanding, patience, and positive training techniques. The programme features demonstrations and discussions around horses with specific fears and anxieties.

Top Marks – Veteran Horse

In TV Shows and Content Tags: , , , , , , ,

Discover essential techniques for caring for older horses and effectively managing anxieties around vets and injections in this insightful Top Marks episode. Featuring renowned horse trainer and Intelligent Horsemanship founder Kelly Marks, alongside researcher Dr. Veronica Fowler, this programme offers practical, welfare-focused horse training strategies to enhance the well-being of veteran equines.

7 Basic Exercises Every Horse Owner Should Know

In Articles and Guides Tags: , , ,

This document, “7 Skills All Horse Owners Should Know,” by IHRA Sandra Williams, focuses on building a solid foundation with young horses before you even think about riding them. It’s all about establishing a strong bond and safe leadership through seven key ground-handling exercises. The main takeaway? Mastering these basics is absolutely crucial for both your safety and your horse’s well-being.

The IH Ultimate Guide To Longlining

In Articles and Guides Tags: , , , ,

“The IH Ultimate Guide To Longlining” provides a comprehensive overview of long lining horses, a versatile training method with numerous benefits. It covers everything from the basics to advanced techniques, including navigating obstacles and long lining in different environments. The guide also touches on long reining for schooling and rebalancing horses.

To Lunge Or Not To Lunge – That Is The Question

In Articles and Guides Tags: , , , , , ,

“To Lunge, Or Not To Lunge,” a three-part series by vet physiotherapist Abi Pass MSc, explores the pros and cons of lunging, a somewhat controversial exercise. The guide emphasises the importance of clinical reasoning when deciding whether to lunge a specific horse, and discusses lungeing equipment and training aids.

From The Ground To The Saddle

In Articles and Guides Tags: ,

This document, “Ground to Saddle,” by IH Trainer Jim Goddard, guides horse owners on transitioning IH principles from groundwork to ridden exercises. Goddard emphasises a thoughtful and intentional approach to horse training, highlighting the importance of pressure and release, and encourages riders to think like educators, breaking down exercises into smaller parts. The guide focuses on building the horse’s understanding, balance, suppleness, and confidence through a series of specific exercises.

Rehabilitating A Horse With A Hindlimb Suspensory Injury

In Blog Post

To access this content, please signup to one of our memberships JOIN NOW
If you already have an account then LOGIN


Hugo’s Story – The One Pound Pony:

For those of you who don’t already know… we welcomed Hugo (aka The One Pound Pony) to our family in August 2024. He’s a lovely 15.3hh Connemara x Thoroughbred who came to us with some physical challenges that needed addressing. Despite failing a vetting and showing signs of lameness, something about him convinced us to take a chance. What started as a lease agreement turned into purchasing him for just £1 – hence his nickname, The One Pound Pony!

Keep an eye out for Hugo’s full story in my World article in the Spring-Summer 2025 magazine, where I’ll share all the details of how this special boy came into our lives. Below you’ll find videos documenting our rehabilitation journey together…


https://youtube.com/shorts/UXjjmLF6u0A

Our First Steps with Hugo

When Hugo first joined the IH family, we knew we needed a systematic approach to understand and address his challenges. For those of you who have completed the Online Horse Psychology Course, you’ll recognize this systematic problem-solving approach from Week 6! Here’s what we did in those crucial first weeks:


  • Initial physio assessment revealed key issues

  • Hind limb offloading and forward weight shift

  • Muscle wastage around withers

  • Significant back discomfort

  • Strong saddle aversion

Our in-house physiotherapist Abi Pass’s full assessment revealed Hugo was typically standing in a ‘downhill’ position, offloading his hind limbs. He showed noticeable atrophy under the saddle area and reduced shoulder extension. The most concerning observation was his extreme reaction to the saddle – he would retreat to the back of his stable when it approached. There were significant muscle spasms around the saddle region and tension in his gluteal muscles, particularly on the right side.


Treating Poll Sensitivity

https://youtube.com/shorts/buxWYZrln5g

When Hugo arrived, his reactions to tack told us immediately we needed to address these issues. Here’s how we approached both:

Saddle Challenges:

  • ✓ Severe aversion to saddle

  • ✓ Back muscle spasms

  • ✓ Required careful reintroduction

The moment we approached Hugo with a saddle, his distress was clear – he would retreat to the back of his stable and his back muscles would actually spasm as the saddle came near. Instead of rushing to a full saddle fitting, we made a strategic decision. Daisy had a saddle of the appropriate size that could be adjusted with shims in the saddle cloth.

After consulting with our saddle fitter, we agreed it would be counterproductive to do a full fitting before Hugo was in better physical condition and ready for proper schooling. Through video consultations and careful adjustments, we found a comfortable temporary solution. We knew we’d succeeded when the spasms disappeared completely and Hugo stopped showing anxiety around saddling.

Key tip: Remember that saddle comfort is a two-way street – it needs to work for both horse AND rider. Our chosen saddle allows the riders to feel secure and comfortable too, which is crucial for building confidence together.


Saddle Assessment Webinar (Member-exclusive)

IH Trainer, Julia Fisher, lectures on Saddle Assessment on the Five Day Foundation course and has a wealth of knowledge…




  • ✓ Completed in first week

  • ✓ Results: All clear!

I got Hugo’s feet X-rayed within the first week because if the feet aren’t right, nothing is going to be right. The results were thankfully fine – a great foundation to build on.

Here’s a tip: Check with your local veterinary practices about hoof X-ray costs. It’s often more affordable than you might expect and is absolutely money well spent for peace of mind.

  • ✓ Completed in first week

  • ✓ Revealed allergy markers (Eosinophils at 7%)

Getting a baseline blood test was essential. The results showed elevated Eosinophils (marked as E or Eo) at 7% – normal is less than 3%. This matched his symptoms of coughing and thick nasal discharge. This finding actually catalyzed a big change in our yard management, leading us to create a more dust-free environment. Sometimes one horse’s needs can improve life for everyone in the yard!

  • ✓ Medium level (325epg strongyle)

  • ✓ Presence of bot eggs

Hugo’s worm count showed medium-level strongyles, but what really surprised us were the bot eggs on his legs and shoulders. I hadn’t seen bot eggs since my Pony Club days! It was particularly curious as he’d only been living a mile down the road, yet we’d never had bots here. After appropriate treatment, we’ve implemented a regular worm count schedule. It will be interesting to see if the bot eggs return next year.

Bridle & Bitting Issues:

  • ✓ Head-lifting evasion during bridling

  • ✓ Facial expressions indicating discomfort

  • ✓ Unusual growth near bit area

  • ✓ Required expert consultation

Hugo’s bridle issues were complex. He would raise his head as high as possible when approached with a bridle (quite a challenge for my shorter family members!), and once bitted, he developed an unnatural sneer, particularly pronounced on the left side.

Intriguingly, we discovered a marble-sized growth on the right side of his mouth, just above where the bit sits. (Update: this has gradually disappeared completely – quite curious!)

We took a systematic approach to solving these issues:

  1. Expert Consultation:

  • Consulted Dr James Cooling (GP, IH Trainer and bit/bridle specialist)

  • Shared videos of:

    • His mouth movement

    • Ridden work in previous bit

    • Dental procedures

  1. Solution Implementation:

  • Switched to NS Demi Anki Loose 70mm bit

  • Removed noseband completely for observation

  • Monitored mouth relaxation and movement

  1. Results:

  • Gradual improvement in acceptance

  • More relaxed mouth when in gentle contact

  • Reduced tension in facial expressions

We’re still monitoring his response as we gradually return to schooling work, but the improvement in his general comfort and acceptance of the bridle has been remarkable.

Key Learning: Sometimes the solution isn’t just about finding the right equipment – it’s about giving the horse time to trust that the equipment won’t cause discomfort.”


What You Need To Know About Bridle Fitting

Kelly talks bridles with Dr James Cooling independent bitting and bridle fitting expert founding member of the Association of Professional Bit and Bridle Fitters (APBBF)…




  • ✓ Examined by Dr Chris Pearce

  • ✓ Multiple issues identified requiring attention

Our equine dental vet, Dr Chris Pearce, found several issues needing attention:

Unusual staining patterns suggesting uneven feeding habits Getting the mouth comfortable was crucial for Hugo’s overall wellbeing and future training. The uneven wear patterns particularly explained some of his bitting issues and unusual hay-chewing patterns we’d noticed.”

  • Perfectly even front bite (good news!)

  • Uneven wear on left side upper teeth, particularly outside Sharp points with corresponding pinpoint ulcers

  • Presence of peripheral caries

  • Overgrown lower tooth with slight rotations

  • Unusual staining patterns suggesting uneven feeding habits

Getting the mouth comfortable was crucial for Hugo’s overall wellbeing and future training. The uneven wear patterns particularly explained some of his bitting issues and unusual hay-chewing patterns we’d noticed.


Common Misconceptions with Equine Dentistry

Common Misconceptions with Equine Dentistry

European Veterinary Equine Dental Specialist unpacks some common misconceptions around the Equine Dental industry….






Veterinary Assessment & Diagnosis

After noticing subtle irregularities in Hugo’s movement—such as a slight hip hike and discomfort when transitioning to canter—it was clear a full veterinary workup was needed. We had already planned a thorough lameness evaluation with Dr. Jessica Kidd, a renowned equine orthopaedic surgeon with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating complex cases. Her expertise was crucial at this stage to pinpoint the issue.

One of the key signs that raised concern was Hugo’s inability to back up or shift his weight backwards—a serious red flag that didn’t improve with training. This suggested a physical issue, not just a behavioural one, highlighting the need for a professional diagnosis.


Veterinary Assessment

  • On a soft surface, Hugo displayed right hind limb lameness, especially on the right rein.

  • He consistently bucked during canter transitions and struggled with balance on the lunge, falling in on circles while keeping his head turned to the outside.

  • A nerve block on the deep branch of the lateral plantar nerve in the right hind limb was performed. Within minutes, the lameness switched to the left hind, confirming bilateral hind limb pain.

  • Radiographs of his dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) showed minimal changes, ruling out severe conditions like kissing spine.

  • An ultrasound scan of the proximal suspensory ligaments revealed a moderate lesion in the right hind and a milder issue in the left hind.

https://youtu.be/5V2g-ARaMps


The Diagnosis: Proximal Suspensory Desmitis (PSD)

Hugo was diagnosed with Proximal Suspensory Desmitis (PSD), a serious ligament injury affecting both hind limbs. If left untreated, this could lead to chronic lameness and limit Hugo’s ability to perform athletically in the future.



Understanding and Treating Proximal Hindlimb Suspensory Desmitis (PSD)

https://youtu.be/CCtYPIPqqb4



with Dr Jessica Kid

Veterinary expert Dr. Jessica Kidd, who we were fortunate to have overseeing Hugo’s case, takes a deep dive into proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD) in this informative video. She breaks down why hindlimb PSD is more challenging to treat than forelimb cases, highlighting the anatomical constraints that make conservative treatment less effective. Dr Kidd discusses surgical options like plantar neurectomy and fasciotomy, explaining how they help relieve pain and pressure on the suspensory ligament. She also covers non-surgical approaches, post-operative care, and key factors that affect a horse’s recovery. Additionally, she emphasises the importance of varied activities to reduce injury risk and offers insights into the best time to start a horse’s training.

Proximal Hindlimb Suspensory Desmitis (PSD) is a condition affecting the suspensory ligament at its origin on the back of the cannon bone in the hindlimbs. Due to the rigid anatomical compartment surrounding the ligament, swelling and inflammation lead to significant pain and functional impairment. This condition is a major cause of lameness in sport and performance horses and often requires specialized treatment due to its complex nature.

While forelimb PSD generally has a favourable prognosis with conservative management, hindlimb PSD is significantly more problematic due to anatomical constraints. The key difference lies in the structure of the hindlimb suspensory ligament, which is encased within a rigid compartment formed by the back of the cannon bone, splint bones, and a tough sheet of fascia. This anatomical setup increases the risk of compartment syndrome, making healing more difficult and pain more persistent.

  • Anatomical Constraints: The suspensory ligament in the hindlimbs has limited space to expand when injured, leading to compression and persistent pain.

  • Nerve Involvement: Compression can affect nearby nerves, leading to neurogenic pain, which can contribute to chronic lameness.

  • Lower Success Rate with Conservative Treatment: Unlike in forelimbs, where 90% of suspensory injuries heal with conservative treatment, hindlimb PSD only has a 10-14% success rate without surgical intervention.

For horses undergoing conservative treatment, the protocol includes:

  • Rest & Controlled Exercise: Initial rest followed by structured rehabilitation, starting with extended periods of in-hand walking.

  • Shockwave Therapy: Helps stimulate healing and alleviate pain.

  • Corticosteroid Injections: Can temporarily reduce inflammation but do not provide a long-term solution.

  • Stem Cell Therapy: Aims to repair damaged fibers in the suspensory ligament.

  • Corrective Shoeing & Hoof Balance: Addressing predisposing factors such as long toes and low heels can improve the prognosis.

However, due to the anatomical challenges of hindlimb PSD, many cases ultimately require surgical intervention for the best chance at recovery.

When conservative management fails, surgery is often the recommended course of action. The procedure consists of two key components:

  1. Plantar Neurectomy: Cutting the nerves that supply the top of the suspensory ligament to reduce pain.

  2. Fasciotomy: Cutting the rigid fascia to relieve pressure and improve circulation, similar to carpal tunnel surgery in humans.

  • Single vs. Multiple Orthopedic Issues: Horses with only PSD tend to have better outcomes post-surgery (~80% return to their intended use). Those with concurrent orthopedic problems may not recover as well.

  • Conformation: Horses with straight hocks, long sloping pasterns, or poor hoof angles are more predisposed to PSD and have a lower likelihood of full recovery.

  • Age & Training: Horses started later (around age five) may have better ligament strength, reducing the risk of PSD.

  • Immediate Post-Surgical Management: Box rest for a couple of weeks, followed by controlled in-hand walking.

  • Gradual Reintroduction of Load: Progressive increase in work to strengthen the ligament without causing reinjury.

  • Therapeutic Ultrasound & Physiotherapy: Help address secondary biomechanical issues arising from altered movement patterns.

  • Varied Training: Incorporating different types of movement can help prevent repetitive strain injuries.

  • Balanced Hoof Care: Proper trimming and shoeing to maintain good foot balance.

  • Monitoring & Early Intervention: Regular veterinary check-ups and prompt treatment of any early signs of lameness can improve long-term outcomes.

Hugo’s Rehabilitation Process

Following his surgery for Proximal Suspensory Desmitis (PSD), Hugo’s recovery was carefully structured to allow his ligaments to heal while gradually reintroducing movement.


For the first two weeks post-surgery, Hugo remained on strict box rest to allow initial healing. His daily routine included:

  • Hand-grazing twice a day for five minutes to provide mental stimulation while ensuring he didn’t overexert himself.

  • Daily monitoring of surgical wounds, using Leucillin spray to keep the area clean.

  • Regular physiotherapy with Abi Pass, focusing on gentle massage, lymphatic drainage, and weight shifts to aid circulation, reduce stiffness, and promote early healing.



At week 3, Hugo was introduced to small-pen turnout—a stable-sized enclosed area—allowing him some natural movement while keeping his activity restricted. This was essential in preventing stiffness without risking sudden movements.

At the same time, hand-walking was introduced, starting at 10 minutes twice daily and increasing by 5 minutes per week..

Led in a Dually halter with sidereins, ensuring balance without discomfort.

Walking routes were varied to prevent him anticipating grass time and pulling towards it.



As Hugo built more stability, we transitioned to long-lining to encourage engagement and self-carriage:

  • Straight-line work to minimize strain on healing ligaments.

  • Introduced gentle rein cues to improve posture and encourage correct weight distribution.

During this period, turnout was expanded to a tennis court-sized pen, allowing greater but controlled movement while preventing sudden exertion.



At this stage, Hugo was ready to increase engagement and mobility with raised pole work:

  • Helped strengthen his hindquarters and core muscles.

  • Encouraged proper weight distribution and coordination.

During this time, water treadmill therapy was introduced as an additional tool for controlled rehabilitation:

  • Used buoyancy to reduce impact, allowing him to exercise without excessive strain.

  • Encouraged hind limb flexion, core strength, and correct movement patterns.

  • Sessions were twice a week, with close monitoring to ensure he remained comfortable.



Hugo’s turnout was increased in carefully controlled stages:

  1. Small-pen turnout (weeks 3-6): Stable-sized for early movement.

  2. Larger enclosed turnout (week 12): Tennis court-sized, allowing more movement while keeping him contained.

  3. Small paddock turnout (week 14): Introduced to restricted field access under supervision.

  4. Full turnout (week 16): Allowed to roam freely, while still being monitored for signs of discomfort.

https://youtu.be/xlj22dg9Iqk



By three months post-surgery, Hugo was ready for ridden walking:

  • Short, controlled sessions focused on straightness, relaxation, and core engagement.

  • Light pole work under saddle to ensure correct posture.

  • Gradual rein contact as he built confidence and strength.







Relevant Webinars:


A Chat with Lameness Expert Dr Sue Dyson

Latest Research on Equine Back Conditions with Dr Jessica Kidd

Q&A with Sue Palmer aka The Horse Physio



Top Equestrian Memberships in 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Membership

In Blog Post

Top Equestrian Memberships in 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Membership As a dedicated horse lover, finding the perfect equestrian membership to support you can feel overwhelming. With […]

Fitting Your Dually Halter Correctly: with Kelly Marks

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: ,

In this video, I’m going to show you exactly how to fit your Dually Halter correctly. It’s so important to get this right to make sure it works effectively and is comfortable for your horse.

Dually Halters come in different colours, and these colours actually indicate the size, so you can get the perfect fit for your horse, whatever their breed or size. For example, the green one is the smallest, great for those lovely Welsh Mountain ponies. Red is a really versatile size that fits loads of horses, while black is ideal for your medium Thoroughbreds and smaller Warmbloods. And for the big lads, like extra-large draught horses, we’ve got the blue.

Kelly Marks Tries Western Riding! My Second Time Ever!

In Training and Educational Videos Tags: , , , ,

This video captures my (very!) early experiences with Western riding – I think it was only my second time ever in public! So, you get to see me learning the ropes, which is always fun. We start with a bit of instruction on how to mount a Western saddle properly. There’s a specific way to hold the reins and place your hands, using the saddle horn for support. Then, we move on to using leg cues to get the horse moving, and the all-important “Whoa” command to stop.

« Newer Older »
Intelligent Horsemanship LTD, Lethornes, Lambourn, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 8QP
Company reg. no.: 04532067 - VAT reg. no.: 642 375832 - Registered in England and Wales IH Courses LTD. Company reg. no.: 9100054
Phone: 01488 71300
Email: office@ihhq.net

© 2026 Intelligent Horsemanship

Designed and Hosted by