An inspiring collection of proven practical horsey tips, the book ‘Sue’s Helpful Horse Hint’s’ is now available!

For immediate release

An inspiring collection of proven practical horsey tips, the book ‘Sue’s Helpful Horse Hint’s’ is now available!

From Sue Palmer on 24^th August 2013 in Stafford, Staffordshire, UK

Sue Palmer MCSP today releases her latest book, ‘Sue’s Helpful Horse Hints’.

‘Sue’s Helpful Horse Hints’ is an inspiring collection of proven practical horsey tips from Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist and Equine Behaviourist Sue Palmer.  Thought provoking and guaranteed to make you smile, this book encourages the reader to look at life from the horse's point of view and is a must for every tack room.  This is Sue Palmer's second book, the first being the well-received "Horse Massage for Horse Owners', published through J A Allen.

This exciting collection of practical tips encourages the reader to look at life from their horse's point of view, with unique hand drawn cartoons that have them giggling to themselves while they read.  In it you'll find helpful hints you can use immediately with your own horse.  Simple ideas and exercises give results that last a lifetime, enhancing your relationship with your horse and potentially improving his behaviour and performance.

Sue says “I’m very excited that this book has reached publication, it’s been a real family effort.  I post a ‘helpful horse hint’ on my Holistic Horse Help facebook page every day, which has over 2000 followers, and I send a weekly ‘helpful horse hints' email to over 9000 subscribers.  When I approached my mum, who has always loved drawing and painting, with the suggestion that she come up with cartoons to go with the hints and we put them together in a book, she was as excited as I was.  And with my husband Simon publishing the finished article, I’m exceptionally pleased with the end result!”

About Sue Palmer

Sue Palmer MCSP, author of 'Horse Massage for Horse Owners', is a Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist and Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Associate based in Stafford, Staffordshire.  Also a BHSAI, Sue is committed to educating horse owners about the potential physical causes of behavioural problems, particularly ridden ones, and at the time of writing is physio on tour with Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks in the UK.  (A valued member of Monty Roberts’ tour team in the UK for many years, Sue is currently cutting back on her touring duties to spend time with her 1yr old boy Philip)

About Sarah Brown

Sarah Brown, artist extraordinaire, wife, and mother of three (including Sue), has enjoyed painting and drawing ever since she can remember. Horses have been a part of her life since she was a young child when she helped her father on his milk round with his pony and trap, and it is through Sarah that Sue developed her passion for the equestrian world.  Although Sarah has won competitions for her artwork and one of her pictures has been displayed in the National Gallery, this is her first published work.

This book is published by Simon Palmer, Into The Lens Ltd, and is available from www.holistichorsehelp.com.  If you would like a review copy, please contact Sue directly (contact details below).

Website: www.holistichorsehelp.com
Email: sue@holistichorsehelp.com
Phone: 07976 413488

Attachment parenting in the equine world

At the recent International Society of Equitation Science conference, Andrew McLean and Paul McGreevy discussed the potential links between 'attachment parenting' and horse training.  As a mother with a young baby (not so young now - he's 11 months old!), I am of course interested in attachment parenting and follow many of the principles that I am aware of in a very natural way (as opposed to doing it because a book has told me to).

For those who are 'out of the loop' on this (I certainly was before I had Philip!), Wikipedia describes attachment parenting as:

Attachment parenting, a phrase coined by paediatrician William Sears is a parenting philosophy based on the principles of attachment theory in developmental psychology. According to attachment theory, the child forms a strong emotional bond with caregivers during childhood with lifelong consequences. Sensitive and emotionally available parenting helps the child to form a secure attachment style which fosters a child's socio-emotional development and well-being. In extreme and rare conditions, the child may not form an attachment at all and may suffer from reactive attachment disorder. Principles of attachment parenting aim to increase development of a child's secure attachment and decrease insecure attachment.

When parents are taught to increase their sensitivity to an infant's needs and signals, this increases the development of the child's attachment security.^[2]

AP is most accessibly summarized by the 7 Baby B's:

• 1. Birth Bonding
• 2. Breastfeeding
• 3. Babywearing
• 4. Bedding close to baby
• 5. Belief in the language value of your baby's cry
• 6. Beware of baby trainers
• 7. Balance

An article on the presentation by McLean and McGreevy comments:

And that’s where attachment comes in. There’s been a lot of hype in recent years about “attachment parenting.” So guess what? “Attachment horse handling” might just become the new rage. McLean said horses that feel a closer “attachment” to their trainers will have a stronger sense of security compared to those that feel less attachment. As a prey animal, an insecure horse is a fearful horse, and a fearful horse is a looking-around-and-not-paying-attention-to-his-trainer horse. So a lot of what might seem like “horse whispering” as well as all sorts of touch therapies might really be “horse attachment.” If your horse is attached to you, he’s going to be more likely to have a lower state of arousal—meaning, he’ll be calmer and more focused on his learning session—and hence, he’ll be more likely to learn: "Tactile contact is an antidote for insecurity," McLean said.

Particularly of interest to me in this article is the paragraph:

Paying greater attention to our horses’ fundamental affective need for touch, then, might help facilitate a stronger attachment between horse and human. One way to achieve this, McLean said, is to replace patting with stroking when we want to reward the horse for a job well done. “Patting … tends to cause vigilant behavior and high levels of arousal,” he said. “But stroking causes more affiliative (bond-forming) behavior.”

Could this be partly why owners who massage their horse before working them so often report to me that they get the best work from their horses on those sessions?!

To read the full article at www.thehorse.com click on this link: http://www.thehorse.com/articles/32311/excitement-feeling-and-attachments-impact-on-training?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=health-news&utm_campaign=08-13-2013

Horse Massage for Horse Owners courses 2013

Horse Massage for Horse Owners Courses 2013

Sunday 18th August (all proceeds to the charity 'Have a Heart')

Venue: Abbotsholme Stud, Rocester, ST14 5BP (http://www.liveryabbotsholmestud.co.uk)
Cost: £100 per person, to include lunch
Time: 10am to 4pm
Contact: Leisa Calder on 07742 412905 or leisa@haygain.com or via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Livery-at-Abbotsholme-Stud/455200314534303


Sunday 27th October

Venue: Priory Farm Equestrian, Bradley, Staffordshire, ST18 9DE (http://www.prioryfarm-equestrian.com)
Cost: £110 per person to include lunch (£100 per person for members of the Bradley Dale Riding Club)
Time: 10am to 4pm
Contact: Helen Smith on 07967 154187 or pebblesdesignagency@hotmail.co.uk


Sunday 3rd November

Venue: Abbotsholme Stud, Rocester, ST14 5BP (http://www.liveryabbotsholmestud.co.uk)
Cost: £100 per person, to include lunch
Time: 10am to 4pm
Contact: Leisa Calder on 07742 412905 or leisa@haygain.com or via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Livery-at-Abbotsholme-Stud/455200314534303


Saturday 16th November (all proceeds to the charity 'Have a Heart')

Venue: The Dressage Secret, Penkridge, Staffordshire, ST19 5RP (http://www.thedressagesecret.com)
Cost: £100 per person to include a copy of the DVD 'Horse Massage for Horse Owners' (RRP £24.95)
Time: 10am to 4pm
Contact: Sue Palmer on sue@holistichorsehelp.com, or via www.holistichorsehelp.com

Course details

This course is must for anyone who would like to improve the health, well being or performance of their horse.  Practical, educational and easy to follow, Sue Palmer MSc Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist and author of 'Horse Massage for Horse Owners' shares with you the knowledge and skills you need to massage your own horse.

Learn about equine anatomy, massage techniques, and how to combine the moves to develop a complete massage routine.  With the emphasis on how you can work with your own horse, Sue offers an insight into how to reduce pain and stiffness in your horse as well as improve performance.

Horses are provided by the venue, there is no facility for bringing your own horse on the above courses.  If you are interested in arranging a massage course at your own yard, please contact Sue (sue@holistichorsehelp.com) for more information.  'Horse Massage for Horse Owners' is also available as a book (published by J A Allen) and a DVD, to get your copy today visit www.holistichorsehelp.com.

Massaging your horse gives something back in return for all he does for you, and will help you and your horse to truly enjoy the time you spend together.

Holistic Horse Help Price List

I need to update my price list (you can see the current one at www.holistichorsehelp.com under 'Bookings' then 'Prices') because since having my baby boy my work hours have changed, and this affects my availability and hence my pricings.  I'd really appreciate it if you would have a glance through the information below, and feedback to me (sue@holistichorsehelp.com) anything useful.  Is there anything else I should include, anything I should take out, anything that's not clear?  Thanks in advance for your time.  Sue

Prices below are based on an initial assessment and treatment lasting approximately 1.5hrs, and a follow up session lasting approximately 1hr.

Travel is charged at 50p per mile round trip from ST17 9JQ (based on mileage given on AA Route Planner)

Sue (physiotherapy and / or behavioural work), available Thursdays and Fridays

Within 30 minutes of Stafford (ST17 9JQ):

Initial assessment £60 plus travel

Follow up £45 plus travel

Further than 30mins from Stafford (ST17 9JQ):

£200 plus travel for up to 5hrs work, plus £40 per hour if extra hours required.  £50 deposit required to secure the date, payable online through 'Shop' at www.holistichorsehelp.com

Physiotherapy treatment days 

Bring your horse for physio at a yard where Sue treats on a regular basis.  Please contact Sue for dates, availability and to book your place. £10 deposit required to secure your place, payable online through 'Shop' at www.holistichorsehelp.com

The Dressage Secret, Stafford, Staffordshire (ST19 5RP)

Monthly treatment days: 

Initial assessment £70 , follow up £50 

Appointments are also available with Sue at this yard any Thursday or Friday (subject to availability): 

Initial assessment £80, follow up £60 

Chorley Equestrian Centre, Chorley, Shropshire, WV16 6PP

Monthly treatment days: 

Initial assessment £85, follow up £65

Centre Lines Dressage, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG23 7PZ

Monthly treatment days: 

Initial assessment £85, follow up £65

Amy (physiotherapy only), available Wednesdays and some weekend days

Initial assessment £60 plus travel

Follow up £45 plus travel

Horse Massage for Horse Owners Course, available weekdays or weekends

£500 plus travel for up to 8 people.  Please contact Sue for further information.

Talks and Demonstrations

Please contact Sue for further information

Filming and Photography by Simon Palmer

Visit www.into-the-lens.com for more information

Wither pockets and fat pads

A recent Holistic Horse Help Helpful Hint stated "Does your horse have a dip in the muscle bulk just in front of or just behind his withers? This could indicate muscle tension and weakness."

Following a query from a reader of the HHH newsletter (you can get your weekly copy for free by signing up at www.holistichorsehelp.com), this is an expansion of that comment.

The area that I'm talking about here is the area that the front of the saddle sits on / in, commonly known as the 'wither pocket'.  It's just behind the back of the top of the shoulder blade.  If you look at a 2 or 3 year old horse who hasn't been ridden, they won't have dips in this area, and they shouldn't.  Look at older horses, and you'll see a more variable pattern.  There certainly shouldn't be a dip there, ideally the horses' back should look similar to the back of a 2 or 3yr old (unless they are an older horse - more to follow).  
The reason for the dip, if there is one there, is muscle wastage (or muscle atrophy) - literally the muscle has died away.  The most common reason for this, in my experience, is poor saddle fit.  This could be current poor saddle fit, or it could be poor saddle fit in the past - it takes a long time for muscle to rebuild, and sometimes it never does, depending on the age of your horse and the damage that has been done.
Imagine the blood vessels running through the muscles under the saddle.  The blood can keep flowing if up to a certain amount of pressure is applied, but if more pressure than that is applied then the blood supply is literally cut off temporarily.  So if the saddle is putting too much pressure through the wither pockets, then literally the muscle will die because the blood supply is cut off for the length of time that you are are sitting in the saddle.
Add to this that most saddles continually move just fractionally, allowing areas where too much pressure is being applied to free off temporarily and the blood to keep flowing.  If for some reason the saddle doesn't do that, again there is the potential for muscle wastage in the areas where the pressure is a problem.
Older horses who have general muscle wastage will often have these dips in the muscle, even if they are no longer ridden.
The other area that I commonly see muscle wastage from poorly fitting saddles is under the back of the saddle.  This is often assumed to be 'fat lumps', because the horse looks like he has lumps of fat behind the saddle.  In my experience this is far more likely to be that the muscle under the back of the saddle has wasted away, rather than that the fat behind the saddle has expanded.  This most commonly happens as we come into Spring and Summer and the horse puts weight on, causing the front of the saddle to be lifted as the withers widen, and the riders weight to be tipped further back in the saddle.
If your horse has muscle wastage due to poor saddle fit, he is likely to be quite tight and sore in that area.  Physio can help to relieve this, but obviously the most important thing is to make sure your saddle fits the best it can.  You can find your local Chartered Physiotherapist at www.acpat.co.uk, and your local Master Saddler at www.mastersaddlers.co.uk.