Trigger Points: What Your Horse's Muscles Are Trying to Tell You

Trigger Points: What Your Horse's Muscles Are Trying to Tell You

Trigger points are often thought of as painful knots in a muscle, but they're much more than that. In this episode, I explore what trigger points are, why they develop, why they spread, and what they can teach us about the way a horse's body adapts to injury, compensation, and chronic dysfunction. We'll discuss the difference between active and latent trigger points, the role of postural and movement muscles, how fascial lines influence the spread of compensatory patterns, and why trigger points rarely exist in isolation. I'll also share how my background in Chinese medicine, acupuncture, biomechanics, and rehabilitation has shaped the way I evaluate horses and why I believe understanding the why behind a trigger point is just as important as treating the trigger point itself. Whether you're a horse owner, therapist, trainer, or veterinary professional, this episode will help you look beyond the painful muscle and begin recognizing the patterns that influence movement throughout the entire horse. Because every trigger point has a story. Our job isn't just to erase the ending. It's to understand how the story began.

The Extracellular Matrix: The Hidden Environment Inside Your Horse's Body

Most health conversations focus on cells, organs, and biochemistry — but what about the environment those cells actually live in? In this episode, we explore the extracellular matrix (ECM): the complex, living space that surrounds every cell in your horse's body. From collagen and hyaluronic acid to immune cells and nerve endings, discover how this often-overlooked system regulates nutrient delivery, communication, inflammation, and healing — and why it may be key to understanding why some horses thrive while others struggle with recurring health challenges.

Stop Chasing Symptoms: 10 Ways to Get Real Results for Your Horse

Are you constantly trying new treatments, supplements, or professionals for your horse — but never getting lasting results? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca breaks down the 10 most common ways horse owners get stuck chasing symptoms instead of finding real answers. With over 22 years of experience in integrative and Chinese medicine for horses and humans, she explains how to shift your mindset, identify root causes, and start getting results that actually hold. If you're ready to start learning root causes and patterns of disease, join her in the Hale and Hearty Horse Collective at https://haleheartyhorses.com/collective-landing

Raising Champions: Expert Foal Care & Breeding Insights with Lisa Dickman

Dr. Rebecca sits down with Lisa Dickman, KWPN breeder and founder of Kaneques Farm, to explore the art and science of raising exceptional sport horses. From mare nutrition during pregnancy to foal handling, hoof development, and the critical role of patience, Lisa shares hard-won lessons from over 15 years of breeding success — including inspection champions and horses competing at the Grand Prix level. Whether you're a first-time breeder or experienced horse person, this episode is packed with practical wisdom on setting young horses up for long-term health and success. Topics covered: * Mare health & body condition before breeding * Nutrition during all three trimesters * Managing foal calorie intake & preventing OCD * Early foal handling & establishing manners * Hoof care & farrier schedules for growing horses * Nature vs. nurture in foal behavior * When to intervene vs. let time do its work 🔗 Find Lisa: kanequesfarm.com | Facebook: Lisa Dickman #HorseBreeding #KWPNHorse #FoalCare #SportHorse #DressageHorse #EquineNutrition #HorseFarm #YoungHorses #KanequesFarm #FoalDevelopment #HorseHealth #EquineHealth #HorseRaising #Dressage #HorsePodcast #BreedingHorses #MareCare #EquineManagement #HorseLife #HorseCommunity

Vitamin E for Horses: Deficiency, Neurologic Risks, and How to Supplement Correctly

This episode explains why vitamin E is a critical nutrient for equine muscle and nervous system health and why deficiency is increasingly common in modern management. It covers how vitamin E functions as a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, especially in metabolically active tissues like muscles and nerves. The script highlights that fresh pasture (alpha-tocopherol) is the best natural source, while vitamin E degrades rapidly in hay over time, putting stalled, dry-lot, and limited-turnout horses at risk. It discusses deficiency links to neurologic and muscle issues including ENAD/EDM in young horses and EMND in adults, and outlines supplementation basics: natural D-alpha tocopherol vs synthetic DL forms, water-dispersible options, common dosing ranges, and the role of blood testing (targeting roughly 2–4 µg/mL, often ~3). 00:00 Why Vitamin E Matters 00:42 Oxidative Stress Basics02:28 Free Radicals in Metabolism 04:53 Vitamin E Protects Muscles Nerves 05:27 Natural Sources Pasture vs Hay 07:16 Neurologic Disease ENAD EDM 09:23 Adult Signs and EMND 10:07 Choosing a Supplement Form 11:36 Dosing Safety and Blood Tests 14:11 Key Takeaways and Products 15:32 Wrap Up