Inside Your Horse's Inner Circle: Voices from Your Equine Care Team

Cory Brown, Farrier

Tips from the foundation builders:

• Pick hooves daily: Prevent debris build-up to spot early issues
• Keep feet dry before appointments: Moisture softens hooves and can make farrier work more difficult
• Provide a safe workspace: A flat, shaded area with access to water and power
• Connect your farrier and vet: Farriers benefit from direct communication with veterinarians after exams or imaging so that they can adjust their approach to keep the full picture in mind
• Use fly protection: Reduces stomping (helpful for farrier appointments!) and preserves hoof quality
• Watch spring grass intake: Sensitive horses may show metabolic changes

For additional hoof care tips, head to the Always by Your Side Blog to read, “Tips to Prepare for Successful Hoof Care Visits” and “Factors That Affect Your Horse’s Hoof Growth and Quality.”

When there is stiffness or muscle soreness, the next expert to weigh in may be an alternative specialist, like an equine acupuncturist, massage therapist or physiotherapist. They help address alignment, flexibility and muscle soreness that may cause issues throughout the body over time.

Alternative Specialists: The Bridge Between Movement and Comfort

Alternative therapies cover a wide spectrum from chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy and more. No single modality does everything, which is why many horses benefit from a variety of specialists who see the horse through a different lens. For sport horses especially, physiotherapists are a key part of staying comfortable, balanced and happy.

Casey Sorita, Equine Sports Therapist and Owner of Therapy Corner Store, explains that even what might be considered small moments such as a trip in the ring or a sideways spook can create tension patterns that influence how a horse moves. “It’s like waking up with a kink in your neck. One seemingly small shift can change how a horse feels, and our job is to figure out where that change started.”

These therapists assess posture, weight distribution, and how old injuries or scar tissue may still influence movement. A gelding’s castration scar for example can create long-term guarding patterns. A saddle that no longer fits can cause one shoulder to overdevelop. Young horses learning new muscle groups by competing in different disciplines can struggle to stay balanced. Older horses rehabbing from an injury may need support to stay even, so they don’t develop a secondary injury.

A real-world example

Since horses are fight-or-flight animals, creating a moment of quiet and homeostasis is a significant achievement. Sorita describes how one mare arrived to her deeply guarded, unwilling to be touched and quick to push people away. For almost three years, the mare chose only aromatics, selecting oils through scent as her way of engaging. “Little by little she began to let me in, and just recently chose to accept hands on work at a show. That was her choice, her timing and a reminder of how powerful it is when we let horses set the pace.”

Sorita has noticed that many riders assume aggressive, defensive or shy horses will not tolerate bodywork, yet these are often the horses who respond first to hands-off approaches and eventually grow to love the work because they need it most. Senior horses are also frequently overlooked, even though they tend to benefit greatly from gentle, supportive care. “Bodywork is both art and science. If you listen, horses tell you what they need. The ones labeled ‘too difficult’ often soften the most when we let them choose how the session begins.”

Tips from an equine sports therapist

• Watch for asymmetry: Uneven shoulders, shifting saddles or one-side building more muscle can signal muscular compensation
• Match your energy: Some horses respond to calm and centered patience, while others need your confident guidance—learn how to match the energy your horse needs and find bodyworkers who can do the same
• Start with prevention: Bodywork modalities are most effective before issues become severe
• Look for true relaxation: Licking, chewing, soft eyes, gentle head shakes and deep breaths show the nervous system settling
• Choose practitioners wisely: Training, science-based methods and clear communication matter; look for customization versus one universal solution
• Favor customization: Test out several of the alternative modalities to see what is right for your horse. Some horses benefit greatly from frequency. For other horses, it’s a wonderful treat every few months. No two horses will need the same thing, so work with your care team to discern what’s best in a customized plan.

How alternative specialists fit into the team

In Sorita’s eyes, alternative specialists sit at the middle leg of a relay race. Veterinarians, farriers and trainers may start the process, but bodyworkers help horses stay balanced and comfortable so they can reach the finish line. These specialists see patterns that others may miss and help horses find moments of calm in a world that often demands constant forward motion.

When bodywork uncovers patterns that extend beyond soft tissue, your veterinarian helps determine the underlying cause and plan of action.

Veterinarian: The Medical Quarterback

Your horse’s veterinarian is certainly the medical strategist of the team. The one who often fields the first call when something seems off. What many horse owners might not see is the rhythm behind the scenes. Just like farriers, their days are often long and can involve quite a bit of travel to reach patients.

Dr. Elliott at the Defender
Kentucky Three-Day Event

Christopher Elliott, BVSc (hons), MANZCVS, DACVSMR, a Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Veterinarian at Palm Beach Equine with FEI experience in more than 20 countries, shared: “You might see us on the farm for one or two hours, but our day usually starts quite early and ends well into the evening. This profession requires a lot of our heart and soul, but we give the horse, and our clients, our absolute best every day because we love what we do. One of the most helpful things owners can do is share small changes early, even if they seem insignificant at first. A slight shift in behavior, appetite or performance can be the clue that helps us catch something before it becomes a bigger issue.”

Tips from your team’s quarterback:

• Share subtle changes early: Even a small shift in behavior or performance could be beneficial for your veterinarian to be “in-the-know"
• Keep a simple health log: Track workload, feed changes or minor concerns to help your vet see patterns over time
• Prep ahead for appointments: Have your horse caught and brushed before appointments with clean limbs to allow more time for diagnostics and discussion
• Ready the space for visits:Provide shade and a quiet space for appointments to help your vet work efficiently and to keep horses relaxed
• Ask questions as they arise: We want to help provide clarity when it comes to your horse’s care during and after appointments

Equine veterinarians balance demanding schedules, emotional labor and the weight of urgent decision-making. If you’d like to learn more about how to help support equine veterinarians in prepping your horse for appointments, this article offers insider tips: Supporting Equine Veterinarians: A Path to Career-Life Balance.

A special callout for equine dental care:

Dental care is one of those areas that can unintentionally get overlooked, not out of neglect, but because many owners associate it with obvious signs like dropping feed. In reality, a horse’s mouth is constantly changing, and thoughtful dental care supports comfort and performance at every stage of life.

Dr. Hays performing a routine dental exam

Megan Hays, VMD with B.W. Furlong & Associates explains, “The most fascinating thing about equine dental health is the profound impact it has on all other aspects of the horse's well-being. Horses are very stoic when it comes to dental pain, so the presenting complaint may be weight loss, difficulty bridling, poor performance or even nasal discharge to name a few.”

Dr. Hays also addressed a common question client have around whether power dental floats are bad for a horse’s teeth. She explained, “Power dental floats are not bad for a horse’s teeth, and they don’t overfloat or overheat the tooth, but rather, provide gentle precise floating better than a hand file can.”

Dental care tips

• Subtle behavioral changes: Resistance under saddle or changes in attitude can be early indicators of dental discomfort
• Dental pain doesn’t always look obvious: Performance, weight or appetite changes may be the first sign
• Routine care matters: All horses should receive dental exams at least once per year. Young horses (<6 years), seniors (even if they have lost quite a few teeth), and those with dental concerns may benefit from exams every 6 months
• Powerful floats are not harmful: Dr. Hays shared, “They do not overfloat or overheat the tooth, but instead provide gentle, precise floating—often more effectively than a hand file.”

For more on dental comfort:

• Signs of Dental Pain in Your Horse
• What to Expect During Equine Dental Exams
• Equine Sedation Guide

How Horse Owner’s Can Support Their Care Team

At the center of every horse’s care team is the owner. While each professional brings specialized expertise, no one knows your horse quite like you do. Understanding your horse’s unique physical, mental and social needs allows you to recognize subtle changes, identify potential concerns early and advocate for their well-being.

One theme emerged consistently from our conversations with trainers, farriers, alternative therapy practitioners and veterinarians: strong communication is essential. Sharing observations, asking questions and ensuring information flows between members of the care team helps everyone work together more effectively in support of the horse.

As a horse owner, you are often the first to notice when something seems different. Trust those instincts. Whether it’s a change in behavior, movement, appetite or attitude, early intervention can make a meaningful difference.

And while the responsibility of caring for your horse ultimately rests with you, it’s worth remembering that your care team is deeply invested in your horse’s success. They dedicate long hours, expertise and genuine compassion to helping horses thrive. A simple “thank you” or word of appreciation can go a long way in recognizing the important role they play in your horse’s life.