KS Equestrian

14/06/2026

Today marked the return of my Equine First Aid clinics for the year! We had an enthusiastic group who were keen to put their practical skills to the test and asked enough questions to ensure we deep dived into lots of areas of interest during the theory sessions. These clinics are so empowering and it is such a great opportunity to practice everything on the supper compliant demo team of Dutchess and Bronson 🙌 thanks to everyone who comes along and invests in their learning, your horses and your vet will thank you!

07/06/2026

Calling a vet is not like dialling 000, a vet may still be hours away. Do you know what to do in between their arrival and do you have the supplies you need on hand to keep your horse comfortable? Only one week til my next equine first aid clinic. Have you got your spot?

05/06/2026

The reason why it is important to poultice your horses foot when you suspect an abscess. To learn more sign up to my upcoming first aid course where we cover abscesses and bandage techniques in depth…

I'm seeing heaps of hoof abscesses right now and every single time, I feel for these horses.

Sometimes they are so lame it looks like they’ve broken a leg. Fortunately, that’s rarely the case, but an abscess is still incredibly painful.

I’m noticing lots of them are bursting out of the coronet band and heel bulbs. And many owners ask me why that happens. So…

When an abscess can't find a way out through the sole, the infection tracks upward through the sensitive internal structures of the foot, following the path of least resistance.

The two most common places it eventually bursts are:

#1 The coronet band - the soft tissue junction right at the top of the hoof wall
#2 The heel bulbs - the soft tissue at the back of the foot

When it bursts at either location you'll usually see a small wound or tract, often with some discharge. Most horses get significant relief almost immediately after it ruptures, but the area is often very sensitive to touch.

Tip: A sensitive/reactive spot on the coronet, or either of the heel bulbs, can be a sign that an abscess is about to burst out of that location. Palpating these areas is always part of my lameness assessment.

Ideally, your vet or farrier will be able to locate the abscess within the sole or white line of the foot.

We can debride the area to create a drainage tract, which alleviates the pressure and reduces the chance of the abscess travelling up inside the hoof and bursting out of the sensitive coronet band or heel bulb tissue.

01/06/2026

This big, tough showjumper doesn’t like his face being clipped- until he has his piece of liquorice to suckle on 😝 then anything goes, buys at least 20 minutes of stand like a statue time 🙌
He’s such a character

28/05/2026

I lose a lot of clients over this very thing. Your horse is not a tennis racquet used so that you can get what you want out of the relationship. I will not watch lame and sore horses for an hour lesson and pretend it’s ok. I practice what I preach, I miss out on so much with my own horses when they need recovery time or rest. Because their needs are more important than mine

Here's a spicy one for you this evening - because i havent made a career limiting post in a hot minute(!)

How complicit are you in your own (or your horse's) suffering?

I appreciate we all have horses for a reason, and I appreciate their care and management is a complicated thing.

When I work with people, sometimes I have to say things they dont want to hear:

"Your horse shouldnt be ridden right now" - because theyre in pain, their posture is too compromised, they barely have enough muscle to support themselves yet alone a rider, their saddle doesnt fit.

"You shouldnt be jumping your horse" see above reasons why.

"You shouldnt be cantering right now" because it will definitely strengthen the compensatory pattern.

Compromise can be made when making the argument between streamlining the process - not riding will get quicker postural changes, but if you want to ride and ultimately the horse isnt in overt pain/discomfort, then that should be fine.

But I really dont compromise when your horse is in pain. Nor should you.

There are SO many people who are wonderful when they hear this -

"I just want my horse to be happy" - literal music to my ears

But there are many people who want their horse to be happy - stating as much - but when it comes to taking the above guidance, they push back.

It's not the answer that they want to hear.

Yet they've been chasing an issue with their horse for months or years and you've given them a solution... its just not a solution where they get to do what they've always done...

And I wonder about the graveyard of professionals behind me, who have given them appropriate advice that again was not heard because it wasnt the answer that they wanted to hear.

I understand that professionals dont always get it right. I also understand that there are many professionals that get it really really quite wrong -

I just find it to be very profound that when you point out the behavioural indicators of pain, the lameness and the biomechanical dysfunction, you can still be totally ignored -

Especially when your friend in the stable next door (with no formal training in anything equine related) says their horse does the same thing, so therefore your horse must be fine!

-

For the entirety of May, you can get 50% off lifetime access for The Modern Centaurian Academy using the code MAY50 at checkout:

https://www.yasminstuartequinephysio.com/modern-centaurian-academy

📸 Olivia Rose Photography

07/05/2026

A very easy to understand description of the cause of those bad colics we see that are reliant on surgery for survival

Strangulating lipomas in older horses

Strangulating lipomas in horses are benign, fatty tumors that develop in the abdominal cavity, primarily in older horses, that grow on a long stalk (pedicle) and wrap around the intestine. These tumors cause severe colic by cutting off blood supply and interrupting digestion, often requiring emergency surgical intervention to remove the tumor and damaged intestine.

What are Strangulating Lipomas? A benign tumor (lipoma) of fat tissue that develops within the mesentery (tissue connecting the intestines).

Over time, the fat mass develops a long, cord-like stalk (pedunculated). This stalk can wrap around the small intestine (in 90% of cases) or small colon, acting like a noose. The constriction tightens, obstructing intestinal flow and cutting off blood supply, leading to rapid tissue death and severe abdominal pain (strangulation).

Primarily affects older horses, typically over 15 years, as it takes time for the tumors to grow and develop a long stalk. I also see calcified and pedunculated lipomas in the omentum. This is an extremely common way for older horses to go in agonising pain. This horse was a scheduled euthanised because he was stiff and lame, statically he looked the picture of health at 28 yet inside these time bombs wait.

For videos on this problem head to patreon.

07/05/2026

Your instructor/coach isn’t there to ride your horse for you, fix everything in one session, or magically transform your partnership overnight.

They’re not there to shout louder than your doubts, or carry the responsibility that ultimately sits with you every time you get in the saddle.

But what they can bring is often far more powerful.

They bring a trained eye that sees the small details you can’t feel yet.
They bring experience, the kind that helps you avoid going in circles for months (or years).
They bring honesty, even when it’s not what you want to hear.
They bring structure, clarity, and a plan when things feel messy or stuck.
And most importantly, they help you become a better rider for your horse.

Because real progress isn’t about someone else doing the work, it’s about being guided so you can do it better.

The magic isn’t in the coach.
It’s in the combination of guidance, consistency, and your willingness to show up and put it into practice.

That’s where the real change happens.

What does your instructor bring you?

30/04/2026

Dutchess and Stormy put in some solid work for our clinic last weekend. Stormy was Simon’s trusty steed when checking the trails for the group and having a bit of fun on the mechanical cow. Dutchess was on safety duties out on track calming anxious horses with her super chill attitude, carrying the safety and first aid supplies and also acting as a pace car out front to any horses that wanted to walk along too fast! She’s so reliable when it comes to good behaviour. Very lucky to have my equine staff to help me at work!

05/02/2026

We have a bit of a challenge happening for the start of the year. Everyone aiming for a minimum of 3 rides a week and logging it in on our group in Equilab. Message me if you’d like to join in!

FIT(ISH).

Which is not a lie.
It’s a lifestyle category.

I do a lot of walking.
Long walks.
Purposeful walks.
Mostly to and from fields.

I lift things too.
Buckets.
Haynets.
My own expectations.

This is not gym fitness.
This is yard fitness.

Steps: ✔️
Upper body strength: ✔️
Cardio: chasing a horse who has decided today is “catch me if you can” day ✔️

And then ....as with all elite athletes .... I refuel accordingly.
Coffee.
Chocolate.
Whatever is emotionally supportive at the time.

So yes, I am FIT(ISH).
Strong where it counts.
Soft where it matters.
Powered by horses and snacks. 🐴🍫☕️

01/02/2026

I can never say it enough! If in doubt add more padding!

When bandaging a leg wound, padding 𝗜𝗦𝗡'𝗧 optional - it’s essential.

✅ Padding helps distribute pressure evenly, protects delicate structures, and supports comfortable, effective healing especially on the lower limb where there’s very little natural cushioning.

Without a layer of cotton wool or padding underneath, a bandage can
⭢ create uneven pressure points
⭢ Restrict blood flow
⭢ Cause rubs, sores or tissue damage
⭢ Delay wound healing
⭢ Increase the risk of tendon irritation

📍This doesn’t just apply to wound care ⭢ working bandages, stable bandages, and any leg wrap should 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 be applied over appropriate padding to protect tendons and avoid injury.

Different bandages-Different jobs
𝗪𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗦 protect the injury, absorb exudate, and support healing
𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗦 help reduce leg swelling
𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗟/𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗦 support tendons and joints during transport or exercise

If you’re ever unsure how to bandage safely, or which bandage is appropriate, we're always happy to help.