Musgrave Equestrian

My horse Ben started showing mild neurological symptoms. We treated him with medication for EPM but there is very little information on how to deal with the actual physical issues left behind. My vet told me that dressage work and lunging were helpful... I tried this. I was SO diligent, spending 3 hours a day doing as much ground work as I could. I hoped that he would be safe to ride soon so I can start working on building his muscles back up. The reality of the situation was that I could hardly get him to move. He (my perfect willing horse) was not unwilling but unable. Unable to back up, walk up and down hills, travel in a circle because he just didn't know where his legs were or how to balance himself.

So many things like severe to mild spine trauma, inflammatory diseases, EPM die off, or even lack of use from stall rest or other kinds of injuries & compensations can cause a lost connection from the central nervous system to the muscles. I spent so many months working on trying to fix the muscles when the problem was the connection. I wasted so many hours on the lunge line and in hand desperately chasing my horse with a whip trying to fix him, but all it did was make him more scared to move. I knew there had to be a better way.

I finally discovered a combination of positive reinforcement, movement games, and the element of choice which created motivation he needed to regain his agility. It turns out that motivation informs our quality of movement in a huge way (horses too). ( For a deep dive check out this Ted Talk- Self Determination Theory) When positive reinforcement is used correctly to give your horse autonomy, it can be an incredible motivator with lasting effects. For a horse otherwise scared to move or unable to move in certain ways this was a major turning point.

Not only did this allow me to actually get him to try to activate his muscles again, but it also gave me a clear picture of what he couldn't vs. what he wouldn't do. THIS finally gave me feedback on where he was AND allowed me to track improvement. I was able to give him a voice. It also made our training sessions fun. We were now playing games (with prizes!) when before I ended up frustrated and in tears. Once I figured out how to motivate him to get better I, along with my Neurological Rehabilitation Physical Therapist husband Jeff, began researching the best ways to help him discover the lost connection between his brain/central nervous system and his nerves & muscles.

After much improvement and looking as though we were out of the woods, Ben had an accident in the field and passed away. I had just started honing the spesifics of my program in ways that were really starting to make a big difference. The gift in all this is that, had I been able to continue in his rehab, I would likely not have felt the need to create this program for anyone other than my self. His tragic accident has paved the way for so many others to have hope, improve, and recover. For that I am greatful...grateful to see the work I started for him completed in others.