Welcome to Leslie Desmond Horse!

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Horses that stand and move like this will benefit from people whose eyes can read the situation,  as accurately as possible, and either know what TO DO, or WHO TO CONTACT!

If those responsible actions aren’t possible, then it is a GREAT IDEA to know who to ask that has the necessary knowledge and skills to assist, or whom to contact in their network, who DOES ALREADY HAVE the NEEDED SKILLS!  

The horses shown below are more common to see today, than not. 

Many have literally become zoo animals. 

Standing 24 hours a day in small boxes, where they are uncomfortable and soon develop systemic stagnation, living in bodies that are unable to process the intake of  nutrition and air in the way nature intended, and complete elimination of toxin as nature also intended.

From nose-to-tail and from Ears-to Hooves the fascia, muscles, tendons and ligaments begin to tighten, dehydrate, and slowly become restricted and dysfunctional from lack of CORRECT POSTURE in CORRECT MOTION . 

A horse’s natural “WAY OF GOING”, also called “LOCOMOTION”  starts to appear unnatural and compromised because it is both: UNNATURAL and UNCOMPROMISED.

It would not occur  to me to ride a horse that stands this way, or to recommend that anyone else does . . . not for any reason. . 

I do not — because I cannot — drive to the market in a truck with a flat tire, either. 

So……

What to do! ?  

Aghhhhhhh😫🥵😐😖😓 

And after an understandable, all-to-common stressful emotional quandary, panic, with a much-needed CAUSE for PAUSE some time is made to recompose one’s self and ask the important questions that, perhaps, should been asked before the horse was purchased, accepted as a “gift”, or rescued from who knows where. 

Yes.

After all of that, yes, then real work can begin.

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What does my horse need me to know to be able to help him ?  

Knowledge about horses. 

That means REAL and USEFUL and USABLE  knowledge. 

If you do not have a good foundation from which to handle, assess and manage a horse’s routine care and rehabilitation needs… the you  need THAT foundation.  

This is not an option.  Unless you plan to pass the horse along, you’ll want to get qualified, WELL VERIFIED help if  you do not have guidance from someone you trust with your horse’s future — and by this I mean HIS LIFE  —  if you do not already have  it. 

You need to know how to read a horse and understand what you are looking at, and how to read the signs that are ALWAYS there for anyone with an educated eye to see.

And then… what can you do? 

What should you do? 

And how much will it COST to discover if you’ll be contacting someone who knows that they are looking at, who can read the horse accurately,  and KNOW what to do?

Knowing even some of what to do, is a start, a step in a better direction. 

And if those questions are answered satisfactorily, is the selected specialist acquainted with any other specialists in an another relevant field or area of study / expertise? And, of particular interest, is that person  available to assist you, NOW?

For the best possible outcome in a complex case of a degradation, or layered, cumulative muscle contraction (and/or atrophy), fascia and tendon sheath contraction, and ligament rigidity, chronic acidity (meaning: less than optimal pH; which is, also, referred to as acidity or basicity, and historically denotes "potential of hydrogen".. etc. Gliding in to the realm of May too-much science for this post but anyhow…)

Let’s have a Quick Look at the most readily available options nowadays.

, but I’ve never driven a manual shift automobile and cannot parallel park or check the fluids, change a headlight or windshield wiper … or read traffic? Come on.

Ok let’s begin with Massage.

Then some questions, and qualifying considerations.

Massage of what kind, and from whose mentorship? And  does that practitioner/ graduate have horse handling skills to go along with the academic experience? 

If not how can a value of such a certificarion without this essential basic capacity be established?  

(If am a top mechanic for Peugeot and Audi, but I’m deaf, and cannot operate a manual transmission  or read traffic? 

Pray tell, of what value is this credential? 

One wonders. 

With what VERIFIED credentials and how much experience does the massage practitioner asssss the condition and advise you accurately ? 

What verifiable  referrals does this person present when asked? And  how many return trips will be required before… before  noticeable improvement  (pain relief, return of balance and proper digestion, (read that as: healthy manure and urine that sis rhe right burning yellow?) and, most importantly, a return to soundness….which does NOT INCLUDE TOE-FIRST landings in any hoof. Train your eye to pick this up.  

Or… would you be considering 

Laser therapy? 3D? 4FC (careful,now)  At what power? Green or red? What machine?  

With treatments how often? And for  how long?

What about the ever-so-popular …. now… 

Shock wave therapy? 

In whose hands with what machine, how often and with what promised results? 

Don’t forget to ask for the per-treatment cost and obtain a written declaration of the promoted, gently referenced, or hoped for results. 

Chiropractor? The same idea here, too…

Whom to choose, with what first hand and prior horse handling experience, for what period of time and with credentials from….?

Suggest to get written confirmation of the mentor or school? (Human enquirer institution if … basic level skills? 

Or, de facto  HIGHER LEARNING with adequate horse handling experience.

Chiropractors who are not horsemen and horsewomen may offer but, in my opinion, cannot make reliable equine soundness assessments that would trust without producing proof (WRITTEN  collaboration from another professional with sterling credentials) of their determination and recommended treatment plan. 

I am firm on this point.

If a diagnostics assessment, treatment schedule and solutions, and a  rehab forecast IS OFFERED, I advise that you take the time and invest the resources to obtain a VERIFIABLE PROFESSIONAL SECOND (2nd)  opinion. 

For what reason…?

Because in what other basis can you, or would any clear thinking person trust it? 

Meaning? 

In what basis could, or should or would anyone take direction about their horse from a person with no history of horse experience, in the absence of proof that the results they are able to obtain meet or exceed the expectations of the professional EQUINE DENTIST, EQUINE VETERINARIAN with more than 10 experience WORKING  PREDOMINANTLY WITH HORSES IN THE FIELD (Not the lab)

Then it also come to the question if results, not just time and credentials… because? 

BECAUSE IS EVERY GRADUATING CLASS OF HUMAN DOCTORS, there are those who WHO “PASSED” with. “C” or an”D” … for crying out loud later specialize in…

Obstetrics,

Brain surgery,

Sports medicine,

Internal Medicine,

Oncology,

Virology . . .

So. 

Please! 

Ask for verifiable referrals and learn how many return trips at what price will be needed.   Inquire aboutwhat can you do, specifically,  in the interim to assist in the progress you want your horse to display and achieve at a deep level before they come again…. If the reply to that question is… “nothing”. Then I would love along to a more qualified source of help for your horse in need.

Osteopath? With what credentials and how much experience? What referrals and how many return trips? 

Acupuncture? / Accupressure) what school…? Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine? Japanese? Korean? 

Densit? Why? How often and for what? 

What could have been missed in a horse’s mouth IN FACT CAN lead to things that DO result in a horse that moves awkwardly and stands around with these crazy-looking postures.

Why is Misalignment and hindquarter weakness  SO prevalent in horses today? Horse owners can learn this easily , if the burning desire to know and do something about it is there .

Many, many performance horses, trail riding horses, dude string and backyard horses can be seen standing this way. 

When you take time to actually SEE what you are liking at…it’s easier to notice that movements are not smooth, they are stif,

awkward. Many horses are landing tie-first today. In the front hooves or all four feet… and why is this? 

Horses that cannot land heel-first as nature intended are I mbalanced, and grossly out of alignment. Does your trimmer or farrier know this and tell you what to do? Die they help or worsen the condition?   You can always Ask … and why not?

it never hurts to ask. 

These conditions are commonly seen in the equestrian sites and groups and pages workswide.

Do you wonder, why horses suffering from discomfort in the show rings, and on the trails almost everywhere  .. he’s become the “new normal”?

Unfortunately, for the horses….

Maybe you contact a …

Psyiotherapist?  But Again… With what credentials and how much experience? What track record if successful rehabilitations,  and with how many return trips, at what cost.

These are real concerns for horse owners toda. The  price of keeping a damaged horse comfortable, and maintaining your your riding partner in good form often exceeds what most people are prepared to pay.

Farrier or Trimmer? Same situation..if you don’t ave the right one, can you find the right one with time for you in the schedule? 

Maybe call…

Veterinarian?  To do what? Soundness evaluation? X-rays? Sonogram? Per Scan? ? Pain prescription? Injection? Where? How many? 

At what dosage and with what anticipated outcome ?  

How likely are regular steroid injections to damage the joints? Leak joint fluid or lead to infection and early retirement? 

What else does a veterinarian with little to no previous   horse handling experience, and little to no knowledge of other healing and rehab options have to offer…. than drugs? We can hope for more, and discover the answer by asking  questions. 

What other professionals are in your vets network that he or she is willing to send you to? What other skills and additional schooling for dentistry and hoof care has your vet had the time and resources to invest in?? And does you vet have a verifiable local or regional track record? 

In my experience lately, and frommmy students and colkeagues I also hear…that equine vets without adequate horse handling experience or backyard horse owing knowledge from their own childhoods … js normal nowadays.  It is the new normal to get a visit from a vet  under  30 years old working for a national franchises …. A vet Who cannot approach a horse without a needle and a stud chain and/or  one or  more  sturdy vet techs who grew up on ranches …

They can power up for the moment if needed to make a horse do something the vet needs done. No harm in that, naturally, but lack of skill and lack of hands-on  experience with horses? For a horse vet? 

. again the new normal. And it is worrisome for many reasons.

Homeopathy?  What about that?

Recommended by whom with what background  and established reputation, published papers, anx/or collaborative successes with other healers?  What herbs are recommended for what  evident or suspected conditions here? In what doses and for how long?

These questions need to be thought about, before they can be asked.  

And the upside? The good news? There is always a way, always a solution. 

If you own a horse that you think isn’t moving well and needs help to feel

Better, and my this I mean:  FEEL BETTER and LOOK BETTER and be MORE THAN “well   enough” to ride without risk of worsening a current weakness, increasing a pain threshold… to the point there is a risk of collapse,  or a sudden stumble, trip and  fall, on YOU.

You getting hurt from an avoidable mishap isn’t an option. 

So don’t delay the decision to get in touch with someone whose knowledge and experience or credentials you trust. 

If someone fitting that description  doesn’t come readily to mind? Then begin  to ask around. 

Ask Neighbors, post notes at feed stores, start with your local vets, or ask kn your Facebook and other social media groups and contact lists…. Expand the search, cast the net as widely as possible until your horse is well again. 

And don’t give up! It isn’t nice to pass on a horse in deteriorated condition. The future for these horses truly  is bleak, and rarely ends nicely.

This post is a reminder to all readers that I also have a large and ever-expanding network of tested and trusted people to refer you to. They are not always going to be specific practitioners.

Many of my students, colleagues and associates  I know well l from a long career with horses can help to shorten your search for the best possible

Solution  by using their OIWN trusted networks to help you. 

Our horses won’t be helped by expediting 

a solution … unless or until  it is the RIGHT SOLUTION!🐴😊

Please include current contact information and send video and photos of the suspected problem… or anything you see that has changed and may indicate that there is one. 

I will read and reply to all inquiries, to see if there are people I know in your area with the knowledge and experience that could help your horse, and you.

By working together and pooling our resources I think we can help a LOT  of horses get back on track …

THIS SUMMER!

Leslie Desmond