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The Official Blog of 24HorseBehaviors.org

Hosted by The Train with Trust Project

Q&A Recording: What do we know about nosebands?
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Q&A Recording: What do we know about nosebands?

“There is good evidence that there were more lesions created by the bit in the corner of the horse’s mouth in those horses that were worked without a noseband. So, although it will depend a little bit on what you are asking the horse to do, the most logical reason for the noseband is to stabilize the position of the entire bridle.” Dr. Sue Dyson

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how to use the ridden horse checklist to evaluate soundness
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how to use the ridden horse checklist to evaluate soundness

By observing the reins, we can see what type of contact the horse is taking. A normal horse should take an even rein contact. If the horse avoids taking contact so there’s a slight loop in the rein, or the horse leans on the bit causing rein tension,  or if there is asymmetry in rein tension - All of these are not normal.” - Dr. Sue Dyson

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Q&A Recording: Empowering change in equine sport
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Q&A Recording: Empowering change in equine sport

“We have to be prepared to come together and say in a cohesive way, ‘We have been doing some things wrong, these are what we acknowledge as problems, and this is what we are going to do to try and improve.’” ~Dr. Sue Dyson

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Q&A Recording: How to Select the Right Vet
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Q&A Recording: How to Select the Right Vet

“The number one thing for lameness diagnosis is to find the source of pain. In many instances there are no localizing external clues, and when there are no such clinical signs, then we need to use nerve blocks.” Dr Sue Dyson

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Q&A Recording: Why Tacking up & Mounting Matters
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Q&A Recording: Why Tacking up & Mounting Matters

“I was quite surprised by the frequency of abnormal behaviors during bridle placement. It was more than I had anticipated.” says Dr. Sue Dyson in a conversation with Jody Ambrose of the Train with Trust Project, in which they discuss Dr. Dyson’s research findings into horse behaviors during tacking up and mounting, and what they can tell us about a horse’s wellbeing.

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Video Q&A: Rideability and Equine Orthopedic Health
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Video Q&A: Rideability and Equine Orthopedic Health

Dr. Sue Dyson and Jody Ambrose of the Train with Trust Project discuss the ways in which “rideability” or “rider feel” give clues about a horse’s health and wellbeing.

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Video Q&A: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
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Video Q&A: Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Learn how the horse’s lumbo-sacroiliac region functions, what kinds of issues cause pain in and around the area, and how to spot signs of trouble.

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Video Q&A: Rehabbing Equine Ligament Injuries
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Video Q&A: Rehabbing Equine Ligament Injuries

“We cannot shortcut the repair of ligament injuries, we have to give the horses sufficient time, and to try to put them back into work too early is false economy.” - Dr. Sue Dyson

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Assessing your horse’s response to the use of pain-relieving medication (e.g. “bute” trial)
Dr. Sue Dyson Dr. Sue Dyson

Assessing your horse’s response to the use of pain-relieving medication (e.g. “bute” trial)

“It is important to be aware that improvement in performance and behaviour during medication and/or deterioration in performance after stopping medication are positive indicators of the presence of pain. However, a negative response to phenylbutazone does not preclude the presence of pain, because phenylbutazone is not effective in relieving all sources of pain.” Dr. Sue Dyson

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Video Q&A: What Does a Happy Horse Look Like?
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Video Q&A: What Does a Happy Horse Look Like?

“A horse which is pain free should stand for grooming and tacking without fidgeting constantly. It shouldn’t be picking up limbs, it shouldn’t be swishing its tail, it shouldn’t be opening its mouth or threatening to bite, because all of those are not normal behaviors. Many horses who are normal will particularly enjoy being groomed in some specific areas, for example when you use a curry comb to effectively scratch the withers, which is where horses mutually groom each other.” Dr. Sue Dyson

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Video Q&A: Bucking, Rearing and Unwillingness
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Video Q&A: Bucking, Rearing and Unwillingness

Dr. Sue Dyson clarifies the various reasons a horse may buck or rear and common causes of general unwillingness under saddle, based on her extensive research involving thousands of horses.

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Video Q&A: No Hoof, No Horse
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Video Q&A: No Hoof, No Horse

In a conversation with the Train with Trust Project, Dr. Dyson answers the question, "What should a healthy hoof look like?" and discusses the current research on barefoot trimming vs. shoeing, how to look for a good farrier, the latest developments in boot/shoe technology, the crucial role of communication between vets and farriers, and more.

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Video Q&A: The 24 Behaviors Film - Where Are They Now?
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Video Q&A: The 24 Behaviors Film - Where Are They Now?

Jody Ambrose & Megan Phillips of the Train with Trust Project host a live discussion about the making of the sensational, award-winning film that started it all - The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain: Shifting the Paradigm of How We See Lameness.

Hear what the experience has been like for the cast and producers and how the film’s message is having a significant impact on the horse industry. Learn what happened to Galina when cameras stopped rolling, how she is responding to treatment and what she is doing now!

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Impinging Spinous Processes, aka “Kissing Spines” – What You Should Know
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Impinging Spinous Processes, aka “Kissing Spines” – What You Should Know

Renowned equine orthopedic veterinarian Dr. Sue Dyson answers questions about impinging spinous processes (ISPs), commonly known as "Kissing Spines").

Dr. Dyson explains what we know about ISPs; how or if we should respond to such radiographic findings; and what a conservative care plan for kissing spines should look like.

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