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Introducing the Holistic Horseworks Talks podcast! Hosted by April Love, the founder of Holistic Horseworks, this podcast offers valuable insight and solutions to those "little issues" that are often encountered with equine companions. With her wealth of knowledge and decades of experience in working with them, April offers a unique perspective on horse health and well-being. Through this podcast, she answers listener questions and shares real-life stories that resonate with horse owners eve ...
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Send us a text In this episode, April Love, in response to a fan question, explains how her horse yoga program can help improve a horse's gait, making both the trot and canter smoother. The yoga exercises serve as diagnostic tools to address issues such as neck stiffness, shoulder restrictions, and spinal problems, which can lead to choppy trots an…
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Send us a text In this conversation, April Love shares her experience working with dogs, emphasizing the importance of checking their skeletal alignment, similar to how she works with horses. She explains that early detection and intervention are key, especially for young dogs, and that's why she created the Canine Musculoskeletal Unwinding program…
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Send us a text There has been a lot of news about Avian Flu infecting cattle and humans. Is it possible horses could contract this and other diseases? What can horse owners do to protect their horses? April discusses ways to keep horses as healthy as possible and empower people to help their horses rather than always relying on paid services. Produ…
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Send us a text In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, we explore the complexities of high-low hoof syndrome, a condition that has long puzzled vets, farriers, and horse owners. We'll discover what contributes to high-low hoof syndrome and reveal a hidden underlying cause that often goes unnoticed but plays an extremely important role in the …
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Send us a text Join us for an in-depth discussion on holistic horse care with guest April Love of Holistic Horseworks and host Poppy Philips of Holistic Animal Insights! In this interview, April shares her journey learning various healing modalities and how she's helped horses with complex issues like kissing spine and lameness. She discusses the i…
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Send us a text Most male horses are gelded at a young age. In this episode, April talks about the gelding process and how to ease the transition from colt to gelding. Castration can be traumatic but with the use of Liquid Trace Minerals and NOT fresh cold water hosing, the incision site will heal quickly with less scarring. Gelding scars will devel…
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Send us a text There will come a day when it's time to let go of your horse, dog, or other pet. So, how can you decide when it is time to let them go? Sometimes animals stay for their humans, even if their body is causing great suffering. In this episode, April talks about how to make the transition easy for both the humans and the animals. To keep…
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Send us a text In this episode, April discusses the importance of horse owners preparing for natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. The key points include: Learn how to put identification on your horse so if they get loose, the person who finds them can contact you. Use duct tape and a black Sharpie pen to write your phone …
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Send us a text April discusses how to use chia seeds as a good vegan fat source for horses that have trouble gaining weight, especially as winter approaches. She talks about how she fed her endurance horses as well as how to help horses with insulin resistance. Resources: Natural Cellular Defense (NCD) Liquid Zeolite Drops: https://amzn.to/3OvEKk6 …
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Send us a text Horse’s hooves have to support the entire body. Hoof care must be the foundation for complete health care. In this episode, April discusses various hoof issues and effective solutions for maintaining healthy hooves. Whether you're dealing with laminitis, foundered horses, or general hoof health, these insights can make a significant …
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Send us a text In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April retells a story about an incident in one of her clinics. Despite being told repeatedly to NOT tie the horse to the corral panels, one student did just that. When the horse spooked, the corral panel hit another student in the head and caused a small but bloody gash. While her student…
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Send us a text In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April Love shares helpful practices for caring for older horses. She offers information not only about supporting the symptoms of arthritis but even more importantly, preventative measures to keep it at bay for as long as possible. April also shares many other useful tips for aging equine…
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Send us a text In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, host April Love delves into the often unseen environmental factors that can significantly affect a horse's behavior, mineral assimilation, and overall immune system. Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, April sheds light on how power lines, water sources, and even natural el…
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Send us a text Join us in this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks with April Love as we explore the often-overlooked significance of the first mobility rib in equine anatomy. She sheds light on how misalignments of the first rib can lead to various in people such as thoracic outlet syndrome, frozen shoulder, tendonitis, bursitis, and carpel tunne…
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Send us a text In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April offers guidance on helping your horse cope with the loss of a pasture mate. A horse's herd is their family, and the absence of a companion can be deeply distressing. While it's natural to want to replace the lost companion immediately, April suggests giving your horse space to griev…
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Send us a text In this episode, April, addresses a question about a horse that refuses to pick up one of its feet. April suggests that the issue is not a training problem but rather a discomfort or pain-related concern. She advises looking at the horse's other feet and checking for signs of laminitis, soreness, or injuries. If the horse is avoiding…
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Send us a text April discusses how the first rib in foals can become misaligned and that causes the hind end to develop incorrectly. Doing bodywork on young foals not only helps them develop properly, but it also helps foals develop positive relationships with their handlers. Learn more about how bodywork can benefit young horses as they grow. Vide…
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Send us a text Does your black horse fade to brown in the summer? In this episode, April discusses how the color change is likely due to a copper deficiency in the horse's diet. She suggests feeding the horse Dynamite Liquid Trace Minerals once a week to provide the necessary copper and prevent the fading of its black coat. April also mentions that…
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Send us a text In this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks, April Love delves into equine care, focusing not only on the physical aspects but also on the emotional well-being of horses. She discusses the importance of addressing the emotional component, as it directly affects the horse's behavior, performance, and overall health. April emphasizes …
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Send us a text In this episode, April discusses ways to handle moodiness in mares during the summer when they are cycling. The main concern is that the moody behavior may affect interactions with other horses, and impact performance at horse shows or events. April suggests starting by addressing any physical discomfort the mare might be experiencin…
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Send us a text In this episode, April explains muscle testing, which is a technique used to determine the suitability and effectiveness of supplements and products for horses. April explains that muscle testing involves "yes" or "no" answers. She teaches muscle testing in her applied kinesiology class. She emphasizes the importance of assessing the…
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Send us a text Some horses seem to pass much more gas than others. Is this something an owner should be worried about? Yes! Excess gas indicates a problem with digestion. In this episode, April talks about how to prevent future colic incidents with natural methods. Resources Dynamite Apple Cider Vinegar Horse Yoga video Organic Parasite Control Pod…
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Send us a text In this episode, April Love tackles a crucial concern for horse owners this summer: how to safeguard our equine companions from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke. Join us as we delve into expert insights shared from firsthand experience. Discover a natural solution that clears your horses' lungs and supports respiratory health, h…
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Send us a text Join us on this episode of Holistic Horseworks Talks as we delve into the importance of early detection and addressing issues in horses, starting from foalhood. April discusses her experiences working with brood mares, foals, and problem horses, highlighting the significant impact early interventions can have on a horse's overall wel…
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Send us a text To use a bit or not, has often been discussed by horsemen. Many people go to a bigger, harsher bit when their horse doesn't respond. It could be that the horse's head is not in alignment. The skull is not one big bone, it's many bones fused together. If a horse pulls back those bones can shift. This affects the teeth and how the bit …
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Send us a text Ever wonder why some horses get girth sores and others don't? Join April Love from Holistic Horse Works as we tackle the common issue of girth sores in horses. April shares her expertise and offers practical tips for preventing and treating these discomforting sores. Discover the drawbacks of neoprene girths, the importance of natura…
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Send us a text Should you be giving your horse electrolytes this summer? In this episode, April discusses whether horses should be given electrolytes during the summer. It depends on what the horse is doing. Powdered electrolytes can burn a horse's esophagus and cause them to lose their appetite. Instead, April recommends using Dyna Spark, which is…
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Send us a text Why do horses rub their tails? In this episode, April Love shares common reasons why horses may rub their tails out and what to do about it. She explains that this behavior may be due to underlying issues with the horse's pelvis and hips, insect bites, parasites, or variety of other factors. Additionally, April provides information a…
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Send us a text April shares a story about a client's horse with a mysterious colic and how they dealt with it. She emphasizes the importance of having Banamine, Epsom salt, and DoTerra DigestZen oil on hand. She recommends keeping a copy of her book, Horse 102, in the barn for quick reference in emergencies. She explains that colic is often caused …
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Send us a text In this episode, April talks about common cranial issues found in horses, and why cranial work is vital to your horse's overall health. She explains how if left untreated, head trauma can lead to uveitis, spooking, head shyness, dental problems, Cushing's disease, and even metabolic or immune system disorders. Watch it on YouTube: ht…
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Send us a text In this episode, April explains how she designed the home study program for all kinds of learners. She reminds us what to expect of our horses before and after a full session. She shares a real-life story of what happened when a student hard-tied her horse to a pole, and then how this program is helpful for humans too. To keep learni…
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Send us a text In this episode, April explains her accredited program, equine musculoskeletal unwinding. She also talks about how it is a very easy and personalized learning experience even when you’re studying at home or getting guidance from a distance reading. But if you prefer, she provides details to host a hands-on clinic. And last, she share…
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Send us a text My passion is helping horses and horse lovers like you! There is nothing that lights me up more than watching someone have that "ah-ha" moment when it finally clicks, and they realize how powerful and instrumental they are to their own horse's wellbeing. This week on Holistic Horsework's Talks, I share my story behind that passion, s…
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Send us a text Scars can be more than just ugly! In the wrong place, scars can impede your horse’s performance. Ideally, the best thing is to avoid scarring in the first place by taking care of fresh wounds. Since horses’ bodies are saline, you don’t want to use plain cold water to clean them out. Using a solution of Tea Tree Oil and Dynamite Liqui…
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Send us a text In this episode, April discusses show jumping and eventing horses. Jumping is very hard on a horse's body. Healthy hooves provide a good foundation for overall horse health. Next, jumpers need to be able to do horse yoga. If not, there are issues that need to be addressed. It starts in the front end. If the shoulders can't move freel…
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Send us a text Springtime is a good time to give your horse a nice tuneup. Start by looking at the horse's mouth. Get an equine dentist to work on the teeth. When the teeth don't line up correctly, the bit is going to be very uncomfortable for the horse. The next thing, is what to do about all that hair! Then, take a look at the feet. They've been …
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Send us a text Have you ever considered rescuing a horse from a bad situation? Rescue horses often come with a low or even free price tag, but they can come with many issues that will end up costing you more in the long run. In this episode April discusses what she does when presented with a horse for retraining that has come from a neglectful situ…
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Send us a text An owner that was desperate to help her horse, hosted a clinic with April Love to help her mare that had become unrideable. The mare's whole right hind leg, her hoof, her stifle, was pointed out and she couldn't back up. The owner was frantically trying to figure out something to help her horse get better. First April worked on the h…
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Send us a text When racehorses come off the track, they will need a little help transitioning to life as pleasure horses. Off the track Thoroughbreds tend to be high-headed and hollow backed and often stronger on one side than the other. Bodywork may help them release the diaphragm so they can lift their back and tuck their head as expected for dis…
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Send us a text Since most people are right-handed, polo plays carry the mallet in their right hand. Because the mallet is in the right hand, the rider is often leaning to the right. That leads to one side of the horse being affected by the rider's weight, more than the other. To help polo horses stay on the top of the game, yoga and bodywork can be…
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Send us a text Horses that are driven can have different soreness issues than horses that are ridden. April Love simply looked at a competitive driving horse in the stall and described the horse's issues without even seeing him move. The horse had hock issues for years and after some Holistic Horseworks bodywork, was moving much better. In this epi…
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Send us a text If you live in a colder climate, it's time to think about winter care for your horses, especially the older ones. Should you blanket or not? Getting enough water in the winter is crucial to preventing impaction colic. Hear some ways to increase water consumption when it's cold. Hooves also tend to be neglected more in the winter. If …
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Send us a text A woman brought her horse to a Holistic Horse Works clinic to help her with contracted tendons. The horse's muscles were so tight, they felt as hard as a rock. Veterinarians suggested surgery but the owner wanted alternatives. After completing all three levels the horse was looser, softer, and more comfortable than she had ever been.…
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Send us a text The standard treatment for Lyme disease in horses is antibiotics. Many horses, though, are still not quite right even after treatment and the bloodwork reveals the infection is gone. These horses may have many problems that all need to be addressed. Bodywork is one thing, along with hot oil treatment of the spine has helped horses wi…
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Send us a text When a horse has surgery, they will have many issues afterward. To get the horse to the surgical table, they are usually hoisted up by their legs. They can also develop problems from lying too long on their side. Post-surgical issues need to be addressed right away. For major surgeries, it will be a six-month process to get them back…
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Send us a text A horse’s hooves are not as hard as you might think. When a horse has pain in their body, it will shift its weight to find some relief. After a while, the hooves bearing the extra weight will start to change shape. If you examine your horse’s hoof from behind, does one side seem higher than the other? If you compare all four feet, ar…
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Send us a text A young horse puts his head down and when the rider tries to pull his head up the saddle slips forward and further agitates the horse. It is not a behavioral or training issue, the horse is trying to say his back hurts. Putting a straight saddle on a crooked horse is going to be uncomfortable. This episode covers what to do to help t…
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Send us a text Does your horse have a really choppy stride. What is this caused by and what can you do to fix it? The choppy trot in the front end is because everything is just so tight and jammed up. Leg circles can loosen everything up and make your horse lighter and springier in the front legs. #equine #bodywork #stride To keep learning about ho…
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Send us a text April explains how she can provide personal one-on-one instruction via Zoom sessions. For students who are taking the home study course, this is a great opportunity to get feedback to make sure they are doing the moves correctly. Learn more at www.holistichorseworks.com To keep learning about horses: • Sign up for our email list: htt…
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Send us a text By the time your mare nears the end of her pregnancy, she will no doubt be feeling uncomfortable. You can do Holistic Horseworks horse yoga. It's very gentle. Stay away from the rib lifts, but you can still do the carrot stretches. You can still do the front leg circles, you can do the tail pulls and the buttocks to help free up thei…
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