Over the past fifteen years or so, the equine world has undergone a veritable revolution in its approach to care. Long focused on a curative approach, intervening once a condition has developed, equine care is now evolving towards a holistic, preventive and integrative vision of wellness. Biomechanics, myology, neuroscience, nutrition and even living environment: professionals are now combining their expertise to better understand the horse’s body as a whole. Here is an overview of the new approaches that are bringing about lasting change in equine care.
Manual therapy: from muscles to fascia
Equine osteopathy: restoring overall mobility
Equine osteopathy has become widely available and is now part of the standard care for many sport and leisure horses. Its objective is to restore the mobility of structures by acting on:
• vertebral blockages;
• fascial restrictions;
• postural compensations.
Beyond its curative approach, it is now also used preventively. Regular monitoring makes it possible to anticipate biomechanical imbalances before they become permanent.
Equine massage and myotherapy: muscular precision
Modern equine massage is no longer simply about relaxation. It now targets:
• muscle chains;
• chronic tension;
• imbalances related to discipline (dressage, show jumping, endurance, etc.).
A detailed understanding of the deep muscles – psoas, multifidus, serratus anterior – has significantly changed practices.
To learn more about muscle reading and better understand the interactions between locomotion, posture and performance, Julia Prével’s book on equine myology is a valuable resource for both professionals and owners who want to refine their understanding.
Myofascial release: the key role of fascia
Still relatively unknown a decade ago, myofascial release focuses on fascia: the membranes that envelop muscles, organs and internal structures.
Acting as networks that transmit tension, they play a major role in:
• overall mobility;
• the distribution of stress;
• diffuse pain.
This approach has shown particularly interesting results in:
• stiff horses;
• back pain;
• mild locomotor disorders.
It effectively complements osteopathy and myotherapy in a more systemic reading of the body.
Energy-based and complementary approaches
Acupuncture: a legacy of Chinese medicine
Derived from traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture works by stimulating specific energy points.
It is used in particular for:
• pain management;
• digestive disorders;
• energy imbalances.
More and more veterinarians are training in this practice in order to integrate it into their treatment protocols, thereby strengthening the bridge between conventional medicine and complementary approaches.
Reiki and energy healing: regulating the nervous system
Energy healing, such as Reiki, is based on regulating the nervous system and stress levels.
Although its scientific validity remains debated, numerous reports from the field mention:
• reduced stress;
• improved behaviour;
• smoother recovery after exertion or trauma.
These practices are often used to complement veterinary or manual treatment, with a view to improving overall well-being.
Photobiomodulation: light therapy
Also known as red light therapy, photobiomodulation is becoming increasingly popular in equine care.
It acts on:
• Cell regeneration
• Blood circulation
• Reduction of inflammation
It is particularly used for:
• Tendinitis
• Post-exercise recovery
• Muscle pain Its appeal lies in its non-invasive nature and its complementarity with manual care.
Treatment through movement
Movement is once again becoming a key therapeutic tool. Horses are no longer treated solely at rest, but also in motion, where dysfunctions are expressed.
Cavaletti and proprioceptive work
Cavaletti work helps to develop:
• deep muscle strengthening;
• la coordination ;
• la stabilisation du dos.
Il améliore la conscience corporelle du cheval et affine sa locomotion, notamment après une période d’arrêt ou en prévention des blessures.
Renforcement du “core” équin
Inspiré de la préparation physique humaine, le travail du “core” cible les muscles stabilisateurs profonds :
• transverse de l’abdomen ;
• obliques interne et externe ;
• multifides ;
• droit de l’abdomen ;
• dentelé ventral ;
• psoas ;
• muscles intertransversaires.
Contrairement aux grands muscles moteurs comme le longissimus, ces muscles assurent la stabilisation fine du tronc et la qualité de la locomotion. Leur compréhension anatomique est au cœur de la myologie équine moderne, largement développée dans l’ouvrage proposé par Julia Prével, qui permet de mieux visualiser leur rôle dans la posture et la performance.
Aquatic treadmill: active rehabilitation
The aquatic treadmill has become a major tool in rehabilitation.
Its benefits:
• reduction in the weight supported by the limbs;
• reduction of joint stress;
• active muscular work.
Water creates multidirectional resistance which strongly stimulates:
• the flexors;
• the stabilizing muscles;
• proprioception.
It is particularly recommended after surgery, tendon injury or loss of physical condition. Nutrition and microbiota: a new frontier
Recent scientific advances highlight the central role of the intestinal microbiota in the overall health of horses. In particular, links have been observed between:
• digestive imbalances;
• chronic inflammation;
• muscular disorders;
• decreased performance.
Modern protocols now include:
• omega-3;
• antioxidants;
• probiotics;
• targeted trace elements.
This nutritional approach supports muscle recovery, joint health and inflammatory regulation.
Overall well-being and environment
Equine care is no longer limited to the body: it now encompasses the living environment.
There is increasing talk of:
• environmental enrichment;
• social stress management;
• access to free movement;
• constant social contact.
A horse that can walk, interact and feed naturally develops significantly fewer musculoskeletal disorders. Lifestyle thus becomes a therapeutic pillar in its own right.
Towards an integrative approach to equine care
The current trend is no longer to pit veterinary medicine against complementary practices, but to combine them intelligently. This approach is based on three main areas:
Prevention: anticipating imbalances before the onset of disease.
Detailed biomechanical understanding: reading movement, analysing compensations, understanding the muscular chain.
Individualised care: each horse has its own history, discipline and constraints.
For equine professionals, this evolution implies:
• continuous training;
• better reading of movement;
• interdisciplinary collaboration.
Veterinarians, osteopaths, saddle fitters, nutritionists, teachers: all participate in comprehensive care.
In short
New approaches to equine care reflect a profound transformation in the relationship with horses: more respectful, more scientific, more individualised. Understanding the body as a whole: muscles, fascia, posture, movement, is essential for preventing injuries and optimising performance over the long term.