Anatomy and Function of the Equine Hyoid Apparatus - The hyoid bone and its relationship with the fascia, and the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint between the temporal and mandible bone, are areas of fascination for me. In osteopathy, we are taught to see every part of the body as connected – and not only every part of the body, but everything from the structural, to the fluidic, to the energetic and beyond.

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO, also known as heaves, broken wind, and chronic airway reactivity) is a common respiratory disease of horses characterized by airway narrowing (bronchoconstriction), mucus production, and bronchospasm. The term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is no longer used to describe this condition in horses, because many aspects of the disease are different from human COPD.

The relationship between our horses and their joints can feel scary, conjuring up words like “arthritis” and “lameness.” Our focus on joint function and integrity, including how this plays a role in a healthy hoof mechanism and legs, is designed to create a knowledgeable foundation to support your horse for years to come.

Farriers need to work closely with horse owners to spot the subtle signs of the painful condition laminitis, a new study in Equine Veterinary Journal reports. During this unique study researchers from the University of Surrey’s School of Psychology and School of Veterinary Medicine conducted in-depth interviews with farriers and horse owners to understand how their relationship and their approach to equine care can help prevent laminitis.