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Lessons from PJ: Investigating Behavior, Health, and the Importance of Listening to Your Horse

Sarah Sellers

Updated: Jan 28

A recent event with our horse, PJ, inspired us to share the experience in the hope that others may learn from it. Let’s start with a little background first. In the spring of 2023, PJ was doing a riding lesson when the student needed to make a tight left turn around a cone. The student made multiple attempts, with PJ’s behavior becoming worse, before I asked to get on for a few minutes. We ended the lesson once he made a turn to the left. Although PJ has a reputation for messing with people and doing his own thing, I also know that he has little tolerance for riders not using their hands, legs, or body correctly. Additionally, he becomes difficult to work with if he’s experiencing any discomfort. Honestly, I can’t say that I blame him. I would like to emphasize this next point. WHILE MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS TO CORRECT PJ for pulling one over on the student, it was important to STOP AND EXPLORE THE SITUATION WITH AN OPEN MIND. The next day I rode PJ to see/feel if there was a difference in his reaction to me versus the student. I compared using the reins to turn left with only using my seat. While both felt strained, pulling from the reins (we’re riding in a web halter) yielded much more frustration from PJ. We promptly asked a vet to check his teeth. Found on tooth 106 (the first premolar that is located on the upper right side) was a seemingly small hook that the vet filed away. The following week I rode PJ, evaluating his turning to the left. Although stiffness was present, his left turn difficulty had resolved. What an eye-opener!


Fast forwarding to the beginning of June this year, PJ was doing a lesson when he started refusing left turns while also exhibiting anxious behavior. A peek in his mouth confirmed that his spring dental had kept that pesky tooth hook at bay. Thus, the situation required further investigation, asking PJ what he could/couldn’t do. In contrast with last year’s scenario, turning him with only seat and legs was easy. However, using the reins to turn left brought on more panic, blasting his body to the right, just before he folded at the base of his neck to the left. Considering the differences between this episode and last year’s, we decided to bring in an osteopath for help. During the osteopathic assessment, we found that his 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae did not have motion to the right (the motion necessary to bend and travel to the left). Restoring motion to his neck required patience as he displayed discomfort throughout the process. After giving PJ a few days to adapt to the changes in his body, it was time to try left turns while riding. Although there was still stiffness present, he no longer became flustered or worried while turning and traveling to the left. This is once again a reminder to always be ready to investigate the “why” behind our horse’s behavior. Going forward, it is important that we use regular exercise and stretching to retain and enhance the range of motion in his neck, as well as in the rest of the body. 


There are a few interesting changes that occurred after PJ’s osteopathic session. Prior to receiving bodywork, the osteopath noticed that the hair lines on his right hind heel bulbs were noticeably uneven, the right being higher than the left. We made a mental note of it and moved along with the session. I regret we did not take “before” photos as the changes post session are interesting. We rechecked his heel bulb hair lines out of curiosity. The right side had lowered and was now closer to the level of the left side. With this change, we wondered if we would see a change in his right hind hoof. His hoof had been pointing laterally(outward) for quite some time. After his next trim, I took photos of his heel bulbs and the hoof direction that I’m sharing on this page. I was able to find photos/videos of PJ from a few months ago that include his hooves that I have labeled as “before” photos. We are not forming any conclusions based off these photos but are sharing them as fascinating information for others to observe.  




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