Gill Maybury Chiropractor

27/02/2026

Just to orove that chiropractor’s horses don’t listen to the ‘just be sensible in the field’ instructions either. Joey feeling very spicy after his new clip. Luckily he never does that with me on 😅

22/08/2025

Very interesting info re phones and riding. Thankfully most johds etc have phone pockets on legs now. Safer, more secure and better for your horse/riding

𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧

While on a clinic some time ago, and again at a competition yesterday, I noticed a rider carrying their phone in their rear (right) pocket while riding.

This should be avoided at all levels.

Placing a phone in the rear pocket is likely too:

1) Significantly affect the function of the rider’s seat
2) Compromise the effectiveness of the rider’s seat aid
3) Induce/create rider asymmetry
4) Lead to uneven loading of the saddle and horse
5) Compromise rider-horse interaction

Although carrying a phone while riding can be useful for safety and other purposes (apps), alternative locations should be considered.

Image of a rider sitting on a pressure mat with their phone in their right back pocket.

Note: sharing as an observation. We have not shown this experimentally (yet).

22/08/2025

Useful summary and explanation of joint treatments

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬
When managing joint discomfort or arthritis in horses, especially those in consistent work or advancing age, it’s not always a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Different joints respond differently to treatment, and different medications offer unique benefits – some better suited to immediate relief, others offering long-term joint support. Clients often ask us why we’ve chosen one medication over another, or whether there are alternatives worth considering. The short answer is: it depends on the joint involved, the severity and type of disease, the horse’s workload, and the long-term goals for their comfort and performance.

Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used joint medications, why we select them, and what you can expect from each.

𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐬 (𝐞.𝐠. 𝐀𝐝𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐲𝐥® (𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞), 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐨-𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞® (𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐲𝐥𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
We use intra-articular corticosteroids for joints that are inflamed, sore, or showing signs of degenerative joint disease (DJD). These are most effective in joints like the hock or stifle where mechanical stress and bony changes are common.

Why we use them:
* Rapid relief: Horses often show improvement within 24–72 hours.
* Potent anti-inflammatory effect: Excellent for calming joint inflammation and breaking the cycle of pain and stiffness.
* Cost-effective: Makes it practical when multiple joints are involved or when periodic repeat injections are expected.

Corticosteroids are especially valuable when we need to get a performance horse comfortable again quickly, or when multiple joints require attention and we need to be mindful of cost. For example, a horse with hock and stifle discomfort may benefit from steroids in both joints, allowing us to manage the whole picture effectively.

Corticosteroids are very effective, but they don’t address the underlying cartilage quality long-term. Also, they are not always suitable for use in high-motion joints such as the fetlock. Repeated injections over time need to be managed carefully to avoid potential side effects on joint tissues. Likewise, depending on withdrawal times and competition dates, it may only be possible to use a short-acting rather than a long-acting steroid in some cases.

𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐥 (𝐞.𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝®)
Arthramid is a synthetic hydrogel that works quite differently. Rather than reducing inflammation directly, it integrates into the synovial membrane, improving joint function and modulating the environment inside the joint capsule.

Why we use it:
* Longer-term benefits (6–12 months) after a single injection
* Reduces need for frequent joint injections
* Ideal for joints where corticosteroids are less effective or not well tolerated

Arthramid is especially helpful in joints with low-grade, chronic discomfort, or when we want to reduce steroid exposure. However, Arthramid is significantly more expensive than corticosteroids. If a horse has several joints affected, the cost can add up quickly. It also takes 2–4 weeks to show results, so it’s not the best choice when fast relief is required.

𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞 (𝐞.𝐠. 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐧®, 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧®, 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝®)
Pentosan polysulfate or PPS is a systemic joint support injection, given intramuscularly rather than into a specific joint. It works like a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) and has a broad, body-wide benefit.

Why we use it:
* Supports healthy cartilage and synovial fluid production
* Slows cartilage breakdown
* Addresses all joints, not just one, which is ideal for horses with generalised arthritis or “mileage wear”.
* Complements other treatments like corticosteroids or Arthramid.

We often use PPS as a foundational therapy in horses with age-related joint changes, subtle performance issues, or as a “maintenance” treatment in horses coming off intra-articular medication. It’s also one of the few options we can use preventatively or before joints become significantly inflamed. But, PPS works gradually and doesn’t have the same immediate effect as a corticosteroid. It may not replace targeted joint injections in more severe or advanced cases, but it may reduce the need for them.

𝐇𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐜𝐢𝐝 (𝐞.𝐠. 𝐇𝐲-𝟓𝟎®):
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance found in healthy joint fluid. It can be injected directly into a joint (intra-articular) or given systemically to help support lubrication and reduce inflammation, particularly in joints showing early signs of wear or low-grade synovitis.

Why we use it:
* Helps restore normal joint fluid viscosity and cushioning
* Reduces inflammation in the joint lining
* Supports cartilage health in early or mild degenerative changes
* Often combined with corticosteroids for enhanced effect

HA is especially useful in mild joint cases or in younger horses where we want to avoid more aggressive medications. It’s also commonly used in combination with corticosteroids, especially in high-motion joints like the fetlock or coffin, to both control inflammation and protect the joint environment. However, HA alone is typically not strong enough for more advanced or painful joint conditions. It tends to have a milder and shorter-lived effect, so we often use it as part of a broader strategy, either in combination or during maintenance phases between other treatments.

𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 (𝐞.𝐠. 𝐎𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐬®):
Used to control clinical signs of navicular disease, and sometimes used ‘off-label’ for horses with other conditions such as arthritis, to reduce bone pain and inflammation.

Why we use it:
* Reduces bone pain associated with conditions like navicular disease, kissing spines, and hock arthritis
* Helps manage areas of active bone remodelling seen on imaging (e.g. X-ray, bone scan)
* Administered systemically, so it can treat multiple affected sites at once

Tildren® (tiludronate disodium) used to be another biphoshonate medication used, but since Osphos® (clodronate disodium) came on the market, many vets have switched to it because:
It can be given intramuscularly rather than via IV infusion, which makes it easier and quicker to administer. It has fewer reported side effects, particularly less risk of transient colic post-treatment.
It’s more cost-effective and client-friendly in terms of administration and aftercare.

Biphosphonates are particularly helpful in horses with foot-related lameness, especially where diagnostic imaging shows increased bone activity. It’s also a good option when horses are not ideal candidates for joint injections, or when discomfort seems more related to the bone than the joint lining. However, not all lameness is bone-related, and Osphos is most effective when used in clearly indicated cases. It doesn’t reduce inflammation in the same way as corticosteroids or biologics, and it may take several weeks for the full effect to be seen.

𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:
Biologic treatments such as IRAP, PRP, alpha-2-macroglobulin (A*M), Lipogems and stem cells are regenerative therapies derived from the horse’s own blood, fat or bone marrow. These are injected directly into the affected joint or soft tissue and aim to support natural healing processes rather than simply reducing inflammation.

Why we use them:
* Help reduce inflammation using the horse’s own anti-inflammatory proteins
* Support tissue regeneration and repair, particularly in cartilage, tendon, or ligament injuries
* Useful when corticosteroids are no longer effective or not recommended
* May provide longer-term benefit in younger horses or early-stage disease

We often recommend biologic therapies in younger performance horses, or in joints where we’re aiming to slow progression rather than just manage symptoms. They’re also a good option in horses where repeated corticosteroid use is not ideal – for example, in high-motion joints like the fetlocks, or in horses with metabolic concerns.

That said, biologics can be more expensive, and the response time is slower; you may not see the full effect for 2–4 weeks. They’re also more technical to produce, often requiring a blood draw and processing ahead of time. But for the right horse and the right joint, they can offer a powerful, steroid-free option for long-term joint care. With some procedures such as Alpha-2, we can store any ‘extra’ that is harvested, meaning we can potentially get multiple future injections out of one procedure.

𝐒𝐨, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞?
Thanks to ongoing continuing professional development, and having a certified ISELP (International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology) member on our team, we are regularly updated on the latest advances in joint therapy, imaging, diagnostics, and rehabilitation strategies. Some of these medicines are actually human medicines, some do not have many studies behind them, and on top of this, there is new research emerging all the time on how we can help horses with osteoarthritis! It’s also important to have an actual diagnosis; this is where improved diagnostic imaging options may be advised to aid us in being able to offer a more specific (or a wider range of) treatment option/s.

Our decision is always based on a combination of:
* The joint(s) involved: High-motion joints (like fetlocks) may respond differently to treatment than low-motion joints (like hocks).
* Severity and type of pathology: Some joints are inflamed, some are degenerative, some are sore due to compensatory strain.
* Your horse’s workload and career stage: A competition horse in hard work may need rapid relief, while a retired horse may benefit from long-term support.
* Budget and practical management: We always aim to balance the best medical option with what’s sustainable for you long-term.

This is the foundation of what is known in the veterinary world as contextualised care – a way of delivering veterinary treatment that recognises there are multiple appropriate ways to approach diagnosis and management depending on the individual horse, their medical history, their comfort, and their owner’s circumstances. It relies on a genuine partnership between the veterinary team and the caregiver, working together to achieve the best possible quality of life for the horse.

While the term ‘contextualised care’ may be relatively new, the principles behind it are not. It draws on the values of evidence-based decision making, patient-centred care, spectrum of care and shared decision-making. It means recognising that what works for one horse and owner pair may not be the right fit for another, and that’s okay. Our role is to combine clinical expertise with the best available scientific evidence, while also factoring in what’s realistic, sustainable, and meaningful to each individual horse and owner. In doing so, we provide truly holistic, high-quality veterinary care.

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?
We’re always happy to discuss your horse’s individual case and help tailor a plan that works for both of you. More info can be found on our knowledge Hub post: https://www.espinarequine.co.uk/knowledgehub/

*𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑒.*

15/07/2025

Always worth reading the small print on your feed bag, not the ‘advert’ on the front of the bag. Usually on the white label attached to the seam. You may be shocked.

We are increasingly aware that ultra processed food is bad for us and that we should eat seasonal, fresh, local food. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀? They too can have reduced health when they have ultra processed food.

Look at the list of ingredients (also called composition) of your food. Anything listed that you wouldn’t find in your cupboard at home may well indicate that the item is “ultra processed”. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀’ 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱. Check that list carefully and be suspicious of ingredients that you would not go out and buy to offer your horse. 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.

Cereals and their by-products can offer starch and fibre, but are notoriously low in vitamins and unbalanced for minerals, so feeds including these, or even mainly these, will need supplementing with a vitamin/mineral premix. Horses have not just survived, but thrived, on their forage diet for the last 30 million years!

Straw has always been used as a bedding, but the downside was that they would eat it. We knew it was not good for them, so employed many strategies to try to stop them eating it and many in the end gave up and switched to shavings. The illogical bit is that the very same folk then give their horses chop/chaff made from straw, but as many horses don’t eat straw, it has to be coated in molasses to persuade them to eat something they would rather not.

Wheat that is not good enough for us to eat is used as animal feed, as well as the bits of the wheat we don’t want. Wheat feed is in so many feeds but not many people understand what it is. It is the undersized and broken grains, the bran and dust that comes off with the sievings. This is all then ground and pelleted and used as a source of fibre. A similar process happens with oats to make oat feed.

Natural pasture does not have much oil but what it does have is very high in essential omega 3, the anti-inflammatory omega – 4 times as much as the pro-inflammatory omega 6. Built up gradually, horses can actually utilise oil well, as slow release energy. Sadly, many of the oils added to higher nutrition horse feed are from sources very much higher in omega 6, such as soya, sunflower, rice bran oil and so on. The oils are extracted from the seeds with a combination of heat, pressure and chemical solvents. The result offers calories but little else.

And so it goes on! 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲. Be cynical about claims made – for instance, “cereal-free” can often mean free from whole grain cereal, and not free from cereal by-products.

At Simple System we ensure that all of our feeds are not only of the highest quality, but they are as close to how nature intended as is possible.

For dietary advice for your horse, contact the Feed Line on 01728 604 008 or email [email protected]

09/07/2025

My daughter is doing two demos, one in Surrey and one in Kent. All in aid of the charity race she is taking part in for the British Horse Society. Hopefully fun and informative for all ages

22/03/2025

Why Anthropomorphising Matters.

I still hear so many horse trainers describing the danger of anthropomorphic thinking in relation to horses. And I understand why - it’s a back lash against all the years of us attributing horses with the capacity to ‘get one over on us’ ‘take the p*ss’ - all that stuff.

However, it is pretty widely recognised now that we’re more similar than we are dissimilar. We share more emotions than we don’t with many other animals. And maybe if we really dared to anthropomorphize that might significantly change how we treat animals - which is probably why we don’t do it.

For instance, I have just ‘bought’ a new horse. Even at that level of possession and ownership of another being I find myself baulking, but it’s the truth.

I believe he has many of the same emotions and needs as I have. Fear, jealousy, curiosity, contentment. The need for safety, the need for comfort, the need to move and to rest.

Last year I went on holiday by mistake, I was going to visit a friend in Spain and en route I spent a few days at what turned out to be a very busy seaside resort on the Med. I have travelled solo a lot in my life but I’ve never really ‘holidayed’. When I realised the numbers of people were much greater than I had experienced in many years , and I was ‘stuck’ here for several days I went into full blown panic. My senses were in absolute overdrive and my choices were taken away. Now, I got over myself, worked things out and had an excellent time - reminding myself that this was actually all my own choice.

The horse I have just arranged to be transported from Portugal had no such choice. He didn’t know why he was leaving his familiar and safe surroundings. He had no sense of why he was in this huge metal box full of other horses. He knew no one, understood nothing about the present or the future. He could not call his friend to be talked down and reminded that everything would be OK.

Ethologists are changing the nature of how we study and understand the more-than-human animal kingdom and are even daring to use words such as ‘love’. Maybe if humans can experience love for each other, then the complex animal communities they observe can also contain love. Maybe?

Possibly the reason your horse is ‘trying to get out of work’ is because the work feels bad. In just the same way you want to go home early if your job is boring or stressful. Maybe the reason your horse is being ‘difficult’ about having their feet picked up is because they’re confused or someone taught them badly - just like you might be ‘difficult’ about doing your accounts.

The new horse who has landed here on Dartmoor is actually doing brilliantly, but the first day he arrived he was really frightened and I felt it in my stomach. Just imagine if you were him….

I’ve taken things really slowly with him, only changing one thing at a time and keeping his world pretty small. He seems to appreciate that and is enjoying some things which are new in his life, like the view and endless armfuls of hay and slow quiet scratches.

If we just for a moment considered that animals are more like us than they are different - well I wonder where that might lead.

Photo shows 4 year old Lusitano Rural learning about delicious herbs on a Devon bank.

13/12/2024

*** COLIC MYTH - IT’S ESSENTIAL TO WALK ANY HORSE SHOWING SIGNS OF COLIC ***

I’ve unfortunately seen 5 colics in the past two weeks, so I thought I’d start some colic posts again.

I think one of the main myths surrounding colic, is that you must walk them, even if they don’t want to walk. There are definitely some types of colic when movement is good/essential for the horse, but there are equally many occasions when it’s actually detrimental to keep the horse moving.

Before knowing whether or not you need to keep your horse moving, you need your vet to diagnose what is causing your horse to colic. If your horse has a classic “twisted gut” then no amount of movement will help. In fact, forcing horses to walk if they’ve got intestinal torsion will result in extreme pain. If surgery is an option, then continuing to walk a horse with intestinal torsion (twisted gut) will also wear him out, and potentially cause even more damage to the gut itself, reducing the odds of surgery being a success.

My general rule of thumb for any colicking horse is to allow them to do what they want to do whilst waiting for the vet. If they are standing quietly, then that’s perfect. If they are down in the field then I do normally advise getting them up and to somewhere easily accessible for the vet. If they are thrashing about in a stable and could hurt themselves, then getting them out and into the safety of a lunge pen or arena is a good idea, as long as you don’t risk injuring yourself. If they want to march around, then let them walk. It’s a complete myth that a horse rolling around will result in him twisting his intestine; we’d obviously be seeing hundreds of colic cases daily if this were true.

To conclude, walking a horse with colic MAY be advisable, but you need your vet to diagnose the cause of the colic first. If your horse is reluctant to walk, then definitely don’t force them to move.