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THE BLOG
All things related to holistic horse care and therapy.
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Weight Loss and Rehabilitation in Horses: Why the Long Game Matters
Over 800lb of weight loss which took almost 4 years to achieve The comparison photos of Monty are dramatic. They are also taken nearly four years apart . That context matters, because what these images represent is not rapid weight loss or an aggressive intervention. They reflect years of consistent, evidence-based management applied within the constraints of significant injury and compromised movement capacity. Monty originally came into my care for full-body rehabilitation.

Elisse Miki
Jan 104 min read


The 2-Year-Old Myth — Why Distal Limb Closure Does NOT Equal a Finished Horse
Some horse owners, trainers, and even veterinarians continue to insist that a two-year-old horse is “fully grown” and that “all growth plates are closed.” Fact: That claim is scientifically false — and decades of anatomical, radiographic, and histological research prove it (references below). More importantly: The only region close to done at two years is the distal limb . And yet, people extrapolate that distal limb closure to mean the entire skeleton — including the spine

Elisse Miki
Dec 7, 20258 min read


Why I Chose to Compost My Horses: A Legal and Environmentally Responsible Option in BC
by Elisse Miki, EQ Therapeutics & Rainbow Bridge Transport Losing a horse is one of the hardest decisions any of us will face. When I lost three of my own horses, I was confronted with an uncomfortable truth: in the Fraser Valley, our aftercare choices are shockingly limited. Cremation was extremely expensive—and in some cases not even possible due to size restrictions. “General disposal” meant sending my horses away and never seeing their remains again. Neither option felt a

Elisse Miki
Nov 29, 20254 min read


Pelvic Upslip in Horses: From Lameness to Soundness in Two Months
Pelvic dysfunction is one of the most overlooked causes of chronic lameness and movement asymmetry in horses. Yet, just like in humans, an upslip of the ilium —where one side of the pelvis shifts upward and loses proper articulation with the sacrum—can have profound effects on posture, coordination, and even cranial symmetry. This case highlights how accurate assessment, species-specific rehabilitation, and a supportive environment can restore balance and function in a remark

Elisse Miki
Oct 22, 20254 min read


You Can’t Placebo a Horse
In Humans, Belief Can Heal One of the most remarkable discoveries in human medicine is the placebo effect. Far from being “fake,” placebo...

Elisse Miki
Sep 3, 20254 min read


When a Horse’s Needs Aren’t Met, No Therapy in the World Will Work
"You can’t fix the symptom if the cause is built into the horse’s daily life." Over the years, I’ve been called out to see hundreds of...

Elisse Miki
Aug 14, 20254 min read


Temporo-Hyoid Osteoarthropathy (THO): The Pain You Can’t See
During a dissection hosted at the Northwest School of Animal Massage (NWSAM) in collaboration with Trinity Equine Services , we had the...

Elisse Miki
Jun 1, 20253 min read


Healing or Hurting: Rethinking Equine Shockwave Therapy
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) has become a prevalent trend in equine rehabilitation. It's widely featured in veterinary...

Elisse Miki
Apr 23, 20255 min read


Science & Spirtuality are Not Binary
People often assume that because I am a staunch advocate for scientific principles — a stickler for anatomy, physiology, and mechanics...

Elisse Miki
Mar 5, 20253 min read


The Only Method I Subscribe To Is The Scientific Method
The therapy world—whether human or equine—is saturated with "methods." There’s always someone touting a revolutionary technique, a...

Elisse Miki
Feb 12, 20255 min read


The Body’s Hidden Blueprint: How Osteopathy Unlocked My Therapeutic Potential
One of the most transformative shifts in my career happened the moment I stopped viewing the body as a collection of isolated parts and...

Elisse Miki
Feb 4, 20252 min read


The Horsemanship of Everything: From Poop Picking to Partnership
Horsemanship isn’t confined to riding, training sessions, or the moments when we’re tacked up and ready to work. It permeates every...

Elisse Miki
Jan 1, 20253 min read


Debunking the Myth of "Removing Toxins" Through Massage
Can we talk about the "removing toxins" claim often plastered all over social media in the bodywork world. It’s time we put this myth to...

Elisse Miki
Dec 30, 20244 min read


Is That Even Indicated?
Understanding the why behind every technique is essential for safe and effective treatment. When working with horses, it’s essential to...

Elisse Miki
Dec 20, 20242 min read


Why Horses Gain Weight When Transitioned to Free-Choice Forage
When a horse transitions from timed feeding to 24/7 free-choice forage, significant changes occur at the cellular, metabolic, and...

Elisse Miki
Dec 3, 20242 min read


It Takes The Time It Takes: Why Healing Isn't An Overnight Process
Healing and rehabilitation are journeys that demand patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of the process. Horses are sentient...

Elisse Miki
Nov 25, 20244 min read


Beyond Protocols: Why Our Programs Stand Apart
When we created our program, it wasn’t to add another certification to the world of equine therapy — it was to revolutionize how...

Elisse Miki
Nov 19, 20244 min read


The Backbone of Healing: Why Orthopedic Assessment is Essential for Therapists
In the world of therapy, there's a fundamental skill that stands tall amidst the array of techniques and methodologies – orthopedic...

Elisse Miki
Nov 12, 20243 min read


Reevaluating the Approach to Equine Care: A Call for Modernization
As I complete my mandatory continuing education to maintain my healthcare license, I encountered an eye-opening topic: the stark contrast...

Elisse Miki
Oct 17, 20242 min read


The Ineffective Art of Lunging: Why It Fails Horses and What to Do Instead
Lunging is a common training technique used by many to exercise horses, improve balance, and establish control. However, this traditional...

Elisse Miki
Sep 14, 20245 min read


Treating the Cause Over the Symptom: A Holistic Approach to Healing in Human and Equine Therapies
In both human and equine therapies, a recurring theme that often determines the success or failure of treatment is the distinction...

Elisse Miki
Aug 31, 20244 min read


Why Embryology Matters
I first became fascinated with embryology when I discovered that the development of the heart in utero is essentially the first "hug" we...

Elisse Miki
Aug 29, 20245 min read


Why Massaging Horses With Back Pain Is Not the Answer
Let’s stop blindly massaging tight muscles. Yes, you read that correctly. For too long, the equine community has embraced massage as a...

Elisse Miki
Aug 9, 20245 min read


Turnout: The Secret Weapon for Equine Health?
Brace yourself, because I'm about to drop a bomb that might shake up your world. Turnout — yes, the seemingly simple act of letting your...

Elisse Miki
May 9, 20244 min read
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