Lucy Makepeace Equine Osteopathic & Rehabilitation Practitioner.

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Lucy Makepeace Equine Osteopathic & Rehabilitation Practitioner. Academic Qualification to Level 7 in Equine Osteopathic Assessment and Techniques. Improving functionality and longevity for horses in your care.
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(I do not treat humans)
Osteopathic Based Assessment, Techniques and Rehabilition for Horses. A full holistic approach of techniques applied to the horse. An in-depth knowledge of equine anatomy, physiology and psychology are the building blocks to my assessments and treatment therapy for mental and physical well-being and rehabilitation. Looking at the 'Whole' of the horse. The focus is not just the horses structures and physiology. Environmental and Psychological challenges are also taken into consideration to have a positive impact on overall health. Having worked in the equestrian industry for the last 30 years, I have extensive experience with horses from all walks of life. As a practitioner, I have had the privilege of working with the worst equine welfare cases alongside leading equine vets as part of their extensive long term rehabilitation as well as working with leading international performance horses and everything in between. Member of the Association of Animal Osteopaths
Member of the World Alliance of Equine Osteopaths
Member of the International Associations of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

Treatment includes soft tissue techniques, joint articulations, appropriate stretching modalities and prescriptive exercise rehabilitation. One size absolutely does not fit all.

Sunday musings. keeping horses as horsesSometimes I think we can get so caught up in what we should be doing for our hor...
25/10/2026

Sunday musings. keeping horses as horses
Sometimes I think we can get so caught up in what we should be doing for our horses that we forget one important thing they are individuals, and they don't all read the same management handbook! 😂
One horse will love living out with his mates, another is perfectly happy with his established routine and his stable and another would probably have a full-blown meltdown if you moved his haynet three inches to the left! 🤦‍♀️🤣

The truth is, there isn't one perfect way to keep a horse.

Of course, we should always be looking at welfare, appropriate nutrition, movement, social contact and meeting their individual needs, But we also need to consider what that particular horse is accustomed to, what they cope well with, and how changes might affect them.

Just because something works brilliantly for someone else's horse doesn't automatically mean it's the right thing for yours.
Equally, being accustomed to something doesn't mean we should never change it. Sometimes changes are necessary for their health, welfare or management reasons, but sensible, gradual changes are often better than turning their whole world upside down overnight.

As with so many things in the horse world, it's about looking at the horse in front of us rather than following the latest trend, someone else's routine or what social media tells us we must be doing.
After all, our horses didn't ask for a complete lifestyle change every Monday morning! 😂

So, this Sunday evening perhaps the question isn't “What else should I be changing?” but “Is my horse happy, healthy, comfortable and having his needs met?”
Sometimes the best thing we can do is understand the individual, make sensible decisions and stop trying to fit every horse into the same box.
Because horses, much like people, are all a little bit different.

What's the one thing your horse absolutely insists must stay exactly as it is? I'm sure there are some very particular routines out there! I know I hear and see a lot on my travels 😂👇

This is Max’s Sunday routine after being forced out for a walk in the wind!!!

Losing Quest has made me reflect on an awful lot, both personally and professionally. When you lose a horse who means so...
24/10/2026

Losing Quest has made me reflect on an awful lot, both personally and professionally.

When you lose a horse who means so much to you, you inevitably look back, question things, and realise just how important it is to have the right people around you.
And it’s highlighted something I’ve always believed in my professional life, but perhaps feel even more strongly about now, professional collaboration, experience, and knowing when to ask questions are absolutely invaluable in this industry.
The equine world is full of people offering their services, and there is some fantastic knowledge and experience out there, but we also need to be honest about the fact that not everyone has the same level of training, clinical experience, or understanding of when something is outside their scope of practice.

And that matters. A lot.

Being a good professional isn't about having all the answers, being the person who can fix everything, or feeling the need to prove how much you know. (Trust me, the more you learn, the more you realise there is still to learn! 😂)
It's about being able to look at the horse in front of you, recognise when something doesn't quite add up, ask questions, and have the confidence to say, "Actually, this needs a vet involved."
It's about working alongside vets, listening to other professionals, sharing knowledge, and being prepared to challenge your own thinking when the evidence points you in another direction.
Most importantly, it's about putting the horse before your ego.

Quest has reminded me that horses are far more than the sum of their clinical findings. They are individuals, they can't tell us what's wrong, and sometimes the answers aren't straightforward, even when you have years of experience behind you.
Experience doesn't mean you know everything. It means you understand the importance of knowing what you don't know.

I've spent years working with rehabilitation cases, collaborating with vets, and looking at the more complex horses that don't necessarily fit neatly into a textbook. It's where my passion lies, and it's reinforced my belief that we achieve so much more when we work together rather than in isolation.

I will always advocate for the horse, even when that means having difficult conversations, changing direction, or admitting that we need to look deeper.
Because ultimately, our job isn't to massage egos, prove a point, or make ourselves look good.
It's to do the very best we can for the horse in front of us.

If Quest has taught me anything in our 15 years together, it's that we should never underestimate the value of good people, honest conversations, experience, and professionals who genuinely care enough to work together.
The horse doesn't care about our titles, our social media following, or how confidently we speak. The horse needs us to get it right.
And sometimes, getting it right starts with recognising that we can't do it alone.

Here's to continuing to learn, asking the difficult questions, and always being prepared to put the horse first. ❤️

One of the most important aspects of my role in equine rehabilitation is understanding why a horse is behaving in a part...
21/10/2026

One of the most important aspects of my role in equine rehabilitation is understanding why a horse is behaving in a particular way, rather than simply focusing on the behaviour itself.

Undesirable behaviours such as bucking, rearing, biting, kicking, resistance to work, girthiness or reluctance to move forward can often be labelled as naughtiness, stubbornness or a training issue.

But have we stopped to ask the most important question?
Is the horse trying to tell us that something hurts? Pain and behaviour are closely connected

Horses communicate through their behaviour, and sometimes what we perceive as a training problem may be an indication of underlying pain, discomfort or physical dysfunction.

Achieving the right outcome for a horse requires a team approach, working alongside appropriately qualified and experienced professionals, including:

Vets to investigate potential pain, injury or underlying clinical conditions and establish an appropriate diagnosis.

Qualified equine professionals to support recovery, assess movement and function within their scope of practice, and develop an appropriate rehabilitation and training plan.

We must never overlook pain in the pursuit of better behaviour, just as we must not assume that every unwanted behaviour has a physical cause.

Always ask the question, Investigate the cause, and work as a team.

One of the most challenging parts of my work as a practitioner isn't necessarily the complex cases or the time and effor...
19/10/2026

One of the most challenging parts of my work as a practitioner isn't necessarily the complex cases or the time and effort it takes to help a horse, but arriving at a new client's yard and realising that they feel let down by previous experiences.

I meet so many lovely owners who genuinely want the best for their horses. They’ve sought help, invested their time and money, and put their trust in therapists yet sometimes they’re left feeling disappointed, confused, or still searching for the answers they need.

It can be difficult to see, especially when you know how much these owners care and how desperately they want to help their horses feel more comfortable and perform at their best.

Of course, no one can have all the answers, and not every case is straightforward. Horses are individuals, and sometimes progress takes time, a different approach, or input from several professionals working together. That's simply part of working with these incredible animals.

However, I do believe that good communication, continued learning, attention to detail and a genuine commitment to each horse should always be at the heart of what we do.

For me, equine osteopathy and rehabilitation are about so much more than simply treating a horse and moving on to the next appointment. It's about taking the time to listen to the owner, understand the horse's history, assess the bigger picture, and work towards a plan that genuinely supports that horse's individual needs.

It's also about being honest when something isn't within our scope of practice, recognising when further investigation is needed, and working alongside other professionals when necessary.

What I find most rewarding is seeing owners gaining a better understanding of their horse, and watching those small but meaningful improvements that can make such a difference.

I know we all have different approaches, experiences and areas of expertise, and there's always something new to learn in this industry. I have huge respect for anyone who continues to develop their knowledge and strives to do the very best for the horses in their care.

Ultimately, I just wish that every owner could feel confident that their horse is receiving the time, care and attention they deserve, without having to go through multiple disappointments to find the right support.

Every horse deserves an individual approach, every owner deserves to feel heard, and every case deserves the time and thought it requires.

That's the standard I strive to uphold in my own work, and something I'll always remain passionate about.

Because at the end of the day, we're all here for the same reason 🤷‍♀️

Picture of the greatest boy ❤️

One thing many of my clients and Vets know me for is my in-depth assessments.For me, assessment is not just a quick look...
16/10/2026

One thing many of my clients and Vets know me for is my in-depth assessments.

For me, assessment is not just a quick look before treatment, it is the foundation of everything that follows for the horse.

My work is about understanding:
• how the horse moves
• where compensation patterns are developing
• what may be causing recurring issues
• how posture, movement and restriction are all connected

There are no fancy gadgets or quick-fix treatments that can replace skilled observation, hands-on assessment and taking the time to truly understand the horse in front of you.

Every horse is different, and every case deserves that level of attention.

Sometimes the most important part of a session is not the treatment itself, but understanding WHY the body is compensating in the first place. Most will just simply treat a tight area as opposed to truly understanding the 'why' behind it.

As owners, it is also important to take time to truly understand what we are doing for our horses and why. Long-term improvement comes from awareness, management and working with the horse as a whole, not chasing temporary fixes.

This is why I will always prioritise thorough assessment, honest communication and building the right foundation for lasting change.

Important information from Oakham Veterinary Hospital Equine regarding Atypical Myopathy. Please be aware of the risks 🙏
16/10/2026

Important information from Oakham Veterinary Hospital Equine regarding Atypical Myopathy. Please be aware of the risks 🙏

Something a bit different today!!! Guest lecturer at Riseholme College with the 2nd year Equine Students currently under...
14/10/2026

Something a bit different today!!! Guest lecturer at Riseholme College with the 2nd year Equine Students currently undertaking their rehabilitation section.

Really getting them to look beyond what they think they see and understanding how static posture will very often link the the findings we have in the dynamic assessment.
Aiming to inspire them to truly be advocates for the horses in their care now and in the future and not just a rinse and repeat approach.

Set the bar high and do better 💪

We must look at the horse in front of us. Collaboration, clinical reasoning and welfare must come before expectation.It ...
12/10/2026

We must look at the horse in front of us. Collaboration, clinical reasoning and welfare must come before expectation.

It is easy to become focused on a diagnosis, a performance goal, a rehabilitation protocol or a desired return to ridden work date.

Amongst all of the clinical information, professional opinions and expectations, we must never lose sight of the individual horse standing in front of us.

As I've previously spoken about, pain is not always straightforward and compensation is not always obvious. Rehabilitation is rarely a linear process.

As professionals, we have a responsibility to look beyond the presenting signs, remain curious and consider the wider clinical picture. Subtle changes in movement, behaviour or performance, or a horse that simply isn't progressing as expected, deserve careful consideration and appropriate investigation.

This is where collaboration between veterinary surgeons and rehabilitation professionals is so important.

No single professional has all the answers, and we should never expect to. By sharing clinical findings, communicating openly and working within our respective areas of expertise, we can build a more comprehensive understanding of the horse and make a better informed decision about their care moving forward.

Rehabilitation should not operate in isolation from veterinary investigation, diagnosis or ongoing clinical management. Equally, the observations made during a hands on assessment and during the rehabilitation process can provide me valuable information to share with the veterinary team, helping to inform ongoing discussions and guide appropriate progression.

There are always several questions that I have in mind at all times:

• Are we addressing the underlying problem, or simply managing its consequences?

• Could ongoing pain or compensation be influencing the horse's presentation?

• Is the horse genuinely ready to progress, or are we progressing because the timeline says we should?

• If the horse is not responding as expected, do we need to reassess, collaborate or seek further veterinary investigation?

Rehabilitation is not simply about getting a horse back to work. It is about supporting the best possible outcome for that individual horse, with veterinary guidance, appropriate clinical reasoning and a willingness to adapt as we gain more information.

For me, being an advocate for the horse means putting welfare before competition dates, expectations, professional ego or our own original opinions.

It means recognising the limits of our knowledge, respecting the expertise of others and understanding that sometimes the most appropriate next step is to pause, reassess and work together to establish the best way forward.

True collaboration is not about whose opinion carries the most weight. It is about bringing together different areas of expertise, having open and honest conversations, and remaining focused on what the horse is telling us.

Every horse is an individual. Their history, presentation, response to treatment and rehabilitation journey should help guide our decisions.

Our responsibility is not simply to help horses return to performance. It is to work together to ensure that the pathway we choose is appropriate, evidence informed and centred on their longevity, welfare and functionality.

11/10/2026

**Last Min Space Available**

Due to a horse being unwell, I have a space available tomorrow morning in Lincoln / Market Rasen / Caistor area.
Please msg me if you would like it.

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Boston

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+447856057568

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