Crossroads Alternative Therapy, LLC

09/03/2026

Therapist thoughts....

The majority of neck issues I see in my practice begin with the horse (or human) using the head as a counterbalance for weakness which causes tension in the neck.

A dip in the neck just in front of the withers is a good indicator that the horse is traveling elevated in the front end, hollowed out in the back, and weak in the hind end. A longer scoop up the neck tells us the pattern of weakness has been a long-standing one.

When the hind end is strong enough to support the individual... The core will also be strong enough to support and round the back, which will allow the head to return to a neutral position... And the neck will relax.

Sometimes weakness looks like an obvious lack of tone or obesity... These horses (and humans) tend to respond well to therapeutic exercise and progress quickly in most cases.

Sometimes weakness is restriction and tension that gives the illusion of "being fit" when it's actually just rigid, tight fascia that does not allow freedom for correct movement. We see this most often in racehorses, performance horses, and people under high stress and repetitive jobs.
To the casual eye it looks like the horse is "ripped and fit". As a therapist, I see "tight and dysregulated".

Over time these dysfunctions become bony changes in the neck that require injections and maintenance.

I also find that training aids and over-bitting are common problems as well, but when I ask owners why they need a tie down, head setter or draw reins... Usually the answer is that the horse needs help balancing or won't use their rear... A major indicator of hind end weakness.

Even in humans, I find the majority of neck issues are rooted farther down in the body. It's amazing how patterns tend to overlap, isn't it.

Exceptions to this pattern would be traumatic events that damage the area directly... Setting back, falling, bites or kicks, being roped, head stuck in something... You get the idea.

As we covered in my last post, hoof angles can also play a big part in causing or correcting problems in posture that will create neck tension.

08/04/2026

Always enjoy watching and learning from Summer!

05/09/2026

Such great info!

A recent study from the University of Tennessee provided strong support for something trainers, movement specialists, and bodyworkers have observed for years:

Ground poles significantly increase activation of important postural and core muscles in horses.

What the Study Found

Walking over ground poles increased activity in:

• Longissimus dorsi — a major topline and spinal support muscle
• Abdominal muscles — critical for core stability and support of the spine

Even at the walk, poles require the horse to:

• Lift the limbs higher
• Stabilize the trunk more actively
• Organize posture and balance with greater precision
• Continuously adjust limb placement and timing

At the trot, researchers also found increased activation of the abdominal muscles.

Trotting over poles requires greater dynamic stabilization, and the increased limb elevation demands more coordinated control of the trunk, pelvis, and spine.

What This Means

These findings support the long-standing use of cavaletti and ground poles as a low-impact way to:

• Strengthen the topline
• Improve abdominal engagement
• Support spinal stability
• Enhance proprioception and coordination
• Encourage improved posture and self-carriage
• Develop better movement organization through the whole body

One of the most important aspects of pole work is that it influences both sides of the postural system:

• The dorsal chain — including the longissimus muscles along the back
• The ventral chain — including the abdominal support system

This balance is essential for efficient movement, force transfer, and development of a healthy, functional topline.

But pole work is not only muscular.

It is neurological.

Each pole creates a movement problem the horse must solve in real time.

The horse has to:

• Judge distance
• Adjust stride length
• Control timing
• Stabilize the trunk
• Organize the limbs in space
• Adapt moment-to-moment to changing demands

That process requires attention, coordination, body awareness, and ongoing nervous system regulation.

In many horses, poles appear to improve focus not simply because the horse is “behaving,” but because the nervous system is becoming more engaged and organized around the task.

Pole work may also influence neurological tone — the background level of muscular and nervous system readiness that affects posture, movement quality, stiffness, and coordination.

For some horses, this can help reduce excessive bracing and improve adaptability through the body.
For others, it can help improve postural engagement and overall organization.

Why It Matters

Regular pole work can benefit many types of horses:

• Young horses developing coordination and posture
• Performance horses improving strength, agility, movement quality, and limb awareness
• Horses rebuilding core control and stability after periods of weakness or reduced work
• Older horses maintaining mobility, coordination, and movement confidence

Importantly, many of these benefits occur even at the walk, making poles accessible to horses across a wide range of ages, disciplines, and fitness levels.

Rather than simply “making horses pick up their feet,” poles appear to challenge the nervous system, postural system, sensory system, and muscular system together — encouraging the horse to organize movement with greater control, awareness, and adaptability.

https://koperequine.com/step-by-step-the-benefits-of-walk-poles-for-horses/

01/31/2026

Facts 💯

01/22/2026

I wrote a book, and it’s free to you! No more searching endless places to find physical therapy exercises for your horses! This book contains detailed descriptions and pictures of strengthening exercises to help build and maintain your horse! They help with comfort, movement and development of a stronger, more sound horse. And it’s all in an easy to use E-Book!

https://eliteequineeducationpt.my.canva.site/

01/12/2026

01/01/2026

We get questions all the time about 𝙎𝙒𝙀𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙇𝙀𝙂𝙎

Sweating a horse’s leg is a common management and therapeutic practice, especially in performance horses. Its purpose is to reduce inflammation, swelling, and fluid accumulation in the lower limb and to support healing after work or injury.

The lower legs of horses have very little muscle and poor natural circulation, relying heavily on movement to push fluid back up the limb. After exercise, injury, or prolonged standing, fluid can pool in the tissues, leading to swelling (stocking up) and delayed recovery.

Sweating helps artificially stimulate fluid movement when natural circulation is limited.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬

1. Draws Out Excess Fluid
• Sweating agents (some of our favorites, Cherry Leg Sweat (RX) or Stay Tight Plus DMSO) create an osmotic effect
• This pulls excess fluid from the tissues
• Helps reduce swelling and edema

2. Decreases Inflammation
• Reduces pressure within the tissues
• Can ease soreness and stiffness
• Often used after hard work, hauling, or acute inflammation

3. Improves Circulation
• Wrapping the leg after applying a sweat encourages compression
• Enhances venous and lymphatic return
• Supports tissue recovery

4. Supports Tendon & Ligament Health
• Tendons and ligaments rely on good fluid balance
• Sweating can help prevent chronic thickening (“windpuffs”) if used appropriately

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐝

• After intense training or competition
• Following hauling or stall confinement
• Mild soft-tissue injuries (with veterinary guidance)
• Managing chronic leg swelling in performance horses

We recommend leaving the wraps on for 8-12 hours…

𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐠 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭 is a PRESCRIPTION, and is to be used without any saran or parchment wrap, JUST no bow wraps! If you are a current Dr. Sharp client you can get this through us! 📲208-565-0344

The 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐏𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐃𝐌𝐒𝐎 is exclusive to us at Sharp Sports Medicine, designed by our team! It can be bought online and it can have parchment paper, etc. over it prior to wrapping! Order here: https://sharpsportsmedicine.com/staytightplus

After we pull standing wraps off, we like to rinse and then put out on 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐁𝐃 𝐆𝐄𝐋 during the day! For an extra cool effect! https://sharpsportsmedicine.com/staychill

12/09/2025

11/12/2025

From horses to livestock to pets and people let me help you with Magna Wave PEMF therapy.

Did you know that MagnaWave PEMF therapy isn’t just for horses, pets, or people—it can also benefit chickens and other birds?
PEMF helps support:
✅ Healthy circulation
✅ Reduced stress in flocks
✅ Improved recovery and comfort
✅ Overall wellness for happy, thriving birds
From backyard hens to show birds, MagnaWave offers a safe, non-invasive way to keep your feathered friends feeling their best. 💚
Thank you to Shady Grove MagnaWave for the great picture!

10/31/2025

Don’t forget you can save with my coupon code JAMIEDICKSON15 if you are looking to purchase Summit Animal Health supplements and Bode Health for human supplements.

Click the link below for animal supplements:
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https://www.summitanimalhealth.com/crossroadsalternativetherapy

Click the link below for human supplements:
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Bode Health