Together, we can make the world a better place for horses
All too often, pain in ridden horses is labelled as 'bad' behaviour. The apparently ‘sound’ horse is 'naughty', 'lazy', 'difficult', 'explosive', 'spooky', 'nappy', and more.
These labels are wrong.
Pain impacts all aspects of a horse's performance, including its partnership with the rider, and its potential to progress. It does not always create lameness. Relieving pain can lead to greater potential, a deeper partnership, and improved performance.
In ‘Harmonious Horsemanship: Use of the Ridden Horse Ethogram to Optimise Potential, Partnership and Performance', Sue Dyson and Sue Palmer share their professional knowledge and experience.
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This book is unique in asking why there are problem horses, and providing an approach to recognising and resolving these problems that is supported by rigorous scientific studies. It crosses many disciplines, harnessing expert opinions, and taking an holistic approach to the horse-tack-rider triad.
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The factual background is supported by real life case studies, contributions from riders who have experienced problems with their horses. It follows their journeys while they sought solutions. This will resonate with many riders and equestrian professionals and help them to know how to proceed.
Only by first recognising pain can we then address it through accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
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The book is full of practical tools which are backed by robust science, teaches you how to use ridden behaviour to recognise the subtle signs of pain, even in horses that appear to be sound. It is for anyone who cares about the horse, whether you are an interested amateur owner or an experienced equestrian professional.
Sue Dyson
Sue Dyson qualified as a veterinarian in 1980. After an internship at the University of Pennsylvania and a year in private equine practice in Pennsylvania, Sue returned to Great Britain to the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket. Sue ran a clinical referral service for lameness and poor performance for 37 years. From 2019 she has worked as an independent consultant, combining her horsemanship skills with her previous veterinary experience, with the aim of maximising performance potential.
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Sue’s key interests are improving the diagnosis of lameness and poor performance and maximising the opportunity for horses to fulfil their athletic potential at whatever level, taking a holistic approach to the horse, rider and tack combination, and improving approaches to diagnosis and management. She has been involved not only in providing clinical services, but also clinically relevant research and education.
Sue is co-editor, with Mike Ross, of Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse and co-author of Clinical Radiology of the Horse and Equine Scintigraphy. She has published more than 400 papers in peer reviewed journals concerning lameness diagnostic imaging and ridden horse behaviour and has lectured worldwide to veterinarians, paraprofessionals, coaches, riders and judges.
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Sue is a former President of the British Equine Veterinary Association and is currently scientific advisor to the Saddle Research Trust and Moorcroft Rehabilitation Centre.
Sue is also a rider, and has produced horses from novice to top national level in both eventing and show jumping. Sue holds the Instructors and Stable Managers Certificates of the British Horse Society (BHSI).
Sue Palmer
Sue Palmer has worked in the equestrian industry for over 25 years. During this time, she has been fortunate enough to work with some truly inspiring owners and professionals.
With a BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy from Kings College London, a MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy from the Royal Veterinary College, and a BSc (Open) from the Open University, Sue has a solid education. However, the horses are, and always have been, Sue's best teachers, and she learns more every day.
Sue is an award-winning ACPAT and RAMP registered Chartered Physiotherapist and an Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Trainer. Formerly a competitive rider and British Horse Society Assistant Instructor, Sue works full-time treating horses.
Through multiple books and articles, Sue shares with you her passion for ethical and harmonious horsemanship.
Available from Troubador Book Publishing or Amazon
Harmonious Horsemanship, Troubador Publishing ISBN 978 1805140 078
For further information or for images, contact sue.dyson@aol.com or call +44 (0)7860 826028