Hale and Hearty Horses

Dr. Rebecca
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Biweekly

Do you want your horse to be strong, healthy, vibrant, and resilient? Do you want to proactively prevent illness and injury and have your horse recover with ease when challenges do arise? Welcome to Hale and Hearty Horses. Your trusted hub for equine wellness and holistic care. Whether you're a horse owner, a trainer, or an equine practitioner, you're in the right place. Here we explore the intersection of traditional veterinary medicine with holistic therapies, bringing you the latest insights on equine health, disease prevention, and whole horse care.

  1. 3d ago

    The Extracellular Matrix: The Hidden Environment Inside Your Horse's Body

    Most health conversations focus on cells, organs, and biochemistry — but what about the environment those cells actually live in? In this episode, we explore the extracellular matrix (ECM): the complex, living space that surrounds every cell in your horse's body. From collagen and hyaluronic acid to immune cells and nerve endings, discover how this often-overlooked system regulates nutrient delivery, communication, inflammation, and healing — and why it may be key to understanding why some horses thrive while others struggle with recurring health challenges.

    26 min

  2. May 7

    Stop Chasing Symptoms: 10 Ways to Get Real Results for Your Horse

    Are you constantly trying new treatments, supplements, or professionals for your horse — but never getting lasting results? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca breaks down the 10 most common ways horse owners get stuck chasing symptoms instead of finding real answers. With over 22 years of experience in integrative and Chinese medicine for horses and humans, she explains how to shift your mindset, identify root causes, and start getting results that actually hold. If you're ready to start learning root causes and patterns of disease, join her in the Hale and Hearty Horse Collective at https://haleheartyhorses.com/collective-landing

    21 min

  3. Mar 23

    Raising Champions: Expert Foal Care & Breeding Insights with Lisa Dickman

    Dr. Rebecca sits down with Lisa Dickman, KWPN breeder and founder of Kaneques Farm, to explore the art and science of raising exceptional sport horses. From mare nutrition during pregnancy to foal handling, hoof development, and the critical role of patience, Lisa shares hard-won lessons from over 15 years of breeding success — including inspection champions and horses competing at the Grand Prix level. Whether you're a first-time breeder or experienced horse person, this episode is packed with practical wisdom on setting young horses up for long-term health and success. Topics covered: Mare health & body condition before breedingNutrition during all three trimestersManaging foal calorie intake & preventing OCDEarly foal handling & establishing mannersHoof care & farrier schedules for growing horsesNature vs. nurture in foal behaviorWhen to intervene vs. let time do its work🔗 Find Lisa: kanequesfarm.com | Facebook: Lisa Dickman #HorseBreeding #KWPNHorse #FoalCare #SportHorse #DressageHorse #EquineNutrition #HorseFarm #YoungHorses #KanequesFarm #FoalDevelopment #HorseHealth #EquineHealth #HorseRaising #Dressage #HorsePodcast #BreedingHorses #MareCare #EquineManagement #HorseLife #HorseCommunity

    29 min

  4. Mar 9

    Vitamin E for Horses: Deficiency, Neurologic Risks, and How to Supplement Correctly

    This episode explains why vitamin E is a critical nutrient for equine muscle and nervous system health and why deficiency is increasingly common in modern management. It covers how vitamin E functions as a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, especially in metabolically active tissues like muscles and nerves. The script highlights that fresh pasture (alpha-tocopherol) is the best natural source, while vitamin E degrades rapidly in hay over time, putting stalled, dry-lot, and limited-turnout horses at risk. It discusses deficiency links to neurologic and muscle issues including ENAD/EDM in young horses and EMND in adults, and outlines supplementation basics: natural D-alpha tocopherol vs synthetic DL forms, water-dispersible options, common dosing ranges, and the role of blood testing (targeting roughly 2–4 µg/mL, often ~3). 00:00 Why Vitamin E Matters 00:42 Oxidative Stress Basics02:28 Free Radicals in Metabolism 04:53 Vitamin E Protects Muscles Nerves 05:27 Natural Sources Pasture vs Hay 07:16 Neurologic Disease ENAD EDM 09:23 Adult Signs and EMND 10:07 Choosing a Supplement Form 11:36 Dosing Safety and Blood Tests 14:11 Key Takeaways and Products 15:32 Wrap Up

    16 min

  5. Feb 17

    Sound Therapy for Horses: The Science Behind Vibrational Healing & Nervous System Regulation

    Discover how sound therapy actually works for horses—backed by science, not woo. In this episode, equine health expert Rebecca Douglass explains the real mechanisms behind tuning forks, vibration therapy, and frequency-based tools. Learn how sound influences: • Nervous system regulation and parasympathetic response • Fascia, muscle tension, and pain thresholds • Acupuncture points and tissue healing • Movement patterns and structural adaptation Perfect for horse owners who've wondered "how could sound possibly help my horse?" This evidence-based approach shows when sound therapy is most effective—for high-tension horses, chronic guarding, pain sensitization, and movement issues that don't respond to traditional bodywork. Part of the Foundation Series on holistic equine medicine, covering chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture, myofascial work, and Chinese medicine principles. Join the Hale and Hearty Horse Collective: haleheartyhorses.com/collective #HorseHealth #SoundHealing #HolisticHorseCare #EquineWellness #HorseCare #EquinePodcast #HorseOwners #SoundTherapy #HolisticHealing

    17 min

  6. Feb 2

    Chiropractic and Osteopathy: What They Actually Do for Horses

    Chiropractic and osteopathy are two of the most talked about—yet misunderstood—holistic therapies in the equine world. In this episode, we demystify both disciplines and explain what they're actually designed to address, how they work, and when they truly make a difference for your horse. You'll learn the key differences between chiropractic (joint-focused, rapid changes in motion and reflex control) and osteopathy (system-based, global integration and coordination), what realistic results look like from each approach, and how they compare to other bodywork modalities like myofascial release and Chinese medicine. Whether you're considering these therapies for stiffness, asymmetry, chronic compensation patterns, or post-injury recovery, this episode gives you a clear framework to decide when they're worth your time, money, and trust—and when they're not the right tool for the job. If you’re interested in understanding horse health more clearly and moving beyond fragmented advice, you can learn more at Hale and Hearty Horses. It’s where I share a whole-horse way of thinking that helps complex issues actually make sense. If you want to keep exploring this way of thinking, the Hale & Hearty Horse Collective is where I go deeper. It’s a learning space for understanding whole-horse health and working through complex issues. You can join the waitlist at HaleAndHeartyHorses.com.

    20 min

  7. Jan 21

    Why Your Horses Symptoms Move: Fascial Lines and Sinew Channels

    Discover why your horse's lameness, stiffness, or asymmetry might not be a single problem. If your horse has chronic lameness issues, compensatory patterns, or you are always chasing the next thing that goes wrong then the myofascial kinetic lines may be an important part of your horse's healthcare. This episode explores myofascial lines and sinew channels—two complementary systems that map how force, tension, and compensation travel through the entire equine body. Learn why treating the sore spot alone often fails, how ancient Chinese medicine and modern biomechanics describe the same patterns, and how acupuncture bridges both approaches to create lasting soundness. Perfect for horse owners and practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of chronic movement issues and whole-body healing. If the vet work isn't solving the problem and the complexity of your horse's issues keeps you frustrated, this could be the solution you are looking for.

    16 min

  8. Jan 6

    Seeing the Unseen: Homeopathy as a Language for Equine Health

    In this episode, we dive deep into the world of homeopathy—not as a controversial remedy, but as a powerful observational tool for horse owners. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, you’ll discover that homeopathy offers much more than just tiny pellets and mysterious dilutions. It’s a unique language and framework for understanding your horse’s health, behavior, and subtle patterns that often go unnoticed. Drawing on over 25 years of experience, our host explains how homeopathy trains you to observe the details: timing of symptoms, behavioral changes, stress responses, and recurring patterns. You’ll learn why the real value of homeopathy lies in its ability to sharpen your awareness, helping you become a more attentive and effective caretaker for your horse. We explore the five key elements that homeopaths use to assess a horse’s condition—timing, modalities, behavioral states, stress responses, and consistency of patterns—and how these can reveal the underlying story your horse is telling. The episode also highlights the importance of foundational health factors like nutrition, movement, regulation, relationships, and resilience, showing how these pillars support your horse’s well-being beyond any single treatment. Whether you’re new to holistic care or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode will inspire you to look beyond symptoms and start seeing the bigger picture. You’ll come away with practical tips for tracking your horse’s health, recognizing subtle changes, and collaborating more effectively with practitioners. Join us as we reframe homeopathy as a lens for observation and connection, empowering you to be a better advocate for your horse—no matter what methods you choose. Stay tuned for future episodes where we’ll explore the four foundations of equine health in even greater depth!

    29 min
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Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Do you want your horse to be strong, healthy, vibrant, and resilient? Do you want to proactively prevent illness and injury and have your horse recover with ease when challenges do arise? Welcome to Hale and Hearty Horses. Your trusted hub for equine wellness and holistic care. Whether you're a horse owner, a trainer, or an equine practitioner, you're in the right place. Here we explore the intersection of traditional veterinary medicine with holistic therapies, bringing you the latest insights on equine health, disease prevention, and whole horse care.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Rebecca
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Rebecca
  • Show Website
    Hale and Hearty Horses

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