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At Kinetic Equine Medicine, in conjunction with Seven Hills Training, whole body vibration therapy is utilized as an adjunctive therapy within a holistic rehabilitation and performance program.

Quick breakdown on the benefits and drawbacks of using water treadmill in a rehabilitation program.

Think that 'cold back' is just a training fluke? Kinetic Equine’s Rehab Director, Kyra Fraser, explains why chronic back soreness is often a red flag for deeper pelvic dysfunction—and how to bridge the gap between a veterinary diagnosis and a better ride.

Lowering the neck doesn’t just change the forehand—it transforms the mechanics of the hindquarters. Discover how the LS joint and psoas muscles facilitate power and stability in the sport horse.

Swimming reinforces epaxial bracing and cervical extension which can aggravate many issues sport horses struggle with to include painful necks and kissing spine.

Kinetic Equine Medicine (KEM) explains why body lameness recovery needs structured rehabilitation—not just rest. Progress is tracked by pain level, range of motion, muscle tone/strength, mental well-being, and diagnostics when needed. Rehab isn’t linear, and setbacks happen, so a structured program helps adjust early and keep horses on track.

A quality trot is built on balance, elasticity, and whole-body coordination—not speed. Learn how diagonal timing, pelvic mechanics, topline function, and thoracic sling strength work together to create a sound, elastic trot.

Shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that supports healing in tendons, ligaments, bone interfaces, and certain chronic pain conditions. Learn how it works, when it helps, and why it’s most effective as part of a structured rehab plan.

A quality canter depends on pelvic and lumbosacral flexion, iliopsoas engagement, thoracic sling support, and straightness. Learn the biomechanics behind an uphill, balanced, and elastic canter—and why problems often show up here first.

Recovery from body lameness is rarely linear. Learn why dips, plateaus, and fluctuations are a normal part of equine rehabilitation—and how to recognize true progress over time.

DSMD (idiopathic hopping) is a commonly missed cause of front-end pain in horses, linked to dysfunction of the scapular and thoracic sling rather than the lower limb. Learn the signs, why it’s often overlooked, and when veterinary evaluation matters.

At the walk, healthy horses rely on passive neck motion to support balance and efficient movement. The characteristic figure-8 pattern of the head and neck coordinates with the forelimbs, reveal­ing important clues about biomechanics, soundness, and compensation.

Spooky or resistant behavior under saddle is often an early sign of pain, not a training problem. Facial expression and performance changes can reveal underlying biomechanical dysfunction long before visible lameness appears.

Performance lameness does not always present as a clear head-nod or limp. In many sport horses, discomfort in the neck, back, or pelvis shows up first as subtle performance decline rather than obvious limb lameness.

Dr. Beth Byles, DVM, founded Kinetic Equine Medicine to address complex performance and lameness cases through a whole-horse, biomechanics-driven approach focused on the neck, back, and pelvis.

Kinetic Equine Medicine now offers on-site digital radiography, including comprehensive neck and back imaging to support accurate evaluation of complex performance and body lameness cases.

The multifidus muscle is one of the horse’s most important spinal stabilizers, providing core strength and postural control. When it weakens due to pain or inactivity, the horse loses stability and may develop chronic back pain or conditions like kissing spine. This article explains the multifidus’ role in equine biomechanics and how targeted rehabilitation at Kinetic Equine Medicine in Monroe, Washington restores balance, strength, and performance.

Understanding the Pain Cycle in Horses – Part 3 explores how movement patterns and management strategies help interrupt chronic pain loops and restore more comfortable, efficient motion.

When pain persists beyond tissue healing, the nervous system itself may be driving discomfort. Central sensitization and neuropathic pain help explain exaggerated reactions, inconsistent movement, and behavior changes in horses.