Meet Dr. Beth Byles, DVM — Founder of Kinetic Equine Medicine

Dr. Beth Byles, DVM, founder of Kinetic Equine Medicine

I’m Dr. Beth Byles, DVM, founder of Kinetic Equine Medicine. My work is guided by a simple goal: to elevate equine performance by improving comfort and restoring true, sustainable soundness.

At Kinetic Equine Medicine, I take a whole-horse approach because lasting improvement rarely comes from treating a single joint or chasing isolated symptoms. In many cases, the source of persistent performance issues or lameness lies elsewhere—often in areas that are under-recognized or incompletely evaluated.

A Whole-Horse Approach to Soundness

My clinical focus is on understanding how the entire horse functions as a system. Rather than asking only where a horse appears sore, I look at why the horse is struggling to move comfortably and consistently.

This approach often includes:

• Advanced diagnostics to identify the true limiting factor

• Targeted treatments based on what the horse is demonstrating clinically

• Prescribed rehabilitation to restore correct movement patterns

• Evaluation of saddle and equipment fit to ensure the body is being supported, not restricted

The objective is not temporary relief, but meaningful, durable improvement that allows horses to return to work with confidence.

Why I Focus on the Axial Skeleton

A significant part of my practice centers on the axial skeleton—the neck, back, and pelvis. These regions are critical for trunk stabilization and efficient force transfer between the forehand and hindquarters.

When motion or load tolerance in these areas is compromised, horses often compensate in ways that do not resemble classic limb lameness. Instead, I frequently see:

• Performance decline without clear localization

• Shifting or inconsistent gait abnormalities

• Changes in behavior that escalate under saddle

In many of these cases, conventional approaches alone do not fully explain the horse’s presentation.

Cases I Commonly Work With

I regularly evaluate horses experiencing:

• Shivers or stringhalt

• Headshaking

• Cervical nerve impingement

• ECVM

• Rein lameness

• Idiopathic hopping

• Kissing spine

• Lameness cases that cannot be localized or resolved through standard diagnostic blocking

These horses are often described as complicated, behavioral, or mysterious. My role is to connect the dots between posture, movement, pain, and performance so the underlying driver can be addressed.

Education as Part of Care

In addition to clinical work, education is an important part of my practice. I believe owners, trainers, and professionals make better decisions when they understand how biomechanics, pain, and performance intersect.

Through case studies, educational content, and clinical insight, my goal is to help horses move better, feel better, and perform to the best of their ability—without compromising their long-term soundness.