Some Case Studies:

Learn about some of my more interesting cases of the last couple of years! While most treatments are quite straight forward, these guys had some really interesting things going on and are proof that the holistic approach usually trumps chasing symptoms!

dakota

Dakota was a really interesting case, and honestly, one where I said from the outset I wasn’t sure I could help! His human reached out based upon a word of mouth recommendation, and when she described his symptoms, my heart sank a bit.

Dakota is an older horse (21years) who was showing weakness in the back end, and an unwillingness to move around much, even in the paddock let alone under saddle. The way his human described his behaviour made it sound like a neurological issue, which is never a great prognosis.

Upon examination however, Dakota had some very pronounced muscle tension throughout his whole body. He was a polite horse so didn’t make a huge show of anything, but clearly disliked being touched anywhere. His whole system was just so tightly wound up that it was taking all his energy simply to maintain the muscle tension, which explained the weakness upon exercise - it was exhaustion.

We did a single treatment session where he responded really well to the treatment and gave large shifts in tension and tone. This was when I began to feel much more hopeful that I could help him! So I prescribed him a herbal mix to tone down his nervous system and allow him the possibility for greater relaxation.

Well, this is what his humans had to say:

Keira was recommended to me by a trusted friend, and her reputation for working well with horses was clear from the start.

Last year, my endurance competition horse faced health challenges that left him withdrawn and reluctant to move. Despite the treatment from the veterinarian, chiropractors, and body workers, no one could determine what was wrong, and even after a year’s rest, there was no improvement. Having owned my horse for six years, I knew something was not right.

When Keira visited, she conducted a thorough assessment and used her expertise in releasing pressure points. She was honest, explaining that she wasn’t certain she could resolve his underlying issues, but suggested trying a blend of herbs to help relax his extremely tight muscles. Keira personally mixed the herbal remedy for me, instructing me to give my horse a tablespoon each day.

Remarkably, after just a week on the herbs, I began to notice a transformation. My horse was noticeably happier and moving much more freely. After three weeks, I saw him trotting—a sight I hadn’t witnessed in a long time. He continues to improve, and while his condition may never be fully diagnosed or resolved, seeing him move comfortably and enjoy life with his friends means the world to me. Although he may not return to sport, his well-being and happiness are what matter most.

 Keira’s compassionate, knowledgeable, and honest approach truly sets her apart. Her direct manner resonates with both me and my horses, creating an atmosphere of trust and understanding that I deeply appreciate. I am grateful for her commitment and the positive impact she has made on my horse’s quality of life.

I highly recommend Keira Byrnes to anyone seeking a dedicated and skilled equine practitioner.

Sincerely, 

Anna Wyroslak

What I love about this is that having seen him again a few weeks later, he is a totally different horse to the one I met. He was alert and engaged, but his body was soft and relaxed.

I always endeavour to be honest with owners about whether or not I think I may be able to help, and to what extent… and as I seem to be the “last ditch effort” sometimes, these cases don’t always seem hopeful… but it is so great when you can indeed find that cause, have a positive outcome and a happier horse!

beau

Beau came to me for in-house rehab following a number of months of lameness and behavioural issues. The issues had begun very soon after he came to them, unfortunately having been harassed by another horse almost immediately upon arrival. But the issues didn’t go away, even after the wounds healed. The owners had gotten me out for bodywork sessions, as well as consulting with vets, farriers etc. They were at the point of him wearing $500 shoes and still being lame on and off, plus still with the behavioural issue where he would run off whilst being ridden as though in a panic. It was totally out of character for this sensible, sweet guy.

In his bodywork we had found substantial injuries up in his adductors, along with significant pain in his neck, jaw and shoulder, potentially stemming from the lameness in his hooves as well as pressure from the bridle in an attempt to slow him down when he ran off.

So he came here to have a intensive, tailored programme. The shoes came off, and we started with a lot of corrective trimming. We also did extensive bodywork through the newer, and also older fascial patterns in his body, and to relieve stress. He was simultaneously given a herbal and bush flower essence protocol to ease his gut and nervous system. Then we moved onto rehab exercises in hand, re-calming to the bridle, and eventually ridden “proof” of his improvement.

Some of the really interesting findings in him was the huge amount of bruising in the toes of both front hooves along the white lines, and also how he came up in dandruff in a perfect map of his lung (grief) and spleen (digestion and movement) meridians. Mind blowing.

After 6 weeks, he was ready to head home. Sound in both directions, barefoot. Happy to work on a completely long rein (hence the photo) and also happy to work into a lovely light contact.

He is one of my favourite “success stories” because he was truly one where his very caring owners were at their wits end, and I’m so happy to see him happy in body and mind. He is such a big sweetie.

Rush

Rush was a “done-with-you” rehab case, although most of his changes came after just one bodywork session. Rush had been struggling for over 12 months, and his owner felt she had tried all avenues. Most professionals she would get out told her he was fine, and yet she knew he wasn’t. Finally she had decided to “do it herself” and go it alone, and she had made significant progress, but he still just didn’t feel right.

He felt weak, and as though he would lose his balance and really struggle to get it back. He was also struggling to hold a frame on the flat or recover from even a small amount of work.

By pure chance she saw one of my posts, and decided she may as well try it.

Well, I watched him walk, and wasn’t surprised people had said he was fine. His walk was loose, and very symmetrical. Certainly not the signs of restriction or asymmetry you see in so many horses… but he also had a pattern I’ve seen before. Not often, but it’s a dramatic one when it shows up.

He showed very diminished sensory or proprioceptive signs in his back end, basically from his wither back. He showed very very mild signs of ataxia, so small it’s easy to pass it over as just him being a “loose” horse. And as is common with these horses… he showed an extreme restriction in the movement (or total lack thereof!) of his hyoid bone. In fact, the palpation of this was the only thing that got any reaction. Everything else barely registered in his system. As in, the reaction was noticeably absent.

That first session was centred almost entirely around his hyoid apparatus, which connects the poll, jaw, tongue and shoulders. By the end, there was a significant improvement in the movement there, and he had visibly “perked up”. He no longer looked so asleep and dull as he had previously.

When I returned to see him, it took me a while to say what I thought I saw (I’m always careful of confirmation bias), but finally I said I thought his eyes looked different, less sunken… and the owner said she had thought the same! Though like me, she hadn’t been sure if she was imagining it.

We have done a few more sessions and he is so greatly improved. He has an owner who has always been very dedicated to his health, and who follows rehab prescriptions to the absolute letter… and he is thriving. He is back out competing, even jumping (which she had stopped following an accident brought on by his previous weakness) and is back in the ribbons! It’s so so good to see!

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