
E26: Kirby’s Comeback: Conquering an Arthritic SI Joint
Today we are tackling one of the most powerful and heavily burdened parts of the horse’s anatomy: the sacroiliac (SI) joint. 🐴 Before diving into equine biomechanics, we kick off with some exciting updates—explaining what our new intro music means for the podcast's future and officially introducing Red Mares as our very first title sponsor! To set the stage, we break down exactly what the SI joint is, why it acts as the "hidden engine" of the horse, and how arthritis in this area destroys a horse's ability to safely absorb the mechanical stress of movement. Then, we are joined by our fantastic guest, Rachel McIntosh, to talk about the wild goose chase of a diagnostic journey with her horse, Kirby. When a horse's primary symptom is chronic bucking under saddle, it is incredibly easy for others to dismiss it as a bad attitude. Rachel shares what it took to look past the explosive behavior, advocate fiercely for Kirby, and finally uncover his unilateral SI arthritis. Tune in to learn why terrifying behaviors are often the loudest indicators of severe pain, and how one-sided arthritis creates confusing, asymmetrical symptoms that can easily baffle your care team. A very special thank you to our title sponsor, Red Mares! Home of your horse’s favorite hoof butter. Check out www.redmares.com to learn more about Hoof Butter and to place your order. Use Promo code: MUD20 for 20% off your first order! (P.S. We are officially accepting outside sponsors! If your brand is a great fit for our audience, reach out to secure a spot.) Today's Guest: Rachel McIntosh Host: Taylor CL Schouten, MS, APF-I Hoofcare Practitioner of Wild Hoof Equine LLC Email us with your interesting stories. Your horse may be able to help another: redmareproject@gmail.com Connect with us online: TheRedMareProject.com Instagram (@wild_hoof_equine) TikTok (@theredmareproject) YouTube (@theredmareproject) Facebook (@RedMaresOfficial) Learn more about our showcased foundation, Teddy’s Legacy: https://www.teddyslegacy.org/ Copyright of The Red Mare Project 2026.
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