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About Me
My story
I was born in Almaty, Kazakhstan where I have done my studies and worked till 2022. I’ve been obsessed with horses since my early childhood. When I was 4 years old, I was introduced to my first real life horse by an indigenous rider from Peru, Juan Remigio Yanalalli. And ever since my path has been sealed. I was drawn to horses from that day forward.
I graduated from the Kazakh National Agrarian University in 2005 with the aim to work with horses. Over several years of working as a veterinarian with sport horses I realised that traditional methods of veterinary medicine and training are aimed at prolonging the horse’s performance for as long as possible, instead of making sure that the horse is kept healthy. I wanted to bring something new to my practice, but at that time I knew the only way was to
study abroad.
However, I couldn’t live without interacting with horses, so I took riding lessons and later I became a dressage rider in a government riding school during my time of studying at university. It was a time of invaluable life lessons and equine vet’s practice. It sparked my desire to treat horses differently than how my colleagues and riders around would usually do.
I studied a lot, preferably from European and American resources; the usual volume of knowledge at my local university was not enough.
Because of a lack of any farrier’s school, my journey started with my studying with a local racecourse farrier, trimming and shoeing horses. But over the time that approach didn’t bring me the explanations I was looking for. A case with a lame laminitic horse brought me to Jaime Jackson and ISNHCP in 2011 and in 2014 I enrolled in his course. Only then I understood that a horse’s hooves don’t exist separately from the horse. We always need to keep an overall perspective and be mindful of the specie’s nature.
The same applies to an every aspect of the horse’s body: dentistry, diet, biomechanics and whatever else! So, I continued my Natural Horse Care education in the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and the US,
continuing putting together the pieces of this puzzle.
I can’t, however, imagine working with horses without the basic knowledge that originate from classic academic schooling, as the physical and mental health of the horse draws upon the heritage of dozens of experts and several hundred years of academic art of riding philosophy.
Any Problems with Your Horse?
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Solution Is Here
Choose from three options that are suitable for you:
- online consultation
- hand-on consultation
- order a service which you need
My services
HOW I CAN HELP YOUR HORSE?
I consult on saddle fitting/equine ergonomics, trimming, feeding, equine management and equine dentistry.
EQUINE DENTISTRY
Achieving the best dental balance for your horse is the goal for me, also I provide routine monitoring and dental check-ups.
SADDLE EVALUATION
80 points of full saddle-rider-horse evaluation for developing the health of musculoskeletal system.
CHIROPRACTIC
I have received a good experience of helping horses to move properly during my chiropractic homework, so I would like to start a full practice since September, 2023 when I will be certified.
HOOF TRIMMING
Trimming of horses with healthy hooves, rehabilitation during/after laminitis and other limb diseases.
TESTIMONIALS
My Clients Feedbacks
"Thanks to a Paddock Paradise book and a wonderful translation by Maria Sytnikova we were able to plan our stable optimally. We have trails, slow feeders in various places, permanent access to water, minerals, and a big and spacious shelter for cover.
Our horses are in constant motion, 24/7. Different types of material lie on the trails – sand, soil, gravel.
Thank you for your work!
Come visit us!
Sincerely, Anna Nikonenko"
"Sabatino became much calmer, more relaxed, trot is smoother now. Right gallop – I feel no difference!!!
Today I did two lead changes (both right to left, but I believe we can do the other as well). So, I’m ecstatic!
THANK YOU TRULY!!! "
“My record holder horses have recovered in record time!”
"Not being able to realize himself in the field, he is content with close to nothing, breaking the stable and attacking personnel. It is a puzzle to me – why does he love Maria?
Concerning trimming, I have had to spend much time studying theory and practice of this question after meeting Maria. It became clear to me that the subject of horse trimming happened to be an almost religious sphere, where everyone fanatically defends their own truth from the hundreds of different truths. In general, I don’t know the efficiency of one method or another.
But carefully observing my horse’s condition, I believe that 2 years of trimming by Maria have benefitted the horse.
I like the fact that Maria, already a highly qualified professional, does not stagnate, she reads, studies, improves herself, eagerly shares her knowledge and allows for “nonconformity”. I can calmly discuss controversial issues with her and not be afraid of stepping on her toes by
referring to other authorities. I am glad that my horse and I have such a wonderful doctor.
I wish Maria and her patients good health and many achievements of new victories!”
“From the bottom of my heart I thank and recommend veterinarian, unique specialist on holistic keeping, dentistry and trimming Maria Sytnikova. For many years I have entrusted the health of my horses to Maria, who literally repeatedly saved our animals as a doctor with her recommendations and helped to deal with their overexertion and asymmetry through her competent and delicate work with teeth and hooves.
Recommendations on feeding and
keeping, received from Maria, help our horses to retain health and good condition, lower risks of laminitis and other illnesses.
I also recommend Maria as a wonderful rider and an outstanding coach, and I infinitely appreciate her as a doctor-professional of the highest degree and an honest person”
"Prior to transportation to Kazakhstan, back in Europe, abscess was covered by a bandage with medicine, a leather overlay was put on top and shod.
When the horse arrived at the stable, there were clear signs of laminitis – lameness, stress rings, split and broken hoof wall, hooves were flat as pancakes.
Maria conducted trimming right away, and when the horseshoes were taken off, it became apparent that the hoof had started to rot, and the white line was red. She warned me that the horse would limp at first so the trimming should be done more often. Maria prescribed a diet and forced him to walk in the paddock to wear down the cracked part of the hoof. He limped
during the first month, tried, but wouldn’t put his weight on his hoof when walking. Trimming was done twice a month, less often later. After 3-4 trimmings the horse ceased to limp, hooves started to decrease in size (apparently horseshoes were put on overgrown uncleaned hooves) and there were no more problems with limping at all!
If he had a passive mood earlier, walked too little, now (after 9 months) he is active in the paddock, walks on hard ground without any problems. Hoof horn slowly grows and the new one is visibly smoother, frog is now visible (it was flat before) and all traces of laminitis are almost gone. Now we trim it once a month / month-and-a-half.
Maria never cuts too much, always shows and tells what, where and why. To reiterate, after trimming, the horse feels great. Also, in order to prevent laminitis and its permanent treatment (or treatment in small intervals) Maria has prescribed curcuma, which we happily
stick to :).
There was a problem with the teeth (as became apparent later, not catastrophic, just the usual imbalance that affected his behaviour) upon arrival. We, in consultation with Maria, decided
he would work without a bit, but even on cavesson he constantly pulled down and tried to get free, chewed all the time and resisted any tack besides a halter (I use cavesson and cavemore).
Maria has filed and balanced out his teeth, the difference was noticeable within a few days.
Besides becoming more active and attentive, he ceased to pull down all the time during horseback work, I think teeth filing has affected his back and general body balance. He disliked being touched on the nose bridge before, especially when I pushed a bit, trying to move his
weight back during groundwork. Now he reacts calmly on lateral movements and transfers his weight back. His general condition is much better now. He is active, attentive and calm."
Professional Experience
My professional experience in equestian field includes basic therapy and surgery, dental, orthopedic and biomechanic aspects of horse’s body.