Ahead of the Herd - Equine Bodyworks

01/05/2024

Let the adventure begin....UK 🇬🇧 here we come!!!

12/25/2023

I have to share this gift from my family!
Awww I'm now officially known as " the muscle whisperer" 😁😉
I'm blessed to be able to have an impact on my clients in such a positive way ....gratitude feels right here!!
This will be traveling with me to UK 🇬🇧

12/25/2023

Thank you to all my wonderful clients for the goodies and gifts. I'm so blessed🙏♥️ May everyone have Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

12/23/2023

My Christmas present arrived today....this will be my reading material for my 9 hr plane ride to UK in less than 2 weeks !!!!
My goal is to continue to educate myself so that I can provide the best options for all my clients.

12/21/2023

❤️❤️ So true ❤️❤️

Let your horses be horses.

Let them roll in the dirt and get muddy.

Let them bask in the warm sunlight on sunny days, sunning their coat as they nap in the dirt with friends.

Let them play with other horses, they may get the occasional nick or scratch but their mental health can remain unscathed.

Let them stretch their legs and romp across ground without being under the control of a rider, let them control their pace and buck and play.

Horses don’t care about what brand of blanket they wear, how expensive their saddle is or how neat and tidy their coat is.

They don’t care about appearances, they don’t care about monetary values, they don’t care about status…

This is a large part of why we love them so much, they don’t judge like humans do. They are so much more simple in that way.

Let your horses be horses because there is nothing more breathtaking than a happy and fulfilled horse.

Let your horses be horses and they will thank you forever and you will be able to get to know them in ways you did not know possible.

Pictured is Juniper the Mustang being a happy little swamp donkey.

12/16/2023

Rehabilitation can be a tricky and complex process. This summer, I took a special case into our barn. This gelding had been ejected from a moving trailer onto the roadway. Initially seen by a vet, he wasn’t able to make the 8hr trip home, and the owners knew he required time intensive care to recover. They contacted me several days after the accident, and he arrived covered in open wounds that were pretty horrible as well as abrasion burns.
He was placed in a controlled turnout with the ability to interact with our herd, which is important for the recovery process. He received redlight therapy daily, wound care regime, and rehab exercises during his 6 week recovery. His diet was adjusted to heal his body and support his immune system, another key element in rehabilitation. My amazing farrier came out when he first arrived to do a thorough evaluation of his feet to ensure there was no damage unchecked and followed up a few weeks later to trim and reset his feet.
It was a bittersweet day when this guy loaded up on a trailer to head home. He had only very small areas of healing, where his coat was stilling filling in, and he was completely sound!
I'm happy to report that he is back to work 😁
The photos show his journey from the time he arrived to his departure 6 weeks later.
This case is one of the reasons I have dedicated myself to education and traveling to the UK. To be able to have such a positive impact on a horse and their owner makes it so worth it 💗 Thank you to his owners for their trust in the process, I will always have a special place in my heart for this guy.

12/05/2023

Ember is the newest addition to our barn. Muffin seems to enjoy the company 😁

12/01/2023

I talk about how everything within the horse is connected. This gives great insight to this topic

Did you know that deep muscles are connected with the digestive, respiratory & cardiac systems?

Learn more about how here - https://koperequine.com/deep-muscles-are-connected-with-the-digestive-respiratory-cardiac-systems/

12/01/2023

December is here!! That means in 4 weeks, I'll be back in the UK for study weeks, putting my practical hours in for my program.
I have some spaces still available for current or new clients. To my rehab clients, don't fear, I'll make sure your horse is all set before I leave.
I'm excited to share my adventures with you all (what I'm allowed to share due to confidentiality). Follow my UK stories starting January 5th 😁

12/01/2023

💥NOT ALL ARE EQUAL!!💥
After a busy week of submitting school assignments and tests, I was reflecting on the equine professionals industry (massage therapists, bodyworkers, physiotherapists, even farriers). Particularly with practitioners, in Ontario and most of Canada, there are no regulations governing professionals in this industry. So it really becomes the responsibility of the horse owners to do their homework. 💥How as owners do you navigate through which credentials hold worth?
💥How much education does the practitioner working on your horse have - a weekend course, a few months, years??
💥 Did they do practical work study graded and monitored by regulated professionals/professors as part of their education?
💥 Is that practitioner continuing education through clinics, courses, or hands-on practicals?

Horse owners have to do their due diligence to look further into practitioners as they have no recourse if they choose incorrectly. With no governing agency, there's no one holding them accountable for negligence. Just because someone has fancy websites, social media, advertising, gadgets, equipment, and charges big $$$ doesn't mean you're getting the best services for your horse.
There's great qualified practitioners out there if you take time to do some research. Your horse will thank you for it!

11/12/2023

Happy 24th Birthday Madison-Paige Manni !!!

10/06/2023

Does your feathered horse suffer from mites, sallenders, mallenders, sweet itch, or scratches?
I have the solution for you! All natural products that use essential oils to rid mites and midges as well as reduce inflammation. While other natural oils heal the skin, promote healthy hair growth, and prevent breakage.
The photos show the struggle I had with my own Clydesdale. Frustrated after years of traditional treatments and products as you can see by the photo on the left, his legs were constantly oozing and scabby. We shaved his legs most the year to try to stay ahead of the worst. They were a continuous breeding ground for bacteria and infection.
After extensive research and education, I started making a custom blend of oils to combat his battle with mites and mallenders. The photo on the right shows the results of 3 months of treating his legs with the custom blended oils. I've used it to treat his mane and tail, he'd also rubbed raw . He no longer rubs himself raw and is now got beautiful feathers. It repels moisture and mud with a quick hand fluff his feathers are dry and clean....did I mention he's turned out 24/7 (the last photo of his legs on turn out)! No more shaving , no more using multiple products trying to manage his legs, no more steriods to deal with inflammation, and no more daily rinsing mud (which is contributing to the breakdown of the skin) off his legs. Did I mention I use it on our other horses during mud season because it's antibacterial properties 😉 and natural protective barrier!
Saving time and money while having a happy feathered horse with healthy legs!!
No neem oil, pig oil, mineral oil or sulphur!!!
Message for more info!

10/01/2023

Another great show for the crew at Caledonia Fair

09/25/2023

DAY 2 COMPLETE!!! Another successful day for the crew!! The youngest participants had a well earned (halter classes are alot of work when you're this adorable lol) nap while the hitch team took to the arena.

09/23/2023

Another great day for the in the Ancaster Fall Fair Heavy Horse Show!!! I love getting to prep this team before they perform in the arena - an amazing family and crew of friends that work behind the scenes at each show. Day 1 is in the books now to relax before we do it all again tomorrow 😁

09/10/2023

What an amazing day! What a pleasure and honour to work with this amazing family and their stunning Cyldesdales. showing Fall Fair Heavy Horse Show.
A dream come true (literally watching last year's show I said to my husband, my dream is to work on these beauties!)❤️
To be able to keep these stunning athletes feeling their best heading into the fall show season will keep me very busy, and I'm looking forward to every moment! Working behind the scenes, you get a true appreciation for the dedication and hard work that goes into these teams.

09/02/2023

Mom, can I just rest my head on you during Cabreo's session? All this zen stuff is making me sleepy 😴
When relaxation is part of your horse's regular routine, they will go into that state of relaxation when you facilitate that environment. Regular sessions remove tension and alleviate pain, boosting immune support, aids in good gut health, increases performance, corrects biomechanical deficiencies, and improves mental focus. Promoting rest and recovery, which in turn aids in maintaining the body's balance (also referred to as homeostasis), means a balanced horse is a healthy and happy horse.
* A side note our other 2 horses were in the walk-in stall beside us also in complete relaxation during his session*

08/20/2023

Another Saturday working on horses at Woodbine. I'm really enjoying this place 😁

08/14/2023

This gives me so much joy. A reminder of how important it is to allow for a horse to move through their journey at their own pace. Thankful to Snowy River Stables for giving this sweet man the opportunity to find peace and tranquility 💗

Never thought we would see this day! thank you for supporting Archie and helping him achieve relaxation! Surround yourself with great partners and never give up on your horses’ journey 💙

08/11/2023

It's been a busy month already!!! Last week, I attended a clinic with Amanda Anderson .us on saddlefitting. I cannot say enough amazing things about her and the knowledge she shared with everyone in attendance.
Does your equine professional keep up with continuing education? It is very important and should be something to consider when finding a practioner to care for your horse.

07/30/2023

At Hamilton Hunt Club for show day. Good luck riders 🍀 Don't forget to stop by 🐴

07/29/2023

Just some homemade treats ( yes, my treat version of a Clyde lol) for my booth tomorrow
Stop by and grab your horse a cookie while they enjoy a sports massage or Bemer session. Both will be offered at a discount on site tomorrow!!!

07/28/2023

What those in the horse world have always known ❤️

Horses and humans have shared an incredible bond since ancient times. While dogs get most of the attention as “man's best friend,” there's no doubt that horses have just as much of a connection, if not moreso, to people in numerous ways. Recently, studies conducted by the Institute of HeartMath ...

07/20/2023

The importance of listening to your horse. Something that has been a big topic when it comes to bits and tack.
I've been traveling this journey with my big guy, and I think we've finally found what makes him happy when it comes to riding. It's not what I had envisioned when we added this sweetheart to our herd, but I'd never sacrifice his comfort and happiness for my sake. After several bit changes - which are difficult enough to find when you own a land hippo! We are bitless. It's just his halter and clip-on rope reins. This was a huge step for me to trust that this freight train of a horse wouldn't just run off or have his way, to top it off I decided it was so hot that day to just throw my ba****ck pad on instead of my 30lbs western saddle. He was perfection that ride💗 So the next ride I put my saddle on but stuck with the bitless setup, and although he was really good, something was off. I could just feel it. Back to ba****ck pad and bitless, and he's relaxed, happy, and we both enjoy our rides!
When I got back in the saddle, I never in a million years thought I'd be riding bitless and ba****ck. I barely had the confidence to put my foot in the stirrups (a very long and tough recovery from a riding accident will do that lol) but some great coaching and a few amazing horses can change that. I bought this ba****ck pad for Lindy, who I was leasing cuz she was so fabulous to ride ba****ck once I had the courage. I learned not only balance but the feeling of relaxation a horse has when the equipment you're using isn't fighting your horse and their ability to move freely and correctly. Your horse deserves that it's our job to change what we prefer to accommodate comfort and sound movement.
Don't get so hung up on what is accepted or expected. Do what's best for your horse!!

07/17/2023

A reminder that the most memorable moments cost you nothing!
Early morning vistor yesterday while doing chores before I spent the day working with horses....dirty hands means some very content horses, all around successful weekend. My heart is full 💓

07/15/2023

Had a wonderful time supporting my Sponsored Schoolie Chance today with his amazing riders and barn family Snowy River Stables ❤️ Congrats ❤️