Fiona Minchell MMCP : Equine Bodyworker & Holistic Therapist

05/03/2022

Another great article from Tom Beech the Osteopathic Vet about the effects of sugars in the grass and how it affects the whole metabolic system, hindgut and body of the horse...

29/05/2021

It is so nice to see older horses still active and enjoying life. This is Lewis one of my regular clients. He is a fit and healthy 22 year old Welsh Cob owned by Tessa Bayliss. He regularly does Sponsored rides, competes in Riding Club activities and Trec competitions. Here he is enjoying a Poll Release and getting a treatment before he goes off to a Trec competition this weekend!

29/05/2021

More great information from Yogi Sharpe. I have experienced this a lot when doing Myofascial release therapy. Often after releasing tension around the TMJ, we will see a big response/reaction from the horse around the hind end due to the fascial connections being released at the opposite end. Fascinating ...

04/04/2021

Really good info from the Osteopathic Vet on Spring grass and it's effects on the hindgut which in turn can affect performance ...

Horses grazing (taken from libertyspecialitymarkets.com)

22/02/2021

Monty enjoying some gentle spinal mobilisation 😊. I love seeing them letting go and releasing tension ...

24/12/2020

I would like to wish all my friends and clients a very Merry Christmas and hope you and your families all stay safe and well. It's been a very strange and difficult year but let's hope 2021 will be very different. Thank you for all your support and being able to work with all your lovely horses has definitely helped to keep me sane! Big hugs to all!!

01/12/2020

BODYWORK BEFORE OR AFTER SADDLE CHECK/FIT

I am often asked this question and of course it's not always easy to co-ordinate appointments. However if possible, I would always advise to have the bodywork session done first. You will see from these two pictures of Monty that his back and posture is very different before and after his treatment which would affect the way the saddle was sitting. The same applies for foot trimming. When the posture changes, the horse will load his weight and hooves differently. It is always more beneficial if the Farrier or Podiatrist can trim to suit the new posture rather than the other way around.

24/10/2020

Great tips on observing subtle signs of lameness ...

Equine lameness can be difficult to detect, but a study from England confirms the reliability of a relatively new tool for identifying subtle signs of

12/09/2020

I often talk about Fascia and how it affects everything in the body. Releasing tight and restricted fascia is part of every treatment I do. This is a really good visual although maybe not for the squeamish!!...

23/08/2020

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE!!

I always like to observe the way the horse naturally stands at rest before the treatment as it gives me clues as to where they may be feeling discomfort in their body.

Spotty is a lovely 15 years Appaloosa who has had his fair share of issues and arthritic changes in his feet, hocks, SI and spine. Nickola his devoted owner is doing absolutely everything she can to make sure he is happy and comfortable. However even after steroid injections he still seemed tight and restricted in his movement.

In the first picture you can see he is standing in a very guarded way but in the second photo, after treatment and releasing some of the compensatory muscle tension and joint restriction that he is choosing to stand more squarely.

23/08/2020

Had a surprise visit this morning at home from these three beauties on their way back from their hack!! ❤️

10/07/2020

Having fun at the Equine Kinesiology Taping Course yesterday!! Taping can help injuries by reducing inflammation, pain and swelling, improve misalignment and joint stability by activating muscles which are not functioning correctly, release fascia and improve proprioception and much more. I am looking forward to integrating it into my practice ...

25/06/2020

I am currently changing mobile networks, so any calls or texts to my usual number won't come through until the number has transferred over - hopefully by tomorrow!! I can be contacted through What's App, Messenger or email meanwhile. Hope you and your horses are all managing to stay cool!!

11/05/2020

More great information from the Osteopathic Vet regarding Equine Ulcers and looking at the bigger picture. I would also like to add that when you see your horse going into a state of deep relaxation during a bodywork session, it is because the Parasympathetic Nervous System (Eat, sleep, rest, relax) has been activated which allows them to release deep tension.

11/05/2020

Following the Government announcement last night, I am very happy to say that I will be returning to work to treat horses where it is safe to do so and in line with the current Covid policies. I will be contacting those on the Waiting list who had appointments which were put on hold first. If you are not on the Waiting list but would like to make an appointment, please contact me. I am looking forward to seeing you all and your lovely horses again!

04/05/2020

Very good explanation with visuals on this unfortunately very common issue ...

video about how to recognize sacroiliac pain in your horse

04/04/2020

I am very sad to say that Mach the little horse who stars in one of the videos on this page and belongs to my dear friend Tace Moody, sadly passed away this morning. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him and all his horsey chums too. RIP Mach and so very sorry for your loss Tace......

04/04/2020

SOME HOMEOPATHIC COUGH REMEDIES:
Hi everyone, I hope you won't be needing them, but here are some remedies that might help if you do. A persistent cough can be irritating and exhausting but the coughing reflex is the basic mechanism used by the body to loosen and rid itself of mucus lying in the air passages. When we then cough up phlegm, we can breathe more easily and ease a congested chest as a result. However, very often a persistent coughing cycle is set up but is unable to release anything, It is then that the appropriate homeopathic remedy can give the body the boost needed to get on with things more efficiently. The cough may quickly become more productive, releasing the necessary mucus and easing the chest and can also help soothe aching chest muscles.

Other SELF-HELP suggestions are:
GARLIC SUPPLEMENTS to encourage the breakdown of mucus and discourage infection.
VITAMIN C
AVOID milk and dairy products as they may increase mucus production.
STEAM INHALATIONS OR A HUMIDIFIER will help to keep the lungs moist.
REMEDIES TO CONSIDER:

ARSENICUM - dry wheezy coughs, worse at night and better for sitting up, Tight chest with wheezing, restlessness and anxiety. Burning pains in chest when coughing.

BRYONIA - Persistent tickly cough with sore chest and irritation in the throat pit. Presses hand to chest to relieve muscular pain. Deep breaths make the cough worse.

PHOSPHOROUS - Tight constricted chest with hoarseness and yellow expectoration. Cough aggravated by changes in temperature. Exhausing cough that strains the stomach muscles. Burning sensations in chest with alternation between dry and loose cough.

KALI B**H - Brassy sounding tickly cough with difficulty in raising stringy, ropy phlegm.. Often indicated in the final stages of a cold that has led to congestion in the chest and sinuses.

DROSERA - Severe, exhausting coughing spasms that end in vomiting. Coughing starts as soon as the head touches the pillow or brought on by talking. Irritating sensation of a crumb or feather in the throat.

SPONGIA - Hoarse, rasping throat with croupy sounding cough. Sense of frightening suffocation or as if breathing through a sponge. Burning in chest and throat which gets worse from cold food or drinks. Wakes from sleep with a distressing feeling of a foreign body in the throat.

HEPAR SULPH - Choking, barking cough set of by least draught of cold air. Thick, yellow phlegm that rattles in the chest, difficulty expelling it. Worse during the evening and at night.

RUMEX - Coughing spasms brought on by touching the throat. Insomnia from persistent coughing, choking spasms with breathlessness. Raw, burning sensations in chest that feel worse from taking a deep breath. Phlegm is thin, frothy and abundant.

PULSATILLA - Well established loose cough with thick yellowy-green phlegm which tastes sweet, salty or bitter.. Aggravated by a stuffy, overheated environment, lying or sitting still. Dry cough in the evening and loose cough in the morning. Wants sympathy and attention may feel tearful.

CAUSTICUM - Dry cough, hoarseness, raw throat, no Phlegm, finds cold drinks soothing, may pass urine involuntarily.

Hope you find this useful and please let me know if you have any questions or want to ask about remedies for other conditions. Stay safe everyone and enjoy the sunshine this weekend!