Louise Heal Equine Massage & Emmett Practitioner

11/04/2025

Highly recommended- hacking confidently and capably is a huge skill. To be a “happy hacker” is a triumph indeed!

The Art of Hacking 2025 - Open for new members now!

Doors close April 28th, only 20 spaces available.

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I created this course with no idea it would be so useful to so many people and horses. I did it because I wish I had been able to get more ideas and support when I was in the eye of the storm. I dreamed of harmoniously heading out into the world with my horse. My horse, however, did not share this dream....

We talk about 'just wanting to go for a hack', like it's the easiest thing in the world. And then when it feels pretty tricky, and we wonder about putting stronger bits in, and not riding when it's windy, or when the bins are out, or when our horse gets out of bed with his mane on sideways - we feel like a huge failure. But actually, we just lack the skills and the ideas, that's all. Neither of you are failures you just haven't got a map - so you get lost.

Some people are happy to ride their horses with a growl and a big stick (or two) . Others enjoy riding a sideways cantering unexploded bomb, laughing at spooks and skitterings ( I suspect the horse isn't laughing). However, If you find yourself not one of these people, and want to know what your horse really feels about this situation and how you can improve things between you, this may the course and the community for you.

We meet over 10 weeks, with a huge amount of video content, weekly zooms and an incredible amount of information and support. AND, you have lifetime access to the content and can join in each time we re-run the course.

BOOK NOW - https://softandsound.org/register/the-art-of-hacking-premium-coaching-2025/

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Here is what some participants have to say:

'Never give up! A course in bite size pieces. A bit like your driving test, you learn to pass the test (follow lessons in order and absorb the many tips) and then you do the real learning after you've finished the course by picking up the lessons that are relevant at the time you need them. Excellent tool for training you and your horse and building a solid relationship together. Enjoy 😁' - Tracey

'Cannot recommend it enough. I did the course 2 years ago, and I'm still using the content to great effect. f you're on the fence, do it, you won't regret it.' Marian

'I absolutely loved this course. I did it two or three years ago and use the contents on a daily basis. Not just for hacking. I refer back to the videos; the content is enough to last a lifetime. Absolutely brilliant. As much about general good horsemanship as hacking. Cannot recommend enough. ' MM

Discounts for Soft and Sound members, please use your code.

01/03/2025

Even on holiday I can’t get away from horses 🙂
Just had to visit Hanoi’s oldest temple - Bach Ma (white horse) .. inside the incense prayer spirals perfumed the air and honoured the life size white horse statue. The temple was built on the area described by the footprints of a faerie horse and despite surrounding fires and floods has been kept safe by the spirit of the Bach Ma.
They are seen as dragon horses on altars and carvings, life size stone statues at mausoleums accompanying the kings to their next life. As objects to be worshipped in great temples and small house shrines.
There is a terrible insult used against women which refers to the sounds of the fierce stallions kept caged by the city gates for royal use - Ngua Thuong Tu. The insult describes women who are fierce, wild and untamed at a time when grace and beauty were esteemed.
So today i burn incense for the women who are fierce and wild, speaking up for horses and those gone before.

13/02/2025

Meeting new faces and seeing some great changes in old friends!

21/01/2025

It’s a long winter and you might be feeling a bit ‘groundhog day’ so maybe a good time to play some Joy Bingo ! 🤩

Feeling funky?! Hurrah! You can always play Joy Bingo. I even made you a board to play the game (asking for suggestions from unsuspecting JoyRide members) but if you think it's rubbish, you can make your own 😆

Here's how you play the game...

1. Make a 5 x 5 grid on a piece of paper.

2. Fill in the squares with activities that make you joyful— horse related, things you might not do often but always love when you make the effort, things that feel important but you might forget to do, things that you love...

3. Stick it somewhere obvious and visible.

4. Cross off squares as you complete them.- give yourself a week a month, whatever.

If you yell BINGO you get extra points. We won't hear you, but you will have our undying support and respect.

What other Joy Bingo Bringers can we add to our ever-growing list?

And most importantly:

A sense of humour is an important nervous system regulation tool.

Take things seriously, hold as much as you can lightly. That's what allows for the long game.

Yours in love, joy and hopefulness,

xx Jane

18/01/2025

Being and working with horses we have to be aware of what we bring in our touch. I hope you have experienced that conscious touch from a therapist, friend or loved one that immediately makes you feel calmer and at ease… and have less experience of touch that is unsettling. We can feel the difference, so can our horses.
Yes, we have to get stuff done, and there is usually a time frame; it’s not a plea to be wafty - but we would all benefit from times when we are mindful and attentive of how we are interacting with our horse (dog / spouse / child / rabbit) and how we are using our hands.

🌀 Is your ATTENTION present or are there lists going on in your head?
🌀Are you LISTENING with your hands and eyes? What feedback are you getting? Are you waiting, asking or probing?
🌀 Is there GRATITUDE in your heart for this being as they are, or are you wondering how to make improvements, achieve a goal? (Maybe plan those things at home!)
🌀Are you CALM and at ease or have you bought stress and upset with you? Horses can be wonderful therapists but have you checked that is ok? If your mind is in overdrive, can you take 5 minutes to breathe before being with your horse?
🌀What is your INTENTION today, in your hands and your heart?

Take a few moments to rest your hands, mindfully and with permission; smile and notice …..

30/11/2024

Not my usual type of post but sometimes they come back to you and it’s important to remember their story…

You were most alive on the day you died.
You had been a shadow horse
No trust left for humans who had used, abused and discarded you,
Despite winning a King’s ransom.
My two ponies took care of your heart while I tried to take care of your body
But it was too broken, so it was decided , for the best, for you to journey on.
I cried a lot that day.
Not so much for you, because you were going to be safe and out of pain,
But for all the horses you represented.
All the other commodities that had been exploited, damaged then thrown away.
Horses with no names. No identity. No voice.
Shadow horses.
Even after a year of living with us it was hard to remember you.
You never made a fuss or demands, just quietly existed,
A shadow horse.
On the day you died here we went into the woodland.
Rain dripping off branches
Mist closing in
Your herd were with you galloping, tails up, fire breathing, snorting
Dragon horses
Caught between two worlds.
Between the trees, in the grey light you moved on quickly.
The others came after, breathing in your body one last time.

You were beautiful that day you came alive.

21/11/2024

The forecast was snow but it was a perfect sunny day to visit Track to Nature and work with their lovely herd. Although I was technically there to see Charlie, Archie was actually in need and soaked up everything offered. Charlie stayed very close but just didn’t want hands on which was absolutely fine. It’s great when ponies are able to choose.

15/10/2024

Super session with this awesome driving pony today 🥰

29/09/2024

I’ve just moved over the border from Ceredigion to Pembrokeshire and just about unpacked! Some availability in the area now without the added extra of travel costs.
Regular Ceredigion clients, don’t worry - I will be more organised and do ‘zone’ days to keep prices the same.

For people who haven’t used me before, what do you get in a session?
🔸a holistic, sympathetic approach
🔸static and dynamic assessment
🔸bodywork using a range of techniques ( massage, Fascial release, manipulation, cranio-sacral )
🔸Advanced Emmett practitioner adjustments
🔸Photizo ‘Red Light’ Therapy
🔸Notes and follow up advice as required

Any queries please get in touch x

01/09/2024

I talk a LOT about fascia and it’s importance… I use words like bounce, glide, soft to try and describe the feel of movement under the skin … I really encourage clients to feel, notice and assess what is happening, and this is why. Just compare the fascia from these two clips and imagine how the first horse would feel when ridden.

10/07/2024

Interesting video showing the movement of the superficial fascia with gentle pulls on the mane; this is a nice technique to use on your horse if there is tightness in the neck, after a schooling session or just for a feel good moment.

08/07/2024

Bodywork cures ulcers !

Wish it did…… but it certainly helps to support the body to heal with the right meds.
Gary had been eating the best food, with the best care but just wasn’t right. Luckily his mum was very proactive and scoping showed that he was a very stoic chap indeed and had been dealing with ulcers with a very stiff upper lip 😞
A huge improvement with meds from the vet, but stress ( physical and mental) causes contraction - of cells, tissue, muscle, fascia. The structures that support the digestive system can become overloaded, tight or strained.
Compensatory movement patterns may develop - how do you feel if you jog with a sore tummy 😬? Attitude and Sympathetic Nervous System responses can become heightened at the thought of going out and being uncomfortable.
Bodywork can support theses secondary effects of ulcers but it won’t cure them, a wholistic approach, as ever, is needed.
But Gary is looking well, enjoying life and relaxing into his session so all is good.

28/06/2024

Hard day at the office 😁

31/05/2024

It’s great when you get instant results and that ‘wow’ moment, but bodies don’t always work like that.
Super horse doing endurance had a really flat, dense area in his lumbar fascia and sensitivity along his back. Did lots of work here and gained some softness, but still room for improvement.
But remember, it’s not just a ‘back’ issue!! The longissimus dorsi, which is actually a group of interconnecting muscles running from back to front, and attaching on the cervical vertebrae in the neck lies in and under the fascia….
There were some massive releases working on the neck and pectorals - everything is connected - and some gentle manipulations to reset.
But still a way to go.
This is where the homework comes in and your role in continuing the process.
Delighted to be sent this video of follow up exercises being done and improvement continuing.
Gold ⭐️ work!

29/05/2024

How do you view your time with horses…. ? Thought provoking words from Jane Pike at Confident Rider….

A large number of people who come to me for help with their riding motivation, lack of time or feelings of self-doubt or lack of confidence are looking for a prescription or a formula that they can apply that will fix their lack of ‘not riding’.

Some arrive with the belief that the accountability provided by our relationship will be the cure to the problem. That maybe if I tell them exactly what to do on what day, if I give them a precise schedule, or the right things to action that things will once again feel ok-- that time will open up, they will become unstuck, they will once again feel motivated.

Often, if they perceive that they ‘aren’t doing enough’, scattered in amongst our conversation are their own ‘solutions’ to the problems…

Perhaps if I got up earlier? Or when this situation at work changes? Or once the kids go back to school? Maybe I can take this out and slot this in? Try things at a different time of day?

It’s not that I don’t have things to say, and I certainly offer things (I hope) that people will find helpful.

But more and more, I am faced with a reality which is this:

Most people I work with are not professional riders. They are riding or have horses for the love of it. And in amongst this, the fact they are custodians for their horses, they are also many other things.

They are often working full time, some are caregivers, many are mothers, or mothering in ways that we don’t socially recognize. The days are full to the extent of asking for 30 minutes of their time feels the same as asking them to lasso a woolly mammoth.

And beyond that, the real truth?

Most people are exhausted. Not just a little bit tired, but chronically so. Tired to the inside of their bones.

And that tiredness is not just an individual ‘issue’; it’s part of a wider, social narrative, the same capitalist system that trains us to treat how it is we are with our horses, how we take care of ourselves, the same way it wants us to engage with everything else:

As a schedule of production.

One that leads us to harbor unreasonable and inhumane expectations of what’s possible, and then gets us to turn around and beat ourselves up when what we’re able (or unable) to do falls short.

A practice of any kind- and this is different to a routine or a schedule- is an energy that we are in relationship with. Riding is not referred to as an art for no good reason. To my mind, good riding and good horsemanship are subject to the same creative muse, the same inspiriting forces as any other creative medium we are involved with.

If we think of our riding and our horsing adventures this way, our interactions become a part of a wider ecosystem; it becomes something we are in collaboration with, not in control of in the way that we might traditionally think.

Which leads us to the question:

How are you in collaboration with your riding and with your practice of the art of horsemanship?

Do you only feel ‘successful’ if you’ve ridden or worked your horse(s) ‘x’ number of times? When you have done something that the outer world will tell you means you’ve done something that is good? Where you are given two thumbs up by someone other than yourself?

If we are going to throw our relationship with riding and our horses in the same basket as any other that relates to productivity and output, then pretty soon we are going to find our relationship with our horse producing the same pressure as work, as anything else that can be both bought and sold.

And what’s more, it’s like pouring concrete on the soul.

A horsing practice is different to a routine and different again to a schedule.

Practices are fluid and responsive. They change with the seasons; of the year, but also of life. Is it not to be expected that your horsing practice will change, adapt to children, work, the fact you have been sick, the lack of available light?

This is not an individual failing; it’s something that’s to be expected. Practices are molded and informed by the complexity and fullness of our lives; often they exist not in spite of them, but because of them.

A riding and horsing practice is not a schedule. It is not a fixed routine. It is not you grinding yourself into the ground, martyring yourself to a riding schedule that leaves both of you feeling depleted instead of nourished.

What would it look like to approach your riding and horsing with a playfulness, the spirit of creative venture?

What would it look like if you lay down your beliefs about productivity, the tight schedule you might have around when and where you show up and what exactly that needs to look like?

What if you treated your riding and horsing practice like someone you loved, treated it the same you would a treasured friend?

What would it mean to step out of riding (and beyond that, how you look after yourself) as a ‘have to’ and treated it as a creative practice?

What would things look like then?

xx Jane