Louise Heal Equine Massage & Emmett Practitioner

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

02/05/2024

Gelding Scars (2)
More info from dissections with Becks Nairn…

https://www.facebook.com/share/igiXEJCijtRbkBHY/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Get more from Becks nairn on Patreon

10/04/2024

I often recommend doing groundwork with horses, and share exercises for rehab, ongoing flexibility or for horses that are retired / unridden.
Kate Sandel and Sound has just produced an excellent, comprehensive guide to inhand work - I really recommend this (and her other resources, of which there is a huge amount!).
You need your join her group (£15 for a month), but you could absorb the videos and then leave, but you may just want to dip into a few of her other resources 😁! You have been warned!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/fYRRCb2pop5B7fx5/?mibextid=WC7FNe

In-hand training

The term ‘in -hand’ work specifically refers to interacting with our horse from the bridle, rather than lunging or ground work. It is a detailed and purposeful practice which enables us to have interesting and precise conversations with our horses about movement, balance and how they feel. All without us on their backs.

We can integrate it as part of the education of young horses, or to support a rehabilitation process, and to develop a horses understanding of lateral work and collection. We can also hop off mid session to problem solve things we discover while riding. There is a reason those old classical guys liked it as much as they did, it’s a powerful skill to have in your pocket.,

And - it’s a real skill to be able to do this well. It requires us to use our bodies in ways which may be unfamiliar, and demand coordination and awareness that may be outside of what we do in our daily lives.

It’s one of those thing which looks a lot easier than it is. And it rarely gets broken down for either horse or human into the many component parts required for this to be a harmonious and useful practice.

When we work this way, we’re right up in our horses space, potentially blocking their vision and getting in the way of their front feet. We have to manage two reins and possibly a stick. We have to practice a physical position that often feels clunky to our body. We need go develop dexterity on both reins, as does our horse. It’s easy to end up in what is technically known as a fankle.

Over in the Soft and Sound membership we’ve been breaking this incredibly useful aspect of the horse-human education right down into it’s separate parts. As with so many things this skill is often taught by people who ‘find things easy’. Or who’ve been practicing for so long they’ve forgotten what it was like to be a beginner. Thankfully, I don’t find any of these things easy and am always sitting on the beginners step, so can share how I’ve had to work through all the tiny but essential details that enable you to make in-hand training a fun and useful thing to do with your horse.

If you’re interested in joining a community of horse people who want to develop connection with their horses AND practical skills, the link is in the comments.

09/04/2024

Catching up with familiar faces is always a treat!
For some it’s routine maintenance, an ‘mot’ after a quiet winter or just some tlc 💜

08/04/2024

These two beauties had had a very busy weekend at ROR camp so had a session to help them recover from the travelling, learning lots and working very hard.
Retraining

18/03/2024

Don’t be ‘nice’ to your horse!
Be Kind and Good…..

https://www.facebook.com/100063974433209/posts/830462655762875/?

17/02/2024

Poverty Lines and noticing differences….

‘Poverty Lines’ originally described the indentation between the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus (the hamstrings). It was initially used in the 18th century to describe underweight horses but is commonly seen in ‘hard fit’ racehorses in peak condition. The hypertrophy of this muscle increases push and speed for racehorses, but if it was seen in a dressage horse would suggest poor posture and lack of forward / upward movement.

This photograph is a work in progress.. what do you notice?
Yes, he has pronounced semitendinosus muscles
Yes, he was an ex- racehorse
Yes, he is asymmetrical; he was short on the left hind for a long time but after a new home and chance to relax and relearn new movement patterns went lame and was injected in his left hock.
He is now in the process of learning to move those big global muscles in a more biomechanically healthy way, watch this space!

22/01/2024

Mares and Geldings!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/xAe7hkd64P9mmKs7/?mibextid=WC7FNe

15/01/2024

There is definitely a ‘Blue Monday’ feel in the air this morning so I would encourage you to indulge in a little bit of self care, whatever that means to you! A lot of folk I know are getting thrown curved balls in terms of their own plans, weather, health or their horses, so use this time to hunker down, get your niggling aches addressed and to support your horse during these winter months.
My prices are going to go up in February from £35 to £40, any bookings made now will be at the old price; apart from groups of 3 or more horses in the same place, charity work and good causes which will remain at the reduced agreed rate 😊

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

Take care!

22/11/2023

Sharing the love this morning at
Spiteri Retraining 🔆

21/11/2023

Super morning practicing new sacro-cranial skills learned on a recent course; I think Lemon approved 🥰

29/10/2023

Work in progress…..
This lovely chap started to over bend and ‘crab’ to the right when schooling and jumping; it was as though his hind end was disconnected to his front end.
The rotation and muscle tightness is evident in the first photo, and his tuber ischii on the right is higher than the left.
He had two bodywork sessions with a week inbetween and homework of
some in hand exercises to try and reset some unhelpful neural pathways and reconnect his front end to his back end.
He was also x rayed and checked by the vet before the second session;
there are some really positive changes which will hopefully help him move more comfortably again.

21/10/2023

Day 2: Cranio-Sacral Techniques
Another amazing day of learning with Louise Mauferon Vernet - Equine Osteopath and Rose Holistic Therapies and Training.
The art of balancing feel and intuition with anatomical understanding sometimes feels like a dark art, but good to be on the path!
And yes, the balloons were an essential learning aid, not the remnants of a party 😁

20/10/2023

Day 1: Equine Visceral Release Techniques

A very deep dive into anatomy to further understanding of the interplay between muscle, fascia and organs for the wellbeing of your horse; and some ‘interpretive dance’ by Louise Mauferon Vernet - Equine Osteopath to help it stick!!

https://fb.watch/nNRy3nJ8gb/

13/10/2023

Rainy day bodywork session (in which Chica discovers how pwetty she is when I put the phone down to record her 😁) !
A gentle but powerful technique that ripples through the fascia, from pelvis to diaphragm to the pectorals and back.
A full explanation and some interesting examples in the video link below from Tami Elkayam Equine Bodywork.
Points to look for… are contractions of equal strength and even? Is there a block?

https://fb.watch/nFepexcoNb/

11/10/2023

Why Less can be better than More.

Sometimes it might not look as though much is happening during a session; adjustments or manipulations may appear small or undramatic. Why is it important to work under the radar?

Firstly, I don’t want the horse to get tense and start anticipating discomfort and brace. That’s an easy one.

Secondly, and this is a bit longer …..
if there has been an injury / postural change / compensatory movement pattern to which the body has adjusted, it can ‘forget’ how to move correctly - Sensory Motor Amnesia. Think about folk who have had a new hip after a long wait - they often have to relearn how to walk correctly.
Muscles need to be retrained and this begins with reconnecting the neuromuscular pathways of the smaller / deeper muscles before bigger groups get ‘all fired up’ and take over, literally, in their old ways.

‘Neurons that fire together, wire together’!

So small, slow, repetitive movements can be used to gently rewire new pathways to improve motor control, proprioception and change old muscular habits. It just may not look like a lot is happening.

If you want to explore this idea further, ( it works with people too!) check out the work of Thomas Hanna, The Alexander technique and the Feldenkrais Method; for specific horse work, refer to Equine Hanna Somatics, there is a great introductory guide in the link below.

https://go.equinehannasomatics.org/quick-start

27/09/2023

Emergency call out for this beautiful boy who got himself in a pickle before a Very Big Event 🙄 Seems to be a bit more comfortable and relaxed now 🤞

25/09/2023

An amazing 3 days with Noora Ehnqvist which entwined so many threads…..

🔆 the importance of balance and being grounded in our body before we can work in a sensitive, supportive way with or on our horse.
🔆 using yoga / body awareness / somatic movements to create that balance
🔆 understanding the body and structure of the horse so tension and fascial restrictions can be addressed… to support better movement and ease
🔆 through sensitivity and connection helping the horse be more in their body
🔆 the subtle art of balancing Activity and Relaxation, Bravery and Safety

And always remembering that
🔆Compassion is key🔆

There were so many wonderful moments with an amazing group of connected, supportive people and beautiful horses gently guided by Noora; thank you 🙏
And to Clemmie Hopkinson Catie Morag and Lane
For making it happen xx

12/09/2023

Thought provoking article ….

https://annablake.com/2023/07/14/do-you-have-coyote-eyes-how-to-look-without-looking/?fbclid=IwAR1V-usp-nRc1-ZnYHmkXkyFKLxvGu1iRoy14xySqC-iZ-hOgtHmq3ZUl_k_aem_ASxBo1xMuwJ3oy_r7f2bAGsdQCOgKEeHHt4kp7kSnIJl2XFVbLofa4wnAr0Rc66WsLA

Looking without looking means to focus your attention by unfocusing your eyes. Alert in your senses, but quiet in your body.

08/09/2023

Summer has finally arrived here in Wales and I’ve been rather slack at Fb posts…. So here’s some beautiful horses post treatment while I get organised … 😁

08/08/2023

Treat for the boys today by the amazing Louise Heal Equine Massage & Emmett Practitioner as you can see Marshall fully got in the zone! Hopefully putting the stresses of the move behind them and helping them release any tensions held in their bodies!

24/07/2023

Ever heard the expression that someone is ‘held together by stress’? Maybe you know someone who has a migraine on a Friday night after a stressful week at work… or a teacher for who the first week of the summer holiday is spent too ill to enjoy their time off?
This is true for our horses too, especially those who live in continually stressful situations, which can include environment and management. I see a lot of ex- racers who are starting a new life, being retrained to have a different future.
They are used to a very organised life of routine, stabling, exercise and high adrenaline situations. When they are rehomed into a more ‘normal’ lifestyle, and began to relax, there will be bodily changes, and not always positive ones.
So why is this?

Fascia.

Fascia is pretty amazing, it has memory, can hold emotion and change from being a sticky gel to a sliding and gliding liquid. It is thixatropic.
Adrenaline and cortisol, the fight and flight chemicals released in stressful situations cause the body to become acidic ( think ulcers ) and for the fascia to stiffen and ‘hold us together’ for that emergency situation, or perceived emergency.
Acetylcholine, the elixir released by the parasympathetic nervous system increases lubrication - it helps the body rest, digest, supports the immune system in a more alkaline state.
So for ex racers or stressy horses, when they begin to relax and their bodies ‘let go’, the niggles, low grade injuries or issues suppressed by their stressed out bodies can emerge.
Supporting them and allowing them to relax and breathe, from poll to tail is an important step in retraining the nervous system.

18/07/2023

I’ve just got myself two really fascinating CPD courses booked… well a course and a clinic. Can’t wait 😊

28/06/2023

Posture!
How often do you check on how your pony is standing when they are just hanging out, relaxed or doing not a lot? It’s important to see how a horse stands naturally… sometimes it’s not an easy view.
This pony was increasingly adopting a ‘goat on a rock’, camped under, uncomfortable stance… it’s easy to see the tension that tracked along her back and how her forelegs also have to compensate….. which is causing tension in her shoulders and neck.
Compare with a much better posture below, relaxed back and abdomen (ok, slight hay tummy 😬).
Please notice how your pony chooses to stand and don’t settle for ‘they always stand like that’. Postural changes often indicate that the body is having to compensate - don’t let the new patterns become permanent fixtures!

26/06/2023

Job satisfaction… happy, chilled ponies …..