O.H Equine Therapy

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O.H Equine Therapy

Olivia is a fully qualified and insured equine sports massage therapist. Working in Cheshire and surr Working in Cheshire and surrounding counties.
(13)

16/11/2024

It's O.H. Equine Therapy's 7th Birthday! 🥳
Can't believe it's been 7 years of my little business! It's been one Hell of a ride and a huge learning experience!
I have met some amazing people and horses along the way and I'm truly blessed to be able to do this job!

Let's see what the next 7 years will bring! 🥳🥳

12/11/2024

Thanks so much to Equi-Flex for featuring me on their page. Talking about why I became an equine therapist, what I get up to outside of treating youre lovely horses and what I love and not always love about my job!

This is such a good little series that Shelley has put together. It's quite a lonely little profession so its great to see what everyone else is up to and their back grounds!

🌟Get to Know Your Equine Therapist🌟

O.H Equine Therapy covering most areas of the North West of England and North Wales - Predominantly: Cheshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Merseyside, Manchester, Lancashire, North Wales and Powys.

🐴 Introduce yourself

Hi I’m Olivia, a fully qualified, insured and registered sports massage therapist based in Cheshire. I have been around horses since a young age, riding and competing in various disciplines over the years. I have been fortunate to have some lovely horses which has taken me to show jumping round my dream arenas such as Bolesworth and Hickstead etc. My current horse Oscar I have had since a 4-year-old and part of the furniture. He has taken me showjumping, dressage and county level showing to which we had much success! He is now taking life a little easier in the field. I simply love being around horses, they are such a calming presence and transport me to my happy place!

🐴 Do you have other qualifications/achievements?

As well as being a qualified sports massage therapist I hold a BSc(Hons) in Biomedical Science and currently work in the NHS in aseptic pharmacy alongside treating everyone’s lovely horses.

Another passion of mine is classical singing which I have been doing since being a chorister at Chester Cathedral from the age of 8. When I’m not working, I am off singing around the country in numerous choirs and as a soloist. I have been able to perform in numerous concerts, radio and television as well as CD recordings over the years!

🐴Why did you become an equine therapist?

I became a therapist after my horse Oscar suffered an injury before being diagnosed with kissing spine. I have always loved anatomy, health and wellbeing and was fascinated about injury and disfunction and why some horses are more susceptible to injury, and what were the reasons for these slow developing chronic injuries. I had a physio come out to see Oscar during his treatment and from then I started researching the different types of therapies. I really liked how massage therapy encompassed a whole horse holistic approach, covering many different techniques. I became interested in treating the whole horse and how even the smallest compensations can cause long-lasting issues. I started my course just wanting to learn more about equine anatomy and gaining techniques to help Oscar. I went on to treat my friends’ horses and absolutely fell in love with the profession, helping people’s horses feel their best. My goal is to have happy horses and happy owners.

🐴 What do you love the most about being an equine therapist?

I love treating a wide range of horses, no matter how much work they are in, whether they compete or are retired. I love seeing the difference I can make in horse’s comfort. I love seeing them relax and release in their own different ways. I find it so interesting how every horse has their own way of relaxing and releasing and I enjoy working out how to tailor each session to every horse so that they can have a relaxing and beneficial treatment. I like to get to the cause of a horse’ssoreness/lameness, referring to vets and other professionals when needed. I enjoy learning more every day about horses, their anatomy and learning new skills and techniques to help horses.

🐴 What do you find the most challenging about being an equine therapist?

Sometimes the job can be isolating spending a lot of time in the car travelling between yards. It can also be hard to chat with fellow therapists. I really take home a lot of inspiration from other therapists, and I enjoy chatting with therapists online and at CPDs. I also find it hard when I can’t help a horse, or they don’t benefit from the treatment as well as I thought they would. It usually means thinking outside the box and trying a different approach.

Interesting to learn more about Olivia’s passions outside of horse’s and together we can built a great network of equine therapists. And great to also learn Olivia is in the pharmacy industry too.

Follow this equine therapists page to see all the great work they are doing.

If any other equine therapists would like join in, drop me a message 🤩

06/11/2024

A non horsey day today! Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday today! I am truly grateful and have been well and truly spoilt!

Also enjoying my lit stable with my coconut light from Litemyride which has also been doubled as colourful mood lighting for the house which has gone down a treat with the other half 🤣

Means that it won't be so dark up a Welsh hill this winter! ❤️

02/11/2024

I can't believe we are in November already! 🍁🍂🍁

This is my current availability for November which is very limited so if you would like an appointment please do pop me a message.

If you would like a follow up appointment I am also booking into December and the new year!
I honestly can't believe it's nearly Christmas!!

My prices going into the new year remain the same!
1 horse £45
2+ horses on the same yard £40.

My prices for weighing will also remain the same!

1 horse £20
2-3 horses £15
4+ horses £10

28/10/2024

A busy weekend of weighing and treating!

Was lovely to see regular horse Kitty who o have been treating for a few years now!

Due to a previous ill fitting saddle Kitty had some stubborn soreness in her lumbar area. She wasn't a fan of manual techniques over the area last time so this time round I tried my PEMF machine, which is back in action after being faulty (thanks to my to my other half who makes and programmes machines for a living!)

She instantly relaxed with the PEMF and quickly started licking and chewing as well as giving some yawns which was great to see as previously she had been quite restless while I worked over her lumbar area..

After the PEMF she felt much more soft and supple with much reduced trigger points and spasm! As well as having a much more enjoyable release!

What are the benefits of PEMF?

🟢 Reducing pain after injury, surgery and pain associated with restricted, inflammed muscles and soft tissues.

🟢 Reduces inflammation in muscles, joints and connective tissue, allowing the horse to move more comfortably.

🟢 Accelerated healing and recovery - speed up tossue repair, cell regeneration and improve circulation.

🟢 Improved performance- improved circulation Improves cell oxygenation and improves nutrients absorption leading to improved performance and recovery.

🟢 Accelerate wound healing.

🟢 Manage pain of more chronic conditions such as arthritis.

🟢 Helps support bone health and maintain hone density by stimulating bone cells.

🟢 relaxing effect on nervous system helping with stress snf anxiety.

23/10/2024

Great to see my clients doing well!!
Well done to Jayne and Lucky winning their arena eventing at Kelsall and to my sponsored rider Jazz coming 4th ans 5th at Aintrees High Profile Show!

I love keeping In touch regularly to see how you and you're horse are doing!

🥳🥳🥳

05/10/2024

A lovely review from a new client recently!
I treat every horse like they are my own! And want to see them improve, feeling and moving their best! 🥳🥳🥳

03/10/2024

Keep your eyes peeled, I will be closing the competition to win a free massage tonight and drawing the winner!
There is still time to get entering if you would like to win a free sports massage sessoon for your horse worth £45!! 🐴

Remember to like the competition post, share and tag a friend!

I wonder who the lucky winner will be!! 🥳🥳

25/09/2024

Excited for National Animal Therapist Day tomorrow! 🥳

Keep your eyes peeled for some great giveaways!

16/09/2024

🐴 Muscle Monday 🐴

Serratus ventralis

The Serratus ventralis is a very important muscle of the neck and shoulder which makes up part of the thoracic sling of the horse.

Horses don't have a collarbone, which means unlike us their scapulars and therefore the fore limbs are held in place by soft tissue! Which is pretty incredible!

There are two portions to the Serratus ventralis the cervical portion and thoracic portion.

The cervical portion originates on transverse processes of C4-7 (the vertebrae in your horses neck). And the thoracic portion originates on the 1st-8th ribs.

The insertion for both portions is on the medial aspect (inside) of the scapular.

So what does it do?

🔵 Cervical part draws the scapular forwards and up, it helps to extend and laterally flex thr neck in the weight baring limb.
🔵 Thoracic part draws the scapular down and backwards helping to extend the limb.
🔵 Being part of the thoracic sling it works to suspend the horses chest and trunk from the forelimb, lifting the horses body in relation to the scapular.

So how can it get sore/damaged?

🔵 Direct trauma, such as a fall onto the horses side.
🔵 Chronic soreness due to lameness or compensatory patterns - chronic offloading of one forelimb to another increases the demand on the Serratus in one side leading to muscle strains.
🔵 Ill fitting saddles restrict shoulder movement preventing the scapular from moving backwards due to restriction or pain and this can lead to muscle weakening.
🔵 Over girthing can impact the Serratus but pinching or direct pressure causing pain, tension ot injury leading again to a weakened serratus.
🔵 Disciplines such as jumping predispose the serratus to injury/soreness due to the large concussive forces when landing from a fence.

What are the symptoms of a painful Serratus ventralis?

🔴 Reduced forelimb stride length.
🔴 Reduced shoulder movement both extension and flexion.
🔴 Girthy when tacking up ot grooming.
🔴 Refusing jumps.
🔴 Struggling to turn.
🔴 Running onto the forehand, being more downhill and less engaged in movement.

If you think you're horse may be sore in their thoracic sling consult your equine therapist/bodyworker.
Catching soreness early can help improve your horses comfort and wellbeing as well as reduce the risk of injury!

Without a strong thoracic sling your horse can't lift up through their abdominal muscles the trunk is not supported and this can lead to back and SI pain, which can lead to other areas of soreness, dysfunction and lameness.

12/09/2024

So lovely to see my clients doing well and having fun!
Well done all! Super proud to be able to look after your horses ❤️

07/09/2024

Back to work on Monday after a lovely week away down in Cornwall and Somerset!
Sorry for the radio silence I am going through my diary so will be in touch with appointments and times and reports will be sent out tomorrow and Monday night!

Feeling well refreshed and looking forward to seeing all your lovely horses ❤️

Address

Chester
CH37

Telephone

07919607344

Website

http://www.ohequinetherapy.com/

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Videos

With the weather turning grim, the dark nights and the winter show season looming! Now is the perfect time to get your horse booked in for a sports massage to get to the bottom of any niggles to help your horse feel great throughout the season! ⚠️ Has your horses behaviour changed? ⚠️ Something not quite right when riding or you feel your horses way of going has changed? ⚠️ Drop in performance? ⚠️ Erratic behaviour? ⚠️ Girthy? ⚠️ Rehab after injury/surgery?. ⚠️ Slipped in the field? ⚠️ Horse on winter turnout? Restricted turn out, slips and muddy paddocks can cause muscle tightness, inflammation and soreness! 😭 Sports massage has a whole host of benefits all year round but more so in the winter! ❄️❄️❄️ All horses can benefits from massage therapy! With benefits including: 🐴 Reduces muscle tension and tightness. 🐴 Mobilises joints keeping them supple. 🐴 Releases muscle spasms and trigger points. 🐴 Increase range or movement and stride length - reducing the risk of repetitive strain injury. 🐴 Improves balance, proprioception and stability. 🐴 Improves muscle tone. 🐴 Reduces assymetry and helps develop muscles evenly. 🐴 Improves circulation increasing oxygenation to tissues. 🐴 Removes lactic acid from the muscles. 🐴 Promotes the drainage of lymph and waste products from the tissues. 🐴 Improves coat and skin condition. 🐴 Improves jumping ability. 🐴 Relaxing for the horse and Improves psychological wellbeing. Massage sessions are completely tailored to your horses needs with detailed assessment, treatment and aftercare advice and exercises! ☎️ 07919607344

And the winner is ......Beth Hague 🥳 Massive congratulations to Beth! Thanks to everyone who entered and took part! To everyone who entered you're not going away empty handed! Everyone who entered will get a discount on their next session! Book in and get a full massage session for £30 instead if £45!! This is only for those who entered the competition, if you would like to book in and redeem your discounted session pop me a message! 🐴❤️

Keep your eyes peeled, I will be closing the competition to win a free massage tonight and drawing the winner! There is still time to get entering if you would like to win a free sports massage sessoon for your horse worth £45!! 🐴 Remember to like the competition post, share and tag a friend! I wonder who the lucky winner will be!! 🥳🥳

Excited for National Animal Therapist Day tomorrow! 🥳 Keep your eyes peeled for some great giveaways!

As always I had a great day down in Cannock seeing Katie and Dublin and friends for a mid season treatment and weigh! Dublin has done super well losing a good amount of weight and looks and feels amazing! I offer both bodywork and weighing for £50, with extra horses for weighing at £10 each! I cover the majority of the North West, North Wales , Shropshire and Staffordshire :)

I had a little play in the field with Oscar with some poles and a tarp. Not only is walking horses over tarp great for desentisation, it's also great for increasing proprioception but combined with poles it helps to increase joint range or movement due to the different feel and noise underfoot, engages core abdominal muscles which helps to strengthen topline, core muscles and thoracic sling 💪 You can easily see how Oscar really Lifts all four feet when going over this combination but soon tires, so short but sweet sessions are the best! #horses #equine #equestrian #horseriding #equinesportsmassage #equinesportsmassagetherapist #equinebodywork #equinebodyworker #sportsmassage #sportsmassagetherapy #equinesportsmassagetherapy #physio #showjumping #dressage

The benefits of getting massage/bodywork for your horse are numerous! I could write a huge post in itself talking about the benefits ot massage! However here are the top 3 benefits which I see in my treatments. It's so wonderful to see the difference in horses after their bodywork sessions ❤️ If you want to discuss how bodywork can help your horse or you want to book in DM me or 📞07919607344 #equinemassage #equinesportsmassage #equestrian #equine #horseriding #equinebodywork #equinesportsmassagetherapist #sportsmassagetherapy #sportsmassagetherapist #equineosteopathy #showjumping #dressage

It has been a while since I have seen Murphy who has unfortunately had a rough time due to an injury. I loved seeing and treating him again and after he realised I wasn't going to eat him, he settled and enjoyed his treatment! I great discussion with his owner afterwards to hopefully help keep him comfortable during his rehabilitation as well as using the photizo vetcare unit around his injury! Keeping everything crossed 🤞🤞🤞

All I bang in about is walking, but why? Whether it's under saddle or in hand walking is so beneficial yo every single horse! Whether during rehab, after a holiday or during normal work! 🔴Walking both inhand and ridden builds up strength, fitness and topline especially during rehabilitation or after a period or rest. 🔴Walking develops your horses proprioception (the awareness of the horses body and limbs in the space around them). Walking over a variety of terrains and slopes which again helps to build up strength and also balance. 🔴 Hill work is perfect for increasing fitness and stamina as well as improving muscle development through the topline and especially the hindquarters. Hill work can also help to strength the muscles around the stifle area. 🔴 Walking and especially hacking can mix up your horses work, reducing boredom and helping your horse gain confidence and help your horse get used to various sights and sounds when out and about. 🔴 Pairing walking with pole work, simple lateral work and and backing up can really help to work your horses body improving overall strength, fitness and balance. The amazing thing about walk is how you can really change your horses way of going, posture and fitness in a short period of time if done correctly!

Happy Easter everyone! 🐣🐰🥳 Hope you're all having a wonderful day! Just a reminder I am from 2nd - 8th April and will be back on 9th treating as normal :) I have some week day dates from the 9th as well as weekend dates into May!

I love using this corkscrew type stroke on horses glutes, lumbar spine and into the thoracolumbar junction. It works so well to release and relax tight and sore muscles gently. In this video you can see how soft and supple Nylahs muscles are over her lumbar and glutes! you can try this on your own horses and observe how they relax and release. 🐴 Start gently applying minimal pressure at the hind quarters end of the lumbars in a spiralling Cork screw type motion warming the tissues gently before slowly applying more pressure and observing for any spasms, flinching, moving away etc. If this happens release rhe pressure and continue gently. If your horse flinches, moves away, spasms down their back, dips their backs or goes to bite or kick then contact your body worker, physio, chiro. #sportsmassagetherapist #equinesportsmassage #equinesportsmassagetherapy #equinebodywork #equinesportsmassagetherapist #horses #equine #horseriding #showjumping #dressage #massage #rehabilitation

I think its safe to say Buddy enjoyed his session! A busy start to the new year seeing regulars and also some new horses :) Every session is tailor made to suit your horses needs! Spaces available towards the end of January and into February!

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About O.H. Equine Therapy.

Olivia studied biomedical science at Manchester Metropolitan University graduating with first class honours. She loved her time working and studying within the human healthcare field, however her love of horses made her choose a career in equine physio.

Olivia is a fully qualified and insured equine sports massage therapist. Qualifying with distinction from the collage of animal physiotherapy (TCAP). She is fully insured and registered with the international association of animal therapists (IAAT).

I currently have one cheeky 15 year old gelding called Oscar who is an ex showjumper and has now turned his hoof to showing. Oscar has had a few injuries in the past and is my no.1 massage fan. He gets spoilt with a lot of treatments. Massage treatments were an essential part to his rehabilitation. I also ride the lovely veteran Maxi Cob, Bob, who I hope to get back out showing soon! I use a varied range of massage techniques, fascial release, a rage of stretches and reflexes for maintenance and rehabilitation. I also use SureFoot balance pads and the Epiony heat pad. I am always updating my skills and adding different modalities to my massage, to provide the best possible care and treatments for your horses. I am passionate about providing the best for every horse I treat. Whether they are top competition horses, or retired. I have owned horses myself as well so I understand wanting the best for your horse!

I travel across the North West, covering Cheshire, North Wales, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Manchester, Merseyside, Wirral, and South Yorkshire. I will also travel further for group bookings. I always aim to keep my prices reasonable, with yard discounts, offers and promotions.