O.H Equine Therapy

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.

A lovely sunny but cold morning weighing some gorgeous horses!All a good healthy weight coming out of winter! ❄️❄️❄️Gett...
01/03/2025

A lovely sunny but cold morning weighing some gorgeous horses!

All a good healthy weight coming out of winter! ❄️❄️❄️

Getting an accurate weight is great for dosing or medication and feed, payloads for travelling and keeping eye on your horses condition!

Why not organise a yard day or book a weighbridge session as your camp/event!

I saw this quote recently and it resonated with me! You never stop learning with horses! I never stop learning as a mass...
28/02/2025

I saw this quote recently and it resonated with me!
You never stop learning with horses! I never stop learning as a massage therapist!
And it's when something doesn't quite go right that you learn the most from!
I love learning and it pushes me forward to be the best therapist I can be! ❤️

More training in the pipeline!

My last horse of the day yesterday as it was going dark. Louis a cheeky 5 year old Suffolk Punch. How gorgeous is he! I'...
24/02/2025

My last horse of the day yesterday as it was going dark. Louis a cheeky 5 year old Suffolk Punch. How gorgeous is he!
I've been working with Louis for some time now. He's a sensitive boy who doesn't always like his treatments.
Poor Louis suffers with foecal water syndrome as well as having bouts of colitis and this affects how he moves as well as how he feels.

You know yourself when you have a sore stomach has you bend over and twist to feel better.

Louis has struggled striking off in canter and even though he was tight through his lumbar and glutes there was no msk reason for him to struggle , so with lots of chats with the vets we came to the conclusion it was his sore gut that was the cause.

He would always be reactive around his ribs and lumbar spine and into have worked gently and slowly with his building sessions up over the past year.
His last session was a game changer, a new supplement which seems to be working and has settled the foecal water syndrome and a huge difference in his posture and comfort!

Still active through his ribs and lumbar but he allowed me to treat the areas more thoroughly this time with some good releases and I was able to treat his hamstrings for the first time!

His movement has improved and he has now nailed trot to canter transitions!

It just shows how much internal discomfort can affect how a horse acts and moves!

I can massage a horse over and over month after month but unless the primary problem is sorted and the horses discomfort is reduced or eliminated we won't see any results!

So when my bf started his new job working off shore on oil rigs, he got given one of these gorgeous fully waterproof Mon...
21/02/2025

So when my bf started his new job working off shore on oil rigs, he got given one of these gorgeous fully waterproof Montrose bags!
Me being me thought ooooh one of those would be great to carry all my therapy bits around with me!
How gorgeous is this bag and fully waterproof and so sturdy! 🥳😍



11/02/2025

Seeing my sponsored rider Jazz and her dressage superstar Mary!

Mary is so talented and was once quite anxious about having her massages, but now she absolutely loves them!
Lots of releases and relaxation!

Dedication from Jazz revising for her A-Levels while also attending Mary's treatment!

Was a lovely quiet and calm environment!

I can't wait to see Mary and Jazz out competing this season. Super exciting🥳

Renewed my membership for another year with the IAAT. ⭐️Being on the IAAT register means that you can guarantee that I a...
07/02/2025

Renewed my membership for another year with the IAAT. ⭐️

Being on the IAAT register means that you can guarantee that I am fully qualified and insured to treat your horses and that I carry on with professional development learning of a minimum of 25 hours a year!

However the past couple of years my CPD have been way way way over 25 hours! 📚

Always make sure the therapist you choose is fully qualified, insured and registered as that is the gold standard! 🐴

Some of the cpds I have been doing over the last few weeks! I always love learning more about horses! Literally never st...
04/02/2025

Some of the cpds I have been doing over the last few weeks!
I always love learning more about horses! Literally never stop learning! 📚📚📚

Huge releases for Milo yesterday! ❤️This gorgeous lad really got into the zone, fell asleep, told me what he liked and d...
03/02/2025

Huge releases for Milo yesterday! ❤️

This gorgeous lad really got into the zone, fell asleep, told me what he liked and didn't like as well as giving some huge yawns and releases! .

A great chat with his owner afterwards to discuss exercises that may benefit Milo, making a bespoke plan for him to hopefully improve his way of going!

Every horse I see gets a bespoke treatment as well as bespoke aftercare, advice and exercises!! 🐴

Fun fact! 🧠Your horses head and neck account for approximately 10% of your horses body weight! To visualise this a 550kg...
01/02/2025

Fun fact! 🧠

Your horses head and neck account for approximately 10% of your horses body weight!
To visualise this a 550kg horses head will weigh roughly 55kg!

It makes you realise how strong they are when we are asking them to perform complex movements for us!

From this any pain or restriction in the neck such as arthritis of facet joints, ECVM or soft tissue pain/injury can have a massive impact in your horses way of going, range of movement, length of stride and performance which can even effect the hind end movement and locomotion! ⚡️😭

After a long day at work I'm sat on my bed with a glass of wine, ready for an exciting lecture by Professor Hilary Clayt...
30/01/2025

After a long day at work I'm sat on my bed with a glass of wine, ready for an exciting lecture by Professor Hilary Clayton! With Centaur Biomechanics!

Every day is a learning day!

I'm very excited for Centaur Biomechanics 2025 webinar programme! 🧠💪

28/01/2025

It's always amazing to see a horse go from stressed and agitated to relaxed and happy!

I wish I had taken a before and after the difference in her behaviour! Tapping into the parasympathetic nervous system to slow everything down and help Tara feel relaxed!

The amazingness of soft tissue work! ❤️

26/01/2025

I can't believe I have reached 1000 followers!
Never would have dreamed of following this large on social media! As I am pretty useless at technology 🤣

Thank you so so much to everyone following me and those who call me out to see your wonderful horses!

Feeling al blessed to have all your support! ❤️

So lucky to have a job I love doing!!

Was lovely to see one of my regular clients Rosie this weekend! She always enjoys her sessions and always tells me what ...
26/01/2025

Was lovely to see one of my regular clients Rosie this weekend!

She always enjoys her sessions and always tells me what she likes and doesn't like!
I spent quite a while working on her head this time round where she had some tension especially around her TMJ and masseter. She really enjoyed gentle massage and light stress point work. I also used some light Masterton Method light touch work which she absolutely loved!

Some huge releases after the session! And great to see her enjoying the session! The horses really are the best at giving good reviews!

Clients always hear me bang on about stress Points but what are they and what effect do they have on your horse? 🤷‍♀️Str...
23/01/2025

Clients always hear me bang on about stress Points but what are they and what effect do they have on your horse? 🤷‍♀️

Stress points are areas of tension within connective tissues and muscles that occur due to poor posture, muscle overuse, emotional stress and much more!

Stress points don't contain painful and irritable nerve endings like trigger points do and also are generally seen in areas of muscle instead of small bands of adhesions "knots" like in trigger points.

What causes stress points?

⭕️ Over-training and fatigue.
⭕️ Ill - fitting tack such as saddles, bridles and girths.
⭕️ Trauma or injury - slips, falls, strains, compensatory patterns of movement.
⭕️ Poor posture - Weak core, poor conformation, uneven musculature and movement patterns.
⭕️ Skill of the rider.
⭕️ Emotional stresses - Nervous or anxious horses.

Where do you usually find them?

⚠️ Withers.
⚠️ Poll and neck.
⚠️ Back.
⚠️ Shoulders and Pectorals.
⚠️ Gluteals and Hamstrings.

What are the signs that your horse has a stress point?

🔺️ Sensitivity- Moving away from being brushed, touched, flinching, ears pinned, biting ,kicking out, tail swishing.

🔺️ Muscles and soft tissues feel tight.

🔺️ Reduced Performance - Reduction in stride length, struggling to bend, leaning in or out, knocking fences, refusing fences, not wanting to go forward, rushing.

🔺️ Behaviour Changes - Willing horse starts refusing to do tasks, refusing fences, napping, bucking, rearing, spooky.

✅️ If you suspect your horse may have some stress points, massage is a great modality to soothe and release these points with various gentle techniques to release and soothe these areas !

Suspect your horse may be sore? Then why not pop me a message to discuss or give me a call 07919607344 ☎️

⭐️Muscle Monday! ⭐️Biceps femoris. Biceps femoris is an important muscle in the hindlimb which makes up the 'Hamstring' ...
20/01/2025

⭐️Muscle Monday! ⭐️

Biceps femoris.

Biceps femoris is an important muscle in the hindlimb which makes up the 'Hamstring' group of muscles. These are Biceps femoris, Semitendonosus and Semimembranosus.

Origin: 3rd sacral dorsal spines, it continues to the 4th, 5th and 1st caudal vertebrae, gluteal and coccygeal fascia, the sacro-iliac and -sacro-tuberous ligaments. There is another primary insertion which originates from the ischial tuberosity via a strong tendon.

Insertion: Patella and lateral patellar ligament, tibia crest, fascia latae and the calcaneus.

What is its action?:

The Biceps femoris is accountable for a number of movement in the hind limb, these being: Extension and abduction of the hindlimb, extension of the hip and flexion of the stifle. It can also have a role in extending the hock joint as well as working with other complimentary muscles on the opposite side to support and balance the body, especially during rearing/jumping.

⚡️What Happens if the Biceps femoris is injured/sore? ⚡️

If sore, the horse will be seen to tuck its hindquarters under with light to medium pressure. This can sometimes be seen when grooming. You may also be able to feel bunching of tissue or knots.

The hamstrings are also a common site for injury either from repetitive strains or accidents such as being kicked. This can sometimes damage the muscles leading to scar tissue or muscle atrophy.

⚠️What problems does this present? ⚠️

Horses with sore biceps may struggle to flex the hip and the hock. They may also appear to be stiff behind with a shortened forward stride. You may see that they are not tracking up on either one leg or both hind legs.
Horses may struggle with lateral movements when riding or favouring one side to the other. Your horse may also show pain in the hind limb joints.

What can we do to help?

After massage or physio there are a few helpful exercises to help strengthen and stretching the biceps and hamstrings.

1️⃣Backing a horse up in hand or ridden either on the flat or up a slight incline will help build the gluteals and biceps femoris. Do not pull back on the reins ask for the backwards steps by pressing or tapping on the horses chest.

2️⃣Raised poles are great for developing strength in the stifles or hocks. The lifting action also strengthens the tensor muscles.

3️⃣Lumbo/sacral stretches "Butt tucks". The goal is to create a stretch that opens up the horses pelvic angles and is great for not only the hindquarters as it tilts the pelvis but also the back. Stand carefully behind your horse and run your fingers down either side of hindquarters a few inches from the spine, you will see your horse dip and then as you run your fingers down the hindquarters moving outwards slightly your horse will tuck his back end up.

4️⃣Leg stretches will help increase the range of movement and stretches out the hamstrings which is helpful to release tension. You can ask for both a protraction (forwards) and retraction ( backwards) stretch as well as an abductor (outwards) stretch. Over time this will help strengthen the back end.

5️⃣Riding up hills/ hacking are great for building up the hind end. The horse has to work harder from its hind end muscles thus building them up. If you are not in hacking distance to any hills, hiring out gallops is also a great option and change of scenery for training!

6️⃣Using heat and gentle massage over tight/sore Biceps is a great way to soothe and release tension between treatment sessions and after periods of hard work to help remove lactic acid and other metabolic waste products.

If you suspect your horse may be sore in their hind end, then do get in touch with your equine practitioner, or do get in touch to discuss how holistic therapy can help your horse! ❤️

Some more great CPD from Wolds Equine Sports Massage Approved Courses A little behind due to coming down with a horrend...
19/01/2025

Some more great CPD from Wolds Equine Sports Massage Approved Courses
A little behind due to coming down with a horrendous case of the flu 😭 Just one more module and I will have finished the January CPD looking at stress and trigger points in the horse.

It's so beneficial to recap over these techniques that I use day in day out and re-visit the theory!

18/01/2025

It's been a great start to the new year seeing lots of horses for their regular treatments and also some new horses!

Here is Marzipan enjoying his first session with me! A bit apprehensive at first but he soon relaxed into the session and had some lovely releases, releasing in his own way!

I love watching horses relaxing and releasing from licking and chewing , to yawning, sighing, stretching, grooming walls and leadrops! It's just great to see how much they get out of their treatments with me! ❤️

It seems this before and after I posted of my own horse Oscar has caused some controversy.I have had some nasty comments...
11/01/2025

It seems this before and after I posted of my own horse Oscar has caused some controversy.

I have had some nasty comments from total strangers saying I have neglected my horse as in the bottom picture he is thin and neglected.

To me I find this very interesting, especially as I weigh Oscar regularly to keep track on his weight. These two pictures were taken just over a week apart.

The bottom picture Oscar weighed 605kg which for a 16hh 21 year old horse with poor dentition isn't too bad at all in my opinion. What he does lack is muscle and topline and this is what people are confusing with a lack of weight!

In the bottom picture he has a good covering over his ribs which now with 24/7 ad lib hay (which we started as soon as he started dropping weignt) and also starting to work him more regularly has resulted in the top picture. Oscar gets a huge round bale of hay in the field as well as two large hay nets of hay a night and a feed, and we are getting the vet out to check there is nothing else going on.

This horse asks for nothing, he's had all the food, hay, stabling, turnout, rugs, all the vet visits he's ever needed. The fact is he's getting older and not holding onto condition like he used to.
The fact that people think I neglecting him just shows how obese horses have become the norm!

Yes I would like Oscar to put on more weight and build more muscle but he is certainly not neglected. As you can see from the photos below from a few months earlier.

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Chester
CH37

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07919607344

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Seeing my sponsored rider Jazz and her dressage superstar Mary! Mary is so talented and was once quite anxious about having her massages, but now she absolutely loves them! Lots of releases and relaxation! Dedication from Jazz revising for her A-Levels while also attending Mary's treatment! Was a lovely quiet and calm environment! I can't wait to see Mary and Jazz out competing this season. Super exciting🥳

It's always amazing to see a horse go from stressed and agitated to relaxed and happy! I wish I had taken a before and after the difference in her behaviour! Tapping into the parasympathetic nervous system to slow everything down and help Tara feel relaxed! The amazingness of soft tissue work! ❤️ #equine #horses #equestrian #horseriding #sportsmassage #sportsmassagetherapy #equinesportsmassage #equinesportsmassagetherapy #sportsmassagetherapist #massage #equinebodywork #physicaltherapy #showjumping #dressage #farming #horse

I can't believe I have reached 1000 followers! Never would have dreamed of following this large on social media! As I am pretty useless at technology 🤣 Thank you so so much to everyone following me and those who call me out to see your wonderful horses! Feeling al blessed to have all your support! ❤️ So lucky to have a job I love doing!!

It's been a great start to the new year seeing lots of horses for their regular treatments and also some new horses! Here is Marzipan enjoying his first session with me! A bit apprehensive at first but he soon relaxed into the session and had some lovely releases, releasing in his own way! I love watching horses relaxing and releasing from licking and chewing , to yawning, sighing, stretching, grooming walls and leadrops! It's just great to see how much they get out of their treatments with me! ❤️

The best reviews always come from the horses themselves! I love seeing how the horses react to treatments! How they release tension, process the releases and relax! It's always good to hear from owners how their horses get on after their treatments! Availability for December! ☃️ 8th Dec- Any area 14th Dec - North Wales, Chester AM. 15th Dec - Any area. 21st Dec - Any area. 22nd Dec - Any area. 23rd Dec - Cheshire area. 29th Dec - Any area. Availability for both holistic bodywork sessions and weighing sessions ❤️

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

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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.