Olivia is a fully qualified and insured equine sports massage therapist. Working in Cheshire and surr Working in Cheshire and surrounding counties.
08/07/2025
Last night I met up with some amazing therapists to have a chat about all things therapy for horses and dogs!
There was such a wide variety of people there from physios, hydrotherapists, behaviourists, sports massage therapists , manual therapists! It was a great evening!
It was so lovely to meet other like minded people!
Some of the topics we discussed were: regulation, chronic pain, the roles of each therapist and what we can offer, case studies, that giraffes are more well behaved than most people's dogs! And also about mentoring others and generally being there for each other if people want to throw around ideas!
We also discussed lots of interesting CPD ideas!
Since I qualified 8 years ago it's been a roller coaster of emotions, it's hard running your own little business, you feel lonely, you feel like other therapists are better than you and busier than you, and imposter syndrome is very real!
It was great to talk to people about it and realise everyone is going through the same as you at some point in their careers!
07/07/2025
I had such a good day yesterday at the Pony Club Areas for Area 4 and 5.
I spoke to lots of people about what sports massage/bodywork is! Chatted about their horses and got to watch some good jumping!
How gorgeous are the rosettes and sashes! I wish I had a horse could have competed to win one! 🥰
06/07/2025
Excited to be at Kelsall Hill today for the Pony Club Areas today!
Having a chat about what I do, how bodywork can help your horse, and the various modalities I use :)
I also have my weighbridge with me so will be offering weighing at a discounted price and there is a show offer too if you book at the show!
Its always lovely to come and showcase bodywork and talk to people about what it is and it's benefits!
04/07/2025
I always make sure I keep in touch with my lovely clients to see how their horses are between appointments!
I treated the lovely Bonnie this week who had some interesting compensatory movements and ridden behaviours which included tensing her jaw while being ridden and snatching the reins which hasn't been resolving.
After a thorough assessment and palpation we talked through options of going forward as well as vet involvement to rule out pain or pathology.
I was absolutely delighted to receive this lovely message from her owner to say there had been a great improvement already after her 1st session.
Bonnie is quite an anxious horse and doesn't really let anyone near her head, but after working on her body she let me start to do some gentle releases with her which she really enjoyed! I always try to listen to the horse and let them guide me to where needs to be done first. It's not always head to tail!
We will still be keeping a close eye on her and referring back to the vets if things don't keep improving!
I love to keep in touch between appointments to see how horses are getting on, and I'm also there to support owners between treatments too with whatever questions or worries they may have! ❤️
28/06/2025
It looks like this weekend is going to be a scorcher again! 🌞🥵
But... do you know the signs of dehydration and heat stress? Do you know how to cool your horse down effectively?
Make sure your horse has some shade whether that's natural shade or a stable throughout very hot periods and of course access to fresh water.
Assess whether you need to ride in the heat of the day...could you ride earlier in the morning or in the evening?
Make sure to adequately warm and cool down your horse with plenty of walking at the start and end of the session until your horses breathing has slowed this can be done under saddle or hand walking.
Making sure you wash your horse down correctly to help them cool down.
Horses cool down by evaporation so actually letting them drip dry without any sweat rugs, towels or sweat scarapers is the perfect way to cool your horse down!
Your horse can easily get heat stress and if severe requires urgent veterinary attention so it's important to recognise the signs.
Below are the common symptoms seen with dehydration and heat stress!
❤️🐴❤️
26/06/2025
In love with my new banner that will be being featured at a few shows across Cheshire this summer! As well as my weighbridge and a small tradestand showing off what I do!
Im very excited, how gorgeous is it ❤️
If your going to be at the pony club areas at Kelsall Hill next weekend do come and say hi!
There will be lots of goodies!
23/06/2025
Just a week between these two photos!
My amazing Photizo UK - LED Light Therapy Devices vetcare device helps another horse!
Claudia managed to cut her face on glass and a week of using the device and look how amazing her face has been healing!
Red and Infrared light therapy is incredibly beneficial for the healing of wounds , I have seen such amazing results in wound healing and inflammation reduction while using this as part of my practice!
🔆 Benefits 🔆
ℹ️Increases blood circulation.
ℹ️Relives chronic and acute pain.
ℹ️Improves wound healing.
ℹ️Helps to reduce scarring.
ℹ️Improves muscle performance and recovery helping to remove lactic acid.
ℹ️Increases the production of anti-inflammatories and antioxidents which reduces inflammation.
Because of its many benefits phototherapy can br beneficial for a number of conditions and injuries!
I love that it's easy enough for my clients to use themselves too! Phototherapy works the best when it can be routinely applied to an area providing the best results :)
15/06/2025
Helping Harley since his hock arthritis diagnosis!
It was lovely to see Harley relax and release as well as feel more comfortable throughout his session.
How does bodywork help with arthritis?
🔴 Eases muscular/fascial tension.
🔴 Improves lymphatic drainage.
🔴 Deacreaes joint stiffness.
🔴 Improves range of movement in joints.
🔴 Increaes stride length.
🔴 Increases circulation.
🔴 Decreaee compensatory patterns.
🔴 Soothe and reduce pain.
Targeting tension that develops in supporting soft tissues as a result of arthritis helps to elongate the muscle fibres, reducing compression of the blood and lymph vessels, increasing circulation and delivery of nutrients and oxygen to arthritic joint as well as removing waste from the joint capsule.
Addressing compensation means we are able to stabilise and correct assymetry in the muscle tone, reduce pain and prevent the horse from developing other injuries as a result of these imbalances, initially from the pain of the arthritis.
1. Getting your horse comfortable through medication such as steroid, arhtrimed etc..
2. Thorough assessment of your horse alongside your vet. Assessing movement, assymetry, compensation, any weaknesses.
3. Bodywork and prescriptive exercises, tailored plan to help improve balance as well as improve strength and conditioning, core strength and more to help your horse feel as comfortable and move the best as they can!
4. Always available at the end of a phone, or to come out and help with exercises along the way!
27/05/2025
So the rain has come... 🌧🌧 we can go back to normal?
Unfortunately even though we have had lots of rain over the past few days, the ground is still rock hard and now with it still be hard the water sits of the top of the ground making fields like an ice rink as well as like concrete!
This can lead to serious concussive injuries and issues such as:
🔴 Jarred tendons and ligaments.
🔴 Bruised soles.
🔴 Increaed arthritic pain.
🔴 Splints.
🔴 Sore joints.
🔴 Slips and trip injuries.
🔴 Muscle and soft tissue injuries.
Its so tempting to crack on but try and keep to the softer ground for now, keep hard ground work to low level such as hacking, and look after your horses abit more, cold hosing can be super beneficial!
Keeping up with your horses bodywork routine will also help keep joints supple and flexible, reduce soreness and tension and help improve posture, stride length and overall strength and conditioning, reducing the risk of injury! 👍
25/05/2025
Lots of lovely horses weighed over the past few weeks!
Non-jusgemental weighing service across the North-West!
Accurate weight for:
✅️ Wormers
✅️ Medication
✅️ Feed and Hay
✅️ Transport payloads
✅️ Keep on top of weight for horses prone to lami or have EMS/Cushings.
✅️ To monitor your horses general weight and health.
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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.
Sports massage is an established treatment option which compliments vet care. I work under the veterinary act 1966 meaning it is mandatory for all therapists to obtain consent before treating your horse. I will contact your vet at no extra cost. However equine massage is not used to diagnose or replace veterinary assessment.
Olivia plans to carry on with further study to become a fully qualified equine physiotherapist, as well as venturing into human massage, so she can provide an all round tailored package for you and your horse, combining rider biomechanics and rider treatments.
