Zoe Smith Equine therapist

02/12/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17e3QPHyMf/

26/11/2024

An extremely interesting read and could answer alot of problems owners face https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DCCWxo1cz/

26/11/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/1LjrvmWrnK/

22/11/2024

" I am not adulting today talk to the bum" 🫏🫏

22/11/2024

Fascia Friday!!

* Lets take a look at the fascinating subject of fascia, here are a few interesting points about the superficial dorsal line of fascia in our horses.

* The superficial dorsal line from the cranium and temporalis muscle down the neck and along the back through the longissimus muscle and over the sacrum, down the back of the leg through the biceps and into the flexor tendons and suspensory ligament.

* It connects with the Superficial ventral line they work antagonistically to balance each other.

* The SDL is bilaterally linked with extension of the neck, back, hip and flexion of the hindlimb!

Symptoms of dysfunction can include -

* shortening of the top line
* Gastrocnemius tendon rupture
* Hollow back
* Headshaking
* Joint stress
* Injury of the flexor tendons
* Neck pain
* Spavin.

20/11/2024

20/11/2024

Hello everyone!
A slightly different post from me today...
I thought I would share my recent experience with you just in case it should ever happen to you and it may help you to recognise it, my poor mare was bitten by Adder just above her coronet band.

It presented like an abscess at first where she could hardly put her foot to the ground, on closer inspection 2 little scabs were found and when picked muck and serum oozed out. It has damaged her skin greatly as you will see in the pictures and caused a small detachment of the coronet band.

She was quite unwell and had to be on box rest ( which she hates) and 2 weeks of antibiotics and pain relief, it had to be dressed regularly and as it was so painful she had to be sedated each time.

A month later she is still having it dressed but is thankfully on the mend, however the process will be a long one.

I would also like to add a massive thankyou to my vet Helen Taylor from De Boer and Taylor Mobile Equine vets for her fantastic care of my poor girlie.

I hope you aren't squeamish !!

08/11/2024

I had a lovely session with 2 year old Athena, she recently had an accident and was having some work to release the fascial tension from the accident. Such a good girl she was to 🥰

09/10/2024

Special offer!!!
For November I am offering all new clients an introductory rate of £40 for your first session. This includes assessment, treatment, saddle check if needed and follow up exercises.
Call or message me for info 😄🐴🐴🦄🦄🦄

12/09/2024

Is prevention better than cure....
Having your horse regularly assessed and treated if necessary can help to prevent injuries, loss of performance and increase the longevity of your horses career whether you compete or are a happy hacker, regular check ups can spot issues early help to resolve keeping your horse in optimal condition and comfort.
If you would like more information or to book get in contact.
Via messenger or by phone 07772310307.
( Appointment includes full assessment and treatment ) £50
Discounts can be applied to group bookings. 😊🏇🐎🐴

09/09/2024

Backing up your horse is a really simple but very effective exercise with many benefits!

1. Shifts the weight on to the hindlimbs
2. Encourages contraction of the hindlimb muscles.
3. Engages core recruitment of the abdominal muscles.
4. Encourages recruitment of the thoracic sling.
3. Promotes spinal stability to assist with back mobility, collection and good posture.

To achieve maximum benefits this can be done daily in hand or ridden , aim for the horse to move back in a straight line aiming towards good marching steps. Start with just a few steps and progress to 15 to 20 steps.

Happy backing up!

09/09/2024

I often get asked what is Osteopathy, Osteopaths look for health and investigate to find the barriers stopping the animal from expressing optimal health, this could be internal or external factors.

AT Still the founder of osteopathy said " The role of the osteopath is to facilitate the body's self-healing process"

I use a thorough assessment process and then a combination of joint mobilisations, articulations, soft tissue and stretching to enhance your horses movement and over all well being to ensure their joints and muscles work as harmoniously as possible.

Please get in touch if you would like any more information. 😁

12/08/2024

It's a hard life 🥰🐈🐈

08/08/2024

I spent the morning with this little beauty who showed me exactly the spot to work on 🤣🥰

30/07/2024

The roads were so busy this morning, traffic jams of the best kind 🤣🥰🐎🐎

30/07/2024

What a beautiful but rather hot day, this lovely lad was showing me exactly where the right spot was today 😆😁🥰

16/07/2024

It's fascia week for me ! This is a fantastic read giving great insight into fascial unwinding. Great to have a look at with your morning cuppa ☕️🐎🐎
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Cb2MxPTEQB6S2Cwc/