Qualified equine bodyworker and reiki practitioner based near Knighton, Powys.
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When you massage a horse to sleep and then you look over the stable door and the cat caught those vibes too š
Itās common for horses in the vicinity to stop eating and start snoozing when the horse you are working on relaxes. And now apparently it works on cats too. Itās what I call the BOGOF offer š
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Last Saturday I attended a somatics movement workshop where we did in an intriguing exercise to assess our range of movement when we tilted our heads backward. Initially, I could tilt my head quite far, but then experienced a sharp pain (thatāll be the whiplash kicking in!). After we did some funny little toe scrunching movements I could tilt my head back much further without any discomfort at all! This experience was so interesting and really showed the interconnectedness of our bodies, illustrating that releasing tension in one area can free up another seemingly unrelated area.
This phenomenon is attributed to the fascial system, a connective tissue enveloping every part of our bodies. If any part of this tissue is restricted, it can significantly impact other areas. This is why Iām dedicated to continue with my studies on fascia and continue to use the fascia release moves in most of my equine massage sessions . Itās truly fascinating!
Animals have a way of stopping us in our busy lives and helping us to find peace and happiness in what can look like the small moments(that are really big moments). We sat like this for quite a while sharing space and not needing anything of the other apart from a chance to breathe together.
Iām so grateful to the horses and other animals I get to live alongside š
We have hill ponies who live out on the Welsh hills here and this was such a lovely sight that I had to stop to snap a photo while I was out running the other day.
There are lots of foals up there this year but this one is my favourite. Arenāt foals just the sweetest creatures š„°
Doesnāt it make sense? Learning can be harder when weāre feeling tense or anxious. The clever(and likely relaxed)people at Nottingham Trent University have actually done a study on this. They discovered that horses with lower arousal levels during rest and whilst working out mental activities show an enhanced learning capability.
Another great reason to book a massage with fascia release for your horse!
Self Stretching in a Bodywork Session
I find it fascinating when a horse Iām working with performs stretches like downward dog, the neck arch, or the leg out the back door.
These self stretches, known as pandiculations, have some remarkable benefits.
Here are just a few:
*Strengthening the connection between the brain and the myofascial system
*Helping to bring balance to the body
*Maintaining mobility of the fascial system
They are also a sign of a healthy system. Although it has been said that if you see a horse perform downward dog excessively it can be cause for concern and you may want to just check in with your vet.
When massage leads to pandiculation, it suggests that the central nervous system is adapting to changes in the myofascial system brought about by the massage. So personally I love it when horses I am working on like the gorgeous Willow here perform a pandiculation.
I am usually quite bad at filming my sessions and I often miss the cool stuff but Iām chuffed I caught Willowās downward dog on camera earlier today!
It's the summer and that means it's a great time to get out there with your horse.
However, we can sometimes feel like we don't quite fit in the horse world - where are our people? We know we want things to be different with our horses, but can end up feeling quite alone in this. How can we walk a different path, but in the company of others?
I set up the Soft and Sound online group at a time when we really couldn't see each other, at the start of the first lock down. And it grew into this wonderful, joyful, supportive and kind community of people who care about their horses - and each other. It is a really special place, which is as much about the shared love of horses as it is about the information, videos, podcasts and guests.
If you're looking for a place where you can get guidance and support for you and your horse which places resect for both at its heart then the Soft and Sound community is for you.
During the months of July and August you can trial your first month for only Ā£15 (usually Ā£25 a month).
Here is what one member has to say about the group:
"Soft and sound is a safe and supportive group, it is great to have found my people. Kate explains things so clearly and breaks everything down into step by step instructions. The modules and videos are easy to follow and it has transformed my relationship with my horse and the horses I handle. The guest speakers Kate has in the membership are all so inspirational and insightful.' - Claire
I hope you join us
https://softandsound.org/on-line-horsemanship-community/plans/
We all want neat looking paddocks or tracks but itās good to leave poo for a couple of days for the dung beetles to do their amazing work
š“š© šš¼š š¼š³šš²š» š±š¼ šš¼š š½š¼š¼ š½š¶š°šø? For most of us it's a job we love to hate but regular poo picking is proven to be one of the most effective things you can do to manage parasite control and reduce the number of chemicals you need to give your horse.
š Worm eggs laid in dung hatch within 4-5 days which is why it's recommended to poo pick at least twice per week to significantly reduce infective larvae on the pasture. If your pasture management allows it, not collecting all dung on a daily basis can give dung beetles a chance to break down dung piles, that act as the incubator for the parasite eggs and also then increasing organic matter in the soil. They prefer fresh dung up to 48hrs old, so start by leaving the freshest piles on the pasture and clearing them after three days š bit.ly/poopicking-dungbeetles
Of course, good pasture management and animal husbandry techniques includes worm egg counts and tapeworm tests and we have an affordable range of award winning tests and services to suit you š
š Shop tests: https://bit.ly/WestgateLabsShop
š¦ Rhea š¦
Beautiful Rhea has been going through a strict rehab programme following an operation on her suspensory ligaments. She has been on box rest and restricted movement now for a few months and has asked me to help with some fascia release and massage sessions while she comes back into work.
Massage is great to complimentary therapy for rehabbing a horse or for a horse who is on box rest or has to have restricted movement as it can help with-
āŖļøImproving circulation
āŖļøImproving comfort
āŖļøReduction of muscle tension
āŖļøReducing chance of re-injury
āŖļøIncreasing flexibility
āŖļøImproving muscle tone
āŖļøStimulating the lymphatic system
āŖļøStress relief
I frequently incorporate energy work into my bodywork sessions. Based on my experience, this approach can also assist in rehabilitating horses by promoting relaxation. Energy work plays a role in soothing and balancing the nervous system. A calm horse is better equipped to self-heal and self-regulate, which are crucial for successful rehabilitation and preventing re-injury.
Rhea is such a fantastic horse and has shown how strong and resilient she really is. Sheās taken it all in her stride and has coped with everything remarkably well. And sheās so open to everything that Iāve offered her, sheās a real joy to work on š¤
šGiveaway Timeš
How would you like to win a distance energy healing session for you or your horse(or dog or cat or any other companion animal)
1ļøā£ Like and share this post
2ļøā£ Comment and tag a friend
3ļøā£ Make sure you are following my page .equine_bodywork or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088570594922
Entries close 6pm June 30th 2024. One winner will be picked from both Instagram and Facebook entries.
Good luck!
Build fitness slowly šŖ
One of the best ways to avoid damaging your horse is to take the time to build fitness up slowly. I feel this is an area people can easily skip over because they make the mistake of thinking horses are naturally strong and fit. We must remember that we donāt keep horses naturally so we need to help them get fit and stay fit to make up for their restricted lifestyle.
For a lot of horses their emotional behaviour can make them look like they are fitter than they really are. It can be hard to see how unfit a horse is when they are running on adrenaline.
Im always searching for different experiences for Beau, we do a wide range of activities so that he uses different parts of his body. We have sessions working in-hand, I feel these sessions are like Pilates or yoga and are our foundations. I can help guide him into a good position without him carrying my weight.
We ride or walk out over moorland where he gets to move for miles over different terrain. We do polework, groundwork, ridden schooling, cantering out in the big field. And we jump.
Jumping can be great for a fit horse. When you see a horse really round over a jump then you know they are stretching out all those topline muscles. Jumping is not about height, but its about having a correct shape over the jump.
Everything I do with my horse is to keep his body moving in a good way and help keep him sound, comfortable and in good shape.
And, of course we have a lot of fun together. But I try very hard to never push my horse to do more than his level of fitness can deal with.
As the guardian of a horse who suffers from several physical challenges Iām ultra aware of the importance of building fitness up slowly and surely. But itās important for all horses, not just those with challenges.
Fitness is a big deal and pushing a horse beyond their fitness level can cause serious damage so its an area of horse care that we should all be prioritising. Id love to hear what activities you do with your horse that go towards building and maintaining a healthy body šŖ
š¤£š¤£š pony mothers š
IS YOUR HORSE FIT ENOUGH FOR THAT FUN RIDE OR CLINIC?
You can't feed for fitness that isn't there.
Getting your horse physically fit for a fun ride, clinic or event will reduce the risk of injury, limit the amount of soreness afterwards (and during), improve their welfare and make it more fun for you both.
It is not fair to the horse to use clinics or fun rides as the reason to get you riding, unless it is very low intensity exercise.
And you will get so much more out of it if your horse is properly prepared.
As a Nutritionist I often get asked about feeding for clinics, fun rides and events, but unless the horse's diet is short/deficient, it is physical conditioning (fitness) that is key. The diet should be kept more or less the same, with some thought put into a slight in increase in energy needs, nutrient - including salt - replenishment, and hydration.
Doing exercise that we - or our horses - are not accustomed to or trained for makes it much more physically difficult, uncomfortable and can cause significant soreness afterwards, and even injury.
Use that fun ride, clinic or event as your goal, preparing your horse and yourself for it. You'll both have much more fun and gain lots more out of it.
Feel free to share! š“š
Two happy horses out grazing after their bodywork session this morning. Itās the best thing after a treatment to be out mooching about in the sunshine with your best buddy. Bliss š
Itās international hug your cat day!! This is a baby Dash, she was so teeny tiny when I first met her. Sheās 2 now and is still quite small. Perfect and pocket sized.
Iāve got a busy day today but Iām sure I can find time to give her some extra hugs, on top of her normal hug rations. Sheās a very well loved, possibly over loved cat š«£. I said to her once wow what it must feel like to be loved this much and she went straight outside and came back with a live mouse for me. Eeepā¦.wasnāt quite what I was talking about Dash but nice effort!!
Go hug your cats peopleā¦ā¦but only if itās safe, and even then proceed with caution š
Have you observed a change in your horseās behaviour? Have they become reluctant to be caught, fidget while being saddled or show signs of discomfort while ridden such as bucking or napping.
These behaviors could indicate muscle and fascia restrictions, resulting in discomfort and pain.
In addition to getting your horseās tack, feet, back and teeth checked massage with facial release can help your horse feel more comfortable again. A comfortable horse is a happy horse š“
We can inadvertently put pressure on our horses by having an expectation of what a bodywork session should look like. Itās no wonder as we do all love to see our horses yawning and falling asleep donāt we! I know I do anyway.
But horses are all so beautifully unique and for some of them falling asleep while they have someone work on them isnāt an option. It doesnāt mean the tissue isnāt still changing under the bodyworkers hands. More than often these horses will have a big sleep once everyone has left.
Itās lovely when we see our horses relax but letās be mindful of how stressful that need can feel to them.
I feel there is at times a lack of connection between some of these riders and their lean horses š¤£
Why did I become an equine bodyworker?
A few years ago I was devastated to discovered my beautiful horse Beau has the genetic disorder PSSM1. Once I had got so far with managing his symptoms I started to look for bodyworkers to help keep his body feeling comfortable.
PSSM1 isnāt something that you can cure, you can only try your best to manage the symptoms. And massage alone isnāt going to make much of a difference if the PSSM1 horse is unmanaged. But what massage and fascia release can do is keep the body tissues in a good place, ease areas that have become restricted and keep the blood, oxygen and lymph flowing. This combined with the right diet and exercise plan can really help boost a horse with PSSM1.
I soon realised that this was something I wanted to help Beau with myself, having taken a professional equine massage course in the past I felt confident that with the right training I could become the therapist I felt he needed.
Beau now gets weekly massage and myofascial release treatments from me which alongside his training and fitness programme have seen his body turn around from being weak and lacking correct muscling to looking strong and feeling powerful. Itās been a joy to watch his transformation
Itās thanks to Beau that in between treating other peopleās horses I am also constantly learning more and more about horses and how I as a human can help them move better and feel better.
Who knew having a horse with a genetic defect could lead to so much, but I bet if you ask most equine bodyworkers what brought them to this path many of them will have a horse in their lives that led them there.
If you have any questions on PSSM1 please feel free to message me or comment below. If I cant help then I may be able to point you in the right direction.
Note to self-stop falling in love with the clients š¤£
There arenāt many jobs where that is a thing but itās a very lovely side effect of being an equine bodyworker.
Donāt tell Beau š
We had the lovely Hannah from HM Services out to our yard yesterday to weigh, height measure and body condition score some of our ponies.
I highly recommend Hannah and this fantastic, independent review of where your horse is at. She has natives of her own so sheās very understanding of how difficult keeping their weight down is.
Itās always good to get an exact weight for wormers etc and also to use as a comparison for future reference. And itās also super helpful to have someone else body condition score your horse, itās hard for us as owners to not try to make them fit the box we wish they were in and avoid seeing the truth š
I always think itās better to be over cautious with weight and management to try our best to avoid laminitis and other weight/grass related conditions.
In one respect having a horse with pssm is a blessing because I have to feed Beau as if he has laminitis so Kestrel gets the same management. Despite that she is still about 20 kilos over her ideal weight and .5 over the ideal body condition score. So not too bad but as my teachers at school used to say, she could do better š
Covering Wales, Shropshire, Hereford offering an independent, non-biased mobile equine weighbridge
One of my happy clients from this past week. I think itās safe to say they found relaxation during their massage with fascia release and reiki session š“
I donāt know very much about donkeys but whenever I see one I have to fight the urge to start singing āLittle donkey, little donkeyā¦ā. Which Iām sure they appreciate š
If you have a donkey in your life, go give them a lil scratch behind those incredible ears today and celebrate their beauty š¤
Can riding be a tool in your rehab box?
Riding gets a very bad press and too often, rightly so. It can be damaging physically and psychologically to horses, for all the myriad of reasons we are aware of. However, when understood as a form of form of physical therapy it can be one of the most useful things you can do with a horse. I have been involved in many significant rehabilitation stories, with horses sent to me, clients horses met in lessons and clinics, and my own horses. Without the ability to move with a horse from their back I would be missing what is often the most important gift I have to support change.
Many body workers end up telling their clients that they shouldn't ride their horse, only working on the ground for the sometimes lengthy rehabilitation process. I am a qualified body worker, so this is not a slight on that profession - there is often a time and a place for getting off a horses back. And, if you are not currently a rider - which many body workers are not - and you see the damage that riding can cause no wonder the recommendation is to quit riding. It can be so detrimental to horses.
However, when we understand the principles of balance, relaxation and impulsion (thank you Philippe Karl and the French Lexicon) combined with a sound understanding of biomechanics, plus a practiced awareness of the shared bodies of horse and human - there is something quite extraordinary which can occur through riding. It is possible to use your small body to support the mighty body of a horse. Not through equipment and holding horses in place, but via an embodied experience of feeling how a horse IS in his body and making suggestions for change.
You do need to understand a lot for this to be possible - what exercises might be helpful and when and why. This requires serious study and a commitment to really learn and practice. How it feels for a horse to be in balance and what you can do when this is lost. When to change a situation and when to let it play out to see if it improves. How does it feel if your horse has dropped their thoracic sling and what you can do if this happens? What is your horse telling you if one side of his pelvis is doing something different to the other and what exercises might best support that? What to do when you feel a brace and how to best find release in response to this? When to get out of the arena and go for a long gallop up a good track...
Riding well is not easy - each day I realise how much more I have to learn, practice and understand. But through a commitment to getting better as a result of so much contact with horses who do have physical issues - I am more sure than ever that riding can be a wonderful shared bodily experience back to wellness.
What is fascia?
Fascia is the fabric that surrounds and separates everything in the body. This includes muscles, joints, organs, tendons, bones and everything else. It connects the body like a super highway, keeping everything in its place, providing protection and allowing fast communication between the brain and body.
So what happens when things go wrong, and why do they go wrong?
Fascia can become restricted due to physical or emotional stress, once it is restricted it can radiate out pain to seemingly unrelated areas. This is because everything in the body is connected. So if one area of the fabric is tight it will affect other areas as the body tries to adjust and compensate.
When a body is under stress the fascia becomes dehydrated rendering the fabric hard and gel like. You may see symptoms such as painful, tight muscles and reduced performance. Sometimes blood and nerves can become entrapped in the adhesions which can cause a lot of pain and imbalance to a body.
How can I help?
Massage with myofascial release can rehydrate areas of stuck fascia, restoring circulation and reducing pain. a combination of slow movement, heat and pressure can release adhesions and restore movement to the fascia.
Message me to book your horse in for a massage with myofascial release
As Winston Churchill said-āThere is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a manā
If you are like me and wondered if the(hero)lady in green here was a horse person then read the comments from this post. Good for her stepping in and helping keep this horse and the public safe during that awful event in London last week.
A horrible incident in London today (not terrorist I don't believe) but falls off horses resulting in injuries to humans and horses. I think this lady is a hero of the hour though - I wonder if she is just a 'pedestrian' as she's doing a nice job calming this horse down. The hand placements are totally appropriate so she can turn the horse in circle quickly if necessary and a soothing hand on the horse's shoulder - well done her.
Knighton
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Some days itās nice to hang out on the horseās yard and join them for their morning nap. They all have access to deep beds of lovely Aubiouse bedding by the way! Which they do lay down on every day but sometimes they also choose the rubber mats. Iāve even seen the little grey pony choose to lay down on concrete, sheās not at all fussy š Sitting out with the horses is so special. Not only is it time away from phones and social media, time to be present. But itās also time for the horses to have their human share space with them with no agenda, no pressure, no ask and also no food. Horses share space with each other a lot. Humans usually either want something or they are busy doing chores. How often have you sat and not asked anything of your horses? Itās a transformative exercise that I first learnt from the wonderful Carolyn Resnick, she calls it Sharing Territory. I love it and itās had a big impact on my life with horses š
Sophie from Think Like a Pony asked me to give Haribo a bodywork session over the weekend. Iāve treated him in the past so itās lovely to see how far heās come. He can be quite protective over his body so I started the session with some reiki to help him relax and become open to treatment. He is such a sensitive pony and reacts so well to reiki. Here I am focusing on areas of his body and he visibly letās go of tension. Reiki blows me away, itās such a useful tool to have for these sensitive horses. Haribo has quite a story, if you are interested in hearing more about his journey I recommend checking out Sophieās Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/sophie_tlap_horsemanship?igsh=MWp3Z29kY2s2emswNg==
You can take a horse to waterā¦ā¦and so long as there is a block of salt for him to lick you can guarantee he will drink. I canāt resist his little nose wuffles and hope they brighten up your day as much as they have brightened up mine š
This is a snippet from an interview with Dr Sue Dyson by The Train with Trust Project about gastric ulcers. If you havenāt watched it and itās a topic you are interested in Iād definitely give it a go. I found this clip really fascinating so thought Iād share it here and Iād love to hear anyones thoughts on this. Here is the link to the full video https://youtu.be/KQZ_tnwCZgA?si=oa1YfV5MevOA-59D
During a session you might see me take a step back and give your horse some space This isnāt me taking a break. Sometimes it is clear the horse needs that space to allow their body to do some healing. Working over this can ruin this powerful moment. I was working on Buttercupās ear yesterday, helping to loosen the fascia around her TMJ and forehead when she started to go really deep. Her eyes were fluttering as she released tension. I took a step back and allowed that energy to flow. She let me know when she was ready for me to continue. Itās so important to look out for these moments and to not over ride them by pushing for more. Sometimes less is more!This lovely mare was such a joy to work on. Sheās been introduced to massage by Sophie which makes my job a lot easier as her body is open to what I was offering. Massage is such a great tool for horse trainers and owners alike so itās wonderful that Think Like a Pony teach it as part of their holistic programme. If you havenāt already then go check out their page. #thinklikeapony #sophie_tlap_horsemanship
What does it mean when my horse licks and chews during a bodywork session? Saliva is produced as a horse enters the ārest and digestā phase or to sound a bit more technical as the parasympathetic nervous system switches on. In the heightened state of sympathetic nervous system activation saliva is no longer produced and we see that in our own bodies if we find ourselves on stage with a big audience to win over and suddenly we canāt talk because we have an incredibly dry mouth. So when a horse starts to lick and chew during a bodywork session this is a positive sign that they are feeling safe from harm and that they are relaxing and enjoying their session. If however your horse doesnāt lick and chew donāt sack your bodyworker or think your horse is broken. It could be that they are not yet ready and they may need more sessions to understand what it is that is being offered to them.
Probably most people have seen this exercise by now but I will run through it in case anyone hasnāt seen it and would like to give it a go. I love this exercise so much and am always amazed at how horses respond to it. Use a single pole on the ground.Approach straight and pause.Very slowly and gently ask for a step at a time with the pole on your horseās midline. In the beginning you may only get the front feet straddling the pole and that is okay. Just take your time with this exercise and allow your horse time to respond to the new sensations in their body. Some horses can go very quickly into a state of deep relaxation with this exercise, for others it may take a few sessions before they are ready to let go.It really is such a powerful exercise and works by releasing tension patterns and putting the horse into a parasympathetic state. While it looks easy its actually not so donāt be put off if your horse struggles with this. It took me quite a few sessions to get Beau used to the idea and even now he still struggles with his hinds. So take it nice and slow.
Before the big melt yesterday I had a few of santas little helpers ā¦..erm ā¦helping me while I put the hay out for the oldies
