Mane Motion Equine Bodywork

04/23/2025

Contact me to book a session!

04/13/2025

I specialize in the Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork and Equine Sports Massage to support the balance of your horse’s body and mind. I am dedicated to providing exceptional care and committed to your companion’s well-being. My professional services are designed to enhance mobility, reduce tension, and promote overall relaxation, ensuring your horse feels and performs at its best. I approach each session with compassion and a deep understanding of the unique bond between horse and owner, striving to enhance that connection through my work. Please contact me for more information or to schedule a session.

04/12/2025

Saddle fitting is an essential part of your horses wellness.

04/10/2025

INAPPROPRIATE TOUCHING

I'm reading an amazing book called Amphibious Soul by Craig Foster, the Academy award winning documentary film maker of "My Octopus Teacher".

If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it, it is simply profound.

In the book he says "As a rule, I never touch an animal unless they touch me first".

In my work building relationship with horses, I do this too. Most times a horse will touch you with their nose/muzzle first, and matching that greeting (versus labelling the horse as a biter) is a game changer.

But there's a phenomenon I have noticed going on with people trying to build relationship with their horses that I have labelled "inappropriate touching", and it looks a bit like the photo below.

This picture was taken at a horse expo in Pennsylvania recently, where I worked with a demo horse who has a "biting issue". He would reaching out in a way that his owner was termed as nipping, whereas I interpreted as him saying hello, similar to reaching out to shake hands with someone.

When he reached out I would greet him with a flat hand that he is able to to nuzzle, lick or even scrape his teeth on. After doing this a while his snappy acting motions got less so, and he was no longer needing to say "hey, pay attention" , but was more "hey, how's it going". I was explaining to the audience that I was meeting him in the way that he was meeting me (with his muzzle) and that it's not an invitation to touch other parts (yet).

I then said that it's many people's default to reach up and rub a horse between the eyes, whether that's what they are offering or not, and that if you do, it's inappropriate touching and it gets in the way of connection. It doesn't meet their needs, and is all about yours.

With the horse in the picture, he'd been engaging me with his muzzle, and I said to the audience "watch what happens when I try to rub him between the eyes". As you can see in the photo, he has raised his head up and is clearly indicating "No, not there, on my muzzle".

We had a Connection And Attunement retreat here at the Journey On Ranch a week ago, and I used my wife Robyn to illustrate this point to the participants. I said "imagine I'm at a gathering and meeting Robyn for the first time". We walked up to each other in that way people do when they see someone new and they can tell an introduction is shaping up, Robyn reached out with her hand to say hello and instead of me reaching out to shake her hand, I gently reached up and lightly brushed a wisp of hair from her cheekbone and tucked it behind her ear.

The participants all gasped and the ick factor was high.

Even though it was caring, and gentle, it was inappropriate at that moment.

Now Im not saying you can't rub your horse on the forehead. I'm saying if your horse has a disregulated nervous system around humans because they don't feel seen (and safe), try to meet their needs first, before trying get get yours met.

I recently saw an instagram post from a University in the UK, and the professor was explaining that they were doing studies on horses to determine levels of stress. In the background a horse was standing with his head out over a Dutch door. While he was explaining their investigations on stress, a female student (or maybe another professor, I don't know which) walked up to the horse. The horse reached out with his muzzle to greet her.

She ignored this and reached up to rub the horse between the eyes.

He turned his head 90 degrees to the left to communicate that wasn't what he was offering.

Her hand followed him and kept rubbing.

he then turned his head 180 degrees to the right, saying "No, not like that".

Smiled, gave him another pet between the eyes, and walked of camera.

While the professor was saying that they are doing experiments determining the amounts of stress horses are under, someone in the background was actually creating stress, without either of them even knowing it.

Once you understand how sentient horses are, and how subtle their communication, you can't unsee it.

04/02/2025

Masterson Method Certification Course Completion. I did it!!
Thank you to so many amazing individuals who have taught, helped, instructed , supported, inspired, cheered me on this journey. To name a few Bill Aycock Khrystynna Hunsinger Becky Simpson Tenges Solace In Rose Equine Performance Bodywork Mebane Equine Bodyworks Moon River Training Cindy Roberts Jamie Staggs Denise Bucy Serena Kelly Hunter Susie Greene Carla Ball and sooo many more, and all the horses!

03/23/2025

Little swag anyone?
All made by Lyla Rose and inspired by yours truly, the one and only Chaos 🐴 💕
Mini Chaos Crochet not for sale!
S,M,L shirts, Black, Grey or Navy.
Totes and stickers 👜

03/21/2025

02/13/2025

**🐴💖 Give Your Horse the Gift of Love This Valentine’s Day! 💖🐴**

This Valentine’s Day, show your equine partner just how much you care with a bodywork & massage session!
Whether they’re an athlete in training, a faithful trail companion, or your heart horse, they deserve a little extra love.

🌿Some Benefits of Equine Massage:
✔️ Relieves muscle tension & soreness (especially with the wild temperature changes we have been experiencing!)
✔️ Enhances flexibility & performance
✔️Encourages correct posture and alignment
✔️ Boosts circulation & lymphatic flow
✔️ Promotes relaxation and Stress relief
💕 **Valentine’s Special:** Book a session in February and receive an 💗 appreciation discount to give your horse the TLC they deserve!

***Swag coming soon!!!!***

Solveig Aycock

02/08/2025

An amazing lecture/visual. Highly recommend it was mind blowing.
Centaur Biomechanics Solveig Aycock

02/04/2025

Why can simple tasks like rugging a horse lead to biting behaviour, which, let's face it, you've all said or heard
" That's just him,"

Honestly, if I had a £ for every time I have read this or been told this, I'd have a nice little side earner!
So my post it to challenge that, to say come on, we can do better than these non logical assumptions.
The horse is saying something when they lift their head to not allow the bridle on, or they will let you groom one ear and not the other. I could go on, but you hopefully get my drift......

And yes, i hear you ask or say, surely I think a horse can show displeasure at this simple task and not have pain in the body. Well, yes and no. If they are irritated by skin conditions for instance and/ or a bad fitting rug just annoys them, so they know they don't like it, then yes, I absolutely believe horses can think ahead.
But the above will eventually lead to myofascial discomfort anyway.

But, now I'm going to talk about the horses that have a serious displeasure at the front of the rug being done up. What could be going on? What anatomy sits here........

The equine sternum, thoracic inlet, and associated nerves, along with the role of fascia, are critical in understanding why seemingly simple tasks like putting a rug on can provoke biting or behavioural reactions when a horse has issues in these areas.

Equine Sternum and Thoracic Inlet

Sternum:
The sternum in horses is a central bony structure in the chest that provides attachment for the rib cage, supporting the thorax. It also serves as a point of attachment for fascia and muscles, including the pectoral muscles, which play a key role in locomotion and posture.

Thoracic Inlet:
The thoracic inlet is the space formed by the first thoracic vertebra, the first pair of ribs, and the manubrium of the sternum. This area is a critical passage for:

Major blood vessels (e.g., subclavian arteries and veins).

Nerves (e.g., brachial plexus, which innervates the forelimbs).

Oesophagus and trachea.

Compression or restriction in this area can have widespread effects due to its anatomical complexity.

Nerves in the Area

The thoracic inlet houses nerves that can be sensitive to pressure or tension:

Brachial Plexus:
The brachial plexus emerges from the cervical spinal cord and travels through the thoracic inlet to supply the forelimbs. Compression or dysfunction here can cause pain, hypersensitivity, or neurological deficits in the forelimbs and chest region.

Intercostal Nerves:
These nerves run between the ribs and may also be affected by sternum-related restrictions, leading to pain or discomfort in the thorax.
Making the girth being another displeasure and is not ulcers!!

Autonomic Nervous System (Sympathetic Chain):
Tension in this region can overstimulate the autonomic nervous system, leading to a heightened stress response.

Role of Fascia

Fascia is a connective tissue network that envelops muscles, bones, nerves, and organs. It plays a crucial role in structural integrity and movement. Key considerations:

Deep Fascia of the Thorax:
The deep fascia around the sternum, thoracic inlet, and shoulder region can become tight or restricted due to injury, poor posture⚠️, or compensation from other issues.

Fascial Continuity:
The fascia in this region is interconnected with the pectorals, neck, and forelimbs. Tension or dysfunction in the fascia near the sternum can cause referred discomfort to other areas, creating hypersensitivity or pain when pressure is applied, such as during rugging.

Fascia and Nerves:
Fascia contains nerve endings and is highly innervated. When fascia becomes restricted, it can amplify pain signals, leading to exaggerated reactions to minor stimuli ⚠️

Why Rugging Causes Biting

When a horse with issues in the sternum, thoracic inlet, or fascia reacts negatively to rugging, it may be due to several factors:

Pressure Sensitivity:
Placing a rug involves pressure on the chest, shoulders, and withers, which can aggravate pain or hypersensitivity in the fascia and underlying structures.

Fascial Pull:
The action of pulling a rug over the back or shoulders stretches the fascia. If the fascia is restricted, this stretch can be uncomfortable or even painful, causing the horse to bite or display defensive behaviour.

Nerve Irritation:
Compression or tension in the thoracic inlet or sternum can irritate nerves, leading to referred pain or hypersensitivity in the forelimbs, chest, or neck. Rugging may exacerbate these symptoms.

Compensatory Tension:
Horses with poor posture, injury, or previous trauma often develop compensatory tension patterns in the fascia and muscles around the thorax. These patterns make them particularly sensitive to external stimuli like rugging.

Management and Solutions

To address these issues, consider:

Veterinary Assessment:
Rule out underlying injuries, nerve damage, or systemic issues. It is likely needed if there's been a fall, for e.g, and the horse's behaviour has changed.

Manual Therapy:

Osteopathy: Can help realign the thoracic inlet and release tension.

Myofascial Release: Targets fascial restrictions to improve mobility and reduce hypersensitivity.

Rug Fit:
Ensure the rug fits properly, avoiding pressure on sensitive areas like the shoulders and withers.

Gradual Desensitization:
Then, work with the horse to make rugging a positive experience, applying light pressure progressively to build trust. I feel this must be done at the right time to not create learned helplessness!

Bodywork and Stretching:
Exercises to release tension in the sternum, shoulders, and neck can reduce discomfort over time.

My 2 day course is aimed at providing techniques to cover all of these issues via very simple exercises and techniques anyone can learn and will do no harm.

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Equine Structural Balance Therapy Course (2-Days) For owners and therapists
By addressing the underlying issues in the sternum, thoracic inlet, and fascia, you can help the horse feel more comfortable and reduce adverse reactions to everyday tasks like rugging.