I often hear, "I know that what you're doing is something, but it sure looks like nothing." And it's true.
This video is in 2x and it still appears as though I'm moving in slow motion, or not moving at all.
Horse's can feel a fly land on the tip of a single hair. They can sense when the atmospheric pressure drops. They can smell and hear beyond human limits. Why should their bodywork be any less subtle?
When working with horses in any capacity, the practioner/trainer/handler's goal is always to keep them in "rest and digest". This is where learning and integration occurs and why I don't mind if your horse needs to munch on hay to keep their chill while we work.
Once they've passed that threshold into "flight/fight/freeze" they're on the otherside of an impentrable boundary and lasting change can not occur.
If your practioner is jerking, pushing, yanking, pulling, poking, prodding, popping, (yes, this applies to chiropractic care as well) then put your dollars directly into the wheelbarrow with the rest of the manure.
Slow. Simple. Calm. Supple. Easy. Tender. Gentle. Light. Subtle.
These are the words that come to mind when I invision shared experience during a session with your horse.
Your horse is deserving of our time and care.
#seniorhorses #integration #equinebodywork #equinemassage #equestrians #springiscoming
Hands High Equine Bodywork LLC
Let’s talk about asymmetry!
Every so often it is a good idea to take a step back with fresh eyes and look at your horse as a whole, how are they doing?
Asymmetry is found in nature everywhere you look. When you examine your horse, the differences should be subtle enough that they are difficult to see with the naked eye. If there is apparent asymmetry in the body – it may be time to call in your bodyworker.
Asymmetry may mean they are over/underusing particular muscle groups due to fascial restrictions or muscular adhesions which, at minimum, causes hinderance to their performance. More importantly, over time these incorrect patterns of posture and movement can cause wear and tear to their joints which leads to discomfort or pain and often costly vet bills, or even an early retirement.
If your horse is standing square and you stand directly in front of them - Is their point of shoulder at an even height bilaterally? Is one more forward than the other? Is the neck set evenly onto the body?
From the side – Do they shift their weight from one leg to another? Will they even stand square? Is a hunter’s bump or roached back evident? Do some muscles look tighter or more developed than others while others appear atrophied?
From behind – Does the pelvis tilt to one side? Are their “hip bones” (tuber coxae) or “seat bones” (tuber ischii) more forward on one side or the other? Is the tail held at an angle to one side?
From above – This is a great one! If you can get on a stool behind the horse safely, do they look symmetrical through the spine, tail to the poll? Does the ribcage look higher up on one side? Is one shoulder more developed or upright than the other?
If your horse is in pain – flinches away from palpation, triangular eyelids/tense jaw, having muscle fasciculations/spasms, uncomfortable during grooming, pinning ears when you tack up, biting/kicking/bucking/rearing – then the threshold for where your bodyworker can step in to help m
I can't deny the progress Fiona has made in her posture since starting regular sessions together (although I admit not the best photos for comparison).
Myofascial release in combination with hoof rehab have made the world of difference for this mare. She is sound undersaddle and chose to stand square on crossties today without my asking and without shuffling weight bearing limbs.
Fiona is also the chosen one to experiment with my new toys - Balance Pads!
Hint : she liked them so much she fell asleep on them 🥰
Hint for me : get covers for the pads before they're destroyed.
#equinebodywork #myofascialrelease #equinerehab #nohoofnohorse #equinemassage
BRRR! 🥶 Hey yall, It's blanket time!
Pictured below is my 28yo TB mare just after pulling her blanket(s) that she wore for 12 hours overnight. She's a thin TB lady so, if you know, you know.
In blue, you can see the marks from her fleece, which fell back to pull behind the scapula, as well as marks from her heavier blanket which rests infront of the shoulder and pulls down to form a crease over the wither (marked red).
A *brief* anatomy tutorial marks a rough outline of the trapezius in blue💙, the subclavius in purple💜, and the spine of her scapula and point of shoulder in yellow💛, a high motion area and common spot where hair is rubbed off . With their head down to eat, blankets will often put pressure on their pectorals and lower portion of the brachiocephalicus as well.
Although blanketing is often unavoidable in these FREEZING temperatures, it's super important that we are pulling them off at least once daily to inspect our horses. These lines of fascial and muscular restriction CAN effect their ROM left unaddressed long term.
Providing them with a nice curry, scratches, or a gentle massage 💆♀️ along these high pressure areas provides them with comfort and relief they simply can't do for themselves (and their pasture mates can't do for them when blanketed, although they may try... and ruin the blankets....).
When the ground is too frozen and the air is too cold to be safe for ridden exercise, it is the perfect time to spend quietly bonding with your horse. And YES air this cold is abrasive to their lungs during cardiovascular exercise. ❌️
Just be with them. Keep their bellies full of forage, supply water 💧 at drinkable temperature (45-65F), love on them, take them for a handwalk to loosen em up some (especially these arthritic babies). Maybe give a short brisk turnout NAKED to get a good roll in.
A little extra TLC goes a long way. 🥰
#equineanatomy #equinebodywork #equinemassage #equinehealth #horses #equine #eques
Delilah enjoying another session today. Of course I stopped recording just seconds before she did a full body stretch and happy groan. Pure bliss working with this lovely lady!
I've left photos in comments of the before/after on just one of the fascial restrictions we were working on a release of today. The photos are a visualization for you of what we mean when we say we are performing "Myofascial Release". The fascia under the skin is bunched up, dehydrated and largely immobile. You can start to see how this has widespread repercussions for the horse when you think of the fascia as a spiderwed under the skin (remember fascia surrounds EVERYTHING). Put a kink in a spider's web and you see structural changes to that web even all the way on the opposite end.
Before/after photos are hard to get a realistic representation of in bodywork. The way the horse is standing, the lighting, and camera angle can all create a false story and be misleading to the viewer. I did my best to show what I was feeling under my hands, which I can best describe as flattening a crinkly sheet of tinfoil.
After MFR, the area feels fuller and smoother because hydration and elasticity have been restored to the tissue!
And yes, Taylor Brock , it's called "The wind song". I had to 😅🥰.
Windy yeeing and yawning about 2 minutes AFTER I perform a TMJ release and leave the stall. Sometimes horses, particularly mares, will be unwilling to let go while you remain in their space. You may need to step back and observe from a distance to give them time to have their moment of "let go". #equinebodywork #equinebodyworker #equinemassagetherapy #equinemassagetherapist #equinesportsmassage
Delilah taking some time to integrate her bodywork after a session focused on her shoulders, forelimbs, withers, and lower neck region. #equinebodywork #equinemassagetherapist #equinemassage #thoracicsling #sportsmassagetherapy
Check in with your partners 🥰
I checked in with my own older mare after she came in CLEARLY keyed up after a long night of severe thunderstorms. She always holds a great deal of tension in her TMJ and poll (I suspect racetrack trauma at a young age). I started with a run down her bladder meridian to attempt a "check in" with her nervous system and got little to no response from her. I decided I'd try her old trusty - a favorite and very basic TMJ release. I tried to stay with her and wait for the "give" but when it didn't come. I decided not to push her and just try again later when she'd had time to decompress. At one point I literally say, "There's nothing out there". 🤦🏼♀️
First part of the video is a sped up attempt at softening her TMJ. Second part is shortly after I left the stall to go bug her brother and THEN she let's loose. Proof that sometimes they just need a few minutes in their own space to digest information from their body as it signals their brain. I wouldn't have even seen her releases if I hadn't forgotten my phone and gone back to watch the video later. See how she visibly relaxes after she leaves her fight or flight state of mind?
Horses are our forever teachers ❤️
Serving Chesterfield, Va and surrounding areas. Certified Equine Bodyworker through Equinology. Above all, I listen to the horse.
