Devine Equine LLC.

11/18/2024

Many people ask me “What fuels Devine Equine and how did you get into equine massage and body work?”

And also “Devine is spelled incorrectly, did you know?” 😆

What fuels my passion for equine massage and body work? My desire to help horses and their owners achieve comfort and optimum mobility for performance. To alleviate discomfort that comes with increased levels of training, play, and sometimes injury.

I was told many moons ago by a trainer on how intuitive my hands were and understanding where to place them for the horses, seemingly knowing where they had discomfort. That fueled my desire to become certified in equine massage therapy. Being in my early 20’s I was petrified to bring my education into the wide world of Equestrian Business. I kept my education for my own horses and close friends.

It was until 2022 shortly after losing my heart horse “Devin” I decided to put my big girl boots on, and bring my passion to fruition and help others who needed it. Devin had experienced a career ending paddock injury triggering cervical arthritis, leaving him ataxic. With rounds of steroids, lots of hope, and what I could do with my hands we were able to enjoy 6 months with him before we had to say good bye. It was in his honor I decided to start Devine Equine. Hence the spelling, which yes, I know, incorrect. 😅

A play on his name to represent and honor him, for making me braver and more confident within my own capabilities and beyond. The informal meaning of the word, “Pleasing, delightful, spiritual, wonderful” because that is what I intend to provide for every client during my sessions.

As I come up on my two year anniversary on starting this business, I reflect on the changes I’ve been privileged to make for my clients and their horses. The amazing people I’ve met, and the equally amazing horses they so dearly love.

I am so grateful for each and everyone of you. You are all the driving force behind my passion, in Devins absence. Your horses, your love for them, and the want to keep them as happy and healthy as possible. I, and your horses, thank you ❤️

11/17/2024

A full Sunday spent working on some great horses at Murfield Farm, LLC. I may or may not have fallen in love today 🫠🥰

New client, “Shrimp”. All 18 hands of this beautiful 6yo Oldenburg!!

11/15/2024

When your own horse becomes the case study 🤓

It’s been an absolute pleasure and continuation of knowledge collaborating with Southern New England Integrative Hoof Care on Delilahs transition to barefoot.

Stay tuned for continued discussion on hoof angles and how they can effect the body and performance!

11/13/2024

❄️ 𝑻𝒐 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒆𝒕?! ❄️

It’s that time of year. Horse owners, trainers, and barn managers everywhere, constantly checking their phones and watching the weather. The air temperatures have a grip on our every move 🙃

Blanketing is always a hot topic in the community (no pun intended). I for one love leaving my horses as feral as possible for as long as I can. I hate having to check the temps every 5 minutes, because let’s face it, New England weather changes every time we blink!!

“The warmer they are, the better behaved they will be!”

An old trainer would preach to us every year between the months of September to April! And she wasn’t wrong. Cold temperatures can effect your horse’s performance and soundness.

Aside from caring for a senior what benefits can our younger performance horses receive from blanketing? Body suppleness! That’s right, blanketing can aid in muscular health and function 🤗

When the horses muscle fibers become cold they will experience restricted blood flow. To conserve heat, the body prioritizes blood flow to vital organs, reducing circulation to the muscles. In response to this happening the body will become stiff, leaving the horse feeling tight and less flexible. Cold temperatures can decrease the elasticity of muscle tissue, making them more prone to strain or injury.

All of these things are a perfect storm for a tense and reactive horse. Susceptible to sports related injuries and strains. How can we combat this? You guessed it. Adequate blanketing AND warm up times!

Before exercising in cold weather, always give your horse a thorough warm-up period to increase blood flow to the muscles. A proper warm up with a respectable duration of time is best, because blanketing isn’t for everyone.

Reverting back to my reel about currying, a good grooming prior to a ride is a great way to start warming up the muscles and body. Stimulating blood flow to the fibers, and creating friction will loosen the muscles and fascia setting the body up for preset suppleness. Your horse will be more comfortable and pre-warmed up before your ridden warm up, they also love a good grooming 😉

Blanketing will ensure warmer muscles, healthier fascia, and a less tense horse. If blanketed properly, a horses body temperature can be regulated eliminating any restricted blood flow. In turn this can help prevent any strain or injury during work or play! And as always, a routine body work schedule is essential for maintaining your horse’s fitness and comfort 🥰

11/06/2024

Devine Equine LLC.
Merch order form is live!!!

Long and short Sleeve tees
Hoodies, Crew necks, and Zip up sweat shirts
AND NEW
Children’s hoodies!!

🚨 Order closes November 20’th to assure all orders arrive BEFORE the holidays! 🚨

I'm organizing our Custom Ink order. You can pay me online. Thanks!

11/03/2024

Insert Mariah Carey in the distance; “IIIIITTSSSS TIIIIIMMEEEEE”

November 1st. The equine community collectively hangs up their stirrups. And not in preparation of a winter off, as is in my case because I’m a winter we**ie.

It’s No-Stirrup November. Riders and trainers with honest intentions to improve the riders seat and balance drop the stirrups. But what can this mean for the horse?

Dropping the irons can be a valuable tool for enhancing your seat and balance. However, you wouldn’t throw yourself into the advance yoga class or heavy weight lifting. The quality of the exercise is far more important for your own body’s sake, and also for your horse’s!

As an equine body worker and massage therapist, the trouble I see is that when we ride without stirrups beyond our athletic ability, riders tend to grip with their thighs and brace the lower back in an attempt to maintain balance. This leads to overall tension in the riders body, making it difficult to maintain a supple seat. Not only does this effect your own back health, but it affects your horses as well.

When riders become stiff in the pelvis, hip, and thigh, it will impede on the horses movement as well. The horse will brace themselves to absorb as much of the shock in their back, to protect the spinal column and soft supporting tissues. Our horses carry our weight through the longissimus dorsi muscles which runs along the entire length of the spine, along with the supporting muscles like the multifidus, iliocostalis, and psoas muscles which also play a role in back stability.

Sudden and drastic shifts in a riders seat can result in tension all throughout the horse’s body in an effort to compensate for the riders instability in the saddle.

In leu of dropping the irons for an entire month, consider gradually adding length of time with no stirrups. Ride your walk warm up without the irons, tune into your seat bones following the movement and fluidity of your horses back and hips. Enjoy a slow, quiet 15/20 ba****ck ride. Focus on strengthening your body and core slowly.

Ride without your rein aids if you're looking to develop a stronger seat and more stable core. Ask a friend or your trainer for a lunge lesson and drop the reins in place of your irons. You’d be surprised at how much that changes our center gravity!! Allow your seat to become independent from your hands, this will truly test the balance and movement of your seat and legs to your horses movement.

You can enhance your seat without risking your horse's comfort and health.

Try not to be a pain in your horses back❤️Let’s change No-Stirrup November to No-Reins November!

11/03/2024

This mornings weather has me feeling all sorts of festive!!! Hot coffee, a hallmark Christmas movie, so why not start my holiday specials?!

Devine Equine LLC. Now offering holiday pricing and packages! Reach out for further details.

I will also be opening an order form for apparel for anyone who missed out on the last order of sweat shirts/tees/long sleeves and new for this order, down vests! 🤗 Keep an eye out for details!!

10/25/2024

Friday night spa night!

Helping horses of all kinds is always my favorite part of what I do, but making a change for the golden oldies, chefs kiss! The seniors will forever have a special place in my heart. 🥰

Tonight’s client, Spirit, was holding more tension than usual in his hamstrings this evening. I just had to stop and snap picture after I worked his right side before moving on to his left. You can see how contracted his left hamstring, gluteal, and stifle area is in comparison to the right where the fascia had already been released. In the right photo, with both sides treated with mayofasical therapy, note how full the tissues are. They are far less contracted with less definition in the tension lines. Offering restorative, oxygenated blood flow and muscle tone to the affected areas.

Here’s to the happy seniors, jiggly bums, and Friday night spa sessions 🤗

(Booking weekdays now through November! Limited weekend availability, contact me soon before space is filled!)

10/17/2024

My lovely friend Ella sneaking in a nap before her session last week 🥰

All weekends are booked through November but I do have plenty of weekday availability for massage! Also taking limited appointments for body clipping before December.

10/13/2024

Working your horse over poles in-hand is a fabulous tool that helps improve your horse's performance, health, and harmony with their handler

09/25/2024

With these colder fall days creeping in on us, our equine friends may feeling a little extra spicy! Play time aside, this could partly be due to cold, tight muscles.

If you’ve noticed your horse needing a few extra minutes to warm up, holding more tension than usual and becoming resistant to the work they’ve been doing all summer, it might be time for some body work!

Massage can help
🍂 facilitate blood flow
🍂 maintain elasticity in fascia
🍂 alleviate tension in muscle tissue
🍂 promote endorphins and other feel good hormones to aid in relaxation.

Weekday availability for the month of October with limited weekends, book now before it’s too late!!

09/14/2024

Only 16 hours left to order Devine Equine sweat shirts and tees! The sweat shirts are so soft and cozy, perfect for these chilly mornings in the barn 🤗

https://www.customink.com/g/vbx0-00cw-f7jc

https://www.customink.com/g/vbx0-00cw-f7m1

For a professional look, the Devine Equine puffer vest has been added! Order form open until 9/30!

https://www.customink.com/g/vbx0-00cw-fbyq

09/11/2024

One of the services provided through my body work sessions, The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork practices. This is a very informative and helpful video from Jim Masterson himself explaining the bladder meridian/bladder meridian technique and how you can continue the benefits at home in between your regular appointments. ❤️

09/09/2024

Everything we ask of them and expect from them, the least we can do is offer care and comfort where it’s needed. ❤️

09/03/2024

Check it out!!

Order forms are live for Devine Equine LLC. cozy wear! I’m technologically challenged and couldn’t figure out how to make it a website, but just click the links below to see different options for sweatshirts, with or without the hoods (in my best Joe Dirt impersonation Iykyk) zip ups, long sleeve tees, and basic tees! Ships directly to you for instant Devine Equine swag ❤️

https://www.customink.com/g/vbx0-00cw-f7jc

https://www.customink.com/g/vbx0-00cw-f7m1

https://www.customink.com/g/vbx0-00cw-fbyq