Thrive Bodywork

07/30/2024

This weeks assessment is ensuring the safety of horses during training🐴

1. Proper Warm-Up and Cool-Down: Always start with a gentle warm-up to prepare the horse's muscles and joints for exercise. Similarly, a cool-down period helps to gradually reduce the horse's heart rate and prevent muscle stiffness.

2. Regular Health Checks: Regular veterinary check-ups ensure that the horse is in good health and can handle the physical demands of training. This includes dental checks, vaccinations, and deworming.

3. Safe Environment: Training should take place in a safe, well-maintained environment. This includes ensuring that the riding arena is free of hazards and has good footing to prevent slips and falls.

4. Proper Equipment: Using well-fitted, appropriate equipment is crucial. This includes saddles, bridles, and protective boots that fit the horse properly and do not cause discomfort or injury.

5. Gradual Progression: Training should progress gradually to avoid overexertion. Pushing a horse too hard too quickly can lead to injuries. It's important to build up the horse's strength and stamina over time.

6. Observation and Monitoring: Constantly monitoring the horse for signs of stress, fatigue, or discomfort is essential. Any signs of lameness or unusual behavior should be addressed immediately.

7. Balanced Nutrition: Providing a balanced diet tailored to the horse's needs ensures they have the energy and nutrients required for training. Proper hydration is also crucial.

8. Rest and Recovery: Allowing adequate rest and recovery time between training sessions helps prevent overuse injuries and ensures the horse remains healthy and fit.

By following these practices, the safety and well-being of the horses can be maintained throughout their training!

05/15/2024

A new Coat Defense order just came in! I’ve updated my inventory with a couple fun items including horse and dog shampoo!

If you need to restock your pet’s Coat Defense supply or if you’ve yet to try these products, now is the time!

05/06/2024

…one of my clients from last week LOVIN his session!

Is your horse or dog feeling their best?! Reach out with any questions you may have regarding bodywork or to schedule a session!

03/01/2024

Hello everyone! Time for a quick business update. It's hard to believe it's been a little over two years since I started Thrive Bodywork!

For those of you I haven't met yet, I'm Addie Carroll, and I've been drawn to animals since my childhood. During high school I plugged into a local barn through a working student opportunity, joined pony club, and began competitive showing. I sat through vet appointments, chatted with the farrier, became friends with the equine dentist, and immersed myself in equine anatomy. These things fed my natural curiosity and passion for animal wellness.

Post high school I chose to take a gap year before making a college decision and used this time to complete my level one equine sports massage certification. After completing the MNHA program, I launched Thrive Bodywork on January 1st, 2022!

Over the last two years, along with starting college classes, I have continued my massage therapist education. This includes completing courses in myofascial/craniosacral release, kinesiology taping, level two rehab strategies, and canine massage.

As we head out of winter hibernation and into spring, consider adding Thrive Bodywork to your equine or canine's wellness team! I am currently serving the south/central PA area and would love to bring my restorative and revitalizing services to your location.

Services currently offered include:
> Individual Equine Bodywork Session - $80
> Individual Canine Bodywork Session - $40
> Equine Kinesiology Taping (added to bodywork session) - $15

Spring 2024 promotions include:
Refer a friend! If you pass my name along to a friend who then uses my services, you will receive a free KTaping with your horse's next massage.

Sponsorship Opportunity! You and your horse's success is our success. By tagging Thrive Bodywork in one social media post/month, you can receive $10 off any service of your choosing.

Thank you for your continued support, open feedback, and trusting me with your four-footed friends! Future clients...we can't wait to meet you!

02/26/2024

The side bonus of scheduling a massage….your horse gets shed out free of charge!

Spring is in the air! Stay tuned for a business update and additional sponsorship/referral opportunities as we head toward March

LET THE SHEDDING COMMENCE 🐎

09/27/2023

Interested in giving this product a try!? Reach out to me for samples!!

When they couldn't find skin care without irritants, chemicals or toxins, Coat Defense founders Sandy and Vince Polentes created an all natural powder to soothe their own skin. Little did they know the miracles it would work on dogs!

09/12/2023

A few of my four footed clients lately! I don’t think I’ll ever stop being amazed by reception and responses I’m given during a bodywork session. From attitude and energy to posture and stance, transformation is just so, so fun!!

08/28/2023

Hello! I hope each of you has made the most of this beautiful summer, tried something new, gaining a little more knowledge and built a new memory with your equine or canine friend. For some of us the dog days of summer may be turning into fall show season, academic schedules, and a busy calendar. For others these next months may be a time to wind down from summer travel and fall into a steady routine as life returns to normal.

Regardless of which category you land in, my services are here for you! Whether routine maintenance for your four footed friend, a coat defense order, rehab from time off or injury, or even a quick taping job, make Thrive Bodywork a member of you horse or dog's wellness team!

Feel free to contact me with questions or comments via Facebook, Instagram, or visit my website!

07/06/2023

CAPTION ME!!

07/06/2023

Happy Independence Day!
Grateful for a chance to pamper these boys despite the heat and humidity! Lessons horses are a rare breed and both Caitlin and Linda wanted to let these two know how special they are ❤️❤️

06/02/2023

We have a winner for our May 2023 hat give away! Congratulations Ann Knaus and thank you to all who booked a session last month!! Stay tuned for more giveaways later this year.

06/01/2023

Hello June and welcome back Therapy Thursday!

This week's highlight is Kinesiology Taping! This is perhaps the tool I'm most excited to share with clients and the possibilities and applications of this tape are endless as the field continues to evolve and advance.

I use three types of taping in my bodywork. Regional Taping reduces pain and corrects movement patterns from past injury. Postural Taping encourages correct postural biomechanics from the horse and rider. Lastly, Fan Taping is designed to decrease swelling and tissue trauma after an acute injury.

Have questions about KTaping or think your horse would benefit from this bodywork? Feel free to message me?

05/25/2023

THERAPY THURSDAY!!!

Highlighted this week is Craniosacral Release and don't forget there is just under a week to take advantage of my hat give away by booking a bodywork session for your horse or dog!

05/18/2023

Welcome to THERAPY THURSDAY!!!
Over the next several weeks I will be highlighting each of the new bodywork therapies I have added to my services. You will hear about how each works, the benefits they bring, and the challenges they address in our equine partners.

Feel free to comment if you have a question regarding a specific therapy and DON'T FORGET, scheduling a bodywork session for your horse or dog before the end of May comes with an entry into our hat giveaway!

05/10/2023

I am excited to announce that I’m now certified in equine Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy, and Kinesiology Taping and will be adding these services to my bodywork sessions! Interesting in a session for your equine or canine?

I am currently booking for May/June and (bonus!) a session this month comes with an entry in our hat drawing! Message me for details!

05/02/2023

Interested in your very own Thrive Bodywork hat?

Schedule a bodywork session with Addie for your equine or canine within the month of May to be entered to win our logo wear drawing!

04/11/2023

✨ 𝐅𝐢𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 ✨

Active recovery is better than passive.

This means, the day following a heavier training session it is better to exercise your horse lightly (walking, easy jogging, non-strenuous surfaces) than to let them stand around.

Engaging in light exercise creates circulation and can even re-burn metabolic waste that causes soreness & stiffness. This replaces byproducts with oxygen and blood allowing the body to move easier.

03/30/2023

We are not the only ones that can benefit from stretching! Here are a few simple ones to try!

03/27/2023

🙌🙌

𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗖𝗟𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 💪

It's been a minute since I've created some of my favorite content, Muscle Monday!

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙪𝙨 𝘿𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙞 :
This muscle is one of the largest in the equine back, though it is not just local to the back. There are multiple parts to this muscle. Take a look at this picture and where this muscle runs: It runs from back (the sacrum) to front (into the neck). Can you think of how dysfunction could easily be created in other areas if this muscle is tight, underdeveloped or overdeveloped?

𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: This muscle facilitates stability to the spine, provides support to the saddle and rider, highly influencing the performance of the horse. When both sides are active, they extend the back. If only one side is activated it bends the spine laterally.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: The horse may sink or spasm dramatically with light-medium pressure in this area. A decrease in performance may be shown, difficulty rounding, shortened stride, issues bending, stiffness through the body.

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻: There are many different factors that can affect this area. Saddle fit is HUGE and can be a key player here. Issues in the hind end and limbs can directly effect this muscle as well (compensating for soreness elsewhere). An underlying abnormality of the spinal column can show pain here. Rider balance & weight can cause soreness, riding behind the vertical, riding hollow, training aids, etc. can all cause tension/pain here which can then lead to issues elsewhere in the body if left untreated.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽: First off, find the cause of the pain & relieve it. Work with your vet, bodyworker, and chiropractor to discover how best to address this pain and who needs to be involved. Making sure the muscle is healthy, you can then be sure the core is strengthened to support the back. Some exercises include: belly lifts, butt tucks, tail pulls, carrot stretches, long & low exercises, pole work, correct transition exercises, proper backing, just to name a few!

If you aren't sure how to perform exercises properly, please reach out for help! It is SO important to be sure you are doing them correct to benefit the horse (and avoid hindering rather than helping).

As always, lets keep your ponies in tip TOP shape. Reach out to schedule your appointment today! 🦄✨



Thank you to EquiPro Connect (and fellow graduate) for the lovely graphic! 💓

03/20/2023

Congratulations Kayla Lenker! You have won our spring 2023 CD drawing!!!
Thank you to all who participated and stay turned for future discounts and giveaways!!!

03/17/2023

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
If you haven’t already, enter into our spring Coat Defense give away!

Two easy steps:
1.) Like and follow Thrive Bodywork on social media and tag a friend
2.) Share this post to your feed for an additional entry!

The winner will be drawn on Monday, the first day of Spring!

03/13/2023

If you haven't joined our spring COAT DEFENSE giveaway there is still time! The winner's name will be drawn a week from today on March 20th, the first day of Spring!

03/10/2023

SPRING GIVEAWAY! DON'T MISS OUT!! Continue reading for entry instructions....

03/09/2023

𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 "𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸-𝗜𝗻" 🌻🌸

Though the forecast says "snow is coming", Spring truly is right around the corner. The clocks will change and more daylight means more time to ride after work!

Now seems like the perfect time to chat about show prep and conditioning as many of us get more opportunities to ride. Some people were able to ride all winter long, while others may not. Some may have found time here and there, while others may have chose winter to be their horse’s “off-season”.

We all have different lifestyles, reasons, and circumstances – which is OK! Some of these may seem like ‘a given’, but here’s what you can do to prepare:

🌱 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗲𝘁.
Time to get vaccines & have your vet examine your horse. Before you know it, you’ll be hauling, out amongst other horses, etc. Be on top of a preventative schedule with your horse. Make sure all is well and consider having a lameness exam done. Even the slightest “issues” can lead to big things, especially when we are moving toward our busy show seasons. Always make sure you have a great relationship with your vet!

🌱 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿.
Again, some of these may seem like a given, but make sure your hoof care is UTD! Chat with your farrier about your plans moving forward: are you showing? what type of showing? what support does your horse need to be successful? The slightest angle changes, long toes, low heels, high heels, etc. can make a HUGE impact on the entire body of the horse. As warm weather and spring approaches, hooves will start growing faster; spring showers may soften and weaken the hoof wall. Be on top of these issues and have a good relationship with your farrier.

🌱 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲'𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱/𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲.
Horses should have their teeth checked once or twice a year. It’s common for them to drop a little weight over harsh winter months, but if your horse is struggling to keep or add weight even with a proper diet and deworming schedule, it may be an indication that they’re teeth are in need of help. Dental issues can also lead to behavioral & performance issues. How do you feel when you have a tooth ache or some other related issue? As for performance, disharmonies in the mouth can cause issues to posture and the musculoskeletal system when not taken care of. Keep on top of this basic and important routine care for your horse to help avoid these issues.

🌱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱?
Moving into a heavier work load might require an adjustment or change in nutrition for your horse. Analyze their overall body score and consider the current work that they may or may not be in. Adjust your nutritional schedule and values based on what your future plans are. If you plan to move into heavy work and training, it’s important to consider that they will need more energy.

🌱 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲!
For so, so many reasons that I could write a novel about, bodywork is EXTREMELY important for your horse: Massage, Chiro, Acupuncture, etc. This is not something to skimp on! Though I love and use them, all the machines and gadgets in the world can’t beat the trained eye and hands. The simplest imbalances in the musculoskeletal system can lead to major issues. Be sure that your horse is able and ready to do the work that you are going to be asking of them, then keep up a schedule for it!

🌱 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 & 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻.
Once you've checked all the boxes, it's time to set a conditioning program. Your horse may not qualify as one of the elite, but they too need a mindful and careful conditioning program to transition them correctly into work. Build slowly on your training and conditioning.

Allow yourself enough time before your first performances to make sure your horse is ready: Physically (cardio & strength) and mentally. Just because your horse may not be huffing and puffing doesn't mean that the ligaments, tendons, muscles, etc. aren't stressed or fatigued. Conditioning both the musculoskeletal system & cardiovascular system is key 🔑

Structure your schedule in a way that allows the horse to recover, build muscle and stamina. Allow a rest day. They are athletes; treat them as such.

Let's keep our equine partners feeling their best by being their best advocate⭐🫶

𝘈𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦!