Valkyrie Equine Bodywork

06/30/2025

June was one busy month! I have some availability for horses and people (I work on people as well!) for July. Keep both your horse and yourself feeling your best for show season!

If you’d like to know more or book a session, please message me!

06/27/2025

Totally forgot to take a before picture, but I have been helping Bertie realign his pelvis, along with his whole body. His session yesterday was mostly about releasing stuff emotions in his right hip, his heart, and re-establishing spinal flow. His owner, , has noticed a substantial difference in his body in just two sessions.

Connecting horses one at a time ❤️

06/26/2025

To all of my clients - I apologize in advance for the sweaty mess I’ll be during summer 😅 even though I look like I may pass out, I promise I’m fine!

06/17/2025

Spent some time helping the horses at New Life Equine Rescue and Lodge NFP tune back into their bodies, find connection, and release some deep emotions.

I have been using tuning forks in my sessions, and Elsa (a mare there that is very wary of people) really appreciated the distance work and was able to let go of some stored trauma.

It fills my heart to be able to give back to the community and especially the horses who need it the most. ❤️

06/14/2025

Very excited to host mini bodywork sessions during the USA Working Equitation Championships at Fox Valley Saddle Association in October!

I trialed this at their show/clinic in May and it turned out to be a great success! Although I don’t offer mini sessions normally, I find that just establishing cranial flow and connection in the body during shows and clinics does help with the “show jitters” and addresses some major concerns without impeding on performance.

Message me for more information!

06/10/2025

Absolutely love this! I have some horses in my practice that I strictly do hands off energy work because they are not quite ready for touch yet. This allows them to know that I’m listening, respecting them as individuals, and am capable of helping them release those emotions in a safe space.

Angry Horses?? Why do they shout

Often, I meet a lot of horses that the owner becomes worried as soon as i touch them they can be extremely and no uncertain words, aggressive.

I will tell you in every horse I have ever met they always have either long standing issues or deep issues that you may not have found yet. Often these horses are born with these issues and while they may only cope with just being a horse for some that isn't an option and if they don't fit the "norm", if they do not fit our ideal it's often a hard road ahead for them for often their behaviour will set them up to fail with every human encounter being both on the defensive because both human and horse just need to feel safe.

Maybe we should change the word from aggressive to listen to what I am saying as often if your horse is deemed aggressive, they have had to escalate it to that point from maybe a few years ago when they just gave a side eye or a tail swish, the problem with humans is we are not horses and often miss these first signals and some signals thereafter, it's no one fault we are just not horses.

Give enough space to a horse and you will see the signals are so subtle that another horse will react before we have even noticed give a horse a small enclosure, limited resources you will see the signals escalate

We think touch is soothing it's what we do as humans to comfort and calm but can you imagine being sore you tend not to want to be touched yet even a sore horse will have to have a daily interaction with some sort of touch.

Ever had a horse that is grumpy and just doesn't like being groomed by other horses we assume they are grumpy but is that grooming too painful for your horse, ever had a sore point on your horse ???what does everyone do they want to poke or prod the sore area so then the horse becomes very defensive to a point even your intention may cause a reaction.

We have labelled horses that don't fit into our way of how a horse should be

We are seeing this more and more with the likes of PSSM variants etc and often people are surprised that when I meet these horses where they say no, I don’t work as first I want them to know I am listening, I may ask the question again but I find even palpating such animals is extremely difficult for the horse to deal with

We must respect the fact they have an opinion and they can say no, often a first session of just listening to the horse and stopping when they say no leads to a better relationship between therapist and the horse, what is the point of working in an area when the horse has disconnected from you from the first palpation....

Do you know often just untying the lead rope on that first visit can lower the horses' defences, just waiting until the horse acknowledges you before you start, allowing the horse to focus on a hay net as an escape, allowing the horse to check in with the owner to get reassurance and giving off the energy that we hear you we won't touch where you say no, we won't hover our hands we will give clear signals where we want to go so you are prepared, think of working with your horse as its never a no just a not just yet.

Breathe Through Bodywork

06/10/2025

Did you know there are so many benefits from humming?

There has been scientific research done on humming and the physiological effects it can have on the body. Some of these benefits include:

- increase oxygen in our cells
- lower blood pressure and heart rate
- increase lymphatic circulation
- increase levels of melatonin, enhancing sleep and easing depression
- reduce levels of stress-related hormones such as cortisol
- release endorphins
- increase levels of nitric oxide (NO), a molecule associated with the promotion of healing
- release oxytocin, the trust and kindness hormone associated with lowering stress and anxiety
- increase vagal tone, enhancing the parasympathetic nervous system and the body's ability to rest and digest

Think about those benefits for a second. What would happen if we started humming around our horses? While we are riding? Humming is a wonderful way to help ground you into the present moment while you are with your horse. They feel that vibration in their body as well, helping them ground, relax, and come back into their bodies. It can also be subtle enough to help ease tension or anxiety while doing a dressage test! (I know I have done that before)

Next time you are riding or at the barn or, heck, at the grocery store, hum! No judgement on yourself. Feel how your body responds. Are you more present? Do you feel that sacred vibration ease a blockage in your body?

06/10/2025

Oakley demonstrating what a fully open TMJ yawn looks like 😂 When they learn the language of release, it’s a beautiful thing to witness.

Thank you for the great photo (and for letting me get some puppy time in!).

05/27/2025

Representing today while helping horses rebalance and restore their vitality. The foal (Rocky) on the shirt was born with 3 legs, and he is thriving at the rescue! Check out his story! I believe they still have shirts for sale to help with his expenses.

Helping the equine community even on small ways is so important ❤️

Thank you .herne for the beautiful shirt!

02/12/2025

I am happy to announce that I am officially Level 2 Craniosacral certified! Nothing like taking advantage of the snow day to finish the coursework. I have really enjoyed learning all about craniosacral, as I am finding it ties in very nicely with my work that I do already. I have noticed some pretty big changes in my client's horses, as well as with Lilith.

I plan on taking a bit of a break from learning new modalities so I can focus on delving deeper into the modalities I already utilize and hone my skills even further. Always finding the balance between learning and going deeper into what you already know.

I also have some more exciting things lined up for this year that I will need to make time for!