Wellspring Equine Conditioning

12/24/2023

Thank you to every human and equine friend who has made this year a little brighter! 💜💜💜

12/01/2023

I’ve been quiet on social media, intentionally. I’ve been learning so much over the last year and wanted time to digest and play with the new tools in my box.

Exciting things are brewing for 2024. But, I thought I’d share a glimpse into how powerful this work is.

These two pictures were taken 45 minutes apart. I never posed the horse before or after bodywork. I simply took pictures of his preferred posture.

While the side profile shots were exciting to compare, I’m blown away by the overhead view. This horse was standing in the exact same position before and after! While it appears he was looking a little left in the first shot, he actually had quite a banana curve going through his whole body due to fascial restrictions.

This guy has an old suspensory injury that was never properly rehabbed. He tends to stand left front forward.

I look forward to seeing him change as I continue to do nerve release and bodywork.

I look forward to what the following year holds.

Most of all, I look forward to using the gifts God has given me to help horses. 💜

10/20/2023

Four sessions of bodywork and BTMM. This boy has changed so much in three months!

- His neck has relaxed
- His face has filled in
- The contraction in his lumbosacral junction has released and his hindquarters are filling in
- His spine angle is coming more towards neutral
- His overall demeanor is more relaxed
- His movements are more flowing and forward

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Nor will his 20+ yr old body be perfected immediately. But, the progress is very encouraging!

10/12/2023

09/22/2023

Oh, the many places that tension is stored!

I love how the lips changed after today’s session with this gorgeous guy. The wrinkles released and the jaw softened.

Why does this matter? The short answer is that tension here can affect the hind end, front end, and everything in between.

💜💜💜

08/03/2023

Today was a FUN day! With my hand still healing, I’ve been coaching my clients. They’ve all learned:
- how to recognize tension in their horse’s body
- how to identify postural imbalances
- how to engage their horse’s parasympathetic nervous system
- how to release tension using Celeste Lazaris’s Balance Through Movement Method Pillar 1
- how to use different bodywork techniques
- how to deepen their connection with their horse

This was an awesome bonding experience for the horses and their humans. My feels so full! 💜

07/26/2023

This, my friends, is a big day! After 3.5 months of studying, practicing, video conferences, meetings, and obsessing, I have received my certification as a Lazaris Nerve Release Practitioner™️! 🎉🎉🎉

In my practice, I was often finding there was a missing piece to what I could offer the horse. When I started studying Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’ Balance Through Movement Method, I knew I had found a more effective way to help the horse.

When Celeste opened applications for her Nerve Release Certification, I prayed and poured my heart into the process. I was honored to take a seat amongst some brilliant vets, physiotherapists, hoof experts, osteopaths, and talented horse women. I thank God for this opportunity!

Nerve Compression is commonly overlooked when assessing why a horse is behaving differently.

A few common examples of possible nerve compression are:

Head shaking syndrome
Reluctance to move forward
Undiagnosed lameness that cannot be blocked
Chronic tension in the base of the neck and shoulders
Explosive bucking/rearing

This work is gentle and effective. I can’t wait to help more horses!

Outside of my area? I’m happy to travel for 4 or more horses!

07/26/2023

To my amazing clients: the next two weeks will be a time of healing for me. I have the ability to coach you through a session (which is a wonderful bonding experience for you and your horse). Unfortunately, I have a hand full of stitches that I must keep clean. Thank you for being the best! 💜

07/24/2023

This is a well-written, on-point post that clearly articulates the importance of how we look at and treat our horses’ spines.

07/20/2023

Have you looked at your horse’s pecs lately? There was some rotation and tension going on here.

Why does this matter?

The easy answer is that asymmetry can cause compensatory dysfunction in the body.

The illustration from shows the beautiful intricacies of the thoracic sling. The green indicates the brachial plexus- a major network of nerves. When there is rotation, these nerves can become impinged causing a host of issues for the horse.

Using Celeste Lazaris’s Balance Through Movement Method’s Pillar 1 and Nerve Release techniques, I was able to give this horse more space and relief.

I love this work!

07/07/2023

Do you think it’s possible to stop riding and actually improve the muscle and tone of your horse?

Well, look this boy’s glow up! 🤩

I’m so proud of my client’s commitment to doing the homework. His body changed, but it was equally rewarding to see how the connection between horse and human had grown.

She committed to stop riding and focus on helping her horse learn how to let go of patterns of tension and compensation. Continuing to ride him in dysfunction would only strengthen dysfunction.

By teaching him postural cues and biomechanically correct movements from the ground, she will have greater success in bringing him into a healthy ridden posture.

The first top picture of each comparison is from four weeks prior. The bottom picture is from after today’s session.

What changes can you see?

Wanna learn more about the foundation of my work? Check out Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’ Balance Through Movement Method: https://www.balancethroughmovementmethod.com/academy

07/05/2023

Who loves mares?
🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️

In my work, I have found they request a different level of listening. Permission and consent are of a higher priority.

And when you get it right by them, some cool things happen.

I love the softness and changes that were made for this hyper-vigilant mare!💜

06/26/2023

Horses are not mean because they have a bad attitude. They are usually trying to tell you one of three things:

- I don’t understand what you’re asking.
- I don’t think I can (physically or mentally).
- I’m associating this with a negative experience.

I’ve known this mare since she was a yearling. She’s strinkingly beautiful, wickedly athletic, and incredibly smart.

Still, she’s had her share of struggles: an OCD surgery, several bouts with lameness, hormonal problems, etc.

Her owner has done a beautiful job of listening to her mare. She’s given her top veterinary care. She’s studied nutritional needs, tweaking them for optimal wellness.

Still, this mare has struggled with her body. Touching (grooming, loving) was barely tolerated. She wouldn’t accept traditional bodywork.

I’ve been using Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’s Nerve Release techniques, along with Balance Through Movement Method’s Pillar 1™️, to help her find freedom in her body.

Using postural cues, manual releases, and a few other techniques, she’s unwinding into much happier body.

These pictures were taken less than an hour apart. She was not posed. In the first picture, you can see a general change in posture, soften lines at each body junction, and a change in expression. (We could have another whole post on what expressions can indicate.) The second photo shows a relaxation of the ventral neck and an activation of the topline. The third photo shows a lovely softening of the lumbosacral region.

This work has been a gift for all of us. 💜🪽

06/22/2023

And another fun one from this morning…

This little mare is one of the most hyper-vigilant girls I work with. She’s excellent at being aware of what’s going on around her.

Using Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’ BTMM and Nerve Release techniques, I was able to help her find mental and physical relief.

It’s cool to see how the back has lifted. However, I used the marking lines because the lift from her stifle to elbow (the ventral line) is remarkable. I also see a softer neck and expression.

Good girl! 💜

06/22/2023

I’m walking on sunshine!!! ☀️ Today was an incredibly empowering day for myself, my client, and her horse. Thank you, Celeste-Leilani Lazaris, for sharing this work with us. Today, more than ever, I’m feeling the power of Pillar 1.

This horse has been dangerous in the past. His body had major issues: bone cyst surgery, a cannon bone fracture, and changes in the lumbar and c-spine. His behavior escalated to a point where he wasn’t safe for handling.

My client pulled up her big girl pants and started doing ground work to establish some boundaries. She wasn’t ready to write him off.

Today, we worked on finding relief by working on Balance Through Movement Method™️’s Pillar 1. This work alone has the power to release fascial holding patterns that keep the body in a state of dysfunction.

Here you see a BEAMING owner. This horse stopped all of his nasty biting. He had a soft expression and was able to self-regulate at the end of a loose rope. And I didn’t do hardly ANY of the work. Instead, I empowered my client.

I have an immense sense of humble gratitude for today. The last time I worked with this horse, I had to do everything out of striking distance, using only energetics. Today, he was kind and respectful. And it felt AMAZING to guide my client through the work, instead of just doing it myself.

She now believes in herself, the horse, and THE WORK! It doesn’t get much better than this!!!!!💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Want to learn more about why this work is so important?

https://www.balancethroughmovementmethod.com/

06/21/2023

The change in this guy’s topline makes my heart happy!

His back from the top of the shoulder to the top of his croup has lifted.

Why is this important???

When the horse can’t use its body in correct biomechanical function, he compensates. Compensation always comes at the expense of something else.

Using Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’ Balance Through Movement Method and Nerve Release techniques, I was able to help him free his body to be used correctly.

💜💜💜

06/20/2023

Cool Story, Crummy Pics

This mare is usually a “don’t touch me and I mean it” girl. She’s not mean… she’s just been dealing with some serious tension and torsion in her lumbar spine.

She gave me the gift of acceptance today. She allowed me to help her unwind and release through Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’ Lazaris Nerve Release™️.

Although it’s not very clear in these pics, the results were astounding. She moved freely through her lumbar spine and held the most happy expression. Her spine angle has lifted and her pelvic mobility increased dramatically.

She’s getting her wings. 🪽💜

06/01/2023

ALWAYS DOCUMENT YOUR WORK. 🤓
Honestly, I wasn’t sure that I had much of an impact on this sweet guy. I saw him relax, but didn’t realize how much had unwound in his body. When I put these comparisons together, I was thrilled with what was accomplished in one nerve release session.

What I see in these pics:
- a much broader stance in the front limbs, released pectorals, and less rotation of the front limbs
- a more neutral spine angle from the withers to the highest point of the rump
- a less inverted neck, more relaxed, the beginning of a jugular groove
- a softer expression 🥰

Now, the real work begins! My lovely new client is committing to continuing to help her sweet boy’s body unravel using Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’s Balance Through Movement Method™️. This work works! 💜

05/29/2023

How important is the relationship to contact between you and your horse? 🤔

If I could advocate for the horse, I would say it’s incredibly important. The horse is either going to brace, avoid, or soften to contact. For the purpose of ridden work, few would argue that the best choice is to soften.

Why is this important to the body? 🤨

When the horse braces or avoids contact, they are locking up a part of their body. Joints get slammed. Muscles seize up. They may be using their bodies in a way that leads to biomechanical dysfunction. Fascial holding patterns develop. Healthy connection becomes difficult to achieve.

How can we help? 🤷‍♀️

A healthy connection can be reestablished using Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’s Balance Through Movement Method™️. Bodywork helps release tension as well.

This is a beautiful example of what can be achieved with BTMM and bodywork, including Lazaris Nerve Release methods. I worked with this guy for a little over an hour and helped him find HUGE releases in his neck, back, ribs, and hindquarters.

How was I able to get these changes?🧐

The anchor of this work was CONNECTION in Pillar 1. Rather than brace or avoid, this guy is learning how to soften to connection. His body is learning to let go.

He is finding his wings.🪽💜

Want to learn more? I’d love to help! Contact me to book a session. And this free course will give you an introduction to BTMM.

https://btmmacademy.com/spaces/11109662

05/12/2023

This sweet Tennessee Walker rescue mare has a long way to go. But, it’s cool to see her body responding to the work!

05/11/2023

This work is 💯🤯💜

From April 12th (top pic) to today. Cooperating with Tyler Stahlman (chiropractic care), Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’s Balance Through Movement Method, and her nerve release program (a certification I’m pursuing).

This sweet, sweet boy is becoming a much more comfortable horse. I love seeing the tension melt from his face, around the eyes, and TMJ. His neck looks entirely different. The shoulder is filling in.

Thankful to be a part of this guy’s team!

I only wish I had taken some more body shots before we started. 🤦‍♀️

04/20/2023

It was a good day! 🥰🙌

I received feedback from a trainer whose client horse was NOT ACCEPTING TOUCH prior to yesterday’s session (would try and bite or kick). The trainer knew that bodywork before an adjustment could help the horse receive the chiropractor’s work.

“Success … the adjustment was a beautiful sight. He was so expressive and helping her. Ended so calm and relaxed. Love it when a game plan works.”

I also worked on this handsome fella today, continuing to help his body release some tension. I love his sweet expressions!!! 😍😍😍

04/18/2023

As I work towards certification as a Lazaris Nerve Release Practitioner, I’m excited to be able to offer the horse a new set of tools to help them move and feel better! Thank you, Celeste-Leilani Lazaris, for sharing your work with us!

Today, I worked with this sweet boy while my husband filmed. He caught a cool perspective on camera and I had to share it here. But, that’s not the coolest thing…

This guys is usually an INCESSANT cribber. After his session, he happily napped in his stall and never cribbed the remainder of the afternoon! 🥰

04/12/2023

These moments are what drive me to keep learning more!

This guy got adjusted a few days prior. The owner had me out as she knows that bodywork can help the adjustment ’hold’. (When the muscles and fascia have tension, they can affect the alignment.)

I introduced him to Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’s Balance Through Movement Method as a way to help him release tension patterns and integrate fascial reprogramming.

This smart cookie found great relief in the postures and would put himself in those postures as I worked to release different areas of tension in his body. I loved seeing the deep, parasympathetic response he had throughout the session!

04/04/2023

L👀king through a new lens🔭

Today I worked with a horse, using Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’s Balance Through Movement Method™️ as the FOUNDATION of my bodywork session. I’ve often “sprinkled in” Pillar 1 or briefly shown my client how to do it and encouraged them to enroll in masterclass to learn more. (Several have!)

Today, however, I thought of my session through the lens of P1. Each time I would focus on an area of tension, I would first invite the horse into P1.

What I found is a more participatory horse. Usually, a horse will relax deeply. Occasionally, a horse might point to an area of tension. However, today I observed a deeper level of processing from the horse. It was very cool to feel that connection! 🥰

03/31/2023

What a special moment! 💜💜💜

This guy was napping when I went to do his bodywork session. He’s fairly new to me, so I wanted to wait for him to engage before I entered his space.

He began to lick and chew as I hung out with him, outside of his stall. I entered and began some gentle work after getting his permission.

After several releases while lying down, he got up, and we finished a very lovely session.

03/28/2023

Today is a big day… I’ve been accepted into Celeste-Leilani Lazaris’s Lazaris Certified Nerve Release Practitioner program. It is a great honor to have been selected.

I am beyond excited to learn this modality so that I can be that much more effective for the horse. I fully believe in this work, coupled with Celeste’s Balance Through Movement Method, as I have seen incredible results.

Horses have been one of God’s greatest gifts in my life and I am passionate about helping them feel their best. I cannot wait to learn and grow! 🦋💜🐴

03/16/2023

“First ride in a week where he hasn’t shaken his head or twisted his neck at all. Thanks again!”

This guy needed some extra TLC. Equi-Tape was an effective modality to bring healing circulation and joint support.

The spiky forelock ponytail kept mane out of the tape. But really, it was comical relief!