Eggert Equine Sports Massage

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Lebanon, PA
Eggert Equine Sports Massage

providing bodywork for horses of all competition levels, from racehorses to pleasure horses.
(6)

11/04/2024

Last year, I got myself a nice black winter coat...ya know, one for nights NOT at the farm. ;) Well, I wore it to our trip to NYC, and only then realized how tight the shoulders fit on the coat. By the end of our day walking through the city, I was in SO much pain through my shoulders and upper back, but it was too cold to walk around without it!

In comparison, it's blanket season. At bodywork appointments, I often see more horses with tight shoulders, chest and wither areas during blanket season. If your blanket fits poorly, it can surely be a detriment to your horse's comfort, and in turn, their ability to move freely (both in and out of the saddle).

Make sure those blankets fit! Your horse will thank you! 💕🐎

PC Cheshire Horse

10/31/2024

Nut was so relaxed with his bodywork today, I unhooked the crossties so he could get all the stretches as he liked and eventually lower his head into a state of total calmness. I really do love this business! ❤️

10/23/2024

I like to surround myself with beautiful things!

Wyatt was hoping for a turn today too, but we had to ask him for a little more space after Charity snapped the photo ;)

10/22/2024

Someone recently asked me if I work on the entire horse during a massage, or do more of a spot treatment? The whole horse, every time!

You can bet that if I find a restriction or a tight spot in one area, your horse will also need some releases elsewhere. ;) Those fascia restrictions and compensating muscles need to be worked too, or we end up with more problem spots!

I know I've shared this spiderweb analogy before, but it shows this idea so well!

10/15/2024

It was a groundwork kind of afternoon! Frosty learned a new exercise today too! We worked on some core strength exercises, joint flexion, and range of motion. I love mixing in groundwork not only to change up the riding routines, but to improve his overall health. Is this something you do regularly?

10/09/2024

As humans, when we are stressed or worried (or even just more high strung personality types), chances are that we're holding some tension in our necks or TMJ areas. Do you ever notice yourself clenching your jaw or rubbing your tight neck when thinking about stressful things?

The same goes for your horses. More high strung horses, or those dealing with stressful situations will most often have tension in the TMJ and poll. The good news is that we can provide some relief and comfort for them through various stretches, massage techniques and kinesiology tape. If you need ideas for your horse, let's chat!

10/07/2024

Routine bodywork is so helpful for both your horse and your horse's bodyworker! Not only does consistent bodywork keep your horse moving more balanced and prevent those potential injuries, but it gives me the ability to notice any changes, whether good or bad.

Copper is a great positive example! Between good farrier work and routine bodywork appointments, we have noticed over the months that he's consistently improving both his comfort and mobility!

Have you noticed anything similar with your own horses and their care teams?

09/26/2024

When I find that a horse is having back pain, the first thing that is assumed is poor saddle fit. Can that be the case? Absolutely! However, that's just brushing the surface of possible causes.

Has your horse been learning to carry himself better, and engaging their core? Then they're using new muscles which may have some fatigue (that's a good thing!). In contrast, if they are riding around with a hollow back, they may not be getting the support that they need to carry you, or your own imbalance may be causing muscle strain. In this case, you may need to seek a trainer/instructor to help you both engage proper muscles.

Is your horse getting adequate turnout? Let's remember that horses weren't designed to stay stagnant, and need movement. Without that lengthy turnout time, they will likely be stiff in more areas than just their back.

Sometimes we will find a problem area in the hind end that is radiating to the longissimus muscles, creating some spasms in the back. We can talk about fascia lines and how everything connects in another post...that's a whole book in itself!

Let's also not forget to consider medical issues that may be rearing their ugly heads...examples: Lyme, EPM, etc.

So, while saddle fit should absolutely be considered when discussing back pain, let's not assume an absolute cause, but rather a starting point to explore further 😉.

09/23/2024

Have you been working hard to build up your horse's topline, but just not quite getting the results you're after? Don't forget that you need that core engagement! By lifting your horse's abdominals, you will in turn lift and relax the ligaments and muscles in their back. Doing this will allow that hind end to come under them and create that topline you're after.

The dorsal and ventral chains shown below describe two opposing groups of muscles. Without these two groups working together, imbalance is bound to happen.

I recently created a free guide to building a better topline. This guide includes exercises and activities that you can implement in your riding routine to improve your horse's musculature here. Let me know if you'd like a copy by commenting "guide" in the comments!

PC graphic: Equisense

09/18/2024

There's something so peaceful about a late summer rain...

09/14/2024

This exercise is more challenging than you'd think, but SO good for your horse! By straddling a pole, they work on truly engaging the topline, create balance through the hips, improve proprioception, and get a nervous system release (which is why you'll often see yawning or chewing when doing this exercise). Have you tried this one?

08/20/2024

When your horse has tension in their poll, it's often assumed that it is related to the bit or too much tension from the rider's hands. While this can absolutely be true, also consider the fascia lines.

Everything in the body is held in place by connective tissue called fascia. Recent research and dissection has shown us the fascia lines, or chains, in horses and how they connect various structures in the body.

So, while bits and riding style should definitely be considered in poll tension, the cause could also be somewhere along the hind end ;). Did you notice in the image below how many fascia lines end at the poll? Again, it's all connected!

PC Zenma Wellness

08/12/2024

Sometimes, when a horse is in pain (whether visible or invisible to us), it will begin compensating and restricting movements to the point where they no longer show any real noticeable signs of being off. Without being addressed, this continues until the point of injury - and not always in the original area of restriction - que tendon injury!

This is why, as a bodyworker, I address the entire body. If only the visibly sore/painful areas are worked, all of those other restrictions are missed! As always, prevention is key! 💕🐎

08/06/2024

I can always count on Tita to get into her bodywork sessions! I so love being a part of making horses feel their best! ❤️

08/01/2024

Client spotlight...Dreamer!

Dreamer is a retired lesson horse. Now in his 30s, he's living his best retirement at the home of a former student of his, along with two gorgeous mares to keep him company. He's such a sweetheart! 💕

07/10/2024

The many faces of Milo during his massage today! I love working with this sweet boy!

Address

Lebanon, PA

Telephone

+17178138529

Website

http://www.eggertequinesportsmassage.com/

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Videos

When horses are ridden behind the vertical, they literally have no escape from pressure...this causes a conglomerate of problems throughout the entire body! Here are some signs of trouble that that you will see in a horse's neck after consistent riding in this manner. Whether it's a current problem, or a sign of past training, these signs should be addressed with both a qualified trainer to correct the horse and rider's way of going, and your bodyworker (and possibly veterinarian) to reinstitute movement and balance. (Full length video available on my YouTube channel!)

Want more power coming from that hind end? Then you're going to want to build those hamstrings! Next up in our mini anatomy series, let's review the hamstrings group! Check out this short clip to learn what muscles are included, as well as their function on your horse.

If you're in my email group, you know I've been doing basic anatomy reviews the past few months. That has led to a few of you requesting that I also add video showing the location and actions of various muscles. So here you go...let's learn about the brachiocephalicus! :)

Rib entrapment syndrome...have you heard of it? It's not uncommon, but it can be resolved!

Wondering why I chose this application of kinesiology tape? Tune in to listen to my rationale! With this fluffy winter coat, I don't expect that tape to budge this week! If you think your horse might benefit from kinesiology taping, reach out and we can discuss the benefits!

I have the best job...helping horses feel and perform at their best! 💕🐎 Thanks for sharing, Paige Beiler and Hannah Swavely-White :)

Hind leg stretches, what not to do. *As always, perform these stretches on warm muscles rather than cold :)

What is repetitive strain injury, or overuse syndrome? Check out this short video below to understand the basics of what is meant when we say this phrase :)

This is that fulfillment that I was mentioning in my work as a bodyworker. Per her owner, "I haven’t seen her move this freely (and without attitude!) at the canter in ages." 💕

Here's a simple, easy method to get your horse softening before you hop in the saddle! This is great for a horse who feels a bit stiff in the neck or is even acting uneasy, as it helps them to relax. Have you tried it?

Is your horse experiencing pain? Would you know if he was? Here's some of the more subtle signs that you may see. What are some others? I didn't cover them all here, but it gives a good jumping off point!