There were quite a few things addressed in the hind end with this sweet boy. Rotations through sacrum, psoas tension, LS junction locked and not moving correctly, diagram restriction from psoas connection, transverse abdominal tension and adhesions, rotation in barrel, sluggish gait from muscle tension and pulling, and more. While good progress was made, we still have more to do. But this was a good start.
A tail held to one side typically indicates a rotation in the sacrum. This can also cause uneven movement in the hind end, asymmetrical muscle tension as muscles have to compensate and work harder, then will have a domino effect and cause dysfunction through the rest of the body.
Watch your horse walk away from you.
- do they hold the tail to one side?
- are both sides of the pelvis moving evenly both laterally and up/down?
- do the hind feet track evenly with the front or are they on two different tracks?
- does your horse swing their legs in or out instead of tracking straight?
These are all great things to pay attention to.
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks #licensedequinebodyworker #ignitinghealingmaintainingwellness #preventionisprotection #education #follow #share
⚜️Tutorial Tuesday⚜️
As requested I put together a video on massaging the ribcage and lateral abdomen. This is great to do even if you don’t have restrictions in the ribs.
I did move quickly in the video so it wasn’t too long.
- Slow and soothing movements
- Light pressure at first then sink into the tissues and go a little firmer
- If your horse starts dancing or evading, lighten the pressure a little
Massaging at home can help with
- Increasing blood flow and circulation
- Warming tissues
- Helping with sore muscles
- Calming the mind
- Bonding
- Lengthening tissue fibers
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks #licensedequinebodyworker #ignitinghealingmaintainingwellness #preventionisprotection #education #tutorial #horse
What funny quirks or attributes does your horse have?? Comment below and let’s see how funny these beautiful creatures are.
This horse is my absolute heart horse. She has her quirks but always gives 110%, game for anything and is super affectionate. Bring out a camera and she goes into full ham mode. Which can make making videos a little… challenging 😂 but so much fun. If there is a mirror she will stare at herself forever. Mirrors in the arena? Well she will be super focused when riding until we pass the mirror where she will take a quick look at herself before focusing again 😂🤦🏼♀️ I have actually chatted with 3 communicators and one thing all 3 had in common… they said she loved herself and was vain. Lmao. I believe it.
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks
#licensedequinebodyworker #horse #quirks #vain #hearthorse #funnymoments #personality #bestfriend #comment #follow #share
Saddle Fit and Bodywork
If you have been riding in a poor fitting saddle for any amount of time, chances are there are things that need to be addressed by a bodyworker. Switching to a good saddle is not enough many times. Poor fitting saddles can cause adhesions, knots, soreness, tissue damage and nerve damage. A skilled bodyworker will be able to go in and help unwind the tissues and restore function, softness and comfort. Imagine getting in a car accident. Those patterns and pains can continue for years and years until they are addressed by a professional. Time off doesn’t make those changes. Manually going in to reset the nervous system is the only way to restore balance and harmony.
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks #licensedequinebodyworker #ignitinghealingmaintainingwellness #preventionisprotection #saddlefit #burnssaddlery #muscle #nerve #physicaltherapy #rehab #back #horse #pnw #riding #athlete #follow
Tail Stretches
Tail stretches can be a great stretch for your horse but like any stretch, there is a correct and an incorrect way to do them.
- follow the curve of the hind end and into the tail.
- slowly lean into it
- you can traction side to side
- hold the stretch of 10-20 seconds
- come out of the stretch SLOWLY
- If they are uncomfortable or resistant, listen to your horse! You can try a lighter stretch but if that doesn’t work then I would be looking deeper into the dorsal(top) line from poll to tail to figure out why
- If you go to do the stretch and the base of the tail is extra “loose” and has too much give, stop immediately as this could mean there was damage to the tail
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks #licensedequinebodyworker #ignitinghealingmaintainingwellness #preventionisprotection #stretches #horse #pnw #follow #me #athlete
Yesterday a group of us bodyworkers and even a couple trainers got together to collaborate and share our “magic”. To bring forward different thoughts and approaches and brainstorm. This group of ladies are so incredibly smart, talented and we all share the main goal being to help horses through their body.
There was no rivalry, no egos, no competition. Just a fun group confident in themselves, hungry to learn more and excited to share.
We should all be able to come together like this. I can’t wait for the next one!
“It’s not competition when it’s collaboration”
Mane Attraction Equine Solutions
Stable Equine Therapies, LLC
Topline Equine Massage and Bemer
Mairin Olason
Jolene Duncan
Destiny Miller
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks #licensedequinebodyworker #ignitinghealingmaintainingwellness #preventionisprotection #collaboration #horses #pnw
Quick Tip Tuesday
Riding your horse on different ground/terrain can have many benefits. It will teach your horse how to be more aware of foot placement and how to confidently adjust and compensate for different footings. It can also help with strengthening muscles, tendons, ligaments and proprioception.
Do you have a barrel horse that struggles if footing isn’t perfect?
Do you have a horse that trips with the slightest change in arena footing?
Take them out and get them conditioning on different terrain. They will become stronger and more confident with their body. Plus it’s great for their mind!
I’ve started doing my 15-20 minute warm up walking and then some trotting outside of the arena. Then if I decide, I will go to the arena to finish my ride at faster gaits and drills.
Now while I say this, you should still use common sense. Don’t ride or at least don’t ride at faster gaits if the footing is dangerous, hidden holes, hard ground, etc
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks #licensedequinebodyworker #ignitinghealingmaintainingwellness #preventionisprotection #horses #athlete #knowledgeispower #neverstoplearning #growth #follow #pnw #strengthtraining #conditioning #barrelhorse
Neck Stretches Part 2!
part two involves stretching, the Atlanta occipital joint and the fascia in the poll. This is a great one for horses that hold a lot of tension up there and will help to release it and give them relief.
More stretches to come soon!
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks #licensedequinebodyworker #ignitinghealingmaintainingwellness #preventionisprotection #stretching #horse #neck
Quick Tip… Wednesday? 🤷♀️😂
I’m so sorry I didn’t get anything posted on Tuesday. It’s been a little crazy between family visiting and client rotations.
I want to make a video on multiple neck stretches but enjoy this quick and easy one that not only helps stretch the neck but also the back.
I hope you all are having a great week and happy hump day!
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks #licensedequinebodyworker #ignitinghealingmaintainingwellness #preventionisprotection #muscle #stretching #follow
How many differences can you spot?
Too many to label. Biggest differences are the more relaxed neck and shoulders and softer muscles.
What tool did I use to achieve these changes?
Answer: MY HANDS. There is absolutely no replacement for my hands. They are my eyes when I am working on a horse. They are able to feel tissue textures, temperatures, tension. They are able to manually release and reset the nerve communication pathways in a trigger point.
While I do have many tools in the toolbox, they are complimentary to my hands. Did you know, a knot/adhesion in the fascia will ALWAYS be there until it is manually released. If you understand the structure, makeup and function then you will know that no machine or gimmick can achieve the release needed.
If your bodyworker disregards their hands through the session, it might be time for a new one.
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks #licensedequinebodyworker #ignitinghealingmaintainingwellness #preventionisprotection #hands #muscle #horse #pnw #follow #me #letsplayagame
~ SADDLE FITTING~
One of the big things when it comes to saddle fit is the back spread and spinal channel. The horse’s vertebrae are 3-4 fingers width. If your spinal channel is narrower than that then you are putting pressure directly on the spine. Even with a pad. This can cause them to avoid lifting their back, incorrect use of their body, pain and discomfort and even kissing spine. So flip your saddle over and check the back spread. I did a side by side comparison to show you a saddle with too narrow of a channel and a Burns Saddlery saddle where our saddle makers and designers take great care to make sure we are considering all aspects of the horse while also making high quality saddles.
Please follow and share for lots of tips, tutorials and education and so we can spread awareness and teach others
#wildfireintegrativebodyworks #licensedequinebodyworker #ignitinghealingmaintainingwellness #preventionisprotection #burnssaddlery #saddlefit #saddle #spine #kissingspine #horse #barrelracer #follow #me
Are you guys ready for show season?! I know I am! As always, I will be a vendor all over from barrel races, dressage shows, speed games, show jumping and reining.
Want your horse to perform better, decrease risk of injury and get better scores? I can help!
Upcoming Races/Shows
January 23-25: WAHSET Meet #1(Lynden, Wa)
Feb 22: Wild Hearts Barrel Race(Evergreen State Fairgrounds)
Feb 21&23: WAHSET Meet #2(Lynden, Wa)
March 14-16: Luck Of The Draw Barrel Race(Lynden, Wa)
March 27-30: WAHSET Meet #3(Lynden, Wa)
April 4-6: Sand Cup Barrel Race and Futurity(Moses Lake, Wa)
April 11-12: Barrel Daze race and futurity(Moses Lake, Wa)
- Performance Prep
- Bemer
- Needleless Acupuncture(not acupressure 😉)
- Kinesiotaping
- Musculoskeletal Manual Manipulation
- MicroCurrent Electrotherapy
- Mini Massage Sessions
- Saddle Fitting(Burns Saddlery)
If you are interested in having me as a vendor at your show, reach out as my schedule fills very quickly)
*The work I offer at shows is designed for horses getting ready to perform/compete. I do not offer full sessions or deep tissue at shows as changing their body before they compete can go really good or really bad*
Licensed and Insured
Using a muti-modality, integrative approach Wildfire aids in helping all aspects of the equine body
