Moss Equine Matrix

04/07/2025

04/06/2025

We are a proud sponsor of Stone Gate Farm and will be onsite May 3rd and 4th for the 40th Winona Horse Trials!

We launched a Fundraiser to Upgrade the Show Jump Course which was a HUGE Success! Many thanks to all the Sponsors!!

04/05/2025

💚🐴💚

04/03/2025

How Bodywork Supports the Horse’s Systems

The Nervous System Benefits From:

Slow, deliberate movements that encourage relaxation and downregulation of the nervous system.
Gentle hands-on techniques that promote proprioception, helping the horse become more aware of its body.
Few but thoughtful repetitions, reinforcing neuromuscular connections without overstimulation.
Exploring new movement patterns through guided releases, allowing the nervous system to reset and promote pain-free movement.

The Fascial System Benefits From:

Diverse and varied movements introduced through myofascial release, helping to restore elasticity and hydration to the fascia.
A combination of positive tension and relaxation during stretching and targeted pressure techniques, which support fascial glide and freedom of movement.
No set number of repetitions—each session is tailored to what the horse needs in the moment, ensuring lasting results without unnecessary strain.
Think about yoga AND “spring-loading/lattice toning” training—myofascial techniques help re-establish the body’s natural elasticity and rebound effect.

The Muscular System Benefits From:

Discipline-specific training supported by bodywork to release restrictions and improve performance.
Positive tension with breaks—strategic pressure application followed by relaxation encourages deeper muscle release.
Gradual increases in intensity—addressing muscular imbalances ensures the horse can build strength effectively without compensatory strain.
Exposure to varied surfaces and challenges is complemented by bodywork that keeps muscles supple and ready for adaptive movement.
Adequate rest between efforts—sessions allow the body to integrate changes, reducing fatigue and enhancing recovery.

The Emotional System Benefits From:

Positive, reward-based interaction—each session respects the horse’s comfort level, using soft communication and response-based adjustments.
Thoughtfully applied techniques create a sense of security, making the experience enjoyable rather than stressful.
Carefully developed, logically increased challenges—sessions progress at a pace that allows the horse to build trust in both its body and the practitioner.
Plenty of time to relax, bond, and socialize—after a session, horses often express relaxation behaviors like yawning, licking, and chewing, showing a deepened sense of well-being.

Moss Equine Matrix understands that every horse is unique. Whether your horse is an athlete in training or in need of post-performance recovery, our bodywork sessions are designed to support their individual needs.

📍 Contact: Courtney Moss | Moss Equine Matrix
📧 [email protected] | 📞 440-371-4283

03/30/2025

Reiki is a form of energy healing that promotes relaxation, balance, and overall well-being by channeling universal life energy. In equine Reiki, this practice helps horses release tension, process emotions, and restore harmony in their bodies. Since horses are highly sensitive to energy, they often respond with signs of relaxation, such as licking, chewing, yawning, or lowering their heads.

At Moss Equine Matrix, Reiki is not only a valuable tool in equine bodywork but also plays a key role in integrated human-horse sessions. When working on a human with a horse acting as a participant, Reiki enhances the energetic biosphere, creating a shared space of calm, connection, and deeper awareness. Horses naturally attune to energy shifts, making them incredible partners in facilitating emotional and physical healing.

By incorporating Reiki into bodywork and equine-assisted sessions, we support both horse and human in achieving greater relaxation, energetic balance, and overall well-being.

03/29/2025

With the gorgeous weather, horses got a bath! As you can see, it’s not their favorite… they were feeling feisty and immediately had to roll 🤣🐴🤷🏻‍♀️🐴🤣

03/29/2025

Emotional Horsemanship & Thoughtful Training

Horses are constantly communicating with us, testing our reliability and consistency as part of their social intelligence:

Can I trust you?
Can I express myself with you?
Can we move together in harmony?

As horsemen, our role is not just to train but to listen, observe, and support the horse in developing confidence and understanding. A strong foundation in training methodologies helps us meet the horse where they are while remaining adaptable in our approach.

Horses are problem solvers. When faced with discomfort or confusion, they often create their own solutions—sometimes in ways we misinterpret as defiance. A classic example is a horse bloating when girthed due to past experiences of overtightening. Recognizing these patterns allows us to adjust our methods to build trust rather than reinforce avoidance behaviors.

If a horse is struggling in a training session, it is often a sign that something in the approach, timing, or environment is not working for them. Instead of pushing through resistance, we must consider: What does this horse need in this moment?

All training methods, no matter how well-intended, can be misapplied. True horsemanship is not about following rigid step-by-step formulas but about developing a deep understanding of the horse’s needs, abilities, and emotional state. A solid training foundation enables us to be flexible and responsive, ensuring that our methods support—not hinder—the horse’s learning and well-being.

Being adaptable does not mean being inconsistent; it means being precise, intentional, and willing to adjust based on what the horse is communicating. The goal is not just to train but to develop a dialogue where the horse feels safe, understood, and capable.

There will be times when a horse requires something beyond our current skill set. That’s okay. Rather than forcing training we are not yet equipped to handle, it’s wiser to focus on areas where we can support the horse while continuing to develop our own competency. Thoughtful training is not about quick fixes—it’s about lifelong learning, refinement, and partnership.

The balance is delicate, the journey is complex, and mastery takes a lifetime. But when we stay committed to meeting the horse’s needs with clarity, adaptability, and a solid foundation, we create partnerships built on trust and true connection.

Stay with it. You’ve got this.

03/27/2025

📣 Flexible Equine Bodywork with Moss Equine Matrix! 🐴💆‍♂️

Your horse’s well-being is my priority, and I know how busy life can get! That’s why Moss Equine Matrix offers flexible scheduling to ensure your horse gets the care they need—without disrupting your routine.

🌿 How it works:
✅ You’re present for the first session so we can discuss your horse’s needs.
✅ After that, I can work on your horse independently at a time that suits your schedule.
✅ I’ll keep a card on file and provide a thorough review after each session—including pictures! 📸

Whether your horse needs body mechanics support, myofascial release, massage, or energy balancing, I’ll help them move and feel their best.

📍 Serving Oberlin, OH and 2 hr drive radius — message me to book your first session! 🐎✨

03/25/2025

🐴💚😉

03/23/2025

What is Regular Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice that focuses on channeling universal life force energy to restore balance and promote well-being. It is a non-invasive technique where a practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above the body, allowing energy to flow to areas that need healing. Reiki is based on the idea that energy blockages contribute to physical, emotional, and spiritual imbalances, and by restoring energy flow, the body can heal itself more effectively.

Reiki can be used for:

Reducing stress and anxiety
Supporting physical healing
Enhancing emotional well-being
Promoting deep relaxation
It is widely used for both humans and animals, as energy is universal and affects all living beings.

How Do We Know About the Chakra Points?
Chakras are energy centers within the body that originate from ancient Indian spiritual traditions, particularly Ayurveda and yoga. There are seven main chakras, each associated with specific emotional, physical, and energetic functions:

Root Chakra (Muladhara) – Grounding, stability, survival instincts
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) – Creativity, emotions, relationships
Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) – Confidence, personal power, digestion
Heart Chakra (Anahata) – Love, compassion, emotional balance
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) – Communication, truth, self-expression
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) – Intuition, insight, perception
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) – Spiritual connection, enlightenment
These chakras correspond to nerve centers and organ systems within the body. When they are blocked or imbalanced, it can lead to physical and emotional distress. Reiki practitioners work with the chakras to help release energy blockages and restore the natural flow of energy.

Chakras in Horses and Animals
Just like humans, horses and other animals have energy centers that correspond to key areas of their body. Many equine Reiki practitioners work with:

The poll (corresponding to the third eye and crown chakra) for mental clarity and relaxation
The heart center for emotional healing
The hindquarters (root chakra) for grounding and stability
By using Reiki and chakra balancing, we help both humans and horses release tension, process emotions, and achieve a greater sense of harmony.

03/22/2025

Courtney, What is your advice on how to choose the best modality for your horse at the time? Discuss it with your wellness team and consider what system of the body each modality is addressing.

Craniosacral: Nervous System/Fascia/Muscles/Nerves
Acupuncture: Bladder Meridians to Rebalance Energy Flow
Chiropractic: Skeletal Alignment
Massage: Muscles/Fascia
Osteopathy: Organs/Skeletal Alignment
PEMF: Cellular Health

Above all else... Let your horse help you choose! There are horses that have preferences of one modality vs. another. Just like people! They know their bodies far better than we ever will. Trust their opinion.

I believe using more than one modality will help your horse be as healthy and happy as possible. There is no silver bullet for anything!

03/20/2025

Skeptical about the prey and predator relationship between horses and humans? A recent study sheds light on the position of humans in animal minds. Wildlife biologist Katherine McGann and colleagues video-recorded the reactions of Australian marsupials (kangaroos, wallabees, etc.) in the wild upon hearing various predators. The researchers played sounds of "humans speaking calmly, dogs barking, Tasmanian devils snarling, wolves howling or non-threatening controls, such as sheep bleating."

Guess what? The animals they video-recorded displayed significantly more fear to calm human voices than to any of the other sounds. In fact, they were twice more likely to run from human voices than from barking dogs.

This research generalizes beyond a few species. In fact, prey animals worldwide are more fearful of humans than of lions, leopards, cougars, bears, or wolves. We might not seem like "predators" to ourselves, but prey animals know better.

forbes.com: Humans Really Are The Most Terrifying Predator On The Planet

information from the study about Australian marsupials reacting more fearfully to calm human voices than to other predators provides a compelling perspective on the inherent relationship between prey animals and humans. This aligns with several concepts discussed in the sources regarding horses and human interaction.
Here's what this information can tell us about how we need to interact with our horses:
•
Horses, as prey animals, are likely to have an innate fear of humans: The study's findings support the idea that prey species worldwide possess a deep-seated fear of humans, potentially exceeding their fear of traditional predators [Forbes.com]. This reinforces the statement in "Horse Brain, Human Brain" that the horse's brain is "still hard-wired by evolution to fear us". Our forward-facing eyes, a characteristic of predators, contribute to this perception.
•
We should approach horses with an understanding of this inherent predisposition: Knowing that horses may naturally perceive us as a greater threat than other predators should influence our interactions. We need to be constantly aware of how our presence and actions might be interpreted by them. As the book states, "We do well to remember that the horse’s brain is still hard-wired by evolution to fear us".
•
Building trust becomes paramount: Given this potential for inherent fear, establishing trust through consistent, kind leadership is crucial. Horses need to learn that we are not a threat and that they can rely on our guidance in the human world. The book emphasizes that horses respond well to a "reliable guide, similar to a parent—a person whose kind leadership he can trust".
•
Our behavior should be mindful and non-threatening: Just as calm human voices elicited a strong fear response in the marsupials, our actions around horses should be deliberate and avoid sudden movements or loud noises that could trigger their prey instincts. The sources note that horses are particularly sensitive to "short rapid movements and low-volume sounds".
•
Understanding "misbehavior" in the context of fear: Actions that we might interpret as disobedience or stubbornness could actually stem from fear rooted in their perception of us as a potential predator. The book points out that "shying is a good example of hard-wired behavior in horses. Equine brains evolved to whirl and bolt when potential danger occurs". We need to learn to distinguish between true misbehavior and fear responses.
•
The importance of cross-species communication: The study highlights the need to understand how other species perceive us. In the context of horses, "Horse Brain, Human Brain" emphasizes the importance of learning to "communicate with horses on their terms instead of ours". This involves recognizing their nonverbal cues and adapting our communication to their sensory world.
•
Our responsibility as leaders: Since horses look to us for leadership and lessons in navigating the human world, understanding their inherent fear reinforces our responsibility to provide a safe and reassuring presence. When we "drop our responsibility to lead, we leave our horses without a safety net".

In conclusion, the information about prey animals' heightened fear of humans underscores the critical need for us to approach horses with empathy and a deep understanding of their inherent prey instincts. Our interactions should prioritize building trust through consistent, calm, and non-threatening behavior, recognizing that their responses are often rooted in a primal fear of what they perceive us to be – a significant predator. This perspective should inform all aspects of horsemanship, from basic handling to training

03/18/2025

💚🐴💚

Unlike humans, horses don’t have collarbones. Their shoulders are held to the rest of their skeleton via a sling of muscles and ligaments instead, often referred to as the “thoracic sling.”

Why is this important? We often ask our equine athletes to perform complex movements that require tremendous strength and coordination, and horses carry the majority of their weight in their front end. Therefore, it is imperative that the bulk of the muscles that support the front end are kept healthy and conditioned, and the horse is trained to use their “motor” — that is, engaging the large hind end muscles as much as possible to avoid excessive weight bearing on the front end.

If the front end of the horse is consistently overweighted or not at an appropriate level of fitness, repetitive biomechanical stresses get transferred down the leg to the smaller ligaments and tendons that were not designed to bear this weight, which can then lead to injury.

Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

03/18/2025

Horses man.... 💚🤣😉💚

03/16/2025

I CAN’T MAKE ANY PROMISES..

In order to truly make changes in regard to a horse's body comfort a LONG list of other influences must be considered and managed well.

Equine Bodywork is just one piece of the puzzle and it will not FIX:

management mishandling
nutritional influences
hoof related issues
social/emotional stress
dysfunctional posture
training/tack interference
dental imbalances
spinal misalignment

ALL of these things can have a major influence on overall wellness and must be addressed accordingly to each horse's individual needs.

I get some sideways looks when I suggest taking a look at one or more of the above considerations when trying to help an owner track down the cause of their horse’s body soreness...

It is NEVER from a place of judgment and ALWAYS from a place of concern and genuine desire to help educate the importance of our horse's needs.

I want to be sure my clients have realistic expectations of what my service can provide if any of the above issues arise. I also have many resources of referrals to give clients too!

When we all work as a team to give the horse the most species-appropriate attention—things like body soreness reduce if not go away completely

03/12/2025

GUYS!!! Do these!! Do all of these 😉👍🐴