Optimum Equine

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Optimum Equine

Equine massage can benefit many horses--from top competitors preparing for an event to those recovering from training or injury. Contact us to learn more!
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Many sport horses suffer from chronic soreness in joints and muscles as a result of training, and nothing can impede progress more than an injury. To keep your horse happy and healthy, and able to train and compete to the best of his ability, a regimen that regularly includes sports massage can be truly beneficial for maintaining optimum health and decreasing time spent recovering from injury. Fro

m my own journey as an athlete and and doting horse owner, I have been inspired to learn more about equine massage and begin this practice to help horses feel their best and continue to bring joy to the people who love them. You can read more about our story at www.optimumequinellc.com and follow this journey on the linked blog site.

10/27/2023

It's official! You can now call me a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner! This journey started over two years ago and took me to Oregon, Indiana, New York, and Wisconsin in the pursuit of knowledge and techniques that would better help our beloved equines. But is this certificate the end of that journey? Far from it. I feel like it's only begun. The horses are my greatest teachers and I have so much to learn.

Onward and upward!

10/03/2023

Last night I completed my 30th case study towards my Masterson Method certification. I chose to work with my beloved mare and as I drove home reflecting on what I felt and what I learned from the session, I realized that I've learned so much more than the powerful bodywork techniques. I have learned a whole new way of asking questions and understanding these generous creatures who give us their all. This journey is one I never could have imagined, and I have so many people and animals to thank for sending me down this path.

So with any luck, I'll have a few more letters after my name by the end of the month, but it will be just a formality. I already know that this work has forever changed me as a horsewoman and a bodyworker.

💖

07/22/2023

So this happened a while ago. Like, A WHILE AGO. But it isn't real until it's on social media, so I am happy to announce that I am a certified SureFoot practitioner at the 1-HOOF level! It was a joy to learn from Wendy Murdoch who absolutely blew me away with her knowledge but most of all her humble curiosity and horsewoman's intuition.

I truly believe in the magic of these "squishy pads" and if you haven't seen it for yourself yet, let's try it on your horse sometime! Oh, and did I mention that I am the only certified practitioner in western PA, OH, and WV? If you're looking for posture correction, increased balance and proprioceptive therapy for your horse along with bodywork, I'm your girl 🦄😉

https://surefootequine.com/practitioners/north-america/41-english/authorized-sure-foot-practitioners/practitioners-north-america/389-mandy-collier

07/06/2023

Tonight I drink a toast to bravery and courage and trusting your intuition. Six years ago I took a leap onto the path less traveled and filed my LLC for Optimum Equine. I never could have imagined the course the universe set out for me once I walked through that door, but I am forever and wholeheartedly grateful that I have allowed this moment to change and define my life.

In this work, I found my calling and my purpose. I am given a chance to indulge a lifelong love and fulfill a need I didn't even know I had: to help the horses. I can scarcely remember a time when this wasn't who I was or what I did, that's how pivotal these last six years have been.

I also toast to all of you--my friends who have become clients and clients who have become friends. Thank you for trusting me with your horses and learning with me along the way. I can't wait to see what the coming years will bring to us and our beloved horses! Cheers 🥂🦄✨️

05/25/2023

If you and your horse are putting on your dancing shoes and heading to the Mountaineer Flight dressage show this weekend, hit me up! Currently scheduling sessions for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to keep your dance partner feeling their best in and out of the show ring 💃🩰🦄

04/13/2023

A bit belated, but what else is new? Last week I traveled to Olean, NY to work in person with Terry Crisafulli and successfully completed Block 2 towards my Masterson Method certification. I came home full of confidence and more eager than ever to bring this effective method of bodywork to all my favorite horses, like the darling Vera, who was kind enough to pose for a selfie with me after her session the next day! 🦄🙌

03/25/2023

Knowledge is power! If you've heard me say it once, you've heard me say it a thousand times. Since launching my business and becoming dedicated to helping horses through bodywork and massage therapy, I have also stayed dedicated to furthering my own education, learning all that I can because when we know better, we can do better.

So it's no surprise that I am positively thrilled that I've been invited to share some knowledge with students at the American Collegiate Horsemen’s Association National Convention next month. I'll be presenting along with Dr. Dara Brown of Allegheny Equine as part of the adjunctive therapies demonstration, and I cannot wait to get the next generation of equine professionals excited about all the creative ways we can learn from our horses' bodies to understand them, to help them, and become thoughtful, compassionate equestrians.

07/19/2022

Get out the smiles and the white saddle pads, it's time for another horse show! Lucy will be relaxing at home, but I'll be on site at The TREA Almost Heaven Dressage Show to provide well-deserved massage and bodywork for your hard-working equine athletes!

Sessions are currently being scheduled Friday through Sunday--send a message now to reserve your spot on your preferred day!

05/21/2022

Exciting news! I've been chipping away at my Masterson Method Fieldwork Studies and have just graduated from Block 1 after a day of testing and training with my incredibly gifted bodywork coach, Terry Crisafulli.

My skills and techniques have quadrulped in scope and effectiveness since beginning my Masterson Method certification training, and I am so grateful for the horses and humans who have taught me so much.

Onward to Block 2! The learning is never done when you're a horsewoman, a bodyworker, and a total nerd.

03/19/2022

Nothing brightens my day and warms my heart quite like some positive feedback from happy horses and riders!

Brenda shared this update after beautiful Risueño's last bodywork session with me:

"Risueño is maintaining and enjoying his new found ways to relax. His movement on lunge and in under saddle is lengthening and feels a little more fluid. We are both so thankful we found you🥰🐴✌🏻"

Three cheers for relaxed, fluid, lengthening movement! That's what it is all about ❤

02/20/2022

This horse. He is my compass, my guiding light, the sun in my universe. The path that I am on is one I have found while looking between his ears or standing by his side.

Now he's the final case study in my first Masterson Method apprenticeship, and as I worked with him yesterday, I am humbled and grateful once again for all this horse has done for me and taught me.

As I work with him, my hands ask questions and feel for answers. What I've learned not only helps him feel better, it helps me understand what he feels, how he struggles, and how bodywork truly is a magical tool for helping horses, at every stage of life ❤

02/04/2022

📣 Bodywork in the winter is still important! I repeat, don't skip bodywork in the winter! 📣

I often hear things like, "my horse isn't doing much, he doesn't need a session," but I feel the need to get on my soap box for a moment, for the horses' sake!

This has been one of the toughest winters we've had in recent years and most horses have drastically decreased their workload because of the frigid temperatures and relentless winter storms. Lack of work, contrary to what you might think, is actually less than ideal for the horse. A few days off can be beneficial to give the body a break from the rigors of training, but beyond that, horses will become stiff and can even get sore as a result of lack of muscle tone leading to weakness and poor posture.

This winter I'm seeing an awful lot of stiff and sore horses thanks to decreased turnout, or turnout where the horses are slip-sliding on snow, ice and mud and changing their gaits to compensate, and--especially these last few weeks--sore withers and shoulders from carting around their heavy blankets all the time. (Is anyone else exhausted after wearing 20 pounds of winter gear all day or is it just me?) Staying on top of things now will help your horse be able to feel his best as you get back to full training in the spring.

End rant! Take care of yourselves out there and take care of your horses, this will all be over soon 🥶🦄💙

12/07/2021

How could you not be merry when you're working with horses and their stalls are decked like this? ❄💖❄

PS- I know what your horse wants for Christmas and it's a massage!

10/29/2021

to a warmer day earlier this month when I gave a presentation on massage therapy and equine bodywork to a group of young equestrians at RKR Farm.

Having been one of those horse crazy kids not too long ago, it's always so special to me to find small ways like this to give back to the community that supports me endlessly.

The other way I love to give back is through my work with . This cycle, Optimum Equine is proud to sponsor the Dressage Dreamer Award which will go to a young dressage rider as they pursue their riding goals. This scholarship is changing lives and opening doors for young riders and I am always both thrilled and humbled to be a part of it.

09/02/2021

As I delve deeper into my Masterson Method training, I'll be sharing more information about this type of bodywork and why I've chosen to study it to help my horses and yours.

One of the most interesting parts about it is the way you work WITH the horse and not ON the horse. This approach allows the horse to release tension in essential core muscles, and in the muscles of key junctions of the body that affect movement and performance.

In that way it reminds me so much about the connection between a horse and a rider, and the things I love about the intricacies of dressage: the unspoken dialogue that turns into a fluid dance... the harmony of working together.
❤
I am so excited to be bringing this knowledge to you and your horses!

08/19/2021

How to make your equine massage therapist happy: put a beautiful and lovable 5 month old filly on the schedule 💖💕💖💕💖💕

07/29/2021

Who's excited for show week?! 🤩🤩🤩 I know we've all been training hard to get ready for the highly anticipated USEF/USDF TREA Almost Heaven Dressage 1 & 2 show, why not treat your horse to a well-deserved bodywork session at the show?

Today is the last day to pre-book for a $5 discount, so contact me asap! Optimum Equine is a proud supporter of the show and will be on site all weekend. Visit the event page to learn more: Optimum Equine at TREA Almost Heaven

07/20/2021

I can't help but feel a little emotional thinking about what an impact the horses have had on my life. I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Beau changed my life. I never could have predicted the ways that owning and loving that horse shaped my future, but I am forever and endlessly grateful to him.

Lucy, I believe, is one of those ways that my life was shaped because of him. If not for him, would I have been brave enough, capable enough, and hungry enough to take on the challenge of bringing along a youngster? I think not.

And now she'll be the one to guide me, shape me and point me in the direction that my life as a horsewoman is meant to go. She's teaching me the art of patience and subtlety, she's teaching me how to listen more and ask quieter. She's also been the impetus for this next major step, for diving into Masterson Method certification and seeing where the road takes me next. I might not be sure where that will be, but I think Lucy (and Beau) will have a big say in it.

Here's to new adventures, new chapters, and new bodywork techniques 🍾😉❤

PC Kate Rebecca Photography

06/24/2021

I simply stood at the gate and hollered that it was time for his massage, and he sauntered on over...

This stunning guy has been a regular on my schedule for a long time now, and during this month's session I marveled at what a special thing that is.

Over the years, we have peeled away layers of accumulated soreness, leaving only what is fresh for me to address each session. Over the years, he has learned to trust me and will quickly let his guard down and let all that tension go. And over the years, I've learned to read him. Every shift of a foot and twitch of a lip tells me exactly what to do 🧡

06/10/2021

I have found myself thinking a lot about intention lately. How this is maybe the most important aspect of all that we do. With every horse I meet, I approach them with the intention of helping them and I think they know that.

I recently met a beautiful but shy horse who is very wary of strangers--to the point where only his mom can trim his feet. My intention for the session was to gently do whatever he was comfortable with, not expecting very much. But I think he sensed my intention and gave me that trust which he reserves for so few.

What an honor it is to work with such incredible creatures ❤

(PS- watch the second video to see one of my favorite release reflexes: the third eyelid blinking in the yawn!)

06/01/2021

Optimum Equine was proud to sponsor the Unicorn Test of Choice Challenge at the Mountaineer Flight Dressage Show, not only because it means sending competitors home with huge pink ribbons, but because Andrea donates the entry fees from this class to charity. The chosen charity for this show was, of course, the Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship.

Through OYES, riders from marginalized communities are given mentorship and funding to help achieve their dreams. By sharing knowledge, opportunities, and solidarity, we seek to bridge the gap between these dreams and reality and promote sustainable equity and inclusion within equestrian sport.

It was an absolute blast to see three very deserving riders take home unicorn prizes and big pink ribbons. Many congrats to Open Unicorn Champ Ingrid McNamara and Sebastian, Jr/YR Unicorn Champ Emily Domokonos and Shaker and Adult Amateur Unicorn Champ Nina Catanzarite and Sophia!

Photos courtesy riders & LF Emberly Photography

04/15/2021

Someone loves it already 🥰🥰🥰

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Pittsburgh, PA
15203

Telephone

+14124408307

Website

http://www.optimumequinellc.com/

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I simply stood at the gate and hollered that it was time for his massage, and he sauntered on over... This stunning guy has been a regular on my schedule for a long time now, and during this month's session I marveled at what a special thing that is. Over the years, we have peeled away layers of accumulated soreness, leaving only what is fresh for me to address each session. Over the years, he has learned to trust me and will quickly let his guard down and let all that tension go. And over the years, I've learned to read him. Every shift of a foot and twitch of a lip tells me exactly what to do 🧡 #massageismagic