My mission is to provide an exceptional quality of life for equines of all disciplines. My most recent addition to my practice is compassionate care sessions.
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I am a certified equine massage therapist, with credentials from the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy. In addition to being a graduate I am the current Equine Program Administrator and an instructor. I graduated in 2017 and since then I have taken additional courses in:
Acupressure
Manual Lymph Drainage
Kinesiology Taping, both human and equine
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
I've
authored several articles on horse health, recognizing pain and the horse human connection. A mini massage clinic for owners is being developed and will be available in the late spring 2022. These are for those equines in the final stages of life.
Respecting an animal’s choices during bodywork leads to better outcomes. By listening to their signals and adjusting our techniques accordingly, we can provide a more effective and enjoyable experience for the animals. Become a certified practitioner with the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage (NBCAAM)
If you are interested in Reiki check out Linda Crabtree of Circle of Peace. She is teaching classes:
Shinpiden & Reiki Level 3, Lancaster, MA, October 13 & 20, 2024
Shoden & Reiki Level 1, Lancaster, MA, November 3 & 10, 2024
Anyone interested can connect with her through at
Animal Reiki and Equine Acupressure - helping animals find their peace, balance, and health with gentle, holistic, non-invasive methods. Reiki Classes taught by Usui Reiki Master.
A very interesting study about the intelligence of horses and their ability to reason and learn.
It's hoped the findings lead to more humane horse training regimes and improvements to welfare.
This is Forest and this is a strawberry. Today I gave some to Forest to see how he would like them. The first one he gobbled down. The same with strawberries 2 and 3. By number 4 he ate precisely 1/2 of it and proceeded to fling the other half out of his mouth like it was poison.
My husband upon hearing this story said “how does it feel?!?” This is his way of telling me that my horse and I deserve each other as I react to the food he cooks in the exact same manner.
This is why I teach and sit on the board of directors of this organization. Knowledge is essential to keeping your clients safe and knowing when you can and cannot work in them.
Make sure your bodyworker has passed the boards!
For most animal bodywork practitioners, NBCAAM certification is the only credential currently available that shows we have the training and practice necessary to work with our target animals effectively and safely.
National certification demonstrates professionalism and a high level of standards that inspire confidence and trust in the veterinary professionals and pet parents with whom we work.
Visit us at www.nbcaam.org.
Saturday a pretty big thing happened for me and Forest.
When I purchased him in 11/22 I didn’t bother riding him. He was very green, very nervous and just didn’t know a whole lot. He also had a very swayed back, which is common in Saddlebreds. I’ve taken the last year and 3/4 to work on his mind and body.
Saturday I rode him for the first time. He is still green but very sensitive and smart. I look forward to many years of learning together!
Kinesiology is the study of the anatomical and mechanical basis of movement.
This includes the study of anatomy, muscle physiology, and mechanics in an effort to arrive at a more complete picture of movement.
If you are a equine bodyworker and use PEMF check out this article.
https://equimanagement.com/news/legislation-update-pemf-use-restricted-to-veterinarians-in-3-states/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEXkMNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZsKgbZVPUH4mOlMDYeixVT1L3GHbpNAi5uWs-ZwOHD1xbhlTeHzoRB2kA_aem_7fHT--Ui5INesGyS-pMnHg
New regulations on the popular PEMF therapy have affected practitioners and horse owners in several states.
I am such a lucky girl! My very expensive saddle fits Forest perfectly! For all of my horse friends I know you feel my joy!
Did you know that NBCAAM offers the following review courses: Equine Massage Exam Review, Canine Massage Exam review and Acupressure (canine and equine) Exam Review.
Prepare for the exam with self-guided study with written review units and six recordings of online webinar with discussions. The webinars discuss both equine and canine massage together. The written units are Equine-specific. A live Zoom Q&A with Lisa is available if you need extra help. For more information, visit us at www.nbcaam.org.
Casually scrolling and see my barn owner’s post. They found a snake. Me looking at it thinking glad I didn’t see it ONLY TO FIND Forest had his nose all up in the snake’s business. Sometimes I wish he wasn’t so curious and brave!
You want your horse’s massage practitioner to be board certified. Why you ask? An independent body has tested them (no open books allowed). That means they know how to prevent injury while massaging your horse.
Why choose a NBCAAM bodyworker for your horse or dog?
A Nationally Board Certified Practitioner of Animal Acupressure or Massage has taken at least 200 hours of education, with extensive training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, behavior, ethics, biosafety, and at least 50 hours of hands-on training in acupressure or massage. They have passed our rigorous exam and signed our ethics pledge.
We offer an online search process to find a local certified practioner in your area. Link listed to search in comments.
What stops you from investing in your professional development? Worried about the cost?
Think of the cost of certification as an investment in your professional future that will pay off through increased opportunities and credibility. Don’t let time or financial concerns hold you back from achieving your goals.
Visit the NBCAAM website to get your investment started!
I’m at Nevins Farm taking the MSPCA equine safety and ambulance training.
I love when my students graduate. I know more horses will start feeling better soon!
Spending time with the boys. Forest decided to come over to graze by me. ❤️
Why take a massage clinic with me? I asked my students and here is what some said:
“She made things clear, relatable and fun.” ~Bev
“She makes learning relevant, understandable, and you will get more than you expect out of classes with her” ~ Erin
Sign up for my Massage for the Everyday Horse Owner newsletter in Dudley
MassEquineMassage.com/Dudley
No Horse? No Problem we have some!
This clinic will be presented by Lisa Turcotte, CEMT. Additionally, Lisa is a Nationally Board Certified equine massage therapist and the Equine Program Administrator for the Bancroft School of Massage. You will learn simple techniques to provide pain relief and comfort to your horse.
Massage doesn't have to be pretty or perfect. It just needs to be intentional.
Massage can be as simple as following the contours of the body with a gentle pressure.
Gentle bouncing of muscles can help to relieve muscle tension. You can help your horse.
A good fitting saddle goes a long way to preventing a need for my services. I’d rather see a horse with no pain because they saw Lise than have to pay me.
Hey! If you want to save some money so you can buy more things for your horse, I am offering on-site saddle fitting at my shop in Easthampton, MA! Ship-ins get 20% off full fitting services AND you don't have to pay travel fees! Come on your own or bring a caravan of friends!
We have a barn and indoor arena to use, plenty of room for trailers to maneuver and park.
Check out details on my website: newenglandsaddlefit.com.
Or reach out for more info! 203-685-2308; [email protected]
I do travel all around New England, so if shipping in doesn't work, let me know!
Happy trails!
Today Forest and I worked on many things. The one I am proudest of is using a target to teach leg yields at liberty. This horse is so smart! He has picked it up so quickly, he is relaxed and eager to learn new things!
Empower Your Horse's Well-being: Join my Equine Massage Workshop on Saturday, May 4th, 2024!
So incredibly proud of these new massage therapists! I feel lucky to have been a part of their education.
How can massage and tail pulls help your horse stop rubbing its tail?
I am sort of a nerd when massaging horses, I tend to spend a good 10-15 minutes massaging the tail and surrounding muscles, performing range of motion exercises and doing tail pulls. I have found that this routine has helped some of my client's horse's stop rubbing their tails. They have tried everything to make the horse stop and the one thing that has worked is me and my nerdy tail massaging and pulling ways. The question is why and does this study "Effect of Caudal Traction on Mechanical Nociceptive Thresholds of Epaxial and Pelvic Musculature on a Group of Horses With Signs of Back Pain" give us a clue?
The horse has approximately 20 coccygeal vertebrae ( bones in their tails), their spinal cord stops at the first sacral vertebrae but the nerves continue to run down into the tail. In this study researchers demonstrate an increase in back pain tolerance in study participants by a range 52-83%. That is a pretty striking number if you think about it. Simply doing a series of exercises on your horse could reduce their feeling of pain by as much as 80%.
The study found that the greatest relief was found in the thoracic region "The increase in the MNT seen in the thoracic region in this study implies a tail pull has a greater effect on muscular and/or fascial tissues (as opposed to joints) in the horse, hence the greater response in the thoracic region".
So it would stand to reason that massaging the tail muscles and fascia along with tail pulls could be the reason the client horses stopped rubbing their tails. What if the rubbing is a sign of pain in the muscles that control the tail movements along with the possible involvement of the hamstring and back muscles?
If you have tried everything to stop tail rubbing maybe the issue isn't the tail but the muscles surrounding the tail. I'd be happy to use my nerdy tail massaging ways on your horse, just reach out!
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080620302884?via%3Dihub
What I'm working on this week.... helping my students complete their education as equine massage therapists. Reviewing articles on negative palmar angles and how they affect the horses body and pain in the body.
And finally studying the Balance Through Movement Method created by Celeste-Leilani Lazaris. This amazing course is showing me how to improve thoracic sling functionality to restore compromised postures which we often call poor conformation.
I think I might be starting a crusade.... Read this book, https://www.amazon.com/Topline-Syndrome-Birgit-Volesky/dp/3752622067
The horse's sore back is not the problem, it is a symptom of something else.
The overbuilt horse, a severe ewe neck, pelvic obliquity, injuries to the suspensory ligament, kissing spines and many other issues may be present when a horse is suffering from a weak back. These symptoms are avoidable in most cases if they are dealt with early enough. In this book, Birgit Voles...
The thoracic sling is the group of muscles that hold the horses front legs onto the body. Horses don’t have collarbones so this set of muscles is so very important. If the horse doesn’t move in a bio-mechanically correct manor and use them appropriately they can develop Top Line Syndrome.
If you want to know more just reach out!
https://fb.watch/giAOwkWUp-/
In my ever present quest for understanding, I took a course in conformation. What I learned is usually conformation faults are actually compensation issues. Want to hear more or see if I can help you recognize it in your own horse. let me know!
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Relaxation is the basis for massage.
Massage can be as simple as following the contours of the body with a gentle pressure. #horsemassage #equinebodywork #youcandothis
Gentle bouncing of muscles can help to relieve muscle tension. You can help your horse. #equinetherapy #equinebodywork #horsemassage
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