Equine Bodywork with Angela Paugh

10/19/2022

My paycheck says I have a good job, but my horses say that I need to step up my game.

10/04/2022

3 days post injury. Skin wound is healing. Swelling in lower leg. Treatment includes cold hose, Kinesiology Taping to help promote circulation and massage.

08/29/2022

Meet my new friend Maggie. Shes releasing and relaxing with some poll work. Loved working with this girl.

08/26/2022

Charlotte had her 2nd massage today. Her Trapezius Cervicus muscle has been a focus area. She was tense on both sides although her right side was a bit more constricted compared to the left. This muscle draws the scapula upwards and forward. She had several releases such as the one shown in the video below while massaging this muscle. 👏.

08/19/2022

When used properly, Muscle Taping provides support during movement, improves circulation and lymphatic flow, reduces pain, inflammation and tension, relaxes and assists muscles, releases fascia, and improves joint function. These all result in faster and more complete healing and improved movement and positioning.

08/12/2022

Thanks for the treat mom but where’s my massage???

08/07/2022

I’m so happy I can help my horse feel better with massage. Meet my girl Charlie. She is a 3 year old Quarter Horse. I started out wanting to get certified so I could help her. I started breaking her late last year. I knew she had to be sore with all the new movements and muscles I was asking her to engage. She struggled with backing up in a straight line, picking up the correct lead ( front and back ) and etc. Of course she was sore! She was trying so hard to do the things I asked her to do. I’ve hit the gym hard before and sometimes could hardly walk the next day! Massaging her, watching her release and lean into me asking for more massage is such a great way to bond and say thank you for trying today!

07/30/2022

She’s got that post massage shine going on. 😎

07/28/2022

This guys really good at his post massage stretches.

07/25/2022

How to prepare your horse for a massage

Please ensure your horse is kept in an area where he or she is easily accessible for your appointment. Your horse should be kept out of direct sunlight for a minimum of 2 hours if we will be taking thermal images. Your horse will need to be dry, mud free and clean to the best of your ability. Try to avoid any kind of spray chemicals such as Show Sheen or Fly Spray. These chemicals can be easily absorbed into my skin through contact as well as leave a film on the horses coat which can make massage or taping more difficult.

What you can expect during your first visit

The first time I meet your horse and approximately every 3 months during treatment, I will do an assessment and thermal images. The thermal images will be taken first. They will help pinpont any areas of inflammation. The assessment will include watching you move your horse either in hand or on the lunge line. I will be looking for imbalance, movement restriction and signs of pain. Next, I will conduct a hands on assessment where I will palpate the horse looking for muscle tension and or a physical reaction to help further identify areas that may need more work. Once the assessment is complete I will move onto the therapy portion weather it be Massage, Raindrop Therapy and or Muscle Taping. For the duration of the therapy, the horse may be held by hand, in cross ties or teathered in a stationary position.

What about after therapy

Following massage therapy, I recommend walking your horse for 5 min. Movement increases the circulation to assist in eliminating the lactic acid which was freed up during the massage. You may return your horse to normal activity the next day unless discussed otherwise. For Raindrop Therapy, you will want to keep your horse indoors for at least 24 hours as the oils on the skin can amplify the sun rays and cause sunburn to the skin. Make sure your horse has access to an unlimited supply of water as water will help flush toxins.

Happy riding!!

07/20/2022

This image indicates tension in the Hamstrings (Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus) muscles. These muscles have a close relationship with back tension. Often times when you address the back tension the hamstrings will find relief as well. Saddle fit check and ensure hooves are balanced are my first go to’s followed by a hands on assessment to palpate the muscles checking for areas of tension. Massage and muscle taping to treat!

07/17/2022

Considering massage therapy for your Equine athlete??

Here are some benefits….
Prevention of injury
Increased range of motion/ flexibility
Relaxation
Reduce stress and anxiety
Pain relief/ alleviate muscle soreness
Improved circulation
Improve sleep
Improve muscle tone
Support the immune system
Aide in ulcer prevention/ recovery
Speeding up recovery

Along with massage, I also offer Raindrop Therapy and Muscle Taping. Free evaluation and thermal imaging provided with each service.

🐴 I have few openings left for July. Let me know how I can help!

07/11/2022

Loosening up vs warming up. There’s a difference. Before learning what I know now about muscles, I was the one who jumped on my horse and instantly started flexing. The first thing you want to do is stretch your muscles before you start working out right? Wrong!! You should never stretch cold muscles.

Before flexing and stretching the muscles, we need to get them warmed up. Get the oxygen and blood circulating. We also need to get the joint fluids moving. At the resting state, only 15% of circulating blood is delivered to the muscles. 85% of blood circulates to the muscles during exercise.

Start loosening your horse up by asking for forward movement at a relaxed at a walk. Do this for 8-10 minutes before moving into the warm up. Begin the warm up with trotting or loping for the next 5 minutes. After that, the muscles should be warm enough to start suppling exercises.

Stretching cold muscles is a unnecessary risk to injury! Hope this helps. Happy riding!

07/09/2022

I’m booked up until the week of the 19th. Let me know if you would like on the schedule for this month.

07/06/2022

Thermal image indicating a possibility of Thrush present. Did you know up to 90% of performance horses have ulcers? The presence of ulcers is associated with poor hoof condition, performance and irritability among other symptoms. Veterinary guidance/ medication is always the first line of defense but doesn’t treat the muscular tension which is secondary to the ulcers. That’s where a massage therapist comes in, we can address muscular pain and tension as well as promote digestion.

07/06/2022

The more you know. 🌈

07/03/2022

Muscle taping for my buddy Zorro.
Muscle taping has a number of therapeutic properties. It decreases pain, provides stability to joints, increases muscle strength, promotes blood and lymph circulation. The tape decompresses the skin and interacts with the neurosensory receptors, which is what gives it its therapeutic qualities.

06/30/2022

Thermal images indicating poor saddle fit. Uneven pressure, pinching at the withers.

06/30/2022

Charlie’s really enjoying her massage today.

06/26/2022

Hello all! Thank you for taking the time to check out my page. My name is Angela. I’m excited to provide Equine Bodywork to Hancock County and surrounding areas. I am certified in Equine Massage, Thermal Imaging, Muscle Taping and Raindrop Therapy by a National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB)Approved Provider.
I’m starting my career as a Equine Bodyworker to help horses feel their best and become physically capable to perform the job function and maneuvers we are asking of them. Our horses are valuable athletes and should be treated as such. Relaxed, flexible muscles are key to injury prevention.
Please like and follow along!

Send a message to learn more