On Stride Equine Massage and Bodywork

04/04/2025

Such a beautiful creature to have the privilege of working on this morning! (Have I mentioned how much I love what I do!) He certainly complimented me over and over again (with lots of licking and chewing and big sighs). Hoping he feels great and can get back to doing what he loves!

03/26/2025

It was a long, busy day….I only had time for some brief free lunging and then we worked on an exercise we have not done in a long time.

This one looks so simple but straddling the pole is HARD for so many horses. This exercise has many benefits for the horse-proproception—awareness of their feet. Once they are straddling the pole allowing them to rest and process in this stance often brings relaxation and release of tension.

She is confident with her front feet but has struggled for a long time keeping her hind feet on either side of the pole. I have been patiently asking her to go slow and step carefully—we literally move one foot at a time and correct each as we go. She gets very upset when she messes up.

She tried so hard for me tonight! She finally managed to walk the pole-she would stop with her foot on top of the pole—aware that it was not right and waiting for me to offer a tap to help her correct.

Her hinds have always been close and rotate incorrectly at times. I always watch her carefully and work on her body when I see things going the wrong way…progress does not have to be fast to be correct. We return to this exercise periodically—and tonight she showed me she is making progress in her body! Play the long game for steady progress!

03/09/2025

YES!! As athletes we need to be advocates for ourselves partners in this sport!

03/07/2025

Spring is coming! Schedule your bodywork sessions now to tune up for warmer weather! Kinesiology taping and red light included with every bodywork session!

02/23/2025

When a horse has had 3+ months off, it is considered completely de-trained from a conditioning standpoint. The re-conditioning process should follow a 1:1 ratio with the number of weeks spent progressively conditioning equal to the number of weeks taken off.

The challenge here is that, depending how we go about the conditioning, we sometimes create a turbo charged engine on a weak frame. If we over-prioritize metabolic gains over strength development, the fitness journey takes many detours. In this early season, each horse requires a unique balance of stability, strength, and cardio. If you're feeling a little lost and need help, my 10-Week Horse Fitness Schedule leads you through a day-by-day buildup.

Link to buy in the comments below.

02/23/2025

It has been a very long winter here in Central PA—and in many parts of the country! We are still battle ice but hopefully the temperatures this week take care of all of that. As you look to recondition and leg you horse up for spring and summer be mindful of the work it takes.

Long rides with a horse dripping in sweat is not conditioning.

Short, consistent work is more beneficial than long rides.

Long, intense work after time off increases the risk of injuries.

When a horse has had 3+ months off, it is considered completely de-trained from a conditioning standpoint. The re-conditioning process should follow a 1:1 ratio with the number of weeks spent progressively conditioning equal to the number of weeks taken off.

The challenge here is that, depending how we go about the conditioning, we sometimes create a turbo charged engine on a weak frame. If we over-prioritize metabolic gains over strength development, the fitness journey takes many detours. In this early season, each horse requires a unique balance of stability, strength, and cardio. If you're feeling a little lost and need help, my 10-Week Horse Fitness Schedule leads you through a day-by-day buildup.

Link to buy in the comments below.

02/22/2024

What is a major key to getting a horse to properly rock back and gain impulsiveness from the hind end. It has very little to actually do with the hind end! The thoracic sling is a major player in getting a horse to lift the front. The shoulders of a horse are not connected with a collar bone…they are suspended in the front end by muscles. If these muscles atrophy and deflate those delicate nerves passing through here can be aggravated—creating an avoidance to use these muscles! Be sure your horse has the strength and ability to lift their front end properly to develop healthy movement and impulsion!

02/19/2024

The horses body is always working together—whether it is in function or dysfunction. Do you know how to identify if your horse is moving in a functional, healthy way or if there is dysfunction in their movement? (Photo credit: Horses Inside Out and Dressage Naturally)

02/18/2024

Do you know what your horse’s myofascial lines are?

“The fascial system is a continuous, web-like structure of connective tissue that enrobes your horse’s entire body – a bit like a flexible net. It provides support and shock absorption”

Read up on how this important system impacts your horses, movement, health and behaviors

Myofascial lines – sometimes referred to as the therapist’s map are chains of interconnected anatomical structures that direct the basic motion pattern in your horse. In this blog we’re going to look beyond your horse’s conformation and movement and delve beneath the skin and discover all ab...

02/17/2024

The slow, little exercises, work, and modalities needed to make lasting, meaningful changes in a horse is not always rewarding—pole exercises get boring, in hand work feels like we are missing time to do “real” work in the saddle, backing up in correct body posture is just plain slow! But here is personal proof that doing the little things well WILL make changes in your horse! It has been a long road with Miss Mya…and I can’t say we are “there”—wherever there is 🥴 but I slipped her blanket off last night to check her over and snapped this picture. When I sat down for the evening I was curious and did the comparison….it was just what I needed to see! DO the work that feels little and trivial….be patient in the process! ❤️❤️ If you doubt the process start taking a profile picture every couple weeks or once a month. Put them side by side to see your progress. For the love of a horse…

02/17/2024

I love using K-tape for so many applications! Message me to set up a time for bodywork and k-tape to support your horse!

12/02/2023

Great info as we start the colder riding season! https://koperequine.com/tips-for-maintaining-your-horses-muscles-tendons-and-joints-in-cold-weather/?fbclid=IwAR2_AdMpJHsVGhsbWDNZrminmIj29ta4E1izIBbOnThGnXVE6HbGU-4Msew_aem_Ab04Bb9nKL_pG5WfnrHl-3y1K4k-YvwHcKdKy58BBnvtWv9d3fTd4XOYQx0Y_dMfZBg

Cold weather can cause increased stiffness your horse’s muscles, joints and tendons. Tasks that were easy in warmer weather become much more challenging when the body is cold. Cold causes muscle te…