Sarah Louise Equine Sports Therapy

19/11/2023

A final session for Nia today, before her big day at the International Horse Show in London in a few weeks time. It’s been a pleasure helping Nia feel her best 💕. I’m keeping everything crossed for you both and can’t wait fo hear all about it!.

And of course the lovely Ola enjoying her Sunday relaxation session

I hope you all have had a lovely weekend. I still have some dates available in December so please drop me a message

27/10/2023

If you can’t groom back. Groom the gate😂

I now only have the 26th of November free, so if you would like it please DM me asap.

I am now opening my diary up for Wednesday & Friday evenings due to weekends getting filled up rather quickly!.

My diary is now open for December 🎁

25/10/2023

💤💤💤

What a lovely way to spend an early evening, a nice releasing massage & catching up with friends. Poppy was a wonderful customer who really helped me to identify where she needed me to release extra tension.

Thank you so much for having me Hannah Gallantry. I look forward see seeing you both again soon 😊

15/10/2023

A LOT of fun was had yesterday!. Ralph didn’t put a foot wrong and everyone was so kind and welcoming.

Photo’s taken by Racheal Darling

12/10/2023

🚨🚨😂😂

Ut oh.

09/10/2023

An interesting read, especially with the weather as it is at the moment!!

Please note this is focused on pasture laminitis, not necessarily the laminitis that can be caused by certain hormone imbalances.

Why do ‘cresty’ necks suddenly go rock hard?

This information is relevant and useful to people who own horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome and are in danger of laminitis or whose horses are intermittently ‘footy’. Understanding this has helped with rehabilitating, not only all the ponies at Jen Heperi’s Mini-HaHa Rescue Haven but many more horses and ponies all around the world.

We learned from Dr Deb Bennett PhD (who has conducted many dissections), that “the horse's "crest" is made of fibro-fatty sub-cutaneous (adipose) tissue similar in texture to high-density foam”.

Have you ever wondered how it is that the ‘crest’ of the neck can harden so rapidly? Sometimes overnight?

The actual reason is because it goes ‘turgid’ (it fills with fluid). Like foam, the crest tissue can take up water like a sponge; so it swells and hardens because fluid ‘leaks’ into it, filling the interstitial spaces until it is hard as a rock, and ‘softens’ when electrolyte balances are corrected thereby allowing fluid to be resorbed.

When the crest swells with edema, other parts of the horse's body like the abdomen and the hooves (significantly the digital cushion is made of similar material, it is a thick wedge of fibro-fatty subcutaneous tissue) -- are liable to be in trouble, too.

Hardening of the ‘crest’ coincides with not only spring and autumn growth spurts but also potassium and nitrogen spikes in autumn and winter grasses. It coincides with early signs of laminitis which are ‘stiffening’ of gait and being ‘footy’.

It is a sure indication that one cause of ‘pasture related laminitis’ is as much to do with mineral imbalances, (particularly potassium and nitrogen excesses concurrent with salt deficit) as sugars and starches. It explains why short Autumn grass can cause laminitis when analysis shows soluble sugars + starch content is only 7.5% while potassium is 3.4%, sodium only 0.154%, nitrogen 5.8%, nitrates 2290mgs/kg (far too high, in mature grass/hay they are undetectable).
It is one of the many reasons clover is such a ‘no-no’ for EMS/laminitis equines and a likely explanation why there are some insulin resistant/elevated insulin horses that can't tolerate Lucerne (alfalfa) and is why Lucerne can perpetuate laminitis when everything else is being done ‘right’.

People who own horses with EMS are aware they need to pay attention to this vital sign: that just before a horse has a bout of laminitis, the normally soft and spongy crest stands up firm and hard. Then they can immediately reduce potassium/nitrogen intake by eliminating short, green grass replacing it with soaked hay and make sure they add salt to feeds and not rely on a salt lick. If action is taken quickly enough in these early stages, laminitis can be averted, you can ‘dodge a bullet’.

Soaking hay for about an hour not only reduces sugars but also reduces potassium levels by 50%.

Therefore a very important aspect of EMS and laminitis is that identifying and addressing mineral imbalances (particularly high potassium/nitrogen & low salt) are equally as important as sugar and starch content when rehabilitating individuals and assessing suitability of forage for these compromised equines.

08/10/2023

A lovely Sunday spent with wonderful clients with great ambitions and future plans!

One who’s goal is to qualify for HOYS next year (and why not?!). As well as this afternoons talented chestnut mare who is competing this December at the London International Horse Show (Olympia)

Massive congrats to CARLY MOORE Accredited Professional Coach /Taylors Park Stud for her win today on Daisy!

To top it all off, the last bit of Sunshine too!

Happy Sunday Everyone 🌟

06/10/2023

Almost time to say goodbye to Summer & Hello winter!.

Let’s take a look at how our horses may have worked for us this season;

🐎- On average, a horse can burn between 5,000 to 8,000 calories during a cross country event. This is similar to the energy expenditure of a human running a marathon
🐎- Dressage is a discipline that requires controlled and precise movement (rather than sustained endurance like in cross country). During a typical dressage test, a horse might burn around 2,000 to 3,000 calories
🐎 During a showjumping event, a horse expends a significant amount of energy, particularly when clearing jumps and navigating the course. On average, a horse can burn approximately 4,000 to 6,000 calories during a showjumping competition.

Now your telling me, after all of that. YOU wouldn’t need a massage?

Wether you’ve just hacked this summer, attended some training camps or competed. Our horses will be feeling the effect of all of it. They are all athletes in their own rights. Let’s treat them like it 😉

09/09/2023

Atleast one of us is getting better with tech! 😂🎉 CARLY MOORE Accredited Professional Coach /Taylors Park Stud

New website!

08/09/2023

So I’m sure many of you have noticed, I’m not GREAT at keeping on top of my posts/ adverts on here! 😂😂.

Which is why I rely heavily on word of mouth which can be a powerful tool for a small business. It's a form of organic, personal recommendation from satisfied customers!. It can help with:

Trust and Credibility- Cost-Effective Marketing
Wider Reach- Repeat Business and loyalty
Feedback loop & positive online presence

Therefore I will be re-introducing my “refer a friend” scheme. If you refer a friend and they book (and keep) there appointment, you will receive £5 off your next massage!

🐎🎉

14/08/2023

Well isn’t today the Mondayest Monday! 🌧️☔️

So let’s talk equine massage, and why it’s so
Important;

Equine massage is beneficial for horses as it helps improve circulation, relieve muscle tension, and enhance their overall well-being. It can reduce soreness, aid in recovery from injuries, and promote relaxation. Regular massage can also strengthen the bond between the horse and its handler.

Please message me to book, or contact 07395266951

Stay dry everyone ✌️

10/08/2023

Shhhh 🤫

Keeping things very much at a slower pace, but am very excited to say I’ll be opening up my diary again for clients as of today!. Availability will be limited so please get in contact to secure your horse’s treatment

Looking forward to be returning and seeing all of you (and your wonderful equines!)

05/02/2023

& that’s a wrap! 🎁

My final client was the lovely Ziggy ❤️. I’ve been treating Ziggs for a while now and can’t believe the progress she has made. I look forward to seeing what her and Nicci get up too this summer!.

I’ll be taking a break now due to my pregnancy and (still) niggling back. I just want to thank everyone again for your support and allowing me to treat your precious equines!. No one more so than CARLY MOORE Accredited Professional Coach /Taylors Park Stud for always pushing me to believe more in my capabilities and believing in me!.

I look forward to returning again soon 🙏. As always, I can always be contacted for advice/ recommendations.

24/12/2022

Wishing all my wonderful clients a very merry Christmas 🎅. Thank you for supporting me this year, it has meant the world to me. Here’s to 2023! But before then, lots of wine, cheese and family time❤️

10/12/2022

Another wonderful day spent in Devon treating some lovely horses.

Buffy is now signed off!! Ready to start her dressage this winter, Buffy will now only require some maintenance work as and when!. Her lovely chestnut bestie (new to me today) requires some further work which I’m looking forward to being a part of

Most importantly Ziggy (a particular favourite of mine 🫢) is a completely different horse to the one I saw several months ago (note to self to take before and after photos!) after some changes of saddle and shoeing she is looking amazing!

I have some last minute spaces next weekend available!! 💕💕