The green is coming back!
#equinemassagetherapy #equinemassage #equinebodyworker #equinebodywork #equinewellness #springishere
Volume on!
Here, I walk and talk about why the 15-20 minute hand walk I recommend clients do is super important and how it can add to the bodywork experience for your horse by letting them process.
Don't have time to do it yourself? You can add hand walking to the cost of your session next time you book.
#equinebodywork #equinebodyworker #equinemassage #horsecare #horsehealth
When I talk about conditioning and increasing workload slowly, I mean SLOWLY. Like baby steps. Especially older horses coming back to work or after rehabbing an injury.
I have been riding Newton for 10-20 minutes under saddle at a walk for the last couple of weeks on flat footing. I wanted to do something on varied terrain (hills and varied footing), so I tacked up and took him for a hilly walk for 30 minutes. He has no shoes and we are waiting on boots that fit him, he is not overly fit, he has a history of lumbar tightness, he has somewhat sensitive soles, he has mild to moderate arthritis in his hocks and he just getting used to carrying weight on his back again without brace and discomfort. So, I take all these factors into consideration and keep his workload within a manageable threshold for him physically and mentally. Just the addition of some weight and hills was enough of a challenge.
I want his body to get used to an increased duration and intensity at his pace to prevent injury or aggravation of his current physical issues. I also want his mind not to be overfaced, which would make him bracey and shutdown instead of building up his confidence in his own body. It's likely we will do 6-8 weeks minimum of walk under saddle, slowly increasing duration and distance and adding in some lateral and pole work. So much magic can happen at the walk!
It can be hard to find the sweet spot. The mind can be ready for more when the body is not, or vice versa. Observe how your horse tolerates increased workload and adjust based on their response. If you are unsure, talk to your vet or bodyworker, or take a look at some of the great resources on equine conditioning that are out there.
As always, bodywork is a great way to aid in correct muscle development and help prevent injury as you work on your horse's fitness. Reach out to book for September and October 🍂
#equinebodywork #equinebodyworker #equinemassage #equinesportsmassage #equinefitness #equineconditioning
Keep things easy in this heat. Thinking Fall thought these days 🍂
#equinebodywork #equinemassage #equinefitness #equineconditioning #cantwaitforfall
It was amazing to see the @cowgirl.chaos_drillteam debut performance of the 2023 season! Super proud to be a sponsor of this team for the season. They ride tomorrow at 12:10pm and 2:00pm at the Coombs fair, and will be performing at other events over the remainder of the summer. Go check them out!
#equinebodywork #equinebodyworker #equineathletes #equestrianathletes #cowgirls #drillteam
Mixing up our spring training a bit. Newt loves to jump at liberty ❤️