Clydes Equine Bodywork

03/11/2025

Scheduling Errors That Can Limit Bodywork Results

🚨Don’t Wait for the Obvious!

One of the biggest mistakes horse owners make is waiting until their horse is stiff, sore, or showing clear signs of discomfort before booking bodywork. Horses are experts at hiding pain, so by the time you notice, tension has already spread, movement patterns have changed and the body is compensating. Making recovery longer and more difficult.

Consistent, proactive bodywork isn’t just a “fix” it is maintenance. Just like regular dental care, farrier visits or conditioning, keeping sessions scheduled helps your horse stay balanced, supple and moving freely. Prevention keeps them comfortable, confident and performing at their best, it also saves time, stress and frustration in the long run.

Get your horses on a schedule now!
Contact : Charlotte
☎️0466 917 030
📧clyde.equinebodywork@gmail.com
Or DM the page

30/10/2025

🌿Long & Low = Suppleness🌿 Pt 2

That moment when your horse finally stretches into the contact… magic. ✨
Working long and low teaches them to relax, lift the back, and trust your hand. Reward every honest stretch — it’s the start of a stronger, happier horse.

When your horse stretches forward and down into the contact, they:
✅ Engage the hindquarters
✅ Lift and strengthen the back
✅ Relax through the neck and poll
✅ Learn to seek a steady, soft connection

Here are a few great ways to encourage it:
🔹 20m Stretch Circle – Gradually allow the reins to lengthen while keeping the trot active and even.
🔹 Spiral In & Out – Leg-yielding out invites the horse to stretch its frame as it pushes from behind.
🔹 Transitions Within the Gait – Riding from working to forward trot (and back) builds balance and rhythm.
🔹 Serpentines & Loops – Smooth bends encourage suppleness and relaxation.
🔹 Lunging with Light Contact - To encourage the stretch without forcing the head down and the weight of the rider

💡 Tip: The stretch should always come from the hind end — never by pulling the head down. The moment your horse lowers the neck and keeps the rhythm, reward it!

🥕 Why Carrot Stretches Are a Game-Changer for Long & Low Work 🐴
Struggling to get your horse to stretch forward and down? Carrot stretches are a gentle, effective way to release tension and build engagement.
Here’s why they work:
✅ Natural Forward-Down Stretch – The horse chooses to lower the neck, encouraging relaxation in the poll, neck, and shoulders.
✅ Releases Muscle Tension – Gently lengthens tight areas like the shoulders, withers, and upper back.
✅ Engages Hindquarters – Stepping under to reach the carrot activates the hind end and lifts the back.
✅ Improves Suppleness – Moving the carrot side to side encourages lateral bending and flexibility.
✅ Positive Reinforcement – Builds a reward-based association with stretching, reducing resistance.

Make sure to have your horse on a regular schedule for bodywork ⬇️
✅Release Muscle Tension
✅Improve Flexibility
✅Enhance Engagement
✅Prevent Injury
✅Encourage Relaxation

30/10/2025

🌿 Long & Low = Suppleness 🌿

Meet Denny, a 4-year-old Thoroughbred learning how to find freedom and balance in his body.
He’s an anxious horse when it comes to work — not because he’s “naughty,” but because his body is trying to communicate.

His tension and imbalance show up as “misbehaviour,” but what he’s really saying is, “I don’t feel comfortable.”
Here’s what might be going on 👇

🦴 Topline & Neck Restrictions�Tightness through the poll or cervical spine can make lowering the neck uncomfortable. Horses with this kind of tension often brace instead of stretching long and low.

💪🏻 Tight or Sore Back Muscles�For a horse to stretch, the back muscles — especially the longissimus dorsi — must lengthen. Soreness here makes stretching painful, so the horse avoids it.

🩻 Pelvic or SI Restrictions�If the pelvis can’t move freely, the horse can’t engage the hind end or lift the back. Without that lift, a long-and-low stretch just isn’t possible.

🦶🏻 Hoof or Limb Discomfort�Pain in the feet, hocks, or stifles makes a horse protect themselves by shortening the stride. When they don’t feel stable, they can’t relax into a stretch.

🧠 Nervous System Tension�An anxious, unbalanced horse stays in “fight or flight.” In this state, they physically can’t relax enough to stretch — no matter how much they want to.

🧩 Past Patterns & Compensation�Horses remember movement habits. If they’ve spent time moving hollow or braced, they’ll default to that pattern until their body learns a new, freer way of moving.

✨ Remember: Resistance is communication. Horses like Denny aren’t being difficult — they’re asking for help finding balance, comfort, and trust in their own body.

✨ How Bodywork Can Help ✨�Bodywork helps horses release restrictions, rebalance movement, and reconnect to their own bodies. By addressing tension in the poll, back, pelvis, and fascia, we give the horse the physical freedom they need to feel safe enough to stretch.
When the body finds balance, the mind can finally relax — and that’s when real suppleness begins. 💫

Contact : Charlotte - To discuss and learn how to help your horse!
☎️0466 917 030
📧clyde.equinebodywork@gmail.com
Or DM the page

22/10/2025

Connective Tissue/Fascia
What is It and Why It Is Important🤷🏼‍♀️

Connective Tissue or also known as Fascia is a stretchy web that wraps around the whole horse to keep all muscles, organs and tendons moving smoothly, and freely.

All horses should be able to move freely and comfortably without any pain or discomfort. In saying that there are a lot of horses that can’t move freely and comfortably.

When the fascia becomes tight your horse will start to become restricted and uncomfortable, unable to move freely. Fascia becomes tight when posture is wrong, poor hydration, injury, work load (overuse) and mental stress.

How you can help your horse move freely and comfortably is by⬇️
🕸️Regular Massages
🕸️Daily Stretching
🕸️Ensuring gear is fitted properly
🕸️Listening to your horse

Want to Know More? Contact: Charlotte⬇️
☎️0466 917 030
📧clyde.equinebodywork@gmail.com
Or DM the page

07/10/2025

Equimillion 2025🥳

Congratulations to all riders at Equimillion 2025 for all efforts! Massive congratulations to all Team Clyde Riders🩵Skye, Maddy and Tiarn!

You all rode phenomenally!🥹 Be proud of all your efforts!

Here’s to next year!🥂

27/09/2025

Moruya Spring Show🏇🏻🌸
Super proud of Denny boy! First show back for the season and did not put a foot wrong! Absolutely smashed it!

🥇16hh and over ANSA
🥈15hh Thoroughbred
🥉15hh - 16hh ANSA

Congratulations to sponsored rider Kelly Ralph for bringing home Supreme Led!

Congratulations to all competitors!🩵

19/09/2025

17/09/2025

❗️Important Booking Update❗️
Effective 17/09

After much consideration, I’ve decided that from today (17th September), all new bookings will require a deposit of 50% of the service price to secure your appointment.

Please note this does not apply to any sessions already pre-booked.

However prior agreements can be made if needed.

The deposit is non-refundable and will act as a cancellation fee in the event that you need to cancel your appointment.

Thank you so much for your understanding and continued support!🩵

For any questions please feel free to contact me⬇️

☎️0466 917 030
📧clyde.equinebodywork@gmail.com
Or DM the page

15/09/2025

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You🩵

Super grateful for the opportunity to speak to a Bay Post Journalist - Tim Grey, about Clyde’s Equine Bodywork and what I do. As well as having a chat about my wins at the business awards🩵

Can’t be anymore overwhelmed and grateful for the opportunities I have been given this year🥰

🗞️Head over to Bay Post / Moruya Examiner to have a read🙌🏻

📸Bronte Mednis Photography

Muscles, nerves, trust: how a 21-year-old helps horses heal without surgery or drugs.

11/09/2025

Equilibrium Massage Pad✨

Here at Clyde’s Equine Bodywork, I incorporate the Equilibrium Massage Pad into your horses bodywork routine to deliver deeper, more effective results!

💆🏻‍♀️Prepares muscles for deeper, more effective therapy
💆🏻‍♀️Increases blood circulation and warms muscle tissue
💆🏻‍♀️Improves back flexibility
💆🏻‍♀️Enhances stride length and overall movement
💆🏻‍♀️Reduces muscle tension and promotes relaxation
💆🏻‍♀️Supports faster recovery post-bodywork
💆🏻‍♀️Stress Reduction
💆🏻‍♀️Coat Health

Give your horse the care they deserve — because happy muscles = happy horses! 💪🩵