03/13/2026
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ
In a Bodywork Session
Throughout pursuing my Equine Sport Therapy Certification, I was introduced to many different modalities, almost an overwhelming amount to cover in a bodywork session. Some I still use to this day, others I swapped to something that felt more aligned and that delivered in the way I wanted to help horses.
Some advice I received along my journey was to:
Pick 3 things and become really good at them. Then add on items that compliment the work that you do. It's true, that us Equine Bodyworkers will never know everything, but we can become experts in certain areas and collaborate the rest to other experts in the work that they do. (ex: nutrition, chiro, osteo, saddle fit)
๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ'๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง:
๐๐ป Massage - My most valued "tool". Nothing can replace what my hands are feeling on the horses body. I focus both on muscle and fascia techniques to alleviate pain, increasing circulation, loosen adhesions, support the lymphatic system, restore mobility, provide mental relaxation while reducing stress, support internal organs, work with the connective tissue that provides functional movement and connects muscles, tendons and ligaments.
๐๐ป Joint Mobilizations - Restore joint function & body symmetry. Any dysfunction of any vertebrae or bony structure can affect muscles, organs, brain & viscera.
๐๐ป Stretching - Helps the muscles stay healthy & supple. With the goal to maximize length of the fascia and muscle fibres. This also improves blood flow and reduces the pull and strain on tendons and ligaments.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค:
๐ด Kinesiology Tape - Decompresses fascia, muscles and nerves. Evacuate edema or excess fluid, bring proprioception to an area. It also helps to alleviate pain by increasing circulation to the area, and promote a quicker recovery. An extension of my hands-on work already completed, this makes the bodywork last longer and even sometimes create a positive, corrective change in the body.
๐ด Corrective Exercises - What you do in between matters! This can include a variety of stretching, mobilizations and ground poles. This can help to improve straightness, core strength and mobility. Unwind those compensation patterns. Create a stronger horse and reduce the risk of injury.
I'm always curious to learn something new in this forever evolving equine world, we have so much information available right at our fingertips! But I will always return to what has built me into the therapist I am today. ๐ค
