02/11/2026
Assessment process
Listening to the whole horse before the hands go to work.
Before any treatment begins, every session starts with a thorough assessment to understand the horse’s physical condition, posture, movement, and overall well-being.
This ensures that the therapy provided is targeted, appropriate, and aligned with the horse’s individual needs.
What the Assessment Includes:
1. Intake & History
We’ll review any relevant background: health history, injuries, current work level, behavior changes, or concerns. If this is your first appointment, I may ask a few
extra questions to get a complete picture.
2. Postural Evaluation
I assess the horse’s static posture from all angles. Looking for imbalances, asymmetries, muscle tone differences, compensatory patterns, and tension held in the fascia
or joints.
3. Movement Observation
The horse is walked and trotted in-hand (on a flat surface, if available), so I can observe their natural gait, stride length, tracking, and how their body organizes
movement through the limbs, spine, and pelvis.
4. Hands-On Assessment
This is where the deeper work begins. I assess for
Soft tissue tension, heat, or swelling
Fascial restrictions and adhesions
Passive range of motion in joints such as the limbs, neck, pelvis, and spine
Mobility and placement of the ribcage and thoracic sling
Quality and rhythm of craniosacral motion throughout the body
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, and how it may be affecting cranial bone mobility and sacral position
5. Nervous System & Behavioral Cues
Throughout the process, I monitor for behavioral feedback.
This layered approach allows me to customize every session based on what the horse is actually presenting not just what they’ve been labeled with.
