Equiflex Therapy PEMF

Equiflex Therapy PEMF Fully qualified equine sports and rehabilitation massage therapist. We are approved and insured.

Katie Buncombe
Equine Sports Massage & Rehab Therapist and Advanced PEMF Practitioner

MSc (Royal Dick Vet School, Edinburgh), BSc (Hons), FdSc, HDip, Cert ESMT, AdvPrac PEMF, IRVAP(mt), AOPP, BEVA, BSAS, IAAT, IAAMB
Fully Insured & Approved

10/11/2025

🐴 Horses are so much more than “just animals.” They’re our friends, confidants, partners, and healers — grounding us, teaching us, and reminding us what true connection feels like. 💫

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going dow...
09/11/2025

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them ❤️💜

06/11/2025

Does your horse feel tense, resistant, or just not quite right under saddle? 🐴💭
Neck pain and tension can show up in subtle ridden signs such as:
✨ Difficulty bending or flexing one way
✨ Reluctance to accept the contact or go “round”
✨ Head tossing or uneven head/neck carriage
✨ Shortened stride or stiffness in transitions
✨ A feeling of heaviness in the reins or lack of softness
✨️ Tripping, stumbling or lack of coordination

These changes can make your ride feel frustrating or disconnected — but they’re your horse’s way of saying something’s uncomfortable.

💆‍♀️ Regular massage, therapies and targeted exercises can release tension, improve suppleness, and restore comfort and performance.

03/11/2025

I cannot believe we are already in November! Less than 4 weeks to go 😱
Thank you Equestrian Business Awards for putting on such an amazing event and I can't wait to meet everyone!
Roll on the 29th!

Have you considered the impact winter has on your horse's diet?As the seasons change, so do the nutritional and physiolo...
02/11/2025

Have you considered the impact winter has on your horse's diet?

As the seasons change, so do the nutritional and physiological needs of horses, with winter significantly impacting hydration and therefore tendon elasticity, fascia health and more. It is important to understand how to adapt care routines to support musculoskeletal health and keep your horses performing at the top level.

🌾 Winter Diet Transitions: From Moisture-Rich Grass to Dry Forage
During warmer months, horses graze on fresh pasture, which contains up to 80% moisture. In winter, this is replaced by hay or haylage, which typically contains only 10–20% moisture. This reduction in water intake from forage alone can lead to systemic dehydration if not properly managed. Alongside this, cold weather often discourages horses from drinking enough. Icy troughs and reduced thirst response mean horses may consume less than required, increasing the risk of impaction colic and compromising cellular hydration.

🧬 Fascia and Tendon Health
Fascia is a connective tissue network that surrounds muscles, organs, and joints. It’s composed largely of water and collagen, and its ability to glide and support movement depends on adequate hydration. Tendons, too, require water to maintain their visco-elastic properties. Dehydrated fascia becomes stiff and adhesive, reducing range of motion and increasing injury risk. Similarly, dry tendons lose their shock-absorbing capacity, making them prone to strain under load.

🐴 Hard Feed and Hay: Fibre vs Fluid
Hard feeds and dry hay are essential for winter energy needs, but they lack the moisture content of fresh grass. Without compensatory water intake or soaked feeds, horses may experience slower digestion and reduced nutrient absorption. This can lead to muscle fatigue and poor recovery.

✅ Practical Tips for Supporting Tissue Hydration
Offer warm or flavoured water to encourage drinking during cold spells
Incorporate soaked feeds like beet pulp or alfalfa to boost moisture intake

Understanding the interplay between diet, hydration, and tissue health is key to maintaining peak performance and comfort for your horse.

A poorly fitted rug isn’t just uncomfortable—it can alter your horse’s biomechanics & compromise tissue health.Rugs are ...
01/11/2025

A poorly fitted rug isn’t just uncomfortable—it can alter your horse’s biomechanics & compromise tissue health.

Rugs are essential, for some, for warmth and protection, but a poor fit can interfere with musculoskeletal function and are often overlooked.

🧠 Spinal Alignment and Postural Compensation
The equine spine is a dynamic structure supported by deep postural muscles. These muscles stabilize the vertebrae and facilitate movement. A rug that pulls unevenly across the withers or spine- especially if it slips or twists- can create asymmetrical pressure, leading to compensatory posture such as a hollow back or bracing of the neck. This can exacerbate existing conditions.

🦴 Restricted Scapular Movement
The scapula (shoulder blade) rotates upward and backward during locomotion, sliding beneath the trapezius and over the thoracic rib cage. A rug that is too tight across the chest or shoulders can impinge on the scapular cartilage, which acts as a lubricant between bone and muscle. This cartilage is delicate and non-regenerative - once damaged, it cannot heal.

Restriction here limits stride length, reduces shoulder freedom, and can cause compensatory loading in the forelimbs and thoracic spine. Horses may present with shortened movement, reluctance to stretch, or uneven muscle development.

⚖️ Asymmetrical Muscle Loading
When a rug shifts to one side or applies uneven tension, it alters how muscles are loaded during movement. Uneven loading can affect fascia and lymphatic flow, contributing to localised inflammation, fluid retention, and reduced tissue elasticity.

✅ Best Practices for Rug Fit
Check clearance: Ensure the rug allows full scapular rotation without pressure points. Rugs should sit evenly across the spine and not twist or pull to one side.

Assess movement: Watch your horse walk and trot in the rug—look for shortened stride or reluctance to move freely.

I often see the downstream effects of poor rug fit in horses and ponies. Addressing these subtle biomechanical stressors is key to maintaining comfort, performance, and long-term musculoskeletal health.

01/11/2025

Lets talk about rug fit. Do you know the deeper impacts of an incorrectly fitted rug for your horse and how it can effect your ridden work? Check out my page for the full post.

Cold weather - Do you increase equine's your warm-up?As temperatures drop, your horse’s body undergoes physiological cha...
31/10/2025

Cold weather - Do you increase equine's your warm-up?

As temperatures drop, your horse’s body undergoes physiological changes that can affect performance, comfort and safety and lead to a higher risk of injury.

🧊 Thicker Joint Fluid = Stiffer Movement
Synovial fluid (the lubricant inside the joints) becomes more viscous when cold. This means it flows less freely, reducing shock absorption and mobility. Horses with arthritis/joint sensitivity often feel stiff in winter, not just because it's cold, but due to reduced synovial efficiency.

Lower barometric pressure (when there are deteriorating weather conditions) also plays a role. As pressure drops, soft tissues around joints expand slightly, destabilising the joint capsule and increasing discomfort.

🦵 Tendons and Ligaments Take Longer to Warm Up
Tendons and ligaments are dense connective tissues that rely on circulation to stay elastic. In cold weather, blood flow decreases, making these structures stiffer and slower to activate. This delay in warm-up means they’re less able to absorb shock and transfer force - raising the risk of strain, micro-tears and injury.

The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament are especially vulnerable. They are critical for movement and stability. Cold-induced stiffness can compromise their function.

🐴 What You Can Do

Extend your warm-up: Allow extra time before asking for performance. Walk, stretch, and use gentle transitions.

Keep your horse moving: Horses stabled in cold weather reduce their movement, compounding stiffness. Turnout and light exercise help maintain circulation.

Therapies: Modalities like sports massage, PEMF and functional core stability exercises can stimulate blood flow, reduce stiffness, and support connective tissues.

Layers: Use exercise bandages or boots to protect vulnerable areas like the cannon bone and fetlock. NOT a substitute for a longer warm-up!

⭐Want to know more? Winter care plans are uniquely tailored to support your horse’s biomechanics, recovery, and performance.
DM or call to book in your winter wellness session and get your horse on the right track.

Very exciting meeting to go through the final stages of getting my Masters thesis paper published in the Equine Veterina...
23/10/2025

Very exciting meeting to go through the final stages of getting my Masters thesis paper published in the Equine Veterinary Journal!
📝 then its onto even BIGGER things 😅😱


We had help with the gardening today! What is your horses favourite sneaky snack?
18/10/2025

We had help with the gardening today! What is your horses favourite sneaky snack?

One of my smallest clients, the very beautiful Munchie 🐴 Feeling fabulous at 16 years old! What a little super star 🌟 ...
15/10/2025

One of my smallest clients, the very beautiful Munchie 🐴
Feeling fabulous at 16 years old! What a little super star 🌟

13/10/2025

Love the Horse First, Sport Second

This year at Horse of the Year Show , a young rider reminded us all what true horsemanship looks like.

In the middle of competition, after stumbling at a jump, she felt something wasn’t right with her horse. Without hesitation, she chose to retire. Not for points, not for ribbons, but for her horse.

That’s what it means to love the horse first and the sport second.

It takes courage to walk away, especially when the adrenaline is high and the pressure is on. But the best horsemen and horsewomen always listen—because the partnership comes before the prize.

Well done, young lady. That’s the kind of rider we should all strive to be. 💛🐴



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