Capriole Equine Sports & Rehabilitation Massage

20/10/2025

Strangles is much more prevalent in Northumberland than alot of us realise. Always stay vigilant and keep an eye on your horse's temperature, aswell as looking out for lethargy, loss of appetite, nasal discharge and coughing! Swollen glands aren't always the first tell tale sign of strangles!

Owners have been reminded of the need to be vigilant and take action after a “significant” increase in strangles cases. Read more below

16/09/2025

Just over 3 years of what was supposed to have only been 3 months, has now turned into what will be a lifetime of pocket rocket adventures with my sweet, sassy and vibrant madam who enjoys a coffee and cake stop as much as any high maintenance girl does 👸🏽

09/09/2025

MUSCLE HEALTH

🤔 What people think good muscle health does:

🤔 Makes our horse stronger...

✅️ What good muscle health actually does:

🐴 Improves Performance:
Strong muscles enhance a horse's capabilities, whether in speed, strength, or endurance for various equestrian disciplines.

🐴 Injury Prevention:
Muscles support the skeletal structure and joints, distributing forces more evenly and reducing the risk of injury.

🐴 Enhanced Stamina and Speed:
Muscle development increases a horse's stamina and ability to sustain effort, making them more effective athletes.

🐴 Metabolic Health:
Muscle tissue is the body's metabolic engine, playing a role in efficient glucose and fat metabolism and energy production.

🐴 Immune Support:
A strong muscular system contributes to overall health, including a more resilient immune system and better recovery from exertion.

🐴 Overall Vitality and Lifespan:
Good muscle health contributes to a horse's general vitality, a strong topline, and a longer, healthier life. Great for supporting our golden oldies ✨️

📲 Get in touch to find out how I can assist you in helping you improve your horse's muscle health.


📸 North East Equine Photography

30/08/2025

Feeling so lucky to have been accepted by the queen that is Tapaidh Frankies life after racing 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

27/08/2025

HARD GROUND: THE EFFECTS AND HOW TO HELP YOUR HORSE

Whilst most of the British population is enjoying an incredibly warm summer (hello climate change), as equestrians it continues to add to the multiple concerns that we have regarding our horses and their welfare.

The hard ground for one is at the forefront of all of our minds as we know that hard ground conditions can be detrimental to our horses legs and overall musculoskeletal system.

The concussive force generated as a horse moves at speed on a firm surface is mostly absorbed by the structures of the hoof then dissipating further up the leg moving into the bones, joints and soft tissues.

‘A much bigger issue is that hard ground is fast ground,’ (Hattie Lawrence MRCVS of Valley Equine Hospital). Hattie explains that on firm ground there is no ‘holding’ factor to check the horse’s speed – therefore increasing the injury risk.

COMMON INJURIES CAUSED BY HARD GROUND
❌️Concussion and jarring
❌️Bruised soles
❌️Splints
❌️Tendon injuries
❌️Sore shins

SIGNS THAT YOUR HORSE MAY BE AFFECTED BY HARD GROUND
❌️Shortened stride
❌️Increased tension through the muscular system

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR HORSE MANAGE WITH HARD GROUND
✅️Take it easy over hard ground and most definitely consider going no faster than walk and trot
✅️Good shoeing if your horse is shod and correct hoof balance if barefoot with appropriate hoof boots
✅️Cold hose or apply ice/cooling boots after work on hard ground
✅️Get your horse’s musculoskeletal system assessed regularly by your qualified service provider (equine massage therapist, physio, etc) to ensure a proactive approach to any potential tension in your horse’s body

✅️✅️But most importantly, ‘if it feels like concrete underfoot and you can save your horse for another day, then you probably should.’


📷 North East Equine Photography

21/08/2025

HAPPY RETIREMENT TO THE INCREDIBLE TAPAIDH FRANKIE

I'd try put something together but thought that these beautiful words from Tapaidh Frankies life after racing were the absolute best! Plus I'm feeling all teary 🥹 What a wonderful horse and such a special partnership that I've been so lucky to witness ✨️

“The final salute” 💚
She’s been one of the most successful RoRs to compete at small tour and last week I decided to retire her at the top of her game rather than push for more and what better place to do it than where we have made the most amazing memories 💚
She’s won so many sashes they wouldn’t all fit on the rug a friend so kindly offered to make us

It’s been an emotional week , I love this horse dearly and always want what is best for her so it’s time to take the pressure off

Tomorrow we’ll head home from Aintree for the last time , she’ll have a holiday and then hopefully she’ll enjoy some light work and maybe appear in some demos flying the flag for these amazing horses 💚

I just can’t thank her enough for the places she’s taken me and what I’ve achieved with her

Thank you Anne Parkinson and the team at RoR , Carly Sage and the team at Aintree and Nick Wood for a great send of last night
And of course my whole RoR Family who have supported us along the way and last night ensured I was smiling in at least some of the photos when I saw the banner they had made 💚
We hope we’ve inspired you all to keep going and keep trying even the naughty ones can turn out great in the end 💚 xx