Jayne Connors - Equine Osteopath & Sports Massage, Oxford (2025)

28/11/2025

The Power of a Dual Approach: Osteopathy Meets Sports Massage

Why choose between addressing joint function and muscle comfort when you can have both?

As both an Equine Osteopath and Sports Massage Therapist, I provide a complete, integrated treatment that ensures nothing is missed:

Osteopathy: I first address any underlying skeletal and joint restrictions (the framework).

Sports Massage: I then use targeted massage to release the muscular tension that has built up around those restrictions, supporting the correction and promoting comfort.

This approach ensures your horse's entire structure—from their skeletal alignment to their superficial muscles —is working in harmony.

📍Covering Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire.

26/11/2025

Our horses are masters of subtle communication, and often, what we perceive as "bad behaviour" or "just being stiff" are actually their ways of telling us they're in pain or uncomfortable.

Swipe through these slides to learn 4 common signs that your horse might be needing some bodywork! ➡️

From changes under saddle to unusual reactions during grooming, these seemingly small indicators can point to underlying musculoskeletal issues that impact their happiness, performance, and long-term health.

As an Equine Osteopath and Sports Massage Therapist, I'm trained to identify these 'red flags' and address the root causes of discomfort. Don't let your horse suffer in silence – early intervention is key!

If any of these signs sound familiar, let's talk. Your horse's comfort is my priority.

I provide comprehensive assessments and tailored treatments across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire.

🔗 DM me directly to book a consultation.

24/11/2025

🐴 Is Your Horse Truly Comfortable?

As a dedicated horse owner, you know your horse gives their all. But sometimes, those subtle signs—a slight stiffness on one rein, reluctance over a fence, or a change in temperament—can hint at an underlying discomfort that's silently impacting their performance and well-being.

It's easy to overlook minor tension until it escalates.

My Approach: Osteopathy & Sports Massage

I am an Equine Osteopath and Sports Massage Therapist dedicated to finding and releasing those deep-seated restrictions that compromise your horse's movement.

I don't just treat symptoms; I look at the whole picture to restore balance:

- Optimising Biomechanics: Enhancing fluidity and range of motion.

- Helping Recovery: Supporting muscles after exercise or injury.

- Promoting Comfort: Helping your horse feel relaxed and happy in their body.

My goal is to give your horse the physical freedom they need to perform at their best, whether they're an elite athlete or a beloved pleasure horse.

📍 Where I Can Help
I cover Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire.

If you suspect your horse could benefit from a knowledgeable, gentle, and effective treatment, send me a message.

Send me a direct message or visit my website to book a consultation.

21/11/2025

❄️ We're all feeling the chill, but for our horses, this cold snap can dramatically impact their body mechanics, leading to stiffness, soreness, and a greater risk of strain.

What Happens in Cold Weather?
Muscles Contract: Cold air causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing circulation to the extremities. Muscles reflexively tense up to conserve heat, leading to reduced elasticity and a "wooden" feeling.

Joint Fluid Thickens: The lubricating synovial fluid within the joints becomes thicker and less mobile in the cold, making joints feel stiff and achy—especially for horses with existing arthritis.

Reduced Movement: Horses naturally move less when it’s cold, further compounding stiffness.

My Role in Cold-Weather Comfort
As an Equine Osteopath and Sports Massage Therapist, my goal in cold weather sessions is to counteract the effects of the cold:

Boost Circulation: Targeted sports massage increases blood flow, bringing warmth, oxygen, and nutrients back into cold, constricted muscles.

Restore Joint Mobility: Gentle osteopathic articulation encourages the synovial fluid to thin and circulate, restoring joint function and relieving that painful stiffness.

Prevent Compensations: By releasing the tightness in key areas (like the back and loins), we stop minor stiffness from escalating into major compensation patterns when they return to work.

Don't let the cold compromise your horse's comfort. A targeted winter treatment can make a world of difference.

📍 Serving Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire.

19/11/2025

🐎 Every Horse Is a Performance Horse

When people hear the term “performance horse,” they often think of elite competition — eventers, dressage horses, or show jumpers competing at top level.
But in reality, every horse performs — whether it’s a hack out at the weekend, a riding club dressage test, or a few poles in the school.

Each movement your horse makes — bending, collecting, pushing off from behind — places physical demands on their body.

Even light work requires strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination. And just like any athlete, horses can experience areas of tension, restriction, or imbalance that affect how comfortably and efficiently they move.

As an equine osteopath and sports massage therapist, my aim isn’t just to “treat injuries,” but to help your horse’s body function at its best.

Through gentle osteopathic techniques and targeted soft tissue work, we can:
- Release muscular tension and improve flexibility
- Restore joint mobility and alignment
- Enhance symmetry and performance
- Support recovery from training or everyday wear and tear

Whether your horse is competing, schooling, or enjoying quiet hacks, they deserve to move freely and comfortably.

💆‍♀️ Osteopathy and massage can help keep your horse supple, balanced, and ready to enjoy their work.

📍Covering Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire

17/11/2025

TMJ tension can show up in subtle ways — often mistaken for schooling or contact issues.

Here are some common signs to watch for:
- Resistance to the bit or difficulty accepting contact
- Head tilting or uneven chewing
- Poll sensitivity or reluctance to flex
- Uneven bend or straightness issues
- Grinding, yawning, or gaping under saddle
- Reluctance to stretch or relax

The TMJ doesn’t work in isolation — it’s closely connected to the poll, cervical spine, and back.

Dysfunction here can create a ripple effect that changes the way the whole horse moves.

Next week: we’ll explore what research says about the TMJ and how osteopathy can help.

📍 Covering Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire.

14/11/2025

Our horses give us so much — whether that’s a quiet hack after a long week or a focused schooling session in the arena.

Equine osteopathy and sports massage aren’t just for when something goes wrong.
They can help your horse:
✨ Stay supple and relaxed through their back and neck
✨ Maintain flexibility and joint health
✨ Recover from training or changes in workload
✨ Feel more balanced under saddle

Regular bodywork supports not only performance but also wellbeing. Because small restrictions can lead to bigger compensations if left unchecked.

If you’ve noticed changes in your horse’s movement, behaviour, or willingness, it may be their way of saying they’re uncomfortable.

A simple check could make all the difference.

📍 Covering Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire
💬 Message to find out how osteopathy and massage can support your horse this winter.

12/11/2025

Have you ever noticed your horse finding it harder to bend or flex one way compared to the other?

This isn’t always about training — it can often be a sign of underlying physical imbalance.

Horses, just like people, develop natural asymmetries. But when these are combined with factors like saddle fit, rider balance, or old injuries, they can cause uneven muscle development or restricted joint movement.

You might notice:
- Difficulty maintaining a consistent contact on one rein
- A stiffer canter lead
- Resistance when turning or lateral work
- One shoulder that feels “heavier” to ride

From an osteopathic and massage perspective, these are signs the body is compensating. Muscles, fascia, and joints on one side may be overworking to make up for restriction elsewhere.

Treatment aims to:
👐 Restore symmetry through the spine and pelvis
💆 Release tension in overused muscles
🦴 Improve flexibility and joint mobility

The result? A more balanced, supple horse who can bend evenly both ways.

If this sounds like your horse, now is the time to get them booked in so that we can get on top of the issue quickly.

10/11/2025

As the weather turns colder, it’s common to notice your horse feeling a little more stiff — especially at the start of a ride.

Cold temperatures can cause muscles to tighten and circulation to slow, leading to reduced flexibility and a longer warm-up time.

Here are a few simple ways to support your horse:
🔥 Allow extra time to warm up and cool down
🧣 Use exercise sheets or quarter rugs during warm-up
💆 Regular bodywork to release tension and maintain mobility

Osteopathy and sports massage can make a big difference in how your horse feels through their back and hindquarters — helping them stay comfortable, supple, and ready for work even on frosty mornings.

07/11/2025

Did you know your horse’s core muscles are just as important as their legs when it comes to performance and soundness?

The core — including the abdominal muscles, back muscles, and deep stabilisers around the pelvis — plays a vital role in:
- Supporting the spine and posture
- Maintaining balance through transitions
- Absorbing movement forces from the hindquarters

When these muscles are weak or tight, you may notice:
🐎 Hollowing through the back
🐎 Difficulty engaging the hind end
🐎 Uneven contact or irregular rhythm

Through osteopathic treatment and targeted soft tissue work, we can help restore correct function and activation of these muscles — allowing your horse to move with strength, stability, and comfort.

A well-functioning core means a happier, more balanced horse both under saddle and at rest.

05/11/2025

🐴 What Is Equine Osteopathy — And How Can It Help Your Horse?

Equine osteopathy is a hands-on, whole-body approach to improving the health, comfort, and performance of your horse. It’s based on the principle that the body functions as one connected system — muscles, joints, fascia, and organs all working together in balance.

When one part of the body becomes restricted, whether from an old injury, poor posture, or repetitive strain, it can affect how the rest of the body moves. Over time, your horse may start to compensate — using different muscles, changing their movement pattern, or becoming uneven through the reins or stride.

Osteopathy looks to identify why this imbalance has occurred, not just where your horse is sore. Through gentle techniques such as joint mobilisations, soft tissue release, stretching, and fascial work, an osteopath aims to restore mobility, alignment, and balance across the entire body.

You might notice your horse feeling looser, moving more freely, or engaging more easily through their back after treatment. But osteopathy isn’t just about performance — it’s also about comfort. Many subtle issues like reluctance to canter, difficulty bending one way, or behavioural changes under saddle can stem from underlying physical discomfort.

By improving circulation, reducing tension, and supporting joint health, osteopathy helps your horse maintain long-term well-being. It can be beneficial for:
- Horses in regular work or competition
- Young horses starting their careers
- Older horses needing help to stay comfortable and mobile

Osteopathy works well alongside veterinary care, farriery, dental, and saddle fitting — creating a complete support system for your horse’s health.

I focus on helping horses move and feel their best, using a combination of osteopathic principles and soft tissue therapy to address both the cause and the compensation.

📍Covering Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire.

03/11/2025

When your horse shows discomfort — like a sore back, shortened stride, head tossing, or behavioural changes — it’s tempting to treat the area that looks or feels painful.

But here’s the truth 👇

The body doesn’t work in isolation.

Read the post to find out more!

Jayne Connors - Equine Osteopath & Sports Massage

28/11/2025

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19/11/2025

17/11/2025

14/11/2025

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