Hands On Horses

24/12/2025

🌲🎅🎁Merry Christmas to all past, current and future clients of Hands on Horses Massage Therapy! What a year it's been...I still can't believe I am able to call this passion my job🙏❤️. Looking forward to meeting lots of new horses and their lovely owners in the new year!

CASE STUDY Part 1: Dana❤️

The video attachment gives a mini snapshot of a first session with a new client, with kind permission of her owner. This massage shows a first step in exploration and familiarisation of the process for Dana, who is a very laid back character, but preferring to nibble hay throughout and 'tune me out' when those areas of discomfort were revealed, while the process is still new to her.

Next session, planned for 2 weeks or so in order to build on progress from today where significant sensitivity was found, I will challenge her to 'talk to me' a little more, incorporating some lighter acupressure/fascial work and asking her to become a more active participant in her own tension release, minus the hay distraction where possible, and responding to her cues for a more horse-led therapy session.

Post-session, a full report was sent to the client, along with a homework task attachment, enabling benefits to continue between visits. In this case, a gentle hamstring loosening exercise was the most suitable option to compliment massage, and was demonstrated to the client before I left.

Part 2 to follow....😊👐🐴

01/12/2025

Looking for a fab gift for a horse-loving friend or family member who already has all the matchy-matchy covered?😜

The Hands on Horses Christmas vouchers are back! £45 per voucher😊.
Please get in touch if you'd like to purchase one - both electronic and hard copies available, and you can even select your colour preference to match your wrapping/card theme😁👐🐴🎄🎁

04/11/2025

An amazing day of training from an osteopathic perspective in pelvic function/dysfunction and how a 'twisted pelvis' really doesn't exist!!🤯 Was so pleased to get this opportunity as there is no doubt that the sacroiliac joint is a mysterious and highly misunderstood structure - I feel that I have at least become much better acquainted with it now😜.

Can't wait to put my new ideas to use in sessions
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02/11/2025

True!!!👐🐴

26/10/2025

The heatpad is 100% coming into it's own at this time of year - it is on constant charge in the house! I love it❤️.
Today it was the turn of my own horse, Jules, who is struggling with a bit of soreness under saddle at the moment. There are likely multiple factors at play, and as always, we have to play detective to try and get to the bottom of it🔎:

-Tension from reintroduction of rugging and the inevitable restriction in movement and stride length
- Possible slip causing a muscle tweak while out playing with friends in the newly-wet conditions
- General tiredness from coat change energy deficit and temperature/environment changes making for poor posture and reduced strength
- Sneaky autumn grass intake causing mild inflammation (despite living on a predominantly hay-based diet on a track😉)
- Natural seasonal body condition fluctuations altering saddle fit slightly

And finally, and one that is often missed:

- Being a mare! Mares are often more affected by hormonal changes in spring and autumn. Jules has just come into what I suspect might be her final season of the year, and her body has likely been rather sore for the last week or so. This often shows up as discomfort in the lumbars (ovaries are located below here, in the abdomen) and resultant resistance when ridden - and who can blame them?! I wouldn't much like to be sat on when I have tummy cramps😩

Whatever the cause, you can't beat a heatpad/massage session to help ease into the season. The heatpad is great for relaxing the area and reducing any sharp pain, so that subsequent gentle massage is more readily tolerated and effective. I followed heat with myofascial release of withers, back, ribcage and gluteals, trigger point therapy where spasms had formed, compressions and vibrations to open out the tissue and encourage bloodflow, and finished with a tail stretch and gentle back stretch. I then re-rugged her to keep the area warm, but allowed her back on track to keep her moving gently and enable optimal circulation to the area. I will revisit the area in a week to check for improvement and repeat as required.

Do get in touch if you feel your horse could use some attention at this more challenging time of year to keep them feeling at their best.💪❤️🍂
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24/10/2025

MASSAGE THERAPY Vs PHYSIOTHERAPY

Massage Therapy is often confused with Veterinary Physiotherapy. Whilst I always correct the error when made regarding Hands on Horses for full clarity, the confusion is of course entirely understandable. There is undeniable cross-over between the two modalities, both being focused on optimal functionality of SOFT TISSUE directly. Both are so valuable at the right times, and I will indeed sometimes refer to physios, along with of course vets, chiropractors or osteopaths, where needs go beyond the scope of massage. In reverse, I often receive referrals for the regular maintenance, 'prehab' and relaxation benefits that only massage therapy can provide❤️.

I felt that it might be a good time to redefine the two soft tissue approaches for anyone understandably feeling a bit befuddled by the similarities, or overwhelmed by the multiple options available😅. In brief:

1. Primary Goal.....

PHYSIO: To rehabilitate a horse after an injury or illness and restore full range of movement

MASSAGE: To provide overall maintenance, address soft tissue issues, and promote relaxation

2. Techniques.....

PHYSIO: Uses a wide range of techniques, including massage, stretching, mobilisation, and electrotherapies like TENS, PEMF, and ultrasound

MASSAGE: Focuses on manual techniques like stroking, kneading, and friction to manipulate soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia). In the case of Hands on Horses - acupressure, myofascial release and gentle mobilisation techniques are combined with massage for optimal results

Focus.....

PHYSIO:Targets the root cause of specific physical problems, often focusing on a particular area related to an injury

MASSAGE: Adopts a "whole horse" approach, treating the entire body to improve soft tissue integrity and overall well-being

I believe that teamwork is key, and love to compare notes with fellow professionals for maximum benefit to the horses we are assisting. But no...I'm NOT a PHYSIO😜😜, I'm a MASSAGE THERAPIST and proud😁👐🐴

23/10/2025

10/10/2025

A fabulous day of training - a few new tools for the toolbox and LOTS to think about🤯 👐🐴

29/09/2025

🐴 The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram

The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) is a scientifically validated tool developed by Dr. Sue Dyson and colleagues to identify subtle signs of musculoskeletal pain in horses under saddle. It comprises 24 specific behaviors that, when observed, can indicate discomfort or pain. If a horse displays 8 or more of these behaviors during a short ridden assessment, it is likely experiencing musculoskeletal pain .

The behaviors are categorized into Head, Neck, Back, Gait, and Rider Interaction. Each behavior has been observed to be significantly more likely in horses with pain compared to those without.

🐴 Head & Neck
1. Head tilting
2. Head shaking
3. Head tossing
4. Ears pinned back for ≥5 seconds
5. Abnormal head carriage
6. Resistance to flexion
7. Difficulty maintaining a straight line
8. Hollowing of the neck

🐴 Back
9. Hollowing of the back
10. Swishing tail for ≥5 seconds
11. Tail clamping
12. Kicking at the belly
13. Bucking
14. Resisting forward movement
15. Reluctance to move forward
16. Lameness or uneven gait

🐴 Gait
17. Shortened stride length
18. Uneven stride rhythm
19. Head bobbing
20. Stiffness in movement
21. Difficulty with lateral movements
22. Tripping or stumbling
23. Reluctance to canter or jump

🐴 Rider Interaction
24. Resistance to rider aids

These behaviors are not always indicative of pain but, when observed in combination, can suggest discomfort. It’s important to consider the context and consult with a veterinarian or equine professional for a comprehensive assessment.

For a visual guide and further information, you can download the free mobile field guide from the official website: https://www.24horsebehaviors.org/free-downloads

09/09/2025

Such a great day learning about the fitting of Smart Saddles (my personal flexible-treed saddle choice for my own big-moving horse).

So useful to consider fitting, biomechanics and padding/shimming options from my bodywork perspective, and I hope to be able to assist clients with some of my new insights where possible going forward.

Thank you so much for the invitation from my saddle advisor, Julie Knaggs of Montague Saddles😁.

https://www.smartsaddles.com/
Montague Saddles - Julie Knaggs

26/08/2025

Hands on Horses is proud to be accredited by the IAAT😊 👐🐴