Agile Equine Integral Support Therapy

12/10/2025

The hidden damage of badly fitting rugs ❌

Most of us are now clipping for the winter and many horses spend longer hours rugged, but an ill fitting rug can quietly cause significant tissue damage. This is something I tend to preach every year!

Basically tight or uneven rugs create constant pressure over the withers, shoulders, and hips. Over time, this can lead to bruising, fascial restriction, and reduced circulation, causing soreness and really poor tissue health.

If a rug is tight across the chest or shoulders, it can limit scapular movement and shorten stride length. Rugs that slip or twist may cause horses to alter their posture to stay balanced, leading to tension and asymmetry.

🙏 Check & Prevent. Look for rub marks, warmth, or uneven hair growth when removing your rugs. Watch how your horse moves, restricted shoulder action is definitely an early warning sign. A well fitting rug supports free movement, healthy fascia, and muscle balance and makes for a happy free moving horse!

🐎 Have a great winter but keep checking

www.woldsequinemassage.co.uk

07/06/2025

I don't treat myself to manicures very often... but it's typical that the first thing I do straight after getting my nails done is massaging 🤭

24/04/2025

Enjoy a peaceful 2 minutes of Duchess processing and releasing tension in her body ✨️

Here I am working through the restricted fascia and then working deeper into the many different muscles along the scapular and base of the neck- She was specifically tight in the Deltoideus, Serrated ventralis, brachiocephalicus and the brachialis muscles.

This is a good reminder of how it all takes time. The body and the mind takes time to unravel any tension. It's in these quiet moments where the true releases happen and where the postural and mental changes can begin. Most of the changes actually happen when we take our hands off the horse and just hold space for them.

27/03/2025

I get asked a lot by clients on how often their horse needs a treatment and when to get chiro/ osteo etc. So I thought I'd break it down...

Please note: This is based on a maintenance schedule only, every horse is different and yes, I am biased! 😂

A great rule of thumb is: massage therapy/soft tissue body work on a maintenance schedule. So every 6- 8 weeks is a good place to start- every horse is slightly different and some need sessions more frequently than others. If you or your bodyworker feels that a Chiropractor is needed for deeper manipulations then every 3 or so months is typically the average. Again, every horse is different, some benefit from regular Chiropractic treatments and some don't even need the chiro!
In terms of what soft tissue therapist to go for (bowen, masterson, massage therapy etc): Personally (and I am biased), I would start with a normal, well qualified massage therapist as they can work with fascia as well as getting deeper into the muscles. You can always get other types of therapists out as time goes on if you feel that you and your horse would benefit. Any decent massage therapist would be happy to recommend other modalities that would benefit you both!
But yeah, to summarise: frequent bodywork (6-8 weeks), chiro every few months if you need it (and what your chiro says as well). And regular saddle checks!! (Every 3 months as a standard).

A bit long winded but I hope that helps,
From a qualified Equine Massage Therapist who is seeing an increasing number of different therapies pop up, which is fantastic, but it's no wonder all us horse owners are getting a bit confused and don't know where to start!

06/02/2025

The Muddy Pony and I left the ground for the first time today! Aside from a few cross poles around this time last year, where it was so messy that I decided to "give up" until our flatwork was MUCH better. Not to mention the fact that I haven't jumped properly in years so I definitely wasn't helping!
Thanks to my amazing instructor Kate Cox Duchess and I have improved drastically! So although the jump is hardly a jump at all, it is a huge achievement that I have been working towards for a long time! It's all about the little steps and building from there 🌟

If you look closely enough, you can see her dosing off which she does after every lesson 😂

11/01/2025

02/01/2025

And so another year begins ✨️🌄
I've got a few exciting things in the works at the moment, so watch this space!

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas everyone! From my muddy pony to yours 🎅🎄

21/12/2024

Aannnddd that's a wrap! The last horse of the year treated! (apart from maybe Duchess 😋)

Thank you to all my wonderful clients, old and new, who have supported me this year ❤️

I've been so very lucky to have a lovely client base with horses varying from retired companions to competition horses 🐎

I will be back and taking bookings from the 2nd January 2025! ✨️

30/11/2024

❄️🎄Christmas SALE now on! 🎄❄️

07/10/2024

The immune-boosting effects of massage typically last from a few hours to several days after a session. Massage stimulates the lymphatic system, reduces stress hormones like cortisol, and increases the production of white blood cells. It also promotes the release of growth factors, stem cells, fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts, which aid in immune function and tissue repair. With regular massage, these benefits can become more pronounced and sustained, as it helps maintain a balanced physiological state and reduces chronic stress. The duration and strength of the immune boost depend on factors like overall health, frequency of massage, and individual levels of stress or inflammation.

Massage helps your horse heal himself.

Other therapies are NOT stand-ins or substitutes for massage – they do different things for the horse - learn more here - https://koperequine.com/why-hands-on-massage-is-the-best-way-to-for-sore-care-muscles/



*Contact me to book your horse’s appointment today!