Canterbury ConTact CARE

07/04/2026

🌟🐎 Christchurch Peeps! 🐎🌟
Equine ConTact CARE Foundation Course.
May 2/3, North Loburn.
Come along and join us for fun filled weekend of learning about Flinchlock and what it happens the self defence system of the equine body when under pressure. Learn the basics of releasing pressure so you can apply the method for your horses, family and pets. Register at www.equinecontactcare.com,
DM or email info@epona.co.nz for more information.

❤️

01/04/2026

🌟🌟🌟 APRIL SPECIAL 🌟🌟🌟

Given the cost of everything these days, I would still like to offer affordable treatments for my human and equine clients!

For the month April, if you travel to my Loburn clinic, each session will be $75 (usually $95 plus travel)

I hope this helps some of you get the TLC you deserve and keep us on track coming into the colder winter months.

If you already have a booking with me, I will automatically apply the new pricing. If you have a mobile booking and would like to switch it to come here instead, just message me. Some appointments may have to move dates/times as my mobile appointments are organized logistically in certain areas.

PM me to book ❤️🐴❤️

15/03/2026

How lucky was Canterbury to have the amazing Elly-May Smith from Ease in Flow Equine - ConTact CARE here this weekend!

Full on days with some incredible human, Equine and Canine clients! Thank you so much to those who trusted us - so much pressure dropped everywhere.

Finished off the day with a swapsies session in the sun, in the middle of the garden 🥰 for us to help others, we have to help ourselves 🥰🦴🦴🦴

10/03/2026

This one hurts. Alot 😔

I pride myself on keeping sessions as affordable as possible for everyone, because everyone deserves to have access to good quality care for themselves and their animals.

Unfortunately, due to current economic conditions, fuel and RUC haven't just risen - they have almost doubled for me.

My travel fees have always been completely reasonable (or nil existent), but in the current climate I need to add a reasonable travel fee to all mobile sessions provided moving forward (as per current IRD rates per km, and additional time if distance is over 30km.)

I will keep this fair and reasonable, and if by some miracle the fuel drops back to a normal price, I will review this!!

This is not taking advantage of the system. This is necessary to survive, and without it, I will not be able to continue offering mobile treatments. I service Cheviot to Ashburton & everywhere in between - it's a lot of kms.

Appreciate your support and understanding 🙏

04/03/2026

Have you noticed something different?

That's right! Canterbury Equine Contact Care is now Canterbury ConTact CARE! 🐎🔥

A lot of enquires come through asking if I also work on people, and the answer is YES!

* Equine * Human * Canine *

Mobile sessions available & at my home in Loburn, North Canterbury.

💫Please note: Mobile & after hour sessions (evenings) generally book out up to 3 - 4 weeks in advance, as I also have another job.

I do my very best to fit everyone in (urgent colic call-outs will also take priority) and keep my waitlist moving, but if you are needing a session, please PM me to book asap. I strive to reply to messages within 24 hours. Appreciate your patience! 💫

23/02/2026

Newest addition to the beautiful Holyoake family!

Salty enjoying his session today ❤️🐎❤️

23/02/2026

***LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE***

Hi Everyone!

Some great news! I am so so grateful for the support I have received from all of my wonderful clients. To the point where it has been quite hard to keep up with you all. I pride myself on reliability, punctuality and integrity of my work - and feel like that has been lacking a little lately.

For Friday 13th, Sat 14th & Sun 15th March i have the amazing Elly-May from Ease in Flow Equine - ConTact CARE here to help me catch up! She is travelling all the way down from the Coromandel.

FRIDAY 13TH
Fully booked at this stage - waitlist only

SATURDAY 14TH
Limited PM availability after 1pm

SUNDAY 15TH
Almost fully booked.

Potentially some late afternoon appointments available between Dunsandel and Loburn (either city way or Oxford way)

Apologies, no long distance will be available. Just staying slightly wider than City limits this time.

We are available for;
* Equine Treatments
* Human Treatments
* Canine Treatments
* Horse and Rider (together - mounted) for injury or performance Treatments.

If you would like to know more information, please send me a PM

For those who dont want to miss out, the awesome Isaac is back down these ways soon too! Seeing human clients at his clinic in Sumner and some Equine. PM me or him for details :)

❤️🐎❤️🐎❤️

10/02/2026

A really cool simple explanation of ConTact C.A.R.E, explained in a way that will help all of you who say to me "What is Contact Care and how does it work"

Its not witchcraft, its not energy work. We find and help physically release trapped pressure from surprise impacts in the skeleton, which in turn helps release the compensation happening in the body (which includes muscle, soft tissue, fascia, tendons, ligaments etc etc etc )

❤️🦴🦴🦴❤️

09/02/2026

Back from my wedding anniversary, refreshed and ready!

Currently running a waitlist for February only as I am 🌟🌟fully booked🌟🌟 very grateful

March - I still have limited availability which is filling quickly (Human, Equine, Canine)

April - Open for bookings now!

(My hours will change from May as the days get shorter.)

The very handsome Maka enjoying his session today ❤️ Jess Land Equestrian Ltd.

❤️🐴❤️

05/02/2026

Another amazing discussion by Equine ConTact CARE - The Horses' Way 🐴❤️

Check out the below post about how important the horses Tail is!

The tail is made up of 17–21 caudal vertebrae and is very much alive with sensory information. It plays a vital role in direction, balance, movement, and the timing of the breath within movement.

At Equine ConTact CARE, we look for the cause behind the effect. Tail impacts are a common contributor to imbalance and instability in the horses we see

We often think of a horse’s tail as a beautiful cascade of hair — something to groom, brush, and plait to perfection. Yet its true role in balance and movement is often overlooked.

The tail is made up of 17–21 caudal vertebrae and is very much alive with sensory information. It plays a vital role in direction, balance, movement, and the timing of the breath within movement.

The very first adjustment the body makes when changing direction begins with the tail. A subtle shift to the left initiates a left turn, allowing the body to balance and stabilise before transitioning again. All six directions of movement are orchestrated through the tail to support balance and coordination.

When the tail is free from pressure, restriction, or torsion, it gently bounces as the horse walks or trots, shifting only when direction changes. This movement is counter-timed with the xiphoid process gliding against the diaphragm, allowing the breath to synchronise with motion — an essential element for speed, agility, and jumping.

A sudden impact to the tail, such as from a float door or a fall, can disrupt this entire balancing system. When this happens, the horse may struggle to balance naturally in one direction, compensate by falling in on the circle, and lose confidence. With the breath no longer timing correctly, refusals and hesitation can follow — not from behaviour, but from the body’s natural stabilising processes being compromised.

At Equine ConTact CARE, we look for the cause behind the effect. Tail impacts are a common contributor to imbalance and instability in the horses we see.

The tail is not just a bunch of hair — it is a rudder for equilibrium through movement

❤️

28/01/2026

Hello all my lovely clients ❤️

As of tomorrow, I am going to be on leave for my wedding anniversary, returning Monday 9th Feb.

It has been a wonderfully hectic month catching up with you all, and I appreciate your patience with my "out of routine" responses and scheduling this month.

If you are yet to schedule in or are waiting for notes or invoices - don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you! I have a 3 hour plane ride to catch up on all my admin ✈️❤️🐴

Very much looking forward to seeing you all on my return as we pick up where we left off, and seeing the progress from previous sessions

❤️🐴 Accept what is, now...see the good 🐴❤️

11/01/2026

A beautifully insightful post from the amazing Camille. For any of my clients who have heard me say "Peripheral Self Defence System" - check out what this system is responsible for and how it affects their body
❤️🐴❤️

The horse has what we called a ‘Peripheral Self Defence System’.

This means it is aware of its environment and where it is in relation to it (peripheral).

The self defence part relates to its innate nature in being a prey animal (flight state).

When this system is activated one of the systematic responses of it, is to shorter the nuchal ligament. Causing contraction of the neck into the withers and a shortening from the head to withers.

It is what we call the “act of attention”.

When the horse is happily grazing and then lifts its head above the withers to look at something, it is instigating this peripheral self defence system response.

If whatever has caught its attention is not something to be afraid of then it will return to grazing, extending the nuchal ligament again.

If it is something that has captured its attention and either spiked its curiosity or caused the alarm bells to ring more, you will see the horse lift its head further and shorten the nuchal ligament even more.

This in turn puts the alarm response into action, directly initiating the medulla oblongata response of the brain to increase the breathing rate, heart rate and start the adrenaline activation processes of the body.

It is literally a tilt and contraction of the head that initiates the alarm bells of self defence.

Equine ConTact CARE works directly with skeletal pressure on this system and helps the horse to restore a natural relaxed response to potential danger or threat.

*photo of the nuchal ligament in contraction with the curiosity and wariness of the young horse.