Equine Kneads

11/05/2025

Congratulations goes out to Daryl Kinney passing her NBCAAM exam and becoming another great certfied equine massage therapist! It has been a pleasure teaching you.

Way to go!

11/03/2025

A horse’s posture is like a roadmap to their body’s imbalances. Observing how they stand, walk, or trot gives clues to:
→ Where tension or pain may exist
→ Which muscles are overworking or underworking
→ How past injuries or discomfort affect movement

By identifying these patterns, you can address the root causes — not just the symptoms — and help your horses move more freely and comfortably.

Always remember the importance of taking the time to observe before you touch. Understanding posture is key to effective bodywork and long-term results.

10/31/2025

There’s a difference between starting a certification program and following through. Our equine bodywork program isn’t just another self-paced certification — it’s a guided, structured school experience designed to help you actually reach the finish line. And when you do complete the program, you'll leave equipped with the tools, knowledge, and support to build a successful, long-term business.

With accountability, mentorship, and a clear path to success, our students walk away fully prepared (and confident!) to sit for their NBCAAM exam and run a successful business.

📅 Apply by December 3 to join the next cohort!
www.equine-kneads.com

10/31/2025

I’m honored to be speaking at , the global PEMF conference hosted by the Association of PEMF Professionals — happening Nov 5–6 (virtual)!

Join me and an incredible lineup of experts as we explore the latest science, applications, and real-world strategies for PEMF in practice.

🎟️ Learn more & register: pemfprofessionals.com/pemfcon-2025

Join us for the premier virtual conference on Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy, taking place on November 5-6, 2025.

10/30/2025

Your work doesn't end when you pack up and go home — that’s actually where the next great session begins.

Take a few minutes after each session to reflect:
- What did you address today?
- What progress or changes has the owner noticed since your last session?
- What needs adjusting for next time?

Then, follow up.
A quick message to check in shows your clients you genuinely care — about them and their horse.

Not only does this build long-term trust and loyalty, it ensures the horse continues to progress and feel their best between sessions.

Professionalism, care, and communication — that’s what sets great bodyworkers apart.

10/28/2025

Real students. Real results.
Join a cohort today: equine-kneads.com

10/26/2025

This is a great paper on balance pads and answers some questions about the movement of the horse on different 'squishiness' levels of them. These pads are used to challenge postural stability with the theory that the effects train proprioception, aiming to reduce the risk of injury.

From their results:
🐴Four pads cause more sway, than pads two under the fronts or the hinds
🐴 Medium-density pads in all four limbs induced the greatest sway of the forse forwards and backwards, and the faster rate of sway.
🐴 Soft-density pads in all four limbs resulted in the greatest mediolateral sway.
🐴 All four limbs placed on medium, soft, and firm-density pads, and forelimbs placed on medium and firm-density pads were statistically different from baseline (no pads).

We know that standing on the pads over a series of sessions, reduces the amount of sway . We also know that their use is associated with changes in the deep stabiliser muscle multifidus (Cathcart et al., 2024; Ellis and King, 2020).

Now what would be amazing would be to link to gait and performance, and injury in horses. Tricky but I suspect a few research groups are on this already!
It is so exciting to see the development of this research area 💪

Colla, S. and King, M., 2025. Evaluation of Postural Sway in Horses Standing on Balance Pads of Varying Densities and Limb Placement. Journal of Equine Rehabilitation, p.100042.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949905425000246

10/23/2025

Are you attending????

I’ll be speaking on strategically combining modalities with PEMF. How to determine timing and selecting to blend or stack therapies for the best outcomes. Order of application when stacking. And so much more.

So many great speakers! If you practice PEMF, this is for you!

10/12/2025

If you use PEMF or are considering it, this conference has a great group of educators and speakers.

I’ll be speaking on combining modalities. Hopefully answering your questions on how to safely and effectively layer PEMF in with massage, cryotherapy, cupping and more.

Hope to see you there!

https://events.zoom.us/ev/AjniEo38cx0XTm9jxDiJgDx0HMEi9ntgAaxda3xaEwa0yWXxEJXn~AuvmaqvBr13pFbcs41KSJU-GiSdBqoLOy81F9p6g6o7rbBJ0fCSjx_5iRw

10/08/2025

🌿 Healing, Growth, and What’s Ahead at Equine Kneads 🌿

It’s been a little quiet around here lately — but for good reason. The past few months have been a season of healing and reflection, both personally and professionally.

For those who don’t know, I had major back surgery in June, and I’m still in recovery. I’m expecting to be back in the field part-time by the end of November. This process has been humbling, enlightening, and has deepened my understanding of the body’s remarkable capacity for recovery — both human and equine.

Every screw and scar is a reminder that healing takes time, patience, and purpose. And through it all, the horses have continued to be my inspiration and motivation (pictured: my favorite guy taken by my great friend and his caretaker while im healing, Kandice. 🐴💜).

As I look ahead, I’m excited to share that Equine Kneads will be rolling out new services, new workshops for horse owners, and advanced continuing-education courses for professionals. This next chapter will focus on building connection, refining skills, and exploring the science and art of equine wellness in even deeper ways. (pictures: sneak peak of the new “campus” - coming mid-late 2026)

Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and patience as I focus on healing and rebuilding — I can’t wait to see you (and your horses) soon.

✨ Here’s to coming back stronger — in body, mind, and purpose. ✨

— Christina
Founder, Equine Kneads and Equine Kneads Academy

09/17/2025

In today’s world of quick posts and “tips” on social media, equine bodywork can sometimes be made to look simple—just apply a tool, use a technique, or follow a step-by-step graphic. But the truth is, without a solid understanding of the body’s fundamentals, those shortcuts can actually cause more harm than good.

The horse’s body is complex. Every muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, nerve, and organ is interconnected. To truly understand what a therapy—whether hands-on massage or equipment-based—is doing, we first have to understand how the body is built and how its systems work together.

That’s why anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics aren’t just academic topics; they are essential building blocks for safe, effective practice. Without them, advanced modalities become guesswork. With them, therapies become purposeful, targeted, and beneficial.

This isn’t just about massage therapists—it’s critical for all equine care providers, including those using PEMF, cryotherapy, cupping, or other equipment-based therapies. Fundamentals give us the ability to “connect the dots,” recognize when something is beyond our scope, and work alongside the rest of the horse’s care team responsibly.

When we invest in the basics, everything else we do becomes stronger and more effective. Building a solid foundation allows us to grow with confidence, collaborate more fully, and ultimately give our horses the best care possible.

👉 Want to strengthen your foundation in the basics? Visit www.equine-kneads.comto learn more.

09/12/2025

Modern horse care comes with compromise—but we can’t ignore the consequences.

Horses were designed to move and graze all day, every day.
But the way we keep horses today often removes that natural rhythm.
Dry lots.
Stalls.
Small paddocks.
Meal feeding.
Limited movement.

We’re not here to shame—but to bring awareness.

“Horses in the wild may travel more than 10 miles a day... in a slow but continuous rhythm.”
— McGreevy, 2012

This lifestyle shift impacts digestion, behavior, circulation, posture, and more.

“Interruptions in forage intake contribute to colic, ulcers, and behavioral issues.”
— Geor, Harris, & Coenen, 2013

You may not be able to offer acres of pasture—but you can support the horse you’ve asked to adapt.

That means:

More forage, fed in a way that mimics grazing

Movement—every day, even if it’s guided or structured

Enrichment and mental stimulation

And regular massage and bodywork to support the systems we’ve limited

“In the absence of natural movement, therapeutic interventions... help preserve function.”
— Geor, Harris, & Coenen, 2013

You don’t have to feel guilty.
But you do have to be accountable.

Support the horse you have—not the lifestyle they were built for.

References:

McGreevy, 2012 – Equine Behavior

Geor, Harris & Coenen, 2013 – Equine Applied & Clinical Nutrition

Jackson, 2007 – Paddock Paradise