Equine Kneads

02/08/2026

Wondering what you'll actually learn in the Equine Owner’s Master Class? This isn't a lecture-heavy weekend—it’s a hands-on, practical deep dive into understanding and supporting your horse’s body.
Over two immersive days, you'll learn how to assess your horse, recognize signs of tension or discomfort, and apply therapeutic massage techniques that promote comfort, relaxation, and long-term soundness. You'll also gain exposure to complementary modalities and leave with tools you can confidently use at home.

For more details and to register:
https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1959466/checkout/order_yp468ftr

02/08/2026

I was recently asked what I like to read.

Well… let me tell you what I read last year 👇

Never Split The Difference
Relentless
If You’re Not First, You’re Last
Be Obsessed or Be Average
Becoming Supernatural
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Atlas of the Heart
Wilderness: The Gateway to the Soul
48 Laws of Power
The Cross & The Lynching Tree
The Magic of Thinking Big
The Parasitic Mind
We Are All Guilty Here
Sharp Force
The Last Thing He Told Me
Napoleon Hill’s Positive Action Plan

Before anyone asks—yes, I’ve read plenty of massage manuals and bodywork textbooks too. I don’t include them here because I consider those part of my job, not optional growth.

This list is everything outside of technique.

Because growing as a professional (and a human) doesn’t happen in one lane.

I intentionally blend:
• education
• self-improvement
• psychology & behavior
• sales & communication
• finance & mindset
• novels for fun and that expand
empathy and perspective

If all we consume is technique, we miss the bigger picture:
➡️ how people think
➡️ how decisions are made
➡️ how trust is built
➡️ how leadership works
➡️ how systems succeed—or fail.

So now I want to hear from you 👇

What have YOU read outside of massage or bodywork books that helped you grow—personally or in business?

📚 Drop a title in the comments.

🎁 I’ll randomly select one commenter to receive a free copy of my Equine Massage Reference Book — a 69-page, horse-owner-friendly “how-to” guide covering assessment basics, palpation, massage strokes, safety, and when to call in a professional.

Read broadly.
Think critically.
Grow intentionally.

What’s on your bookshelf waiting for you to pick up and read?

02/07/2026

There is nothing better than hearing this kind of feedback from someone who truly understands education and equine health.

We’re so grateful to Dr. Michelle DeBoer for her thoughtful words. This is exactly the standard we strive for: thorough, practical education that supports horses, students, and the industry as a whole.

02/07/2026

100%!!

If you own your business and treat it like a hobby - do that intentionally. If you want more… let’s talk about business mentoring and what that actually means.

For most, it means buying a subscription or a course and it teaches you all the business “things”, but they don’t find your personal hang ups- like challenges with:

Time management
Needing affirmation
Financial management for growth
How to invest and grow that feeds YOUR niche.

Etc. Etc.

Equine Kneads has options to help YOU run your business successfully YOUR way!

Commitment shows up in what you do when motivation fades.

Anyone can say they want something when it feels exciting or convenient. Very few are willing to show up on the boring days, the tired days, the days where progress feels invisible. That’s where the gap is.

Results don’t care about desire. They respond to consistency. To effort repeated so often it becomes identity.

If your actions are occasional, your results will be too.

Stop measuring commitment by how badly you want it. Measure it by how often you do the work anyway.

02/06/2026

This is why, we teach more than just techniques—we teach how to think.

Yes, our students learn hands-on skills. But more importantly, they learn why those techniques matter and how to evaluate each horse as an individual. No two horses move the same, and no effective bodyworker works from a script.

In our program we focus on observation, assessment, and critical thinking so our students can adapt their approach based on what the horse is showing them—not just follow a routine they memorized.
💡 It’s not just hands-on—it’s minds-on.

02/05/2026

What works for one horse might not work for another—and in some cases, it could even cause them harm. That’s why it’s so important to choose training aids specifically for your horse and discuss their use with your full support team.

And practitioners: don’t be afraid to ask your clients what training aids are being used on the horses you work with—and share your recommendations when needed. Open communication keeps horses safe, comfortable, and performing at their best!

A horse’s care is a team effort, and thoughtful decisions make all the difference.

02/03/2026

That quiet moment when you know something isn't quite right with your horse—but you're not sure what to do next—matters more than you think.

The Equine Owner’s Master Class is designed to help horse owners move from uncertainty to confidence by learning how to read their horse’s body, recognize early signs of tension or discomfort, and provide safe, effective support before small issues become bigger ones.

This workshop isn’t about replacing your trusted professionals—it’s about working alongside them as a more informed, confident advocate for your horse’s comfort, soundness, and overall well-being so you can support them between visits.

For additional details and to register:
https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1959466/checkout/order_yp468ftr

01/31/2026

The Equine Bodyworker Biomechanics Clinic is coming up, and this is your chance to invest in your body the same way you invest in your horses. Don't wait to register, this clinic is limited to 12 participants:

→ February 20 | 10am–4pm
→ Scenic River Farms, River Falls WI
→ $150

Your body is your most important tool—protect it.

🔗 Register now before spots fill. Link in bio.
https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1959466/checkout/order_rfmrmztp

01/30/2026

Sore back. Tight shoulders. Aching feet. Fatigued hands.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone—but it shouldn't be your normal.

Equine bodyworkers often sacrifice their own bodies while caring for others. This Bodyworker Biomechanics Clinic is about breaking that cycle.

In one focused day, you'll learn how to:
✔ Protect your body during long sessions
✔ Reduce wear-and-tear injuries
✔ Improve longevity in your bodywork career
✔ Work more effectively with less effort

→ February 20 | 10am–4pm
→ Scenic River Farms, River Falls WI
→ $150
→ Limited to 12 participants

One injury will cost more than this clinic—don’t wait until your body forces a break.
To Register: https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1959466/checkout/order_rfmrmztp

01/30/2026

In equine massage and bodywork, growth isn't about just collecting more modalities or adding techniques to your toolbox.

Advanced training is about:
• Knowing when to use a modality or technique
• Understanding why it’s appropriate
• Recognizing when not to use it at all

Two practitioners can know the same modalities—
the difference in outcomes comes from judgment, clarity, and assessment.

Advanced education sharpens your ability to:
→ Read the horse in front of you
→ Prioritize what actually matters in that session and provide specific care for a specific need
→ Adjust your approach based on feedback, not routine
→ Work with intention instead of habit

This is where confidence comes from—not from doing more, but from doing what’s necessary, at the right time, for the right reason.

Our Cupping Intensive and Cryotherapy Certificate Program are built around this philosophy—teaching not just how to use these tools, but how to apply them thoughtfully and effectively.

If you're ready to strengthen your practice and refine your work, take a look at our programs and see if they're the right fit for you.
www.equine-kneads.com

01/27/2026

Ground pole work is one of the simplest—and most underutilized—tools we have for improving how horses move.

Used intentionally, pole work can:
• Improve proprioception and coordination
• Encourage correct joint flexion and muscle engagement
• Highlight asymmetries and compensations
• Support rehabilitation and return-to-work programs

And, your clients don't have to ride to benefit from it. In-hand and long-line polework can be just as effective, especially when supporting rehab, post-bodywork integration, or nervous system regulation.

Are you using pole work as part of your horse’s program—or recommending it to your clients?

Intentional movement matters.

01/25/2026

Recent research in mice and primates shows that very light massage to the face and neck increases cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow—the system responsible for clearing neurological waste. Researchers also identified lymphatic vessels much closer to the skin than previously understood.

Just one minute of gentle touch restored fluid movement in older animals to levels seen in younger ones.
→ Deeper pressure is not required to influence neurological function.

Why This Matters for Horses
Horses rely on healthy CSF flow for brain and nervous system regulation.

If similar pathways exist in equines (which is likely), gentle head and neck work may:
→ Support nervous system regulation
→ Improve processing and recovery
→ Explain why horses soften, blink, relax the jaw, and visibly “let go”

What bodyworkers have observed for years has a physiological explanation.

CSF Flow = Brain Wellness
CSF acts as the brain’s detox system, clearing metabolic waste and harmful proteins. Techniques influencing the head, neck, and fascia—massage, myofascial work, and craniosacral approaches—may support regulation and recovery, not just relaxation.

Supporting the Equine Nervous System
Horses are neurologically sensitive, prey-driven animals.

Compromised CSF or lymphatic flow may affect:
→ Stress responses
→ Learning and focus
→ Movement quality

Gentle work around the poll, TMJ, and upper cervical region may encourage parasympathetic activity—allowing the horse to truly downshift.

Bottom Line
Gentle head and neck work isn’t “just relaxing.”
It may be supporting neurological health, regulation, and long-term resilience—one quiet moment at a time.