Sound & Stable Equine Massage Therapy

02/26/2024

Hey there 👋 It’s been a long time and my first client back was small but mighty- a nice way to ease back in. I took a year off from my practice due to health reasons but I am opening my schedule Fridays and limited Saturdays for massage clients. I’m also introducing new pricing 👇🏻

$75 for one horse anywhere in Chester County, no farm call fee. Each additional horse at one location is $60. I will travel outside of Chesco for an additional travel fee

Miniature horses are discounted by $5 but still receive the same amount of time. Small ponies and up are priced the same.

I’ve missed you guys, and can’t wait to be back in your barns!

12/19/2022

Well said.

Just because your horse is not LAME does not mean its SOUND.

It's time we separate soundness from lameness. Its part of our daily conversations with owners. They have seen multiple vets, trainers, and are even competing their horses because they are told the horse jogs and flexes fine so it is sound. There are a lot of horses showing that are not totally sound.

Lameness is defined as an impediment to walking due to feet or legs. Soundness is defined as the state of being in good condition. This is an important distinction we need to start addressing in horses. Just because your horse jogs and flexes without concern does not mean your horse is sound. We need to raise the bar in what we consider acceptable to horses soundness and overall well being. Horses are amazing creatures, that tolerate a lot from us. They try to express their discomfort but sadly most go unheard. If their message goes unheard for too long, they often become behavioral or checked out. One of our most common calls is that the horse is increasingly difficult to work with and is becoming dangerous but the owner have been told there is nothing wrong. They are at a loss for answers.

It is NOT okay they pin their ears, constantly swish their tails, get fidgety, are bad for the farrier, bite at or look at themselves, unable to lounge, buck/rear/spook, get cast, sit on the wall, bank shavings, toss their heads, kick out, are not be able to back up, avoid collection, hop into transitions, hate to be brushed, chronically shift their blankets/saddle, or stand abnormally. ALL of these are signs of discomfort.

Its not their temperament. It is their expression of PAIN! We need to stop excusing it as thats just the way they are or they are difficult/fresh/jerks/wimps. That is not normal behavior for horses. They are trying to tell you they are uncomfortable and they deserve for us to listen to them.

We owe it to them to look at their whole presentation not just how they jog/flex on their legs. We owe it to them to not ride them when they are clearly trying to show they are in pain

Its time we are better to these amazing athletes.

DeClue Equine

07/25/2022

This most precious little peanut is called Marshall. He is only 4 and has a very busy brain, and his mouth is always moving. He was difficult to settle at first, but after releasing his hyoid he completely mellowed out for the rest of his massage.

Im quite sure his owners never saw him stand so still! Once he was relaxed, he gave a lot of textbook expressive releases.

Young horses and ponies go through many growth spurts, and massage is excellent for managing postural changes and helping move fluid, relax the muscles and aid in a strong growing body.

Marshall can’t wait to do the hunters when he grows up 🐎

02/28/2022

Cue Adele voice: Hello, it’s me.

It’s been a while! To be perfectly honest, I am not a winter creature. Thankfully, most of my clients either fly south or mostly let their horses vacation through the winter. So, I’ve spent the last few months hibernating to gear up for the warm weather.

But the forecast looks pretty friendly and we are just two weeks away from daylight savings, so it’s time to get started 🌞 Im booking for March and April, get in the schedule for your horse’s spring tune up or show prep!

02/14/2022

Valuable food for thought, as it is common practice to keep horses stalled to prevent injury. Horses are by design made to be in near-constant movement.

Plenty of paddock time can actually reduce soft-tissue injury risk, say NJ researchers studying six years of data.

01/18/2022

Our horses are our caretakers, too. In so many ways.

01/02/2022

Thank you all for a brilliant year of trusting me to make your horses feel amazing. It is my greatest joy to have your horses in my hands and in my care. I have met so many incredible horse people this year and gotten to know and understand your horses as I have worked on them. I know some of their favorite songs, spots to massage, treats, and stretches. I know where their scars and sensitive spots are, I remember when they colicked and I do a happy dance when I hear you did great at a show or on a trail ride. What a privilege!

I cannot wait to meet all of the new folks and equines and see all my favorite familiar faces as you graciously welcome me into your barns in ‘22. Happy new year. Happy to be here.

12/30/2021

12/13/2021

Happy National Day of the Horse- I don’t have to explain to you folks why we love these animals. If you are following me here you certainly know why they are most deserving of their own day 🥰

Sharing a favorite memory of mine with one of my own horses, tearing across open land in Montana in 2014. The ultimate feeling of freedom and oneness.

12/07/2021

This lovely mare I’ve been doing bodywork on (on the right) perfectly matches my personal horse! I have quite the soft spot for her.