SLBH Equine Bodywork

02/11/2026

No hate on my picture that took me 2 hours to do with help from my kids lol.

Agonist vs. Antagonist Muscles in the Horse
Why knowing the difference matters when you’re massaging.

When working on the equine body, it’s not enough to find a tight muscle—you must understand what that muscle is doing in the movement pattern.

Every movement in the horse involves a team:
🔹 Agonist (Prime Mover)
The muscle that creates the movement
🔹 Antagonist (Opposing Muscle)
The muscle that controls, slows, or opposes the movement

📣If one side of this relationship is off, compensation, pain, and injury follow📣

🐎 Example:

The Neck (Balance and "Frame")

Agonist (Propulsion/Power): Longissimus Dorsi (Topline). Working in conjunction with hindquarters, these muscles, when engaged, allow the horse to lift the back and extend the neck forward, increasing power.

Antagonist (Control/Collection): Neck Flexors (Brachiocephalicus, Sternocephalicus). These muscles flex the neck, counteracting the tension of the top line to maintain a rounded, collected frame rather than a hollow, uncontrolled one.

Why this matters in bodywork?
If you only release what feels tight:
❌ You may weaken an already overworking muscle
❌ The real issue (the opposing muscle) remains unresolved
❌ The horse re-tightens quickly after sessions

Understanding agonist vs antagonist allows you to:
✅ Release muscles that are guarding or overcompensating
✅ Activate or support muscles that are weak or inhibited
✅ Restore balance instead of chasing symptoms

👉 A tight muscle isn’t always the one that needs the most work.

✨ The goal of skilled bodywork
Not just to release…
But to restore communication between muscle groups.

This is where true rehab, performance improvement, and long-term soundness begin.
—
PK Rehab & Education
Teaching you to see the whole picture, not just the tight spot.

02/08/2026

02/08/2026

A little bodywork, a little k-tape and a peacock!

02/08/2026

Worked on Cody this morning at Whispering Hills Horse Ranch and the views are always entertaining....

02/06/2026

🐎 The Cool Down Matters More Than You Think

We spend time warming our horses up before work…
But what happens after the last barrel? The last drill? The final lope circle?

A proper cool down is not optional — it’s essential for long-term soundness and performance.

Here’s why 👇🏼

✨ 1. Flushes Metabolic Waste
Exercise creates heat and metabolic byproducts in the muscles. A gradual cool down helps circulation clear that out instead of letting it sit and create soreness.

✨ 2. Reduces Muscle Tightness
Stopping abruptly can allow muscles to tighten and guard. Walking out helps them return to resting length more smoothly.

✨ 3. Supports the Nervous System
A slow walk lowers heart rate and tells the body, “We’re safe. We’re done.” That shift matters for recovery and relaxation.

✨ 4. Protects Joints & Soft Tissue
Tendons and ligaments love gradual transitions. Sudden stops? Not so much.

✨ 5. Makes Bodywork More Effective
Horses who are consistently cooled down properly stay softer and respond better between sessions.

💡 My general rule?
• 5–10 minutes of relaxed walk
• Let breathing fully normalize
• Stretchy, long-and-low frame if appropriate
• Hands-on check of back, girth area, and legs

Your horse’s long-term longevity is built in these small, consistent details.

Do you intentionally cool down every ride — or is this something you’re working on? 👇🏼 Let’s talk.

— SLBH Equine Bodywork
Calm. Disciplined. Confident.

02/06/2026

🐎 Why Proper Warm-Up Matters (Especially Between Bodywork Sessions)

One of the best ways you can protect your horse’s body between massage appointments isn’t a supplement… it’s a thoughtful warm-up.

A correct warm-up isn’t just about “getting the wiggles out.” It’s about preparing tissues — muscles, tendons, fascia, and joints — for load and effort.

Here’s what’s happening physiologically:

✔ Increased blood flow → Delivers oxygen to working muscles and improves elasticity
✔ Improved fascial glide → Reduces restriction and stiffness
✔ Joint lubrication → Synovial fluid circulates more efficiently with movement
✔ Neuromuscular activation → The brain and body reconnect before asking for power or precision

When we skip this step and go straight to intensity, we’re asking cold tissue to absorb force. That’s when tight backs, short strides, and compensatory patterns show up.

A solid warm-up should:

• Start at the walk (longer than you think)
• Encourage stretch and swing through the topline
• Include gradual bend both directions
• Progress to engagement before speed
• Introduce collection or rate after the body is warm

Think of warm-up as maintenance. It protects the work we do in bodywork sessions and helps your horse stay soft, supple, and willing.

Softness isn’t accidental. It’s built — every ride.

02/06/2026

👋🏼 Hey & welcome!

If you’re new here — I’m Sarah!
I’m a certified equine sports massage therapist, barrel racer, and all-around horse person who’s a little obsessed with helping horses feel their best.

This page is all about:
🐎 helping horses move and perform better
🧠 simple, practical education (no scare tactics, no fluff)
🤍 supporting soundness, comfort, and longevity
🔥 real-life bodywork + performance horse talk

Whether you’ve got a seasoned competitor, a young horse coming along, or a beloved heart horse — you’re welcome here.

You’ll see a mix of educational posts, behind-the-scenes bodywork days, client wins, and honest conversations about doing right by our horses.

👇 Drop a comment and tell me:
• what discipline you ride
• or what you’d like to learn more about

Thanks for being here — I’m really glad you found this page 🤍
— Sarah
SLBH Equine Bodywork
Calm. Disciplined. Confident.

02/05/2026

Arrayan really enjoyed his session this morning! This was my first time working on this stallion and he got into it!

02/02/2026

Let's get your horses booked for February!