Full Focus Equine

11/25/2025

Dressage horses are precision athletes—but all that collection, lateral work, and engagement can lead to tight backs, sore shoulders, and restrictions in the poll. Even small imbalances can show up as resistance in movements, uneven bend, or choppy transitions.

1. Tight Longissimus Dorsi
- Constant engagement and topline rounding can overload the longissimus.
- Presents as reluctance to lift the back, uneven bend, or difficulty transitioning into canter.

2. Psoas & Iliopsoas Restriction
- Deep hip flexors work overtime in collected trot, piaffe/passage mechanics, and lateral work.
- Can cause shortened hind stride, reluctance to “sit,” and difficulty with pirouettes.

3. Quadratus Lumborum (QL) Tension
- Stabilizes lumbar spine during movements requiring intense asymmetrical loading (half-pass, shoulder-in).
- Dysfunction shows up as one-sided stiffness, weaker engagement on one rein, or “banana-shape” compensation.

4. Gluteal & Hamstring Overuse
- Due to constant demand for hind-end propulsion and controlled engagement.
- May show as difficulty stepping under, tension in the start of work, or a cold-backed response.

5. Tight Trapezius & Rhomboids (From Frame + Saddle Pressure)
- Dressage horses spend more time in a rounded frame and experience concentrated saddle pressure.
- Results in reduced wither lift, resistance in transitions, or aversion to grooming the wither/shoulder region.

6. Sternocephalicus & Brachiocephalicus Tension
- Heavy influence from contact, flexion, and consistent frame shaping.
- Causes poll stiffness, limited lateral flexion, bracing through the neck, or reluctance to stretch long and low.

7. Omotransversarius Dysfunction (“One Rein Stiffer”)
- Helps with protraction of the forelimb; overuse shows up when one direction is favored.
- Presents as choppy stride on one side, resistance to shoulder-in/leg yields, or stiffness in circles.

Dressage horses perform best when their bodies are supple, balanced, and tension-free. Regular bodywork helps maintain elasticity, freedom, and engagement.

11/22/2025

If you're not sure where to start—or want a trusted referral to an equine nutrition professional—I'm happy to point you in the right direction. Just ask!

11/21/2025

Eventers are serious athletes — but the demands of dressage, galloping, and jumping across varied terrain create predictable patterns of tension I see over and over again:

1. Tight or Overloaded Longissimus Dorsi (Back Tension)
Collection work, jumping efforts, and even rider imbalances often overload the longissimus. Eventing horses may show sensitivity to grooming, hollowing, or decreased hind-end engagement.

2. Sore or Fatigued Gluteals
Galloping and cross-country efforts rely heavily on glute power. Trigger points here can cause shortened stride, reluctance to sit, or trouble with transitions.

3. Hamstring Tightness (Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus)
Explosive push-off phases in jumping and long, forward gallops can cause tension in the hamstrings. This can show up as restricted hip/stifle motion, difficulty backing, or cross-cantering.

4. Tight Deep Pectorals
Eventers stabilize heavily through the front end — especially landing off solid fences or traveling downhill. Tight pecs often limit shoulder freedom and shorten the front stride.

5. Trapezius & Rhomboid Compensation
Between rider influence, saddle pressure over varied terrain, and tight turns, the thoracic sling often becomes overworked. Horses may dislike grooming or struggle to lift through the withers when under saddle.

Eventing horses work hard for us — and they deserve support that helps them stay sound, supple, and confident in every phase. Regular bodywork is one of the best ways to reduce cumulative tension, improve performance, and keep your partner feeling their best from dressage day to the final jump.

11/15/2025

Huge shout out to and for kidnapping me to come see my girl! So happy to be able to smooch my girl ♥️

Surgery was a success and I am on the mend! I can’t wait to be up, moving and getting stronger soon!

11/07/2025

11/04/2025

If you've noticed positive changes in your horse after a session, I’d be so grateful if you could take a moment to leave a review. Your feedback not only helps support my business, but also allows me to support more horses on their journey to comfort and performance.

Please head over to our page to share your experience—I'd truly appreciate it. Thank you for trusting me with your horse’s care!

11/02/2025

Well, this was not how I planned to start November!

Last week I was in a freak accident and was kicked in the ankle by a horse. Unfortunately, I will be having surgery on Tuesday and expect to be weight bearing again in about 8–10 weeks. That said, I’m in great hands — my surgeon is fantastic and happens to be married to a fellow horsewoman, so he completely understands the goal of getting me back on my feet as soon as possible.

In the meantime, my amazing friend and colleague Dr. Cara Sazama will be stepping in to take care of Full Focus Equine clients for their bodywork and PEMF needs. Dr. Cara is an incredible chiropractor with multiple equine massage certifications — rest assured your horses will be in fantastic hands. If you’re looking to get scheduled with Cara please reach out to me directly so I can connect you and bring her up to speed on your horse.

11/02/2025

10/29/2025

Lumbar and Sacroiliac Tightness
- From hard stops, quick rollbacks, or pivoting on the hind end.
- Often shows as shortened stride behind, reluctance to engage the hindquarters, or back soreness during grooming.

Gluteal and Hamstring Restriction
- Heavy use of the hind end for sliding stops and acceleration.
- May feel tight or “bunched” through the gluteals; horse resists backing or has difficulty picking up the correct lead.

Shoulder and Triceps Tension
- Caused by repetitive collection and slow jog/lope work where weight is shifted back but forehand still bears impact.
- Can lead to shortened reach and uneven front limb stride.

Cervical (Neck) Restriction—Especially Lower Neck (C5–C7)
- Constant flexion at the poll and lateral bending from neck reining.
- Stiffness or uneven bend noted in one-handed maneuvers.

Thoracolumbar Fascia Adhesion
- From poorly fitting saddles or long hours under a heavy Western saddle.
- May display as reduced swing through the back, dipping under saddle, or girthiness.

Bodywork gives these incredible athletes the support they need—helping them recover between work, and stay strong.
When your horse feels good in their body, it shows in every step.

10/26/2025

Schedule today: https://www.fullfocusequine.com/contact

10/26/2025

Massage supports healing, improves circulation, and helps horses feel and perform their best.

09/29/2025

If it’s been a while since you examined your horse’s nutrition, now’s the time. Your horse’s body will thank you.

Get in touch with Annie today: revolutionequinenutrition.com