Cutting Edge Performance Therapy & Training

04/16/2026

Started the morning with this beauty 🖤

04/15/2026

Yesterday I had the privilege of working with this pretty lady. About a month ago she had set back, leaving her with guarding and pain reactivity along the right side of her body.

Upon assessment, she made it clear that pressure was not welcome… so we bypassed traditional massage and moved into gentle myofascial release and red light therapy.

Why these two modalities?
Myofascial release addresses restrictions in the connective tissue surrounding the muscles. These restrictions alter biomechanics, create compensatory patterns, and perpetuate cycles of tension. This method is used as a gentle and extremely effective way to work around sensitive, high reactive areas.

Red light therapy (photobiomodulation) penetrates soft tissue at a cellular level, reducing inflammation and supporting repair. Direct manipulation is not required, making it ideal for acute or sensitive presentations.

The results spoke for themselves. Within minutes, she entered a sustained release cycle…. yawning continuously for 2-3 minutes, a recognized indicator of parasympathetic activation and neuromuscular downregulation.

Following the session, she offered a full body stretch. Complete extension from the hind end, through the lumbar and thoracic spine, all the way into the cervical region.

The horse’s communication always guides the session. When we respect their thresholds, the body does the rest.

04/15/2026

04/13/2026

Those big, “popping” hamstrings might look impressive, but they’re often a sign of compensation, not correct movement.

The hamstrings are meant to propel the horse forward. When they’re overdeveloped, it usually means they’re doing more than their share of the work because something else isn’t.

Why this happens:
When a horse lacks true engagement, the hind legs push out behind instead of stepping under. Without support from the core and front end, the hamstrings take over.

Common causes:
• Weak core
• Diaphragm/ribcage restriction
• Front end limitation
• Pelvic/SI dysfunction
• Pain or protection patterns

What you’ll see:
• Power without softness or connection
• Hollow back
• Hind end trailing out behind
• Heavy on the forehand

The takeaway:
Big muscles don’t always mean correct muscles. They often reveal where the body is compensating.

When you address the why, you change how the whole horse moves.

04/11/2026

Brego is a 6 year old Mustang who was adopted through a local rescue and subsequently placed with that rescue’s trainer for a 60 day training period.

Upon returning home, the owner was confronted with multiple significant behavioral concerns, including dangerous levels of reactivity such as charging, striking, and biting, as well as pronounced food aggression.

The owner made repeated attempts to contact the trainer for follow up support but did not receive a response. I was initially brought in for bodywork; however, it was determined at that time that Brego was not safe to handle for manual work. Based on those findings, we discussed transitioning him into a structured training and nervous system rehabilitation program.

Brego is currently in the first 30 days of a 60-day program focused on structured training, regulated handling, and supportive internal health management. He is also on a customized diet with gastric support due to observed signs consistent with gastrointestinal discomfort.

Since beginning the program, we are already observing measurable improvements, including cessation of charging behaviors toward other horses and a noticeable reduction in overall aggressive responses.

While he remains in active rehabilitation, the early changes suggest improved regulation and a decreased level of baseline reactivity.

This process remains ongoing, with continued focus on safety, consistency, and addressing both behavioral expression and underlying physiological stressors.

04/10/2026

Today was a long one… 2 hours to the West Valley, 8 horses, 2 hours home.

Getting back at 8pm to take care of my own horses and the ones in training.

And somewhere in the middle of it all, I had this quiet moment of realization…

If I was doing anything else, a day like this might feel overwhelming. It might feel like too much… but it doesn’t.

Because this life… this work… it means everything to me.

I get to wake up every day and do something I truly love. I get to help horses feel better in their bodies. I get to be part of their healing, their progress, their stories.

Every single one of you who trusts me with your horses, who supports me, who shows up…. you are the reason this life is possible for me.

I am so, so grateful for each of you. More than I can probably ever put into words.

04/06/2026

Modality Monday: Cupping Therapy

What if lifting the tissue, not just pressing it, could change how your horse moves?

Cupping therapy works by creating negative pressure, gently lifting the skin and underlying fascia rather than compressing it. This decompressive effect helps improve circulation, separate adhered tissues, and stimulate the nervous system.

In horses, cupping is often used along the topline, large muscle groups, and areas of chronic tension or restriction.

Clinically, cupping can:

• increase local blood flow and tissue hydration
• reduce fascial adhesions and restrictions
• support lymphatic movement and drainage
• decrease muscle tension and guarding

Because it lifts and decompresses tissue, cupping offers a different input compared to traditional hands on pressure techniques… making it especially useful for dense, restricted, or chronically tight areas.

As always, pick a modality that works best for your horse’s comfort and needs.

04/03/2026

Training vs. Therapy:
Rearing
Behavioral or Pain Related?

When a horse begins to rear, it’s easy to assume a training issue. Clinically, rearing is often a pain avoidance behavior. Before attributing it to disobedience, it’s essential to evaluate the horse for underlying discomfort.

Pain sources that can contribute to rearing include:

•Musculoskeletal pain:
Back soreness, thoracic sling weakness, or neck restrictions can make forward movement uncomfortable.

•Saddle and tack fit issues: Improper fit creates focal pressure points, especially over the withers and back.

•Dental and TMJ pain:
Oral discomfort can cause resistance to the bit, leading to rearing as a reaction.

•Gastrointestinal pain:
Gastric ulcer or colic can manifest as evasive behaviors.

•Lameness or hoof imbalances:
Uneven weight distribution or joint pain can trigger sudden upward movement.

Clinical takeaway:
Rearing is often a signal of discomfort or pain, not just a training challenge. Addressing the physical cause is critical before implementing behavioral training strategies.

04/01/2026

Wednesday Wisdom

Cryotherapy Isn’t a Performance Hack
It’s a Rehab Tool

To stay in alignment with this week’s Modality Monday, I am going to discuss when and how cryotherapy should be used.

Cold therapy is often promoted as a way to boost performance. Clinically, that’s not its primary role.

Cryotherapy works by:
• Reducing inflammation
• Decreasing blood flow
• Slowing nerve conduction (pain relief)

These effects are protective, not performance enhancing.

A single session may temporarily reduce soreness, but it does not improve strength, movement quality, or address underlying dysfunction.

Where cryotherapy is actually effective:
• Acute injury (first 24–72 hours)
• Post-exercise inflammation
• Pain management in rehab
• Consistent use within a structured recovery plan

Where it’s often misused:
• As a quick performance fix
• As a standalone treatment
• As a one-time solution expecting lasting results

Clinical takeaway:
Cryotherapy supports recovery…it doesn’t create performance.

Use it strategically, not as a shortcut.

04/01/2026

🧊🤤