Performance Equine Massage

06/28/2024

Performance Equine Massage has moved to Virginia Beach! Now taking new clients!

12/08/2022

PSA... Over the past couple weeks of horseshows, I’ve spent a lot of time ringside. It is CRAZY how tight people are girthing up just before they go into the ring. An over-tightened girth may pinch and bruise the muscles - in particular the pectorals, trapezius, serratus ventralis muscles and latissimus dorsi (see red areas in diagram bleow). This muscle group (also known as part of the thoracic sling) is crucial for movement. Besides soft tissue, an over tightened girth may also cause bruising of the ribs, the intercostal muscles between the ribs, And increase the overall pressure of the saddle on the back muscles. Check your girth underneath their chest, NOT on the side. You will be surprised the difference one hole can make, and quite literally give your horse some breathing room.

📸ESMA.

08/19/2022

Your horses need muscle release just like we do, if not more so!

08/05/2022

I do dogs too!

Did you know you could better your dog’s recovery from a torn ligament? 🤔⁠
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PEMF can help your dog recover by increasing the blood circulation and oxygen content around the ligament to reduce pain caused by inflammation. Consistent use of MagnaWave PEMF can aid in the recovery process.
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Click below to learn more! ⬇️

https://magnawavepemf.com/improving-your-dogs-recovery-from-a-torn-ligament-with-magnawave/?utm_source=Social-Media&utm_medium=FB-IG&utm_campaign=For-Pets

📸 Ann Williams

08/02/2022

07/08/2022

07/03/2022

Una increíble vista de la médula espinal.👀🔍

Medicina Apasionante♥️

06/19/2022

Great advice!

If you’re looking to buy a horse, don’t buy one that is currently in a daily program if you, at best, ride only a few times each month. If you primarily trail ride, don’t shop in the arenas. It isn’t fair to you; it isn’t fair to the horse.

If you’re a rider who needs a great deal of control, don’t buy the horse who revels in freedom of movement, the one who can—and must—go for miles. If you’re a rider who follows a strict 'snaffles only' or two-handed program, don’t buy the finished bridle horse who has worked years to pack iron on a swinging rein. Why not? I’ll repeat, it just isn’t fair to the horse.

Riders, we need to get honest with where we’re at in the saddle! Reluctance to do so is the biggest reason it’s hard to settle on a comfortable horse and rider match. If you’re afraid, even just a little bit, then own it. If you no longer ride as regularly, or as athletically, or with as much dedication as you did a few years ago, then say so.

I encourage people to horse shop from those who seemingly ride like they do, doing whatever discipline they want to do, safely and while having fun. It's tempting to see a smooth operator in Wranglers and think, "Well, maybe I'd ride more often or better, if only I rode this guy's horse."

If your riding interests—or your sheer courage—have changed direction, it's time to honour it. We change as we age. Those of us who are life-long horse(wo)men, have been there. We shall not judge!

Speaking of age, what do you think of Cody's old-timey bridle?

The real deal, I found it in the bottom of a cardboard box at a garage sale. With a little cleaning and conditioning, it was good as new. Dating from the 1930s, the headstall shows that they must have ridden some big half-drafts, back in the day. Cody's a skookum lad and still, he took the smallest hole at the crownpiece. The old man wasn't really digging this antique Buermann bit but it does make one wonder how much of today's gear will still be sound and usable after eighty-odd years...

Just having some fun with the horses down by the ol' swimmin' hole.

📷 Cait Bascom.

06/01/2022

🔘EQUINE THORACIC SLING🔘

➰Horses do NOT have a clavicle like humans
➰they depend on strong muscles that act as a sling to suspend the chest between the front legs
➰the thoracic sling acts as a girdle of sorts

⬇️The picture below depicts the muscles and area that lives in the thoracic sling-included but not pictured are the pectoral muscles.

➰90% of the horses I see will have some sort of soreness or reaction in this area.
➰keeping in mind that horses carry at least 60% of their weight on the front limbs-this makes sense.

❓Do you think your horse may be sensitive or tight in this area?
❓Are they lacking strength and muscle tone?

‼️Equine Massage Therapy is a great way to detect and treat problem areas helping to free up your horse, make them more comfortable and therefore more able to work correctly and become stronger!
‼️In addition to Massage-modalities like Scraping, Cupping and Taping can provide even more relief and lasting results!