JMS Equine Bodyworker

02/01/2026

Equine massage therapy is a holistic bodywork modality that involves the manual manipulation of a horse's muscles and soft tissues to alleviate tension, improve circulation, and enhance overall physical and mental well-being. It is used for performance enhancement in athletes, rehabilitation after injury, and general maintenance for pleasure or senior horses.

Massage Therapy for Horses –

Animal Bodywork and Aromatherapy
Core Benefits for Horses:

Regular massage therapy provides several physiological and psychological advantages:

Enhanced Performance:
Increases range of motion, stride length, and flexibility.

Pain & Tension Relief:
Loosens tight muscles and knots, alleviates muscle soreness, and breaks up scar tissue.

Improved Circulation:
Stimulates blood flow and lymphatic activity, which aids in removing metabolic waste like lactic acid and reducing edema (swelling).

Stress Reduction:
Lowered heart rates and reduced cortisol levels have been observed during and after sessions, promoting a calm demeanor.

Injury Prevention:
Maintains supple muscles and ligaments to prevent pulls and chronic musculoskeletal problems.

01/24/2026

An old pic but this is what he would have to say about this coming snow storm.

12/29/2025

Taping Is Not Just For Legs!

We often think of taping for a horse’s legs. Things such as tendonitis. However, taping has many more applications.

Here is an example of an eye that wouldn’t open but shortly after taping it opened right up!

12/28/2025

Remember, massage is where the tension ends and healing begins. If it works for people, then why not your pets? Makes sense to me. How about you?

12/28/2025

Why is My Horse Cribbing and Can I Make Him Stop? -
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) issues in horses can manifest as symptoms like head tossing, bit sensitivity, and even cribbing, as the jaw pain and dysfunction make normal eating/grazing difficult and stress relief sought through repetitive behaviors like gripping objects and sucking air, releasing endorphins. Both TMD (Temporomandibular Dysfunction) and cribbing stem from pain, stress, or environmental factors (like high concentrates/low forage), impacting the jaw joint's ability to function, leading to poor performance, teeth issues, and changes in head carriage, with bodywork and diet changes often helping to manage both.

How TMJ & Cribbing Connect
Pain & Stress: A sore or misaligned TMJ causes discomfort, leading to stress.

Coping Mechanism:
Cribbing releases dopamine, a "feel-good" chemical, providing temporary relief for stressed or uncomfortable horses, including those with TMJ issues.

Physical Manifestation:
A horse with TMJ pain might start cribbing to relieve jaw tension or as a learned behavior due to the constant discomfort.

Signs of TMJ Dysfunction (TMD)

Uneven teeth wear.
Difficulty wearing a bit or head tossing.
Head shaking or sensitivity.
Difficulty flexing at the poll.
Changes in gait or performance.

Causes of Both

Diet:
High concentrate (grain) diets and lack of forage/pasture.

Environment:
Boredom, stress, lack of turnout, and insufficient social interaction.

Trauma:
Falls or pulling back when tied.

Dental Issues:
Can impact jaw mechanics.

Management & Treatment

Veterinary Check-up:
Essential for diagnosis, potentially involving x-rays or physical exams.

Dietary Changes:
Increase forage, reduce grain, use slow feeders to mimic grazing.

Environmental Enrichment:
More turnout, social contact, and grazing opportunities.

Bodywork:
Equine massage (like Masterson Method) to release tension in the jaw and neck.

Dental Care:
Regular dental floats by a qualified equine dentist.

Pain Management:
Anti-inflammatories or joint injections if recommended by a vet.

12/27/2025

What's Equine Bodywork & why should I book a session ...

Equine bodywork is crucial because it improves circulation, flexibility, and range of motion, relieves muscle tension, and prevents injuries, ultimately enhancing a horse's athletic performance, comfort, and overall longevity by addressing physical imbalances and promoting relaxation. It helps horses recover faster, manage stress, and become more body-aware, preventing minor issues from escalating into major problems, making it essential for both performance and general well-being.

Key Benefits of Equine Bodywork:
Pain & Tension Relief: Releases tight muscles, fascia, and knots, reducing soreness and discomfort from work or stress.

Improved Performance: Enhances stride length, flexibility, balance, and muscle tone, allowing horses to move more freely and powerfully.

Injury Prevention:
By identifying and releasing tension in overworked areas, it stops minor strains from becoming serious injuries, protecting your investment.

Enhanced Recovery:
Boosts blood and lymph flow, helping to flush out lactic acid and toxins, speeding up recovery after strenuous activity.

Better Body Awareness (Proprioception):
Helps horses become more aware of their body, leading to better movement and coordination.

Stress Reduction:
The relaxing touch releases endorphins, calming the horse and improving their mental state for learning and performance.

Supports Rehabilitation:
Aids in recovery from existing injuries and supports overall health, extending a horse's career.

When is it Important?

For Athletes:
Essential for performance horses in disciplines like jumping, racing, or rodeo to maintain peak condition.

For Everyday Horses:
Beneficial for any horse, including those with behavioral issues like "girthiness" or bucking, which can stem from underlying pain.

After Stressful Events:
Helps horses decompress after trailer rides, competitions, or intense training.

In essence, equine bodywork is a proactive tool for maintaining musculoskeletal health, improving the horse-rider connection, and ensuring a happier, sounder equine partner.

12/22/2025

12/21/2025

What is kinesiology taping and who does it help?

Kinesiology tape offers benefits like pain relief, reduced swelling, improved circulation, and muscle support by microscopically lifting the skin to decompress tissues, aiding lymphatic drainage, and enhancing proprioception (body awareness). It's used for faster injury recovery, posture correction, injury prevention, and supporting muscles during physical activity, allowing full range of motion. While widely used, some studies suggest its effectiveness for pain relief isn't always superior to sham taping, though it often helps with swelling.

Key Benefits:

Pain Relief:
Reduces pain signals by lifting skin, relieving pressure on pain receptors.

Reduces Swelling & Inflammation: Creates space for better blood and lymphatic fluid flow, flushing out toxins and reducing fluid buildup.

Muscle Support & Activation:
Can support weak muscles or encourage proper muscle firing, helping with fatigue and spasms.

Improved Circulation:
Lifts skin, allowing more blood flow and oxygen to the area for faster healing.

Injury Prevention:
Stabilizes joints and supports vulnerable areas, reducing strain risk.

Faster Recovery:
Aids muscle recovery by promoting circulation and removing lactic acid.
Posture & Body Awareness: Provides sensory feedback to encourage better alignment and movement patterns.

Full Range of Motion:
Unlike rigid tape, it allows normal movement while still providing support.

Common Uses:
Sports injuries (sprains, strains)
Post-surgical recovery
Chronic aches (e.g., back, shoulder)
Muscle fatigue and cramps
Swelling (lymphedema)
Considerations:
Can cause skin irritation or reactions in some people.
Effectiveness for pain can vary, with some research showing benefits primarily in swelling reduction.

12/21/2025

Raindrop Therapy,

Using essential oils dropped like rain along the spine with massage, claims benefits like stress relief, pain reduction (back/muscle), immune support, detoxification, improved circulation, and emotional balance, aiming to align the body physically/energetically. While proponents praise its deep relaxation and potential anti-viral effects, it's important to note these claims aren't fully backed by conventional medicine, and it's best discussed with a professional for personalized, safe application.

Key Claimed Benefits,

Pain & Inflammation: Reduces chronic back pain, muscle tension, and inflammation using analgesic oils and massage.

Stress & Emotional Balance: Calms the nervous system, eases anxiety, promotes deep relaxation, and uplifts mood.

Immune Support: Believed to kill dormant viruses/bacteria and boost overall immune function with antimicrobial oils.

Detoxification: Helps release toxins from the body through lymphatic support and oil application.

Energy & Alignment: Aims to bring the body into structural and electrical balance, enhancing energy flow and spinal alignment.

Circulation: Improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage.

How It Works (The Process)

Vita Flex:
Oils applied to reflex points on the feet.

"Raindrops":
Oils (like lavender, thyme, oregano) dropped from about 6 inches above the spine.

Feathering:
Gentle, feather-like strokes work oils into the skin along the spine.

Massage:
Back and shoulders massaged for deeper relaxation.

Important Considerations
Not Conventional Medicine: It's a complementary therapy, not a widely studied medical treatment, with more research needed.

Professional Guidance: Consult a healthcare provider or qualified therapist to ensure safety, especially regarding oil choices and potential interactions.