Vandlen Equine Massage and Bodywork

Home
United States
Tacoma, WA
Vandlen Equine Massage and Bodywork

Helping horses optimize performance, reduce risk of injury, and reduce stress through massage.

02/21/2026

Ever feel unsure when to push your horse’s training… and when to support their body a little more?
I just wrote a new newsletter on the rigors of training and how you can use a simple, repeatable learning cycle to decide:

🐎 when to increase difficulty
🐎 when to prioritize recovery
🐎 when bodywork can make the biggest difference for your horse

From starting a new training block to getting ready for show season, this framework has helped me make better decisions for the horses I work with (including my own), every single day.
The newsletter is being sent out Sunday morning.
If you want to get the most out of your training schedule, you’ll want to read this one.
You can subscribe to the newsletter at www.vandlenequine.com

02/19/2026

Do you have a horse on stall rest? This is one of my favorite, gentle, whole body movements. I will often end my sessions with this movement as it engages the entire ring of muscles, as well as connecting those muscles to the horse’s balance.

02/10/2026

A little late this month… but I’m finally posting my schedule 😬

If it’s been a while since I’ve seen your horse, this is a great time to get back on the books. I have more local availability than usual this month, and only a small amount of “travel” availability.

Gearing up for spring work, rebuilding fitness, and physical changes after winter are all showing up right now, and this is one of my favorite times to help horses reset and move forward more comfortably.

If younhave been meaning to reach out, this is your nudge.
Send me a message and I’ll help you find a spot that works.

02/09/2026

This is a horse appreciation post.

02/05/2026

What can I say, I’m a nerd.

02/04/2026

I’ve finally gotten around to updating my services on Facebook! One of the sections I’ve added is about a workshop that I have held a couple of times: The Anatomical Grooming Workshop. It’s something I would love to do more of!

Anatomical Grooming Workshops are about 90-minutes that combine short presentations with guided, hands-on time. You will learn the basics of functional equine anatomy and how to apply that knowledge directly to your everyday grooming routine. The workshop is designed to help you recognize common tension patterns, support healthy movement, and use simple, effective techniques to help your horse warm up before work and cool down after exercise. This practical, anatomy-based approach empowers you to better understand your horse’s body, improve comfort and performance, and confidently maintain your horse between rides. A minimum of five participants is required to run a workshop.

Please reach out if you’d like to host one!

01/29/2026

Your equine bodyworker may have said your horse has reduced range of motion. But what does that really mean? Range of motion is how far and how freely a joint can move. Reduced range of motion often means reduced mobility, because if a joint is not going through its full range, the horse cannot access healthy, efficient movement. Working to improve mobility, not just flexibility, helps your horse move better, stay more balanced, and reduce strain over time.

01/28/2026

What you heard about belly lifts is kinda wrong…
Belly lifts aren’t a bad exercise, but they’re often misunderstood. They primarily lift the thorax between the front legs and are most useful for improving/ checking range of motion, not full back or core activation.
Carrot stretches down and back create flexion at the lumbosacral joint and ask the horse to engage more of the back and core, similar to a crunch. That difference matters when you’re choosing exercises to support posture, strength, and healthy movement.
If your horse struggles with belly lifts, it may just not be the right tool for the goal you have. Try carrot down and back, watch the response, and let the horse’s body guide the choice.
Movement quality always tells the truth.

Address

Tacoma, WA
98409

Telephone

+16503025011

Website

https://www.vandlenequine.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Vandlen Equine Massage and Bodywork posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Vandlen Equine Massage and Bodywork:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Tacoma?