Wild Winds Equestrian Services, LLC

05/15/2025

08/18/2024

Check out the transformation on these two!

07/07/2024

When was the last time you had an ergonomic assessment? With 6 years experience performing ergonomic assessments and offering corrective exercises in the industrial setting, I am happy to offer this service in addition to my equine bodywork practice!

Show me your posture and I’ll show you where your horse is struggling to counter balance. As riders we don’t always stop to think about how our seat translates to our equine companion. It is often assumed to be the fault of the horse if he/she refuses a lead, struggles with side passing, refuses to collect, or any other number of issues. Sometimes that is the case, and other times it’s not. I’ll put myself out there first and share my own shortcoming as a rider. I tend to sit on my left hip. Due to dysfunction in my back and pelvis, my frame collapses to the left when I am fatigued. This ‘closes the door’ on my mares left side, which affects everything I’m asking of her. I know this about myself and work hard to keep proper balance. I also have a series of corrective exercises for myself that are helping to remedy the situation, making both her and my job easier. I am sharing photos of myself and my mare at the end of about a 6 hour day. Despite being inside that day, it was still hot and humid as could be, and she and I both were worn out. In the photo of me on her you can see how my entire upper body on the left side is collapsed down, and how my left hip is higher, putting my left leg on my horse in an effort to stay in the saddle. While my right leg/hip are doing minimal work to stay correct. Again, this is entirely due to dysfunction in the pelvis and upper back. (And I know better!) In the second photo you can see how this translated to my horse under saddle. I had actually taken it to show to my saddle fitter because of the dry spots on her withers. But looking later on, it was obvious how much she sweated on her left side compared to the right. Again, due to having more contact from the left side of my body. It broke my heart when I saw the photo and realized what had happened. She tried her best for me all day that day, and I had failed her. With all of my knowledge and experience, I still gave into my fatigue that day, and my horse wore the proof. So what does that mean for me? More core conditioning! It doesn’t mean I’m a bad person or a bad rider. It simply means I have more work to do. If you are struggling with issues in your riding, and you know your horse knows how to do what you are asking, maybe it’s time to look at your body and ask yourself ‘where am I compensating’. Shoot me a message and I will be happy to help you sort it out!

02/14/2024

A little before and after for you all this evening. This sweet little mare has been struggling with lameness in her front feet, with the left being more painful than the right. Her session with me is part of a multi-faceted approach consisting of veterinary care, farrier care, and equine sports massage. The before photos were taken prior to her vet check and farrier visit for padded shoes. The after photos were taken right after her bodywork session with me. Note in the front view how constricted her left shoulder and pecs were, how elevated and bound up the scapula was, and how the neck was also pulled laterally towards that left side. In the after photo you can see the overall improved balance and reduced tension in these areas. In the side view photos you can see how in the before her entire front end is sagging into her legs, adding to the weight being carried on those already sore feet. Compared to the after photo where you can see the elevation in the rib cage, reduced tension in the shoulder and hip, improved topline, and inproved balace in the neck and head. I look forward to see more positive changes in this little lady with a few more sessions!

01/21/2024

This is the same with horses…

12/25/2023

12/06/2023

I am excited to announce that I am now offering LASER therapy and IASTM!! -(Stay tuned later this week for a description of IASTM)

Cold laser is also known as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or Photobiomodulation (PBM). This type of laser uses amplified light delivered in a narrow beam to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal aches and pains. Unlike surgical lasers, cold lasers pe*****te the layers of tissue without rupturing or causing damage to the skin. The benefits of cold laser therapy include increased circulation, reduced pain, improved nerve function, and improved healing. As with any therapy that increases circulation, secondary benefits include moving toxins and inflammation out of the area faster, a speedier recovery, and decreased muscle soreness. Overall this allows for a faster return to normal performance functioning.

Cold laser is also commonly used to improve scar tissue, both surgical and non-surgical. Treatments help to facilitate skin rejuvenation, which improves elasticity, and helps relieve underlying fascial restrictions.

Conditions that cold laser may help with include:

-Muscle Strains and Sprains
-Tendonitis
-Bursitis
-Neck and Back Pain
-Knee and Elbow Pain
-Muscle Spasms
-Arthritis
-Joint Pain
-Soft Tissue Injuries

Check out the video below to see Bridget enjoying her cold laser session.

10/31/2023

An interesting concept to consider when helping a nervous horse to understand and feel confident in their surroundings. We humans tend to keep our eyes forward and focus only on the ‘scary’ things up ahead when riding or working with a horse. How many times in training have you heard ‘look where you want to go!’? It’s easy to forget the horse can actually see 350 degrees around its body without turning its head. So while we are looking forward, our equine partner is looking nearly a full circle around us and themselves. One more added layer to this is the fact that horses are naturally prey animals. Due to this fact horses posses instincts thousands of years old telling them to be fearful of predators sneaking up from behind. One simple way to help your horse prepare for rides outside of the arena is through well-thought out desensitization training. This type of training should gradually expose your horse to a variety of stimuli in a controlled pressure-and-release type manner, making sure to work all the way around the horse. For example shaking plastic bags, flags, bags of pop cans, milk jugs with rocks in them, exposing the horse to tarps, shiny objects, noises, etc.

How does this relate to bodywork? You can help your massage practitioner to stay safe, and your horse to get the most out of their session, by minimizing distractions prior to the session beginning. I am happy to work on your horse wherever they are the most comfortable, whether that be in their stall, shed, cross ties, open paddock, round pen, barn aisle, or even just out in the open yard. My biggest concerns are for my safety, your safety, and the safety of the horse. When a horse and bodyworker are in tune with one another, oftentimes the horse will go into somewhat of a trance like state. So something that normally would not startle them in the least can lead to a sudden jerk, jolt, or even attempt to bolt if caught completely off guard. This can be prevented through simply planning ahead of the session to minimize as many distractions as reasonably possible.

10/23/2023

Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you just one of the many reasons why it is crucial to have a solid one rein stop on all of your horses!