In this article, I'm going over what you can do at home with your horses to improve their well-being during the winter season.
Read moreHow Can You Support Your Horse This Winter?
Photo by Kaiti Elliott
Supporting Your Horse When On Rest
There are so many ways to support a horse that is on rest from an injury. A common misconception that we see in the equine therapy/physio/bodywork industry is that such work only has value for horses if they are ridden regularly. When a horse is on rest, especially with a restricted movement recovery space (stall or paddock), it is vital to ensure that their body is receiving support throughout their recovery.
Read moreResearch Discussion on Equine Pain
I read a very interesting study published earlier this year that validates what many horse people have already been seeing and experiencing. Through this study, researchers have developed a tool to aid in the assessment of musculoskeletal pain in horses. You can find the full research article cited at the bottom of this post.
Read moreFacilitating Nervous System Regulation for Horses
What are some of the ways that I facilitate nervous system regulation for horses in my equine wellness sessions?
The importance of honouring the horse's nervous system in their environment, relationships, training, riding, bodywork, etc. cannot be denied when you see first hand what a positive difference it makes for their welfare.
The importance of honouring the horse's nervous system in their environment, relationships, training, riding, bodywork, etc. cannot be denied when you see first hand what a positive difference it makes for their welfare. What are some of the ways that I facilitate nervous system regulation in my equine wellness sessions?
Read moreCorrect Terminology in Bodywork
Correct Terminology in Bodywork
It's important to me to use correct terminology in bodywork and to describe my findings and techniques accurately. Doing otherwise does a disservice to the horse owner. They should be getting correct, accurate information from their professionals so that they can fully understand what's going on with their horse and can make educated decisions about their care.
Read moreHolding Space
Holding space, and the beauty in the pause.
I've learned how much it enhances my bodywork when horses are 1. allowed the time and space needed to pause and integrate, and 2. have the self-regulation skills needed to be present in their bodies and process changes within their nervous system.
Read moreFast vs Slow Improvements
There are two kinds of situations I experience in my equine therapy practice; horses who improve drastically over a short period of time, and those who improve incrementally over a long period of time. Why does this happen?
This is a complex topic that I'm going to break down as simply as possible, but I can't possibly cover all of the infinite reasons why every horse responds differently - they are all individuals with unique situations.
Read moreReceiving Energy
Parasympathic activation. Receiving energy. Consent. These terms may be unfamiliar to some, but they are hugely important in my work as an equine therapist.
Despite the fact that many - including some of the teachers and mentors who have taught me over the years - have been working in respect of those states for a very long time, sadly the information is still missing from a lot of professional development.
Read more"One is a treat, more is a treatment"
Somewhere I read the phrase "one is a treat, more is a treatment" and it really stuck with me.
There isn't anything wrong with booking a single bodywork session for your horse, as long as you understand the difference between a single appointment and ongoing care with an equine wellness professional.
Read moreDo All Horses Benefit From Bodywork?
Every once in a while I talk to someone who is interested in what I do, but comments that their horse doesn't really do much and therefore doesn't require any bodywork.
Everyone has a different opinion on whether any horse "requires" bodywork, but let's reframe it and pose this question - can a horse benefit from bodywork even if they "don't do much"? That I can confidently answer with a resounding yes!
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