A Whole Horse Approach to Equine Musculoskeletal Therapy
about me
Advanced Practitioner Equine Integrative Support Therapies
Horses have been my passion since I was very young, riding at my Aunt & Uncle's farm, later at a local riding school and then working at a yard throughout my teens. I had my own horses during my 20's but due to a spinal condition I had to step away. Not thinking that I would ever be able to work with horses again, I decided to use the time where my mobility was limited, to retrain in Applied Animal Behaviour, with a focus on dogs, thinking horses would be physically out of the question then. Having had spinal surgery by the time I qualified in this, and finding that my physical abilities were improving all the time, I got the 'bit between my teeth' and returned to my passion, embarking on a Level 5 Advanced Practitioner qualification with EMA. During my training I realised that I hadn't been this happy since my teens (some long time ago!) - I have truly found my niche. Experiencing the level of help that therapy can provide for equines is the ultimate reward.
Equine massage in a remedial session for the beautiful Lady
what does equine
massage therapy do?
The effects of massage therapy are incredible! Whilst the hope is that the horse enjoys it, it isn't about having a pamper session. Massage works with skeletal muscle and all connective tissues, including fascia. It also helps to reduce stiffness in joints and indirectly helps the health of bone, which is an ever-changing and dynamic material.
Sometimes tension or pain in one area may not be the root cause. Therapy, with thorough palpation, can help to establish where the original cause may be. The interconnection of muscles, soft tissues and bone via the HUGE web-like fascia that surrounds literally everything in the body means that we may work on one area in order to benefit another. For example, therapy around the face and poll can help the lower back and pelvis. An issue in the offside hind can be indirectly approached by working on the nearside fore. Here are some of the specific ways in which massage/manual therapies can help your horse;
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Helps delivery of nutrients and blood flow to muscles and other soft tissues
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Reduces muscular/fascia tension (which could be affecting multiple areas -everything is interconnected!)
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Reduces adhered and dehydrated tissues
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Helps to flush toxins and lactic acid from the body
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Facilitates enhanced range of motion and suppleness
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Stimulates/aids the immune system
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Forms part of a muscular warm-up prior to work/sport
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Reduces the risk of injury
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Helps to reduce/prevent scar tissue
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Reduces emotional tension, promotes relaxation
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Addresses various performance issues
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Prepares the musculoskeletal system for work
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Aids rehabilitation
Being able to listen to the horse's responses to various areas of focus and techniques being used, further helps us to understand where restriction, hypertonicity, tension and pain may lay.
When I come and see your horse(s), to ensure they get the very best level of benefit, I need to do a dynamic assessment, and complete a basic history form to give me some background and information about their current health/lifestyle/work/routines etc. I then send you a summary of what I find and areas that I've targeted, plus any relevant suggestions which may help them to maintain optimum musculoskeletal health. Where applicable, I may refer you to other specialist professionals - working with you and them as a team, to focus on your 'whole horse'.
which modalities for your horse?
It depends! Part of every session with your horse includes a thorough assessment from a standing and a dynamic point of view as well as through palpation and testing of range of motion. This, along with information gained through history taking and consideration of your horse's activity, life stage and general health forms part of my clinical reasoning behind which modalities to use. 'Massage Therapy' is quite a collective term which can encompass various techniques depending on the aim of the session, and the condition of the muscles and soft tissues. These can include;
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Petrissage
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Effleurage
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Trigger-point therapy
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Myofascial release
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Kinesio-Taping
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Equine Manual Lymphatic Drainage
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Tapotement (mainly used in pre-sports sessions)
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Compressive techniques
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Static holds
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Shaking
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Deep Fibre Friction
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Vibrations
Manual therapies are applicable and beneficial to ALL horses, whether involved in sports, leisure, retired or rehabilitating. Therefore, it is definitely not limited to non-ridden horses. There are times, however, when it may be contraindicated - please click below for situations where I would not be able to work with your horse. If a horse is currently under the care of a vet, whether for an acute or a chronic condition, a veterinary referral is required, in line with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Please click below to download a vet referral form.
"For the first two sessions there were a few times that Toby seemed to react to the treatment she was giving him, but on the third visit it was very apparent he was responding. He was visibly trying to make her know that it was right, moving his head to her after treatment and keeping it there, as if asking for her to do it again. The area she was treating was correct and he was grateful. Really looking forward to seeing Kate in the future as I know my horses are going to benefit from seeing her. I immediately felt at ease when I met her, as did my horse Toby. I just hoping she can come back soon to help him further and see the others too."
-CHARLOTTE CUBITT
"Jakarta, age 27, is an ex 5 star eventer. I was unable to put a head collar on him without a fuss and suspected something was out in his poll. Kate has been treating him for some weeks now and he is a different horse. His looks and character have returned and he no longer resists the head collar. He has also coped with the heat much better than I expected to him to. Overall, I have seen a great improvement with him and think Kate has done a fabulous job."
- PRUDENCE FINCH
"Kate has been wonderful with Lady, and she feels better after every session. She has managed to get her to be calm where she has struggled in the past. I love how Kate works with my horse, she’s very thorough and thoughtful, and empathetic. She’s explained everything really well which you don’t always get from people who come out to your horse for healthcare. Lady feels better through her muscles where she was kicked and I’ve loved watching her responses to the things that she’s had done"
- Jenny Mawe
"My pony Breeze is 23, he has Cushing's disease and is prescribed Prascend. He has arthritis and has generally been very stiff. There is a dramatic improvement in Breeze after only 3 treatments. He is much looser & consequently his movements have elongated and generally softened. My instructor has noticed a significant improvement in his flexibility too. I'm delighted with the results & will continue to have Kate work on the ponies"
-JULIA KEEN