What IS a knot? Knots, or myofascial trigger points, are bumps or bands of tense, tight muscle or fascial tissue. They may be active (sore and causing compensatory movement behaviours) or latent (tender if pressed). They can also cause 'referred pain' - resulting pain reactions as a result of the knot that appear in other …
Category: Equine
Re-Energising
An enforced break means a chance to re-energise, reflect and get setup for post-lockdown...
Rest and Recovery
This is a great time of year for equestrians to enjoy getting out and about with their horses in the warmer weather, and it has been lovely hearing the success stories of various clients' challenges, whether that be venturing out for a longer hack, boxing off to a new venue or putting their training to …
Massage? Chiro? Physio? What does my horse need and when?!!
Your horse feels 'off'. Horses are predominantly stoic creatures, preferring to hide their ailments from potential predators, but maybe you are tuned-in enough to your animal to have spotted a subtle change - sudden reluctance to pick up a certain canter lead, difficulty bending a particular way, fidgeting slightly when you mount, tripping, even just …
Continue reading Massage? Chiro? Physio? What does my horse need and when?!!
Saddles saddles saddles…
It is fair to say I am fairly obsessed with the fit of my horse's saddle. Jules is so brilliant at communicating when something is not quite right, but as a result I am constantly looking out for signals from her. Sometimes it's an ear flick, sometimes turning to look back at what I'm doing, …
Pilates on Horseback!
I have attended 'Equilates' for a couple of years now, and can't recommend it enough - our small classes follow traditional Pilates principles, but with a helpful focus on the muscles and range of movement required for riding, as well as an emphasis on balance and symmetry. My Pilates instructor, Beth, is also an established …
Out at work…
I haven't blogged for quite some time, purely due to having needed to focus my full brain power on my studies, passing my exams and then getting started with my new business! With my brain full to bursting, I was keen to make sure I utilised my knowledge and enthusiasm by getting straight out to …
Back to work!
Jules is settling in nicely, track system set up around the edge of her paddock space to keep her moving and in contact with her neighbours, and it's time to start her exercise regime! Due to having been out of work for quite some time since foaling, Jules needs to be built up slowly. Her …
I can feel that, you know…
Horses have an acute sense of touch. Their whole-body touch sense has been described as 'as sensitive as our fingertips' and that 'a horse can feel a fly landing on a single hair'. Anyone who spends time with horses has observed this of course, though our horses, often stoic in nature, will sometimes forget to …
Quick fix?
On my recent visit to Olympia's London International Horseshow, I revelled in the opportunity to wander around the stalls occupied by businesses offering various therapies and technologies. On previous visits, I would've avoided these, my eye firmly set on the shopping village, and not wanting to be held back by leaflet-wielding company reps! But this …
