Shaye Thompson - Qualified Equine Massage Therapist

27/08/2015

Please head to my new business page and like & share. I will be closing this account and page :) Be sure to add my new account too. Thanks!
Shaye Thompson Qualified Equine Massage

19/08/2015

At it again, Aaron Baker - Farrier shoeing/trimming and myself massaging a few horses at Wongawilli today
Feel free to like/share and contact us for an appointment :)

18/08/2015

Spent the afternoon modifying and re-making my massage forms. Due to an error in printing the 'blue' now matches my teal nails 😊

18/08/2015

Just a message for my clients, I will be unavailable from Thursday to Tuesday but will be available for appointments from Wednesday 26/8
Contact me to secure an appointment for your horses :)

14/08/2015

So we're still in winter and the ticks have begun making their way onto my horses legs, belly, chest and faces.
I have been picking them off for a month already, I hope this isn't any indication of what's to come this summer 😖

09/08/2015

There are no short cuts in horse training.
A "band- aid" quick fix will not suffice in the long term.
A horse will not be 100% sound and supple after one 60 minute massage, when people have been doing years of damage to it.

Instead of putting a different or harsh bit in its mouth, or putting a standing/running martingale, market harborough etc on next time why not stop and think, does this horse need this.
Why is it behaving in such a way that I need to introduce this piece of tack.
- Is the horse sore, is it growing or injured?
- Is the horse going sour, does it need a spell or should I perhaps spend more time training before moving on to the next stage or competing?
- Is its gear fitting correctly, not too tight, not too big, not too restrictive?
- Does the horse need its feet tended to, teeth checked or checked over by a vet, massage therapist or chiropractor?
- Am I pushing it further than its level of education. Is what I'm asking further than my level of education.
- Am I asking the question wrong, could I need lessons or help from a trainer.
- Do I need to go back to basic groundwork and establish the manoeuvre on the ground first?

Chances are you could answer yes to one or several of these questions before you put that harsh bit in its mouth or jam its head down creating more issues to be overlooked.
Time and time again we see people rushing the basic principles of training a horse thus skipping steps and not allowing the horse to prepare mentally and physically.

Educate yourself on all aspects of riding, training, equipment, health and nutrition to get the best out of your horse.
Don't take a short cut by putting a restrictive piece of equipment on to get the head down, or buy a new bit to fix your horses way of reacting to pain. It is trying to tell you something. Most people take the time to get the horses feet trimmed and their teeth done before breaking in or with a new horse but more need to have the horses musculoskeletal system assessed for underlying issues that will be a recurring problem down the track.

Time is the most important factor in circumstances like this.
Give the horse time for a lesson to take it all in, tie it up after a training session to let it mentally sink in.
Give the horse time when developing collection and a proper frame rather than reaching for side reins and a martingale to force the head down.
Give the muscles time to adapt and repair to the new limits you are pushing them to.
And most importantly give your horse time, put your own time aside to achieve your training goals, if you rush things it may cost you in the long run.

09/08/2015

Call/text or inbox to make an appointment for your beloved equine friend this week!

Got an event, competition or race coming up and want your horse to perform at its best?
Call, text or private message me for a Massage appointment for next week!

24/07/2015

Shaye Thompson - Equine Massage Therapist massaging Harmony and Aaron Baker - Farrier trimming a few for Karen Owen 😊

19/07/2015

"Our bodies speak to us clearly and specifically, if we are willing to listen." -Shakri Gawain

Our horses speak to us too, they communicate through their actions.
If your horse has been off lately it may benefit from a sports, therapeutic or relaxation massage.

15/07/2015

How many of you are taking this into consideration during winter?
Have you noticed a change in your horses stools, coat or eye, it could be an indication that your horse isn't drinking as much as it should. How often do you see them go to the trough for a drink?
Remember to add a small amount of salt to their feed still as it is just as important during winter to ensure they keep hydrated. I offer my horses a drink from a bucket with warm water (the chill taken off) daily and sometimes use molasses to encourage them to drink after feeding, exercise or riding.

Beware of Cold Weather Colic!
A number of horse owners have experienced a case of colic recently, so we decided to post some simple information about this potentially fatal condition. Colic in cold weather is a possibility when a horse quickly eats a large amount of dry hay without taking in adequate water due to the freezing temperature of the water or reduced thirst from winter conditions. This can cause a blockage of dry food that swells in the intestine and leads to colic. Cold weather colic is particularly common if the horse doesn’t chew its food properly, or has poor teeth that cause reduced chewing efficiency. Ponies and minis are highly susceptible to this type of impaction colic. Hay should be provided slightly dampened to old horses, ponies and minis, particularly ‘hoovers’ or those which eat quickly due to competition for food.
What is Colic?
Colic is a general term that has been used for hundreds of years to describe any cause or degree of pain in the abdomen of a horse. We now know that ‘colic’ is most commonly caused by digestive disturbances, but abdominal pain can originate in the liver, urinary tract, uterus or other internal organs.
Unfortunately, the horse’s digestive layout predisposes it to digestive disturbances due to changes in feed, with increased gas production that expands the large bowel to cause pain, increased motility of the intestines and blockages due to food mass compaction. The symptoms of colic can range in severity from a mild discomfort, to an extremely intense, localised and painful form, which can be life threatening. Studies indicate that about 10% of colic cases are fatal, often associated with extreme distress and physical injury. A horse with intense abdominal pain appears to lose all awareness and self preservation instincts by going down, rolling and knocking its legs in an attempt to relieve the pain.
Historically, there were a number of ‘colic’ drenches or ‘treatments’ available, often potions containing plant extracts with sedative and relaxant properties to ease pain and muscle spasm. However, these preparations are only effective in the types of colic related to bowel spasm and low-grade blockages. Colic caused by heavy Bloodworm infestation, sand accumulation, intestinal infections, twists of the bowel and digestive upsets may not respond to simple ‘colic’ drenches and these cases can be fatal if not properly diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian.
What the Horse Feels
The pain associated with colic can vary from a vague, dull, persistent gut ache to a sharp, fluctuating pain with periods of relief between the attacks, such as occurs in spasmodic colic. In severe cases, the pain can be so intense and agonising, that the horse will roll, sweat and thrash around in an attempt to relieve the pain and discomfort. This can lead to further injury and may worsen a strangulation, displacement or mal-position or an overfill condition affecting the bowels. This is a RED ALERT - you must summon a vet immediately. The horse may develop severe shock, with vascular deterioration and death. A silent ‘belly’ sound is often the worst sign associated with colic and is a grave to serious condition.
Read the rest of our handy factsheet on the causes of colic, which includes some general management advice. You can find it on our website: http://www.kohnkesown.com/C9understandingcolic.pdf
Consult your vet for advice if you believe your horse is suffering from colic.

07/07/2015

Got an event, competition or race coming up and want your horse to perform at its best?
Call, text or private message me for a Massage appointment for next week!

02/07/2015

Spot on! My 6 are spoilt and get regular massages :)