Donna Cooksey Equine & Human Massage Practitioner

29/04/2026

Optimising Performance Through Professional Pre & Post-Competition Care with DLC Equine and Human Therapy- Performance and Recovery.
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Peak performance doesn’t happen by chance, it’s supported by a strategic approach to your horse’s physical wellbeing before and after competition.
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Pre-Competition Preparation:
Prepare your horse to perform at its best with a targeted combination of advanced therapies:

•PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy): Enhances circulation, supports muscle function, and helps reduce inflammation ahead of exertion.
• Hands-On Therapy: Skilled manual techniques to release muscular tension, improve range of motion, and promote biomechanical balance.
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This proactive approach ensures your horse enters competition supple, comfortable, and ready to perform.
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Post-Competition Recovery:
Effective recovery is essential for maintaining soundness and ongoing performance:
• PEMF Therapy: Aids cellular repair, minimises post-exercise soreness, and accelerates recovery time.
• Hands-On Therapy: Relieves muscle fatigue, addresses areas of tightness, and supports overall musculoskeletal health.
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Investing in professional care not only enhances performance but also contributes to your horse’s long-term wellbeing and longevity in its sport.
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Now booking pre- and post-competition sessions.
Provide your horse with the support it deserves, get in touch to discuss a tailored treatment plan.
Copyright ©️ 2026
Donna Cooksey Equine & Human Massage Practitioner

29/04/2026

I've always said to clients Massage therapy before Chiropractic treatments. By releasing the musculoskeletal issues and relaxing the fascia, a Chiropractor can then assist with reajustments your Horse needs if not already done by your Massage Therapist.
A good explanation by Koper Equine

Why Some Horses Resist Chiropractic—And How Massage with Myofascial Release Helps

It’s not uncommon for horse owners to notice their horse resisting chiropractic work—pinning ears, bracing, stepping away, or simply seeming uncomfortable. This doesn’t mean chiropractic care is bad or ineffective. In fact, it can be incredibly beneficial when the horse is ready for it.

But when a horse resists, it’s important to understand why.

Listening to the Horse

Resistance is communication.

A horse may struggle with chiropractic adjustments for several reasons:
• Discomfort or sensitivity in the area being adjusted
• A tight or restricted soft tissue system that won’t easily allow change
• A nervous system that is overwhelmed or on edge
• Previous negative experiences that created anticipation or distrust
• A temporary feeling of instability or imbalance after adjustments

In many cases, the issue isn’t the adjustment itself—it’s that the horse’s body isn’t prepared to receive it.

Where Massage and Myofascial Release Come In

Massage therapy, especially when focused on the fascia, works with the horse’s body to create the conditions needed for comfort, relaxation, and lasting change.

1. Releasing the Body’s Tension Patterns

Fascia is a continuous web of connective tissue that surrounds and connects everything in the body. When it becomes tight or restricted, it can pull on multiple areas at once, limiting movement and creating compensation patterns.

Myofascial release uses slow, sustained pressure to soften these restrictions, allowing the body to move more freely and efficiently.

2. Supporting the Nervous System

A calm nervous system is the foundation for any kind of bodywork.

Massage helps shift the horse out of a stressed, reactive state and into a relaxed, regulated one. When the body feels safe, it stops guarding and becomes more open to change.

3. Improving Circulation and Healing

Massage increases blood flow and fluid movement throughout the body.

This helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues while clearing out inflammation and waste products—supporting recovery, reducing soreness, and improving overall tissue health.

4. Restoring Balance and Posture

When one area of the body is tight, another area compensates.

By releasing restrictions, massage allows the horse to redistribute weight more evenly, improving posture and movement without force. Many horses will naturally begin to stand more square and move more fluidly.

5. Preparing the Body for Chiropractic Work

This is where massage and chiropractic care work beautifully together.

By addressing the soft tissue first:
• Joints are no longer being restricted by surrounding tension
• The horse is more relaxed and receptive
• Adjustments become gentler, more effective, and longer-lasting

Instead of working through resistance, we remove the resistance first.

6. Building Trust and Body Awareness

Massage is a slower, more interactive process that allows the horse to feel and respond.

This builds trust, increases body awareness, and often changes how a horse responds to all forms of handling and care.

A Whole-Body Approach

Rather than asking, “Why doesn’t my horse like chiropractic?”
A better question is:

“What is my horse’s body trying to tell me?”

By listening to those signals and supporting the soft tissues and nervous system first, we create a foundation where all therapies—including chiropractic—can be more comfortable, effective, and beneficial.

In Simple Terms
• Chiropractic adjusts the joint
• Massage and myofascial release prepare the body so the joint can function properly

Together, they support better movement, comfort, performance, and long-term soundness.

https://koperequine.com/if-your-horse-is-body-sore-it-needs-a-massage/

28/04/2026

Let's talk about Turn out and your Horses Musculoskeletal skeletol system.
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Addressing muscular imbalances in horses isn’t just about better performance, it’s about long-term soundness, injury prevention, and overall wellbeing. A track system which i use can be a surprisingly effective, natural way to help correct these imbalances.
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A track system is a looping pathway built around the perimeter of a field, encouraging horses to move more throughout the day rather than standing in one spot like in a traditional paddocks.
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How It Helps Muscular Imbalances:
1. Encourages Consistent, Low-Intensity Movement
Horses on a track walk far more each day often mimicking natural roaming behavior.

This steady movement:
Strengthens weaker muscle groups gradually
Prevents overuse of dominant muscles
Improves overall symmetry

2. Promotes Straightness and Balance:
Unlike small paddocks where horses circle tightly or favor one direction, a track system:
Encourages forward, straight-line movement
Reduces repetitive strain on one side of the body
Helps even out left/right muscular development.

3. Builds Core and Postural Strength:
Because horses must navigate different parts of the track (turns, surfaces, slight inclines), they naturally:
Engage their core muscles
Stabilize through their back and pelvis
Develop better posture without forced training.

4. Provides Varied Terrain.
Adding surfaces like gravel, sand, or gentle slopes can:
Activate different muscle groups
Improve hoof health and proprioception
Challenge weak areas safely.

5. Reduces Compensatory Movement Patterns
Horses with imbalances often compensate overusing certain muscles while avoiding others.
A track system
encourages natural, self-regulated exercise and helps retrain the body without rider interference.
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It helps support rehabilitation alongside groundwork or Equine Massage Therapy.

6. Supports Mental Wellbeing (which affects the body).
A mentally stimulated horse moves more freely and correctly.
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Tracks:
Reduce boredom and stiffness.
Encourage social interaction and exploration.
Lead to more relaxed, fluid movement patterns.
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Track systems are particularly beneficial for horses:
Recovering from injury
With asymmetry (e.g., one-sided stiffness)
Coming back into work after time off
Prone to conditions like Kissing Spine or general back pain.
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A track system isn’t a magic fix. It works best when combined with:
Correct training and riding
Bodywork (physio, massage)
Proper hoof care and nutrition.
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A well-designed track system taps into a horse’s natural need to move, creating gentle, consistent conditioning that helps rebalance the body over time. Instead of forcing symmetry through intense exercise, it allows the horse to develop it organically.

One way in which to assist your Horses Musculoskeletal System Naturally.

Copyright ©️ 2026
Donna Cooksey Equine & Human Massage Practitioner

27/04/2026

I went to visit Remi this afternoon who had been competing at the wkend.
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This was his post competition recovery session.
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After competition, your horse’s body has gone through intense physical and neurological stress, much like an athlete.
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Incorporating equine massage and PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy into your post-competition routine can significantly improve recovery, performance longevity, and overall wellbeing of your Horse.
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As you know Equine massage focuses on manipulating soft tissue, muscles, tendons, and ligaments—to relieve tension and restore balance.
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Pemf Therapy uses low frequency electromagnetic waves to stimulate cellular function and healing.
Key benefits post-competition:
Accelerates healing at the cellular level
Encourages cells to repair and regenerate more efficiently.
Reduces inflammation
Ideal for joints and soft tissues stressed during competition.
Improves circulation & oxygenation.
Supports quicker recovery across the entire body.
Relieves pain naturally.
Helps reduce discomfort without medication.
Supports joint health
Particularly beneficial for performance horses with repetitive strain.
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Using both therapies together creates a powerful recovery protocol:
Massage = mechanical relief (muscles & soft tissue)
PEMF = cellular stimulation (deep healing & inflammation control)
Together, they speed up recovery time and
Improve performance consistency.
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post-competition treatments assists in
reduced muscle soreness & stiffness.

Just look at Remi, he thoroughly enjoyed his first Session with PEMF.

Copyright ©️ 2026
Donna Cooksey Equine & Human Massage Practitioner

26/04/2026

A super well done to my Sponsored rider Liz Forrester of Forrester's Lodge Equestrian Services with Kensington aka (Oliver) coming 6th in the Grand Prix.
What a super star. I'm so proud that I treat such a wonderful partnership.

Donna Cooksey Equine & Human Massage Practitioner

26/04/2026

Equine Performance and Recovery.

26/04/2026

Have you ridden your horse over the weekend and it feels stiff, uncomfortable, or just not performing as it usually does?
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Small issues don’t stay small, they turn into bigger problems.
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Ive been providing specialist musculoskeletal therapy for horses & human clients over the years using a combination of:

Hands-On Musculoskeletal Massage
Cranial Sacral Therapy
Infrared Light Therapy
Ultrasound Therapy
Now including PEMF Therapy.
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My care approach including:
Hands on Assessments
Aftercare guidance
Mobilisation stretches and Exercise rehabilitation plans.

This all helps your horse to:
Move freely
Recover faster
Perform better
Feel more comfortable
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Because when your horse feels better… everything changes.

Also available Posture Assessment & treatments for Equine and Rider.

LIMITED APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

Copyright ©️ 2026
Donna Cooksey Equine & Human Massage Practitioner

25/04/2026

A polite Notice regarding use of my content:

All photos, templates, and original materials I create and share are my intellectual property. They must not be copied, reproduced, edited, distributed, or used in any form without my prior permission, this regards to other professional bodies.
Owners may share. I always ask owners that I may use pictures of there Horses where appropriate if not taken by myself.
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Unauthorized use may result in further action being taken.

Thank you for respecting my work and rights.

Donna Cooksey Equine & Human Massage Practitioner