Donna Cooksey Equine & Human Massage Practitioner

22/10/2025

Great results for Sponsored rider Liz Forrester of Forrester's Lodge Equestrian Services at Solihull.

22/10/2025

Back in Ledbury this morning to treat Two of my clients to Human Sports Massage therapy.
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A little recap:

The Wife had undergone a Total knee replacement 9 months ago.
Her right foot was sticking out to the right after her knee replacement. The foot may turn outward to reduce stress on the knee joint and manage abnormal gait.
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This was giving her sciatic pain due to compensatory muscle weakness.
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The position of your foot is also related to your hip, so problems in the hip can affect how your foot is positioned.
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The hands on assessment found tension in both Internal Obliques and Medius and maximus Gluteals. On the right side this radiated down the Tensor fasciae latae. When the foot sticks outward it can indicate that the Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL) muscle or the Iliotibial (IT) band is affected, as a compensatory mechanism for abnormal knee alignment or as a contributing factor to pain.
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Both Calves, Hamstrings and Quadriceps muscles where holding tension. I addressed the scar tissue also from the surgical procedure.
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22nd October 2025.
She has continued to attend her Chair Pilates and also doing it at home.
The hands on assessment today noted again a small amount of discomfort in the Internal Obliques and Medius Gluteals on her right side and in her Tensor fascia Latae. The Tensor Fasciae Latae's function is to bring the leg and knee forward and stabilize the hip. When the knee turns in and the foot sticks outward, this is called pronation distortion syndrome. This causes the Femur to internally rotate.
it's important to strengthen the muscles that provide stability, such as the glutes, and improve overall movement patternsas with pilates and the Purchase of a vibration plate.

Husband recap:

Eight weeks ago her Husband had his initial assessment.
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He has several medical issues so light Massage techniques where used.
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The hands on assessment found restrictions in the trapezius left side, internal Oblique and medius Gluteals. calfs, TFL, quadriceps, hamstrings on both legs.
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Four wks / 2nd session and a much better picture. No issues in the Trapezius muscles, there was some discomfort in the Medius Gluteals and his Tensor fascia Latae muscle, as his fascia was tight.
Restricted fascia can contribute to a tight tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscle, as fascia is a connective tissue that can become tight, limiting movement and creating tension in the muscles it surrounds.
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I asked if he could use oil and massage his legs to help stimulate the blood flow.
22nd October 2025
Again he has been using the vibration plate daily for 3 wks and self massaging.
This has helped releasing the fascia greatly which was causing the connective tissue to become restricted, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, his thighs previously felt like Hard Concrete.
Today the quadriceps & TFL where more relaxed, i was able to move the skin easily over the muscle and feel the trigger points restrictions underneath. He had been struggling to lift his left leg due to some tension in the Re**us Femoris on the left leg.

Aftercare advise was given to drink more Fluids, something a lot of us do not do.
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Fluid intake is crucial for fascia health as it keeps it hydrated, pliable, and able to transport nutrients and waste products efficiently. Proper hydration prevents the fascia from becoming stiff, dehydrated, and prone to adhesions which can lead to reduced mobility, muscle soreness, and pain.

Copyright ©️ 2025
DLC Equine and Human Musculoskeletal Therapy All Rights Reserved

Copyright ©️ 2025
DLC Equine and Human Musculoskeletal Therapy All Rights Reserved

21/10/2025

It was a revisit to see Leo this afternoon.
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I'd seen him prior to going away as he was showing signs of discomfort whilst being clipped and also when asking for right canter lead.
The hands on assessment had found Leo to have tension in his Poll, Hyoid, Serratus Ventralis, Pectorals, Lattisimus dorsi and Gluteals on his offside. On his nearside he again showed some tension in the Poll, Lattisimus Dorsi and gluteals.
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Today he still showed some reactiveness in the nearside Poll and Superficial gluteals.
Tension in the poll can restrict a horse's ability to engage its hindquarters. As with tension in the Gluteals can have a compensatory effect to the poll.
Leo has been out competing since his first assessment and has come away with good results in his Dressage and Jumping.

Copyright ©️ 2025
DLC Equine and Human Musculoskeletal Therapy All Rights Reserved

21/10/2025

Sponsored rider Hannah Jackson Coaching was visited today to treat Monty.
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He was such a good boy whilst treating areas of discomfort and worked on realigning his body. Working on the pelvic region i noted signs of the parasympathetic nervous system taking over, I actually felt very reactive and a deep relaxation through my own body. I've had these experiences only a few times, but its a great feeling.
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Monty muscles softened underneath my hands, a wonderful feeling.

Copyright ©️ 2025
DLC Equine and Human Musculoskeletal Therapy All Rights Reserved

20/10/2025

Next client today was Remi's owner Sarah.
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The hands on assessment found restrictions in her Trapezius, Internal Obliques and Medius Gluteals. She had a anterior pelvic tilt on the right side.
The Gastrocnemius on both legs where reactive.
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Some yrs ago she sustained a meniscus tear which can cause some clicking of the knee, this has caused pressure to quadricep where the muscle was really tight.
The Sports massage has helped to alleviate pressure on the old meniscus tear.
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The old meniscus tear can affect your internal obliques and gluteus medius over time due to a chain reaction of muscle imbalances and compensatory movements.
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When the quadriceps are weakened or under pressure from the tear, your body may rely more heavily on other muscles like the glutes and core for stability.
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Over time, this can lead to those muscles becoming overworked, potentially leading to pain or other complications.

She really benefited from her treatment aswell.

Copyright ©️ 2025
DLC Equine and Human Musculoskeletal Therapy All Rights Reserved

20/10/2025

A visit to see Remi this morning.
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He will be competing at the The London International Horse Show, Olympia in December.
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The hands on assessment found some tension in the poll and hyoid affecting Sternocephalicus and Pectorals. There was some activeness across the longissimus dorsi but once the Medius Gluteals where released it then ceased.
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He really responded well to his treatment this morning.

Copyright ©️ 2025
DLC Equine and Human Musculoskeletal Therapy All Rights Reserved

19/10/2025

This is my go to when treating your Equines Hyoid Apparatus. Try this yourself to get the same results in rebalancing your body in conjunction with tailored Human Sports Massage therapy treatments

Try this at home:

Lie on your back on your bed with a pillow under your head and your legs straight. Relax.

Now, keeping your head centered, move your tongue or your lower jaw to the left (try each separately). If you listen carefully to your body, you’ll feel your core muscles engage slightly to balance that movement.

Recenter—and notice how your core adjusts and recenters too.

Now move your tongue or jaw to the right and feel your core engage again. Recenter, and feel it rebalance once more.

Try these movements separately and together.

I also recommend trying each of these while you walk.

Then, press your tongue gently against the roof of your mouth or move your jaw forward or outward. Feel how your core engages differently each time to stabilize your body.

What you’re feeling is the neurological and myofascial connection between your tongue, jaw, and pelvis.

Your horse has these same connections.

If a horse holds his tongue or tilts his jaw to one side for long enough, his nervous system begins to recognize that asymmetry as normal. Over time, his body adapts around it—creating compensations that affect his posture, movement, and even behavior.

It often takes a combination of massage and targeted whole-body movement therapy to help reset those patterns and guide the body back toward a more centered, balanced state.

19/10/2025

Grandad had been Hunting yesterday so was having some downtime in his paddock prior to my visit at Church Preen.
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He has come on so much since the day he came off the Trailer from his Racing Yard in February of this year.
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Just a few areas of discomfort where found and realigned to help Grandad relax mentally and physically.

Such a Gentle sole and a pleasure to be around

Copyright ©️ 2025
DLC Equine and Human Musculoskeletal Therapy All Rights Reserved

19/10/2025

It was a trip to Church Preen to treat Monkey and Grandad.
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Monkey hasn't been ridden much since my last visit due to a laceration to his leg.
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This doesn't mean he won't benefit from the Massage therapy session.

As we know Massage therapy can:
Increase blood circulation.
Reduce muscle and joint pain.
Improve injury healing.
Help release the Muscle fibres, Ligaments and Tendon injuries.

Always check the Contraindications: Do not massage a horse that is feverish, lethargic, not eating, or has acute swelling, as increased circulation can exacerbate systemic infections or inflammation.

Monkey as always thoroughly enjoyed his session with me today.

Copyright ©️ 2025
DLC Equine and Human Musculoskeletal Therapy All Rights Reserved

19/10/2025

Fitness plans for your Equines. I purchased my Mare some years ago and she wasn't in the best of condition. It took Five Months of gradual return-to-work and a feeding program to get her Fit and Healthy.
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Youngsters need longer than the more mature Horse. Also it depends on the Breed, Cob types take longer than an Arab or TB.
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The first few weeks:
Starting with walking and slowly adding longer sessions.
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Week 3:
Now is the time to introduce Trot work, this can be incorporated in the walk work at small intervals.
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Week 4:
Introduce some small inclines to help biuld up the cardio in the routine. This can be co operated with some 20 minutes of flatwork.
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Weeks 5 onwards:
Now you can introduce some canter work, using large 20 mtre circles to keep the horse's movement fluent and balanced.
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Its vital as with any Sport activity to warm your horse up and give appropriate time to cool down.
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Listen to your horse: Be flexible and adjust the plan based on the horse's energy levels, the weather, and ground conditions. Ensure you are giving your Horse days off to rest.

Copyright ©️ 2025
DLC Equine and Human Musculoskeletal Therapy All Rights Reserved

18/10/2025

It was a visit to see Sponsored Rider Sue Knight today to treat Bisto.
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He's been doing so well just lately in his Dressage, getting scores into the 70's.
He's now having a little downtime before beginning to do some winter show jumping.
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The hands on assessment found some tension and restrictions which I used Massage alignment that focuses on correcting muscle imbalances and improving his posture.
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Targeting his tight muscles and Hyoid apparatus which are a major cause of misalignment, allowing his body to return to its natural posture.

Follow up treatments booked for the next few months.

Copyright ©️ 2025
DLC Equine and Human Musculoskeletal Therapy All Rights Reserved