Flying Hooves - Equine Massage, Bit & Bridle Fitting

20/11/2025

Paco says if you want your horse to be backing up like him at 26 years old, make sure you do your groundwork and strengthening exercises!! 😍

I love this guy 💖

19/11/2025

🤩 Starstruck!!! 🤩

Had the pleasure of welcoming this gorgeous lady to the Flying Hooves family this week 💜

She is also a bit of a star 🌟 she featured in Robbie Williams' music video Candy among other film roles 😮 so yes, my hands have been where Robbie Williams' bottom has been 😆 and that is going to be my new claim to fame!

Click the link to watch a clip of her in action 💜

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxuLOsWo8AOOf82aHwbR_K8uRo8i8Dinmc?si=-u4CIbkx3j7wCLSt

💖 Sarah

18/11/2025

😝 Tongue out Tuesday!

This week's, and we haven't had one for a while, is brought to you by the lovely Secret 💜

I snapped a pic during her video assessment as she looked so sweet, and caught it right at the moment she stuck her tongue out at me 😂 classic timing!!!

Secret is a fairly new member to the FH fam, having just had her second treatment. Interesting point from her last visit... poor Secret had a nasty knot in the fascia of her tail! It was making her hindquarters and back reactive to palpation. Finding it was like peeling back the layers of an onion 🤔 shows how everything is connected though 🤩

I love this pic, Secret obviously knows the Secret to life is not to take yourself too seriously! 😜

And, yep, I know, I'm absolutely hilarious! Stay tuned for more comedy gold!

💖 Sarah

17/11/2025

A thought provoking read about energy healing including Reiki. As many of you know, I am an animal Reiki practitioner and I also incorporate energy healing into my work. Both modalities never cease to amaze me. The best results come when bodywork, energy work and Reiki are used together to give a whole horse approach to healing ♥️🐎

If your horse allows me to tune in, it’s amazing what comes from the session!

The article also speaks about the shift in the nervous system which we discussed the other day 🙌

It should be noted that energy healing and Reiki are treatments that actually ask for your horse’s permission to carry them out. Horses can, and do, refuse all, or aspects of, the work if they do not feel ready.

It’s a fascinating subject!

💖 Sarah

Energy Work and Animal Patients: Beyond the Physical

By Chris Bates M.Ost, DipAO, EEBW, BHSAI

In the animal therapeutic industry, energy workers, Reiki healers and other more esoteric practitioners have been present for a very long time. Considering the history of energy work, it could be argued that they were there first. Due to the nature of these disciplines, there is some scepticism from both owners and other practitioners as to the validity and the effectiveness. On the other side of the coin, there are ardent supporters and regular users of these therapies who swear by the effects and sometimes have the treatment for themselves too.
More? 👉🏼 https://www.animalosteopathycollege.com/blog/evidence-based-energy-work-why-animal-osteopaths-are-embracing-holistic-healing

17/11/2025

Let's give some love to the extremely handsome Whiskey 😍 doesn't he look smart in his Henry James Saddlery bridle?

Whiskey joined the Flying Hooves family in the summer and has regular bodywork. He needed a bridle and a bit and his mum wanted to make sure he is super comfortable ready to be ridden.

Whiskey chose an AK Equestrian rotary mouthpiece and I selected a D ring cheek. Thing is, Whiskey hasn't found his riding companion yet, so we did a static and in hand fitting. This mouthpiece is anatomically correct for him and he relaxed the most in it and was much less fussy with it. The D rings will give his rider steering support while giving the bit some stability. Of course, we may need to revisit this once riding progresses but, at the moment, Whiskey will be comfortable being lunged, walked out and this will be fine to start his riding career off.

For his bridle we went with the Arc Classic headpiece in full as there is not much room between the back of the ear. A full size curved browband and cavesson noseband with cob cheekpieces completed the look. Whiskey's mum chose the Impression Grip reins in EXTRA full! Yes, Whiskey does have a really really long neck for a TB! These reins have the cool thumb grip shapes. Of course, the colour had to be black to complement his gorgeous coat colour!

Doesn't he look super smart? 😍

I'm enjoying following Whiskey's journey and can't wait for him to find his rider 🥰

It you want your horse to look this smart, let's chat!

💖 Sarah
07734063900
info@flyinghooves.co.uk

16/11/2025

💜 Glad to hear Oakie is feeling more like himself after his first bodywork session 💜

I love getting your updates! Please keep them coming 🥰

💖 Sarah

(NB - delis = field!)

15/11/2025

What a fabulous day! Thank you to today’s wonderful clients for all the cups of tea and sausage rolls 🥰 much appreciated ♥️
Got some lovely photos of today’s newest members to the Flying Hooves family but let’s start with Xena showing us her best flying hooves during the trot up 🙈 😂
And… let’s just take a moment to appreciate that beautifully braided tail 😍

More to follow tomorrow but now, time to put my feet up and chill 🛋️🍷

14/11/2025

📖 Diary Availability, ramblings and 2026 news!!!! 📣

Last appointments of the year! How did we get here already?! Feels like a moment ago I was starting to plan 2025!!! 🤯

The years do seem to go quicker. My friend has a theory that it is because, as adults, we are always focussing on what's next rather than just being in the moment. I think he is onto something!

That said, I do have the 2026 diary out and have already started with January and February bookings 🫣

2026 will be taking me "oop North", Lancashire! The IT Dept's home county and the new home of a client turned good friend 🥰 and yep, I'll totally be mixing business and pleasure, with family, friends and work! So, if you are a follower from Lancashire, watch this space closely 🚗 Flying Hooves is hitting the road!

Anyhoos, you all know what services I offer, so do your best friend (4 legged equine variety or vouchers are available for your 2 legged friend varieties) a favour and treat them to some bodywork, get yourself a fan-dabby-dozi new bridle or let them choose their own bit for Christmas 😜 💜 🎄

💖 Sarah

13/11/2025

❓What is YAAAWWWWNING❓And why does my horse do it during a treatment?

Yawning is an involuntary action, triggered by stress, boredom and fatigue...

However, during your horse's treatment, a yawn is triggered by a shift from the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) in response to the release of stress or tension. 🔛

The SNS is in charge of the fight or flight response. It increases the heart and respiration rates, raises awareness, decreases digestion and pumps the blood faster - ready to run or fight!

The PNS is responsible for the rest and digest response. It does the opposite to the SNS as well as promoting healing, rest and relaxation.

😴 As your horse moves into the PNS, the yawn indicates the release of tension, most likely from the removal of tension or an active stress point from a muscle. It is often accompanied by licking, chewing and sighing, the other signs of relaxation.

Physiologically, yawning starts in the diaphragm and involves a long inhale through the nose and mouth, powerful muscle stretching around the mouth and throat, and a rapid exhale through the mouth with muscle tension release. These muscle contractions also cause the hyoid to move downwards and relax the jaw.

Now it gets really interesting! As we have discussed in older posts, the hyoid is pivotal to your horse's posture, performance and balance through its connection to the tongue, facial muscles, fascia and the fascial chains. Relaxing the hyoid creates relaxation through the horse's body. This is why we also see yawning during bit and bridle fitting consultations! 🤯

It ALL ties in! 🙌

Want to learn more? 😍 Like and follow so you don't miss out!

💖 Sarah

13/11/2025

The lovely Krystals ♥️ two of our Flying Hooves family members from the Reiki, and bit & bridle side! Please give their page a follow to follow their journey together 💖
And yes, mum and pony are both called Krystal! What are the chances of that?!