CB Equine Sports Massage Therapy

29/08/2024

When your horse lowers their head to the height of their withers, the funnicular portion of their nuchal ligament (the cord like structure which runs from their withers to their poll) will traction on their supraspinous ligament (which runs over the top of their thoracic and lumbar spinous processes).

As the nuchal ligament tractions on the supraspinous ligament, the early thoracic spinous processes draw forwards and apart.

As the horse steps under from behind, via engaging the hindlimbs and shortening through their abdominals, the supraspinous ligament over the lumbar spinous processes will traction towards the horse's tail, drawing their lumbar spinous processes backwards and apart.

These are key mechanisms in kissing spines rehabilitation.

However - if your horse has muscular tension around the neck and back muscles, the efficacy of this ligament system may be inhibited, potentially creating pain and, if prolonged, tissue remodelling (e.g. ligament thickening, lesions or bony adaptation).

This means that, whilst we can look at training practices set to target supporting these systems - you have to be able to OBSERVE if the exercises are actually acheiving the desired effect.

You can track your eye over your horse's topline and see where the dysfunction might be occuring by literally looking at the skeletal and soft tissue system at a standstill and in motion.

I think this has to be one of my favourite assessment tools to help me to help horses with their movement ❤️

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Want to learn how to do this?

Join me in my next live webinar where you will learn exactly how to do this and:

- How to feel for muscle wastage even in horses that are overweight
- How to see compression points throughout the horse's topline
- How to determine if your horse should be ridden or not.

02.09.2024 19:00 BST

Recording available after the event if you can't attend live!

05/08/2024

When your horse extends through their AO joint [the articulation between the base of the skull and C1], their lower jaw retracts - you can feel this yourself if you point your nose to the sky, notice how your bottom jaw glides back.

When your horse flexes through their AO joint, their lower jaw protracts - you can feel this yourself if you press your chin to your chest, notice how your bottom jaw glides forwards.

When your horse flexes through their AO joint, their laryngeal diameter decreases - you can feel this by pressing your chin to your chest and taking a deep breath in, notice how much harder that is.

If your horse has tension in their jaw, they lose range of motion through their AO joint - you can feel this yourself if you clamp your jaw shut, notice how much harder it is to point your nose to the sky or point your chin to your chest - your neck feels tight and immobile.

And the same can be said if your horse has tension through their AO joint or neck, they will lose range of motion through their jaw.

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Now do all of those movements again and notice how, when you drop your chin to your chest:

It's difficult to inflate your ribs to breathe,

It's hard to round your back,

Your hips tighten up.

This is because you've impinged your deep ventral line.

We do this to horses when we ride with a rein length/tension that doesn't accomodate and support their anatomy.

So if we compress their jaw and neck, we compromise their ability to:

Breathe

Lift their back to carry a rider

Activate their hindlimb.
..Gives us quite a lot to think about with how many horses are ridden and trained, doesn't it?

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Want to learn more?

The recording for Train Your Eye - How's Your Bit Affecting Your Horse? is now live on my website.

❤️✨️

04/07/2024

🌟 Give Your Horse the Gift of Relaxation and Peak Performance! 🌟

Is your horse showing signs of stiffness, discomfort, or reduced performance? Treat them to a professional sports massage and see the difference it can make! A happy, relaxed horse is a top-performing horse 🐴✨

I specialize in:
🔹 Relieving muscle tension and soreness
🔹 Enhancing flexibility and range of motion
🔹 Improving circulation and overall well-being
🔹 Myofascial release techniques
🔹 Supporting faster recovery from injuries

📞 Call me at 07739 901724 or message me directly to schedule an appointment.
Alternatively, PM me or email me on info@charlottebaxter.co.uk

Your horse deserves the best care—let’s help them feel their best! 🐎

02/07/2024

TUESDAY TIP - Fitness 🐎

Well toned, supple muscles can stretch and contract freely. To avoid injury, it's important your horse is fit for the work he does.

✅ TRAIN REGULARLY. Shorter, more intense exercise several times a week increases muscular condtion more effectively than a longer period once a week.

✅ TRAIN APPROPRIATELY. For activities that require strength or power - such as jumping, few repetitions performed at higher intensity are effective. For disciplines that require less power but more stamina - such as dressage or endurance, less intense exercise, with a greater number of repetitions are appropriate.

✅ VARY HIS WORK. The same type of exercise shouldn't be done every day. Plan a varied exercise programme for your horse that includes hacking, schooling, hill work, pole work and fast work. This variety will activate more muscle groups and allows tissues time to recover.

01/07/2024

29/06/2024

Benefits of Equine sports massage 🐴

Equine sports massage offers a wide range of benefits, making it an essential part of maintaining your horse's well-being. It plays a crucial role in keeping horses at their best, whether used pre- and post-competition for optimal performance and recovery or as a routine part of their care. Here are just a few of the many benefits that massage can provide for your horse:

🔆 Relieves Tension - Helps to relax tight muscles and alleviate stress.
🔆 Increases Range of Motion - Enhances flexibility and movement.
🔆 Enhances Muscle Tone - Improves the overall condition and strength of muscles.
🔆 Reduces Inflammation and Swelling in Joints - Helps manage joint health and comfort.
🔆 Produces Endorphins - Stimulates the body's natural painkillers, promoting a sense of well-being.
🔆 Assists in Body Balance - Aids in maintaining proper body alignment and balance.
🔆 Promotes Healing - Increases the flow of nutrients to tissues and helps remove toxins, supporting overall health and recovery.

For more information or to make a booking please feel free to reach out via Facebook, email me at info@charlottebaxter.co.uk, or text me at 07739901724 😊

28/06/2024

It's all a big reciprocal system -

If the horse can't mobilise their neck, they won't be able to recruit their sling muscles

If they can't recruit their sling muscles, they won't be able to mobilise their neck to their full potential.

Likewise if a horse can't mobilise their lumbar region, they're going to struggle to mobilise their pelvis

And if they can't mobilise their pelvis, they're going to struggle to mobilise their lumbar region.

(There are many more examples I could give but then we're not playing to the algorithm, so I'll let you continue in your head)

At this point, from a bodywork perspective you've then gotta pick your 'in' -

For me is a spinal decompression; get those spinal segments moving and everything else wants to power back online.

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Thrilled with the results of this session - this guy's spine looking a lot more neutral, elevation through his thoracic sling and relief through his pelvic region - all combined to help the energy transfer freely through his body to help him find a healthier gait pattern and better comfort!

I adore my job ❤️

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Interested in learning more about your horse's posture and movement? I might have something for you - details below!

26/06/2024

It’s finally starting to feel like summer! 🌞 As we gear up for competition season and enjoy more rides in the sun, it’s crucial to keep our horses feeling their best. Increased activity and higher temperatures can take a toll on our equine friends, making it essential to ensure they’re in peak condition. 💪

A sports massage can help improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and enhance overall performance, helping your horse stay comfortable and perform at their best. Whether you’re preparing for a competition or just want to give your horse some extra care, a massage can make a significant difference.

My bookings are open for July, so please get in touch if you feel your equine partner could benefit from a sports massage session. Let's keep our horses happy and healthy this summer!

For more information or to make a booking please feel free to reach out via Facebook, email me at info@charlottebaxter.co.uk, or text me at 07739901724.

26/06/2024

Lunging shouldn’t be an easy alternative because you can’t be bothered to ride. Lunging can be SO SO much more! Utilise your time, have a plan of action and a goal.

Remember horses aren't designed to walk in circles, keep them wide or even better longline!

Save this post as your reminder to be more mindful when it comes to lunging.

24/06/2024

What is equine sports massage therapy?

Equine sports massage therapy is a specialized, hands on treatment tailored for horses, focusing on enhancing their performance, preventing injuries, and ensuring overall muscle health. Through targeted massage techniques, it aims to alleviate muscle tension, boost circulation, and promote relaxation, contributing to the horse's well-being and athleticism. It's a valuable component of equine care, complementing training regimens and maintaining peak physical condition in all horses.

Equine sports massage therapy can be used in various situations, including:

1. Pre-competition preparation: To help horses warm up and perform at their best before competitions.
2. Post-competition recovery: To aid in relaxation and muscle recovery after strenuous events.
3. Regular maintenance: To maintain muscle health and prevent injuries during training and everyday activities.
4. Rehabilitation: To support recovery from injuries or surgeries by promoting healing and restoring mobility.
5. Performance enhancement: To optimize muscle function and overall athletic performance in horses of all disciplines.
6. General well-being: To promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve overall quality of life for horses in all stages of life.

For more information or to make a booking please feel free to reach out via Facebook, email me at info@charlottebaxter.co.uk, or text me at 07739901724.

18/06/2024

"I want to develop my horse to be happy in both mind and body" - the words of one of the ladies I have the privilege of working with.

There is nothing that exists in a vaccum. You cannot work within one area of horsemanship without due regard for the others.

You can have the keenest biomechanical eye in the world, but this is meaningless if you can't speak to behaviour - The first indicator of fatigue? The horse's face. And if you can't recognise fatigue, you're inviting the body to break down.

You can be the best bodyworker in the world, but if you continue to advocate for poor training practices, those bodies are going to keep breaking down and you're going to support the cultural drift for unhappy horses.

You can be the most ethically minded behaviour trainer, but if you're not shaping behaviours with due regard to posture, you're going to create emotional stress because postural discomfort hurts and pain is inherently stressful.

This is a pendulum that swings in every direction - physically, emotionally, environmentally. There is no magic pill. There is no silver bullet.

It's all of it.

And the onus really is on you. If you own a horse, you are their advocate - you are their backstop, to protect them from even the most well-meaning of people.

And I appreciate this is stressful - but owning horses is a lifestyle choice for you. It's not a lifestyle choice for your horse. There is no choosing for them.

You don't need to have all the answers. You don't need to be the jack of all trades - build a team of people around you who are prepared to grow with you. And who are prepared to help you make the best decisions for your horse.

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I have a couple of offerings to support this - see the comments for more info! ❤️

13/06/2024

What services do I offer?
As a certified equine sports massage therapist, I'm equipped with an expanding range of techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes for your horse.

During the session, you may see the use of multiple of the following methods tailored to your horse's needs and our objectives. While hands remain the primary tool for detecting tension, additional items can assist in releasing sore areas.

Here's what you can expect during your horse's appointment:

- Static and Dynamic Conformation Assessment: Evaluating your horse's posture and movement to identify imbalances or areas of concern.
- Massage: Hands-on techniques to relax muscles, improve circulation, and reduce tension.
- Myofascial Release: Targeting the fascia (connective tissue surrounding the muscles) to relieve tension and improve flexibility.
- Stretches: Techniques to enhance flexibility and prevent injuries.
- Massage Gun: Used to deliver deep tissue massage, aiding in muscle relaxation and recovery.
- Balance Pads: Tools used to improve your horse's balance and proprioception.
- Written Report: A detailed summary of the session, including observations and recommendations.
- Bespoke Exercise Regimes: Tailored exercise plans to support your horse's specific needs and goals.
- Management Advice: Professional guidance on managing your horse's health and well-being between sessions.

Please note that under the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966):

1. Maintenance Massage for Healthy Horses: Veterinary consent is NOT required for healthy horses receiving maintenance massages.
2. Injuries or Health Issues: If a horse has injuries or other health concerns, a thorough history will be taken and veterinary consent may be needed.
3. Referral for Health Concerns: Any signs or symptoms indicating a health issue will result in the horse being referred to a veterinarian.

For more information or to make a booking please feel free to reach out via Facebook, email me at info@charlottebaxter.co.uk, or text me at 07739901724.