Danni Webb Equine Sports Massage Therapist

03/09/2025

A little humour on a wet Wednesday morning!

28/07/2025

🧐 Let’s bust a few myths…

🗣 “Massage is just pampering.”
→ ❌ Nope — it’s targeted soft tissue therapy that improves function and prevents injury.

🗣 “It’s only for horses in pain.”
→ ❌ Regular massage prevents pain — not just treats it.

🗣 “You only need it when something’s wrong.”
→ ❌ Routine bodywork keeps the body balanced and injury-free.

🧠 Massage is proactive, not reactive. It’s part of performance and welfare — not a luxury add-on.

25/07/2025

🧠 Did you know massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system — your horse’s rest and digest mode?

Through gentle pressure, compression, and release techniques, massage helps:
✔ Calm the nervous system
✔ Lower stress hormones
✔ Increase oxygen flow to muscles
✔ Encourage a sense of safety & relaxation

🌬 You’ll often see horses licking, chewing, sighing and dropping their heads — clear signs of release and relief.

✨ Massage isn’t just touch — it’s a dialogue with the body.

23/07/2025

👀 Is your horse showing these subtle signs?

🚩 Bucking into canter
🚩 Hollowing through transitions
🚩 Girthing issues
🚩 Difficulty bending or maintaining rhythm
🚩 One rein stiffer than the other

These can all be clues that your horse is experiencing muscular discomfort or imbalance.

💆‍♀️ Regular massage can identify and address tension before it becomes a bigger issue.

🧩 Prevention is always easier (and cheaper) than rehab.

18/07/2025

17/07/2025

📣 Groundwork: The Most Underrated Training Tool 🐴✨

You don’t need to be in the saddle to improve your horse’s strength, confidence, and connection.
Groundwork is one of the most effective — and underused — tools for building a better partnership.

Here’s why it matters 👇

🔍 Builds Awareness
✔️ Helps your horse understand their own body
✔️ Improves balance, straightness & coordination
✔️ Develops better proprioception and posture

🧠 Improves Focus & Communication
✔️ Refines your horse’s ability to listen and respond
✔️ Builds trust and clarity in your cues
✔️ Reduces tension, anxiety & overreactions

💪 Supports Strength & Conditioning
✔️ Develops core stability and muscle tone
✔️ Ideal for horses in rehab, retraining or early work
✔️ Low-impact, progressive & customisable

🌱 Perfect for All Ages & Stages
Whether your horse is young, older, off work, or in full training — groundwork meets them where they are, and helps them move forward.

It’s not about “lunging in circles” — it’s about working with the horse you have today, to help shape the one you’ll ride tomorrow.

📍 Based in Somerset & surrounding areas
📲 DM me to learn more or book a groundwork session for your horse

&Conditioning

16/07/2025

Official supporter of the Pass Wide & Slow event

Open to all this great event is to promote the education of all road users on the need to pass horses slowly and safely.

On horseback, carriage or foot join this family friendly event for a great day with the equestrian community.

I will be there and available for talks, consultations and sessions.

All participants will receive a special discount for 1 session with me. Come see me so I can organise your voucher.

🏠 Podymore Inn, Podimore, BA22 8JF

📅 Saturday 6th September

🕰️ 12pm start

16/07/2025

📣 Why Equine Sports Massage Matters — At Every Age 🐴💆‍♂️

Whether your horse is just starting their ridden journey or enjoying retirement, sports massage offers valuable support at every stage of life.

Here’s how it helps 👇

🌱 Young Horses:
✅ Supports postural development
✅ Eases muscle tension during growth
✅ Encourages correct movement patterns
✅ Aids transitions through training stages (backing, rehab, first outings)

🧓 Older Horses:
✅ Eases stiffness & muscular discomfort
✅ Supports circulation & lymphatic flow
✅ Helps maintain comfort, mobility & relaxation
✅ Boosts body awareness and reduces compensation

🎯 Massage isn’t just for high-performance horses — it’s a vital part of preventative care and long-term wellness.

👐 Gentle, responsive, and always tailored to your horse’s age, needs & preferences.

📍 Covering Somerset & surrounding areas
📲 Message me to book or learn how massage could benefit your horse — young or old!

15/07/2025

Why Use Platforms in Your Horse’s Training? 🐴🟦

Incorporating raised platforms into your horse’s routine can bring major benefits:

🔹 Encourages weight shift to the hindquarters
🔹 Builds postural strength & core stability
🔹 Improves balance and proprioception
🔹 Promotes mental focus and calmness

Even just standing on a platform engages key muscle chains and challenges the nervous system in a controlled, positive way. It’s low-impact, versatile, and suitable for all ages and stages of training.

💡 Whether you’re rehabbing, retraining, or just levelling up, platforms are a game-changer.

08/07/2025

Quad X Equine Strength & Conditioning 💪🐴

I’m excited to introduce Quad X Equine Strength & Conditioning — a tailored strength & conditioning program designed to help your horse build muscle, improve balance, and enhance overall performance.

Whether your horse is in rehab, coming back from time off, or preparing for competition, Quad X can help them become stronger, more symmetrical, and more resilient.

✅ Custom plans to suit your horse’s needs
✅ Backed by functional anatomy & biomechanics
✅ Ideal for rehab, retraining, or performance support
✅ Delivered 1:1 at your yard in a calm, progressive way

📍 Covering Somerset & surrounding areas
📲 Message me to book or ask how Quad X Equine Strength & Conditioning could benefit your horse!

08/04/2025

🌟 Understanding Equine Lordosis: What You Need to Know 🌟

Equine lordosis, also known as “swayback,” is a condition where a horse’s spine has an exaggerated curve, particularly in the lower back. This abnormal curvature can affect a horse’s posture and movement, leading to discomfort or difficulty in performing certain tasks.

🔍 What Causes Lordosis?
• Genetic predisposition
• Poor conformation
• Injury or trauma
• Age-related wear and tear

🩺 Signs to Look For:
• A visible dip or sag in the back
• Difficulty in bending or flexing
• Changes in gait or lameness

🏇 How to Manage It:
• Regular vet check-ups and consultations
• Proper training and conditioning
• Supportive saddling and equipment


🌟 Understanding Equine Lordosis: What You Need to Know 🌟

Equine lordosis, also known as “swayback,” is a condition where a horse’s spine has an exaggerated curve, particularly in the lower back. This abnormal curvature can affect a horse’s posture and movement, leading to discomfort or difficulty in performing certain tasks.

🔍 What Causes Lordosis?
• Genetic predisposition
• Poor conformation
• Injury or trauma
• Age-related wear and tear
• Pregnancy
• Musculoskeletal weakness

🩺 Signs to Look For:
• A visible dip or sag in the back
• Difficulty in bending or flexing
• Changes in gait or lameness

🏇 How to Manage It:
• Regular vet check-ups and consultations with your therapist
• Proper training and conditioning
• Keeping up to date with tack checks
• Supportive Kinesiology taping

If your horse has a lordosis of the spine DM me ‘swayback’ to find out what you can do to help.