Capriole Equine Sports & Rehabilitation Massage

12/04/2026

Lovely Tahnee 🧡🧡🧡 Tracy Thirlwall Dressage

23/03/2026

TMJ PAIN - WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO MANAGE IT

As someone who has my own asymmetries due to injury, and therefore struggles with pain through my right temporal mandibul joint (TMJ), I can easily sympathise with horses that may be struggling with it themselves.

At times, the pain I experience can be so severe that it is almost debilitating. Now imagine riding a horse experiencing that same level of pain but can't tell you directly! 😵

It wasn't until I sought a professional bodyworker myself that I finally understood how to manage it.

But let's strip it back first - what is the TMJ?
This is where the jaw (mandible) attaches to the skull, and allows the jaw to go up and down (open/close) and move side to side.

For myself, I learnt that due to tension running up my left leg, across my pelvis and lower back, tightening of my left hip flexor (basically lots of asymmetries 😅), this then causes tightening of the muscles supporting my right TMJ.
If and when I am consistent with foam rolling my left leg, it helps maintain the release of these muscles and therefore of my TMJ! Practical magic! I know! This also includes regular maintenace treatments to help reduce the amount of asymmetry going on through my musculoskeletal system.

SO HOW DO WE IDENTIFY TMJ PAIN IN OUR HORSE?

Some signs can include: poor performance, quidding, intermittent colic, extreme changes during ridden behaviour, and even hindlimb lameness.

Check by standing just behind your horse's head, facing in the same direction. Place your index finger on both TMJ. Apply gentle pressure and feel for swelling or pain. A horse with TMJ pain may show sensitivity such as pulling away.

HOW DO WE MANAGE TMJ PAIN?

Well, I'm the prime example 😎 We can reduce and manage TMJ pain with:

✅️ Regular maintenance body work
✅️ Routine dental work
✅️ Correctly fitted bridle

TMJ pain is non-specific and difficult to deal with. If you think your horse has TMJ pain, plan an assessment with a professional who understands equine biomechanics (equine massage therapist, physiotherapist, chiropractor..).

📲 Get in touch to find out how I can assist you in helping you improve your horse's musculoskeletal health

08/03/2026

It's been a good while since we've done any arena jumping 🫣 No issues with take-off - but the control after the fence was rather questionable 😂

Thank you to RB Equine Coaching for such knowledgeable guidance and advice with my firecracker of a madam 🙌🏽

Feels so good to be back in. Could just do with a much bigger arena to absorb some of the speed 😅 🐎💨💨

24/02/2026

MAINTENANCE VS IMPROVEMENT

How do I MAINTAIN and IMPROVE your horse's musculoskeletal health?

✅️ I can MAINTAIN your horse's musculoskeletal health if I see them every 8 - 12 weeks.

✅️✅️ I can IMPROVE your horse's musculoskeletal health on a regular programme of 4 - 6 weeks.

📲 Get in touch to find out how I can assist you in helping you improve your horse's musculoskeletal health

📷 North East Equine Photography

28/01/2026

What a privilege to be tired from the work you once begged the universe for.

What a privilege to feel overwhelmed by growth you used to dream about.

What a privilege to be challenged by a life you created on purpose.

✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

📷 North East Equine Photography

02/01/2026

Photo dump from 🇿🇦 continues

29/12/2025

Did you know that the Boerperd is a South African breed of horse? 🇿🇦

They're quite amazing! Whilst small in stature and really quite fine, they're incredibly strong and able to cross tough mountainous terrains for long distances!

And like all horses, they really do appreciate body work! 🫶🏽

16/12/2025

What a privilege to get to work on Khotso Lodge & Horse Trails horses! We chatted through so much including saddle fit, topline strengthening exercises, posture and so much more.

Looking forward to returning in the future and continuing work with such a super bunch of people and horses 🤗

26/11/2025

HOW DOES RIDER PAIN AFFECT THEIR HORSE?

Whilst I sit here with a fairly gnarly lower left back pain, it made me think whether we really think that much about how rider pain might have an impact on their horse's way of going?

Historically, and quite naturally of course, if a horse shows signs of pain they are immediately rested and consultation with equine professionals is carried out to manage the horse appropriately. Where in contrast, when riders have pain we seem to just carry on.

Horses will develop a locomotive strategy for asymmetry of the rider, or a saddle that doesn't fit in order to alleviate any discomfort. Horses like predictability.

Let's try articulate this better:-
Picture the scene, we have a rider who has slipped off the last step of the muck heap and now has lower back pain. No major issue, just soft tissue but they're moving in a hollow way, shortening through one side. They get on their horse and they have the same adaptation as they have walking in a straight line. How does that affect the horse?

Research has found that when riders have an acute injury it took approximately 6 weeks for the horse to alter their gait in response to the asymmetries that had been induced by the injury of the rider.

So it's something to be really mindful of - if you have an injury: regroup, repair and recover, check your functional movement patterns again and then resume riding 🐴💗
*hobbles off to book my own body work treatment...


📷 North East Equine Photography

23/11/2025

Treat them with kindness and respect, and you'll find that they're the gentlest animal you've ever met ✨️

20/11/2025

Those beautifully soft post treatment and balance pad feels 💗

Why Horses Benefit and Show Enjoyment during Balance Pad Work:

✅️Muscle Activation: Standing on an unstable, cushioned surface forces them to engage their deep core and postural muscles continuously to maintain balance. This subtle workout strengthens muscles that are otherwise hard to target, which can lead to better overall stability and posture.

✅️Proprioception and Body Awareness: The pads challenge the horse's proprioception (their sense of where their body and limbs are in space). This increased awareness helps them become more coordinated and confident in their movements, especially on varied terrain, which can reduce the risk of injury.

✅️Mental Relaxation: The process requires focus, which often helps horses redirect nervous energy and concentrate on their foot placement. Many will observe visible signs of relaxation, such as licking, chewing, or deep sighs, during or after a session. This calming effect contributes significantly to a regulated nervous system.

✅️Pain and Tension Release: By promoting micro-movements and activating specific muscles, the pads can help release tension in the back, legs, and joints. This can be particularly beneficial for older horses or those in rehabilitation (under veterinary guidance), improving their comfort and mobility.

✅️Autonomy and Engagement: Often, horses are introduced to the pads in a way that allows them to step on or off at will. This element of choice and self-regulation lets the horse explore different sensations and find what is most comfortable or therapeutic for them on any given day, enhancing the positive experience.

✨️In essence, the pads provide a gentle, effective way to improve physical condition and mental well-being, which is why many horses respond so positively to their use.

🦄 Lovely Fern being a perfect example

20/10/2025

Strangles is much more prevalent in Northumberland than alot of us realise. Always stay vigilant and keep an eye on your horse's temperature, aswell as looking out for lethargy, loss of appetite, nasal discharge and coughing! Swollen glands aren't always the first tell tale sign of strangles!

Owners have been reminded of the need to be vigilant and take action after a “significant” increase in strangles cases. Read more below