Jayne Connors - Equine Osteopath & Sports Massage

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Jayne Connors - Equine Osteopath & Sports Massage

Sports Massage Therapist (human & equine), equine osteopath and WINBACK therapist covering Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire

01/09/2025

As the kids head back to school and the summer holidays wind down, many horses and ponies have had a busy season — long rides, pony club rallies, camps, and extra outings in the sunshine.

All that activity can leave them with:
- Tight or tired muscles
- Stiffness from extra work
- Little niggles that creep in after a busy summer schedule

🍂 Now is the perfect time to give them a reset before autumn and winter set in.

Equine osteopathy and sports massage can help restore comfort, improve mobility, and keep your horse or pony happy and willing in their work.

📍Covering - Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire

29/08/2025

What is Equine Osteopathy?

Equine osteopathy is a manual therapy that focuses on how the structure and function of the horse’s body are linked.

In simple terms: if something in the body isn’t moving as it should, it can affect performance, comfort, and even behaviour.

An osteopath uses their hands to:
- Assess mobility of joints, muscles, and soft tissues
- Identify areas of restriction or imbalance
- Apply gentle techniques to restore function and encourage the body’s natural ability to heal and rebalance

It’s not just about treating a single problem area — osteopathy looks at the whole horse. A stiffness in the hindquarters, for example, might show up as unevenness in the front end.

How can it help your horse?
✅ Improves mobility and flexibility
✅ Reduces discomfort or stiffness
✅ Supports performance and recovery
✅ Helps prevent future injuries by addressing compensations early

Whether your horse is in regular competition or enjoying hacking at the weekends, equine osteopathy is about keeping them comfortable, balanced, and performing at their best. 🐴

27/08/2025

Understanding the Horse’s Body – Part 5: The Thoracic Spine and Ribcage - Where Movement Meets Breathing!

Your horse’s ribcage and thoracic spine are at the centre of both movement and breath.

Restrictions here can limit stride, cause girthiness, and reduce overall comfort under saddle.

By restoring mobility and balance in this area, we can improve both breathing efficiency and movement quality.

25/08/2025

Horses benefit from regular soft tissue work to support training, comfort, and recovery.

It helps spot small issues before they develop further leading to more intense/frequent treatment.

Whether your horse is competing regularly or enjoying relaxed hacks, sports massage can make a big difference to their comfort and willingness under saddle.

A horse that feels good in their body moves more freely, trains more happily, and performs more confidently.

When did your horse last see a Sports massage therapist?

22/08/2025

Why Regular Sports Massage Helps Prevent Injury

Many horse owners seek treatment only when there’s a problem. But small restrictions often build up long before lameness shows.

Routine Sports Massage:
- Improves circulation and muscle elasticity
- Maintains joint mobility
- Spots asymmetries before they cause injury

Just like human athletes, horses benefit from preventative care — especially those in regular training or competition.

20/08/2025

Understanding the Horse’s Body – Part 4: The Shoulder and Forelimb – More Than Just Steering 🐴

The forelimbs do far more than just “hold up” the front end — they absorb shock, help with balance, and influence stride length.

Restrictions here can mean shorter steps, stumbling, or difficulty with lateral work.

Through osteopathy and sports massage, we can restore freedom through the shoulders, improve stride reach, and help your horse move more comfortably and confidently. 🐴

Your horse’s movement starts with a solid front end — is yours moving at their best?

18/08/2025

"Before, During & After Competition" 🐴

Your horse’s body works hard — whether it’s a dressage test, a cross-country round, or a long day hunting.

Osteopathy and sports massage can help at every stage:

- Before: Preparing muscles and joints for optimal performance
- During a season: Maintaining mobility and preventing build-up of tension
- After: Aiding recovery and reducing post-event stiffness

Just like human athletes, horses perform best when their bodies are cared for all year round — not only when a problem appears.

15/08/2025

Start Strong – Set Your Horse Up for Success 🐴

Why wait for discomfort to show before taking action?
Equine osteopathy isn’t only for horses who are injured or in pain — it’s also about prevention and building the best possible foundation for the future.

Young horses go through a lot before they even start their ridden career:

- Growth spurts that change balance and posture
- Slips or knocks in the field that create subtle restrictions
- Natural asymmetries that, if left unchecked, can lead to uneven muscle development.

Osteopathic care at this stage helps to:
✅ Support correct skeletal and muscular development
✅ Encourage healthy posture and symmetry
✅ Improve proprioception (body awareness) and coordination
✅ Reduce the risk of future strain or injury

A horse that moves freely, comfortably, and in balance from the start is more likely to stay sound and perform at their best for years to come.

✨ Think of it as “prehabilitation” — investing in their future before issues arise.

To Book, please Dm the page!

13/08/2025

Understanding the Horse’s Body – Part 3: The Neck & Poll – The Connection Hub 🐴

The neck and poll are more than just the place where the bridle sits — they’re a central hub for balance, movement, and communication.

When tension builds here, it can ripple through the rest of the body, affecting stride length, bend, transitions, and even behaviour.

Common causes include poor tack fit, dental issues, repetitive schooling patterns, or even old knocks and falls.

By restoring freedom of movement in this area, we can help the horse find better balance, improve proprioception, and move more efficiently — making work easier and more comfortable.

🔍 In osteopathy, we look at the whole horse, but the neck and poll often tell us an important part of the story.

Follow along for Part 4 in this series, where we’ll explore another key area of the horse’s body and how it impacts performance.

11/08/2025

Subtle Signs Your Horse May Be Uncomfortable

Not every sign of discomfort is obvious — your horse may be telling you something in small ways:

🔍 Things to watch for:

- Taking longer to warm up
- Slight changes in gait rhythm
- Reluctance in transitions
- Resistance on one rein
- More frequent tail swishing or head tossing

These can be early indicators of muscular tension or restrictions. Addressing them early helps prevent bigger issues and keeps your horse performing at their best.

🧠 Sometimes, prevention is the best treatment.

08/08/2025

Does your horse:
🔹 Rush fences or refuse jumps?
🔹 Struggle to maintain a soft contact?
🔹 Pin ears during grooming or saddling?

It’s easy to think these are training problems — but often, they’re your horse’s way of saying:

“I’m uncomfortable.”

Tension, restricted movement, or pain can quickly turn into frustration under saddle.
By identifying and addressing these physical issues early, we can often resolve behaviours without changing training — because we’ve removed the cause.

🧠 Remember: Horses rarely act out for no reason.
Listen to the small signs before they become big ones.

06/08/2025

The Role of the Pelvis in Movement

The pelvis is the powerhouse of your horse’s movement.
Every stride, jump, and transition begins here.

When the pelvis moves freely, your horse can:
✅ Engage the hindquarters correctly
✅ Lift through the back and core
✅ Maintain rhythm and straightness
✅ Transfer power efficiently through the body

But when it’s restricted or misaligned, you may notice:
🔸 Struggling to pick up a canter lead
🔸 Difficulty with collection or lateral work
🔸 Uneven muscle development over the hindquarters
🔸 Shortened or choppy stride

Osteopathy focuses on restoring pelvic mobility and releasing surrounding tension so the rest of the body can work in balance.

💡 Tip: Subtle changes in stride length or leads are often the first clue the pelvis needs attention.

Address

Oxford
OX44

Telephone

+447970270204

Website

http://www.jayneconnors.co.uk/

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