EPONA Equine Massage Therapy

19/03/2026

Here comes the coat shedding..great post 💜

Shedding is activated with the daylight which will pass through the retina and communicate the information to the hypothalamus and the pineal gland (endocrine gland responsible for melatonin production).

It’s a natural fascinating process but sometimes horses need extra help removing the winter coat.

A curry comb is a great option but I find it not soft enough so I used a lightweight one.

In winter it helps to warm up some areas like the back and in spring it helps to remove dust , mud and hair (you can tell in the picture!!)

Don’t forget to groom your horse it has so may benefits whether you are a rider or an owner.

10/03/2026

Ralph Waldo Emerson's famous quote defines success as knowing that "even one life has breathed easier because you have lived".

💜

08/03/2026

Back to back horses today. All so awesome in their own way. Working with their needs, listening to their feedback, helping them be more balanced, checking in from the last session, catching up with owners and helping them on their journeys.

Such lovely unique characters on their own paths. All responded so well. It's a huge pleasure to be a part of their journey.

One a brand new client and wow what a horse who was so awesome. It's a huge ask with a brand new therapist, new ways of working. Our mission today is to understand how he moves and introduce him to what we do and how stretches work and what it feels like. It's a lot to ask and we listen even harder and give breaks where needed. It paid off. Such an awesome first session.

Meet 'G' 'H' and 'B'

05/03/2026

Another year of professional membership with International Association of Animal Therapists. With 94 hrs of CPD under my belt.

Client peace of mind and an eternal learner. IAAT offer such interesting and varied CPD.

Thanks also to Wolds Equine Sports Massage Approved Courses for their CPD courses such a lot of great content 🎓

21/02/2026

Back to back gorgeous horses today. Their communication was clear and as a result we saw some fabulous responses and releases. Such adorable horses and owners. What a privilege and it never feels like work.

We worked through points of tension, today saw use of kinesiology tape to support. Lots of techniques used and stretches to really support and mobilise. Fantastic horses as always 💜

Moulting like crazy so hair absolutely everywhere!!!!!! And no one minds one bit

15/02/2026

Do what makes you happy 😄

13/02/2026

Equine massage for youngsters is highly beneficial for addressing growth-related tightness, aiding the transition into work, and building trust. It helps manage compensation issues where bones may grow faster than muscles, preventing long-term injury and reducing stress/anxiety during backing or training.

Key Benefits of Massage for Young Horses:

Physical Development: Addresses soreness and imbalances caused by rapid, uneven growth, improving coordination and flexibility.

Easing Training: Relieves tension caused by starting groundwork or being broken in (backed), allowing for better, more comfortable performance.

Behavioral Support: Reduces anxiety and creates a calmer, more focused, and trusting partnership.

Preventative Care: Identifies potential areas of weakness early, preventing future issues.

When and How to Apply Massage:
Pre-backing: Ensures the young horse is comfortable, flexible, and ready for training.

During Training: Used to relieve muscles tight from learning to carry a rider.

Techniques: Gentle, slow strokes (effleurage) and kneading (petrissage) are used to increase circulation and relax muscles.

Incorporating massage into a youngster's routine promotes better mental and physical health, fostering a more comfortable, willing, and balanced horse.

Building experience with body work allows them to grow into safe, calm and confident horses. Learning to trust, feeling safe, building that sense of calm is highly beneficial and supports them long term.

If you want support with building your youngsters pathway to body work. Get in touch.

Youngster sessions are part therapy part training be prepared for an adaptive, calm, horse centered approach, it will be entirely built around their needs, helping them to learn about touch, space, body and mind. It may take a few gentle sessions and will build slowly over time.

Never rushed, slow and steady wins the race.

Want to know how you can also help your youngster between sessions? Just get in touch. EPONA can share with you some body work training techniques that are gentle, relaxing and supportive 💜

13/02/2026

Keeping the back muscle soft, supple and pain free 💜

12/02/2026

Hello everyone 👋 from me, Becky and my boy Duke. Together we make up 'Epona Equine Massage Therapy'. I'm an Equine Sports and Rehabilitation Massage Therapist. Fully qualified and registered with the IAAT and fully insured for client peace of mind. Offering Sports Massage Therapy, full static and dynamic assessments, Myofascial release, Kinesiology Taping, Red Light Therapy, and Balance Pads

Nothing like some in hand obstacles to really focus the partnership. You'd never know only 5 minutes before this pic we nearly exploded watching a gorgeous mule join the clinic. Life's full of excitement. Just shows how 'partnership' gets us through those exciting times.

08/02/2026

Massage 'who' is it good for? No. 5 🐎🐎🐎

Eventing equine athletes work so incredibly hard when training or competing and equine massage therapy can help hugely both post and pre event.

Let's look more closely at how equine massage therapy can support post event ⁉️

Eventing recovery ⏭️
Equine massage, especially after eventing, is a valuable tool for muscle recovery, reducing soreness, and aiding in overall well-being. It helps to improve circulation, relax muscles, and remove metabolic byproducts like lactic acid.

➡️Benefits of Massage for Eventing Horses:

🦾Muscle Recovery:
Massage helps to relax tense muscles, improve blood flow, and aid in the removal of lactic acid, which can contribute to muscle soreness.
🦾Reduced Tension:
Massage can alleviate muscle spasms and tension, leading to a more relaxed and comfortable horse.
🦾Improved Circulation:
Increased blood flow from massage helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to muscles, supporting the healing process and reducing inflammation.
🦾Enhanced Flexibility:
By releasing tight muscles, massage can improve a horse's flexibility and range of motion, potentially reducing the risk of injury hugely beneficial when post event and needing to return to training schedules after any down time
🦾Stress Reduction:
Massage can have a calming effect on horses, helping them to feel more relaxed and less stressed, which can be beneficial for overall health and performance.
🦾Pain Relief:
Massage can help to reduce pain associated with exertion and muscle soreness, allowing horses to recover more quickly.

Combining complimentary therapies such as kinesiology taping or red light therapy can have lasting benefits supporting sore, tight, tense muscles, improving lymphatic drainage and prolonging massage benefits.

And don't forget the riders too 🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇 same amazing benefits, same muscular support for our riding athletes.

Contact your massage therapist to see how this valuable therapy can join your team around your Eventing horse.

07/02/2026

Horses coats doing what they do best 💪🌧️💦 beading on top dry and warm underneath. We have been going more rugless this season. So far doing great 👍 trust the coat 🧥