Amanda Robson Horse & Rider Sports Massage Therapy

02/12/2023

The loveliest day massaging horses 🐎 however also ridiculously cold 🥶 So I was extremely grateful for arriving to hot chocolate and even a hot water bottle! Thank you Jess! 🙏 Currently posting this from a blisteringly hot bath whilst trying to defrost! 🛀 🥵

If you would like your horses seen over the winter so that they are feeling in great form ready to start next season’s preparations, please call or message on 07734 320875
Amanda

Gift vouchers for the horsey person in your life are also available. 🎁🎄

20/11/2023

So I know it’s not even December yet but I’m already being asked to post out gift vouchers !!!! 😳 That is scarily organised! ✅

So if you don’t know what to get your horse 🐎 or if your family need some ideas 💡 I can send gift vouchers out for horse and human or just horse massages !

Message me on 07734 320875 🐎😊🐎

10/11/2023

❄️WARMING UP IN WINTER❄️

Here is some info from a BE lecture I attended a few years ago on dressage training from a biomechanics point of view, with Nick Burton and Dr Rachael Murray from the AHT.

They stressed the importance of allowing your horse AT LEAST the first 10 mins to be under no pressure whatsoever! In fact the word used was, "bimbling " around in its comfort zone, no pushing for lots of activity as the joints, ligaments and muscles are not ready. The is especially important in cold winter weather❄️🥶

Also do not ask them to round and lower the neck until they have worked in an outline they are comfortable with, as the head and neck are so heavy and a horse that’s weak and lacking muscle in front of the wither will find this very tiring and could cause damage if not sufficiently warmed up.

The weaker horses hold themselves with a higher head carriage with the nose tucked in as a way to stabilise their back. This is because they don't have sufficient core strength. So for these horses time in their comfortable position is vital before they can be asked to lengthen their frame.

Core strength exercises off the horse and work on the lunge over raised trotting poles can help immensely. Dr Hilary Clayton has written an excellent book on core strength training called"Activate Your Horses Core”. Well worth getting for Christmas and something you can be doing even if you don't have the daylight to ride in. X

If you need help with horse and rider tension please contact me on 07734 320875 to book a horse, or horse and rider sports massage.

Amanda 🐎

05/11/2023

🏇🐎Equine Sports Massage appointments in Lochaber, Inverness, Oban and Perthshire. 🏇🐎

Horse and rider sports massages to keep you both loosened up over the coming winter months!
Horses and their humans affect each other.
I understand riders tend to prioritize their horses and don’t make time for themselves. You and your horse should both enjoy the benefits of massage therapy.
I just need a space that’s warm enough, with room for a massage couch,( for you not your horse)!
Also somewhere under cover to massage your horse or pony and they do need to be dry.

I am a member of the Equine Sports Massage Association, I am fully qualified and insured and I have been working since 2013 as an equine therapist. I was lucky to be trained by world renowned Chartered Physiotherapist and Sports Therapist Mary Bromiley MBE, FCSP SRPF RPT(USA) at her Downs House Rehab Centre in Exmoor.

For information of the human massages available please see my Amanda Robson Sports Massage Therapy Page.

Please contact me on 07734 320875

Equine Sports Massage Prices:

90 mins but can be up to 120 if needed.

1 horse £50
2-5 £45
6+. £40

Rider Sports Massage Prices ,(only available at the yard when added to an equine massage).

60 mins £40
45 mins £35
30 mins £25

Travel Costs Zones 1-10:

These are NOT per horse and can be split between multiple owners and if yards are close together it will be split between yards also to keep your costs down.

1. 0-10miles FOC
2. 11-20 miles £10
3. 21-30 miles £15
4. 31- 40 miles £20
5. 41- 50 miles £25
6. 51- 60 miles £30
7. 61-70 miles £35
8. 71-80 miles £40
9. 81-90 miles £45
10. 91-100 miles £50

01/05/2023

Next stop on the SRT Equine Performance Roadshow is Perthshire!

If you own, ride or work with horses, you need to be there!

Introducing the Ridden Horse Performance Checklist - how to tell if your horse is working optimally.

Please help us to spread the word and share wherever you can - thank you!

23/04/2023

*** HORSES & THE UK GOVERNMENT EMERGENCY ALERT TEST TOMORROW, SUNDAY 23rd April 2023 at 3PM! ***

If you own a horse or work with horses PLEASE DON'T FORGET that at 3pm on SUNDAY (tomorrow) an estimated 90% of mobile phones will make a sound and vibrate for 10s. The volume will be the MAXIMUM that your phone can produce and the sound will be a siren!

➡ PLEASE REMEMBER - Your horse has much more sensitive hearing than you and can hear higher frequencies. If you are riding or around horses at this time they could easily be startled which may be dangerous for them and you!

➡ PLEASE TAKE CARE AT 3PM TOMORROW! Try to avoid riding with a phone at this time or if you are with your horse leave your phone in your car or tack room.

➡ PLEASE SHARE!

25/03/2023

Meet one of my favorite people and constant source of inspiration…..

‎Show The HorseTribe Podcast, Ep 6. Dr Anne Bondi, from pro-rider to founder of the saddle research trust & award winning saddle designer - 7 Jan 2022

22/03/2023

Get your tickets for Netherton Equestrian 29th of May! 🐎
If you don’t know or are unsure of the signs of an unhappy /uncomfortable horse under saddle, this is the place to be!

22/03/2023

Hi I’m Amanda, an equine and human sports massage therapist based in the Highlands. I cover from Perth to Inverness and anywhere in between!

I will try to organise groups to keep costs down for travel too. For prices scroll down 🐎

It is, as one of my lovely regular customers Jessica says time to get your horses checked ready for another busy summer! 🐎

I qualified as a Human Sports massage therapist in 2012 and went straight on to training with the wonderful Mary Bromiley and Helen Thompkins, passing the ESMA examinations in 2013.

Previously I worked as a freelance riding instructor/coach as well as working as a groom for Thames Valley Police training new remounts and with Hunt and Event horses. Whilst working with horses I became interested in how I could improve their welfare and comfort.

My own horse, Storming Norman,(in the picture),had Spavins which even after Tilden treatment still left him 5/10 lame and sore through his back.
I was lucky to have the British Event Team physio Vicky Spalding to treat him. She taught me how to massage him and declared that I was doing such a good job on him that I should make massage therapy a career. We worked on a long slow rehabilitation program and Norman went on to be completely sound and enjoyed many days out with local drag hunts.
Laura Deacon who was already an ESMA therapist also worked with my horses and with her and Vicky’s encouragement/nagging I began training to become a therapist myself.

I am a BHSAI,(now Level 3 Coaching), BHSII SM,(now Level 4 Care and Management).
I am currently updating my skills by training for my BHS Level 4 Eventing Coach Exams, whilst working hard and saving up to do my Veterinary Physiotherapy qualification,(not cheap)!

I am also a trustee of The Saddle Research Trust, which promotes and facilitates collaborative scientific research into the interaction between horses, saddlery and riders with world leading experts.
We share this information through conferences, open-access web resources and training opportunities to advance equine welfare, performance and safety.

If I can help you and your horse enjoy the summer, please contact me on 07734 320875

Equine Sports Massage Prices:
1 horse £50
2-5 £45
6+. £40

Travel Costs Zones 1-10:

These are NOT per horse and can be split between multiple owners and if yards are close together it will be split between yards also to keep your costs down.

1. 0-10miles FOC
2. 11-20 miles £10
3. 21-30 miles £15
4. 31- 40 miles £20
5. 41- 50 miles £25
6. 51- 60 miles £30
7. 61-70 miles £35
8. 71-80 miles £40
9. 81-90 miles £45

16/03/2023

Fabulous opportunity to learn, also at Netherton Equestrian Centre in Perth on Monday 29th of May!

The Equine Safeguarding Seminar Series kicks off next week!
Monday 20.3.23
Reaseheath Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF
Monday 29.4.23
West Park Arena, Helme Park, Tow Law, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, DL13 4NR
Monday 29.5.23
Netherton, Aberargie, Perthshire PH2 9NE
Sunday 23.7.23
National Horseracing College, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN11 0HN
Monday 25.9.23
Blackdyke Farm Riding Centre, Carlisle, CA6 4EY

FOR MORE INFO & TO BOOK: https://www.saddleresearchtrust.com/events/

BHS 6 CPD points. Open to all.

A packed day of presentations, practical demos and interactive discussion.
Important topics will be covered:
- The ridden horse performance checklist
- What a happy horse should look like
- How we can protect our social licence

02/11/2022

Often neglected but an excellent habit to get in to with your horse!

Tuesday tip

Backing up is a low-impact exercise with no moment of suspension. It can be done in-hand and ridden. You horse should move his limbs in diagonal pairs.

Performed well, it requires your horse to carry more weight on his hindquarters, and maintain increased hindlimb, lumbosacral and back joint flexion throughout the stride cycle.

Executed correctly with relaxation, impulsion and with the head lowered, the movement increases the throacic vertebral rotation, encourages core recruitment of the abdominals , thoracic sling and hip flexors. It also contributes to back mobility, the ability to collect and good posture.

For maximum benefit ask your horse to back up in-hand daily. Start with 1 or 2 steps and progress to 20 steps. The aim is good quality, long, marching steps.