Instinctively Equine - Equine Massage and Holistic Therapy
Alice is an Equine Massage Practitioner and Reiki therapist, helping your horse be at their best, ph What is Reiki? How does Reiki benefit my horse?
Alice is an Equine Massage Practitioner and Reiki Therapist. Reiki is a treatment which enables your body to heal naturally. The world we live in surrounds us with energy which maintains all living things. If our energy flow is disrupted our body is unable to function properly. Reiki has a holistic approach, looking at a person as a whole, not just a one specific area. Horses are very susceptible
to energy therapy, using Reiki therapy with horses restores their energy flow. If this there are blockages in energy channels it can result in physical or psychological issues as well as behavioural problems. Reiki can be a very relaxing and soothing therapy. Alice is fully insured through BALENS and is a member of The Reiki Association.
29/02/2024
🐴 Looking for a yard to host Equine Massage Training🐴
I am going to be back tutoring group and 1-2-1 Hands on Days for Centaur Equine Massage Training but we need a new venue(s).
The days generally run from 10am - 4pm, given the nature of the training we are looking for a relatively quiet yard. A range of horses would be fantastic.
Bristol and surrounding areas will be considered, South Bristol would be fantastic.
Any questions about what we need / how the day is run, just ask. And please share 😊
16/08/2023
26/06/2023
Duchess has had to receive treatment for ulcers this year and speaking to the vet, there is an increase in your cob types getting ulcers.
It seems it’s not just the anxious, highly strung thoroughbreds we’d expect.
Something to consider when you think about your horse’s exercise regime 🐎
2 DAYS OFF EXERCISE/WEEK FOR ULCERS
Gastric ulcers (gastric disease) in horses is a frustrating condition that can be challenging to treat, and may reoccur despite good diet and management.
The glandular ulcers (also described as lesions, since some aren't true ulcers) are believed to be unrelated to diet, and risk factors include stress and daily exercise.
It is recommended that horses prone to glandular disease (EGGD) are given two days off exercise per week. Gastroenterologist Vet and Senior Lecturer in Equine Internal Medicine at the Royal Vet College Michael Hewetson gives the guideline of one day rest after every two days exercise.
Read more about how to feed and manage horses prone to gastric ulcers (both types, EGSD and EGGD) in the Equine Nutrition Learning Centre on my website (link in comments)
Feel free to share 🐴🍏
19/06/2023
Becoming a mum has been the most amazing and rewarding time, it’s had its challenges and also really hard through parts but I am so lucky.
Navigating the new mum life, along with horses throws up even more challenges so my business has really gone on the back burner so I could enjoy my maternity. I’ve been out and done the odd treatment here and there as well as working on a rebrand. Very exciting!!!
I’ll be back out treating properly very soon. Thank you for giving me the space to enjoy all the little moments with my little man 🥰
18/12/2022
🌟🌟 IMPORTANT UPDATES 🌟🌟
2022 Has been a big year, most importantly I welcomed my baby boy into the world!
I will be returning to work and able to take on new clients in the new year but, as I’m sure everyone can appreciate, my availability will be significantly reduced. I also moved during the year, although this will not impact the areas I cover, my travel costs will change (I will discuss this with individuals on booking).
Unfortunately, we are all feeling the financial impacts at the moment so my prices will also be increasing.
A treatment will cost £45, however I will be bringing details of packages out in the new year as well.
🎅 I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Have a fabulous time with friends and family and I look forward to working with you and your horses very soon🎄
24/12/2021
My little rescue pony, making me proud once again 🥰🎄
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas 🎅🎁🎄
09/10/2021
19/09/2021
🐴 Another great morning at HorseWorld Trust yesterday, running my second Introduction to Equine Massage workshop 🐴
Beautiful to be out in the sunshine and teaching the welfare team new ways to help the horses they work with and improve the bonds they are making 🥰
11/09/2021
Lovely morning at HorseWorld Trust, running an Introduction to Equine Massage for some of the grooms who work on the welfare yard 🐴
All the staff were fantastic, recognising subtle changes in the horses and able to apply the techniques they learnt in the best way.
Looking forward to going back next week, running the workshop for another group of grooms 😁
28/08/2021
Great day being back at Avon Riding Centre, tutoring for Centaur Equine Massage Training 🐴
6 ponies left feeling very grateful for getting to be practice ‘clients’ for the students today 😴
10/08/2021
Many people use trot poles in their training programs, but what effect do they actually have on your horse’s musculoskeletal system?
Two studies conducted by Clayton et al in 2014 measured kinematics (movement of the back and limbs) of 8 horses trotting over poles on the ground, at 11cm and 20cm.
They found that:
➡️ hoof height increased over all heights in all limbs, but there was no significant change in the height of the withers or croup. Basically this suggests that the increase in hoof height is due to the limbs flexing more, rather than by the body raising higher.
➡️ the increases in swing phase joint flexion indicate that trotting over poles is effective for activating and strengthening the muscles involved in flexing (bending) the limbs.
➡️ there was no increase in peak forces or the amount that the fetlock extended when compared to trotting on level ground, suggesting that using trot poles for rehab shouldn’t jeopardise the recovery process by over-loading the limbs.
➡️ the need to raise the limbs in order to clear the poles and place the hooves accurately requires visumotor coordination, which may be useful in neurological rehab.
It’s so important to design training and rehab programs with a specific goal in mind. Always consult with your vet and qualified therapist when it comes to implementing the appropriate program for your horse.
14/05/2021
This is one of my favourite exercises to recommend to people.
It’s got many benefits and is easy to layout, no counting steps needed 😁
Today's Training Tips polework exercise is scatter poles! Use as many or as few poles as you like and place them as randomly as possible in a section of your arena! Place them on odd angles and without walking a 'correct' distance - the poles can be as close together or far apart as you want! This exercise will help horses who may lack focus and need to think about where they place their feet, and can also be great for horses who get excited or rush through their poles, taking over control or anticipating the next movement.
Ridden in walk or trot, navigate through the poles on random, differing lines and allow your horse to pick through them. This exercise encourages your horse to think so allowing them time to do so is crucial. Try not to let them rush and keep an even rhythm and balance.
Try linking some of the poles together, or choose to ride in between the gaps. Add in some lateral work (such as leg yields and turn on the forehands) to navigate through the spaces and make things even more challenging!
⭐️ Key Tips:
- Make it as random as you can! And keep changing your route
- Try not to 'over-ride' it. Let your horse think about their legs and pick through the scatter poles on their own
- Start off in walk and progress through the paces if your horse is happy and confident. Make sure to take frequent breaks as lots of poles can be physically and mentally tiring for your horse!
Give it a try! We’d love to hear how you get on - take a photo or a video of you riding the exercise and tag us so we can see! 📸
For more Training Tips exercises and our stride guide take a look at our website here 👉 petplanequine.co.uk/training-tips 🐎
13/05/2021
🌟 Case Study Opportunities 🌟
🐴 Are you looking to get out competing soon?
Perhaps you and your horse are doing more now that restrictions are lifting.
Or maybe you would just like to treat that special pony in your life 🐴
I have 5 spaces available for case studies, each case study will involve an initial assessment with a treatment and a follow up treatment for ONLY £50.
Treatments can include:
🐎 Sports / Remedial Massage
🐎 Fascial Release
🐎 Craniosacral Therapy
🐎 Energy Healing
🐎 Reiki
🐎 Kinesiology Taping (if this is used there will be an additional charge).
If you would be interested please send me a message with a brief description about your horse and the reason you'd be looking to be a case study.
By putting yourself forward you are agreeing to pictures being taken during treatments which may be shared publicly, along with notes on my findings.
Follow up treatments are normally 2 - 4 weeks after the initial treatment.
This offer is available to new and existing clients. Covering Bristol and surrounding areas.
If you have any questions please do get in touch 😁
09/05/2021
I couldn’t remember when I last treated Captain 😔
A completely honest post here 😬
Whilst grooming this morning I realised I didn’t know when Captain had last received any type of treatment.
There are many reasons for it but what it comes down to is me not making it a priority and a lack of belief in my own competence 😕
Captain’s stride has been a bit choppy lately and he’s struggled with flexion, particularly on the right rein. So why haven’t I done something about it?
🐎 Today Captain had a full treatment and I was reminded why I chose to train in the first place. To improve horses well-being and their relationship with their owner 🐎
I also realised how much I’ve missed treating, so keep your eyes peeled as I’m going to be putting out a post looking for case studies 🤩
01/08/2020
***FOR ALL KEY WORKERS OR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOB DUE TO COVID-19***
🐴 As a fellow horse owner I know we all want to do our very best for our horses. Sometimes finances mean we can't always give them exactly what we want to.
🐴 Throughout August I will be offering £10 off treatments to all key workers or anyone who has lost their job due to the pandemic. This makes a treatment ONLY £30! Just let me know when booking that you are eligible for the offer. I will not be checking or asking any information, I am trusting you to be honest.
I cover Bristol and the surrounding areas, all my treatments are tailored to the individual horse. Do get in touch for further details and see whether my treatments may help your horse.
(There may be an additional charge for travel).
31/07/2020
Earlier this week I popped over the boarder to Wales to teach a one to one day. Great to be out teaching again, it’s always fantastic seeing the progress in students.
16/07/2020
'As a practitioner the focus is on the cranial bones and the sacrum, following the course of the spinal column, looking to restore the natural ‘Craniosacral Rhythm’.'
Find out more about Craniosacral Therapy in the my blog:
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Instinctively Equine - Equine Massage and Holistic Therapy:
Alice is an Equine Massage Practitioner and Holistic Therapist.
Alice’s treatments combine massage techniques, craniosacral therapy, fascial release, Reiki and other energy healing. She works with a horse and their owner to help progress to their goals, whether that is in ground work, hacking or competing. The treatments benefit a horse’s entire wellbeing, looking at the physical and psychological levels, restoring the natural balance within the horse.
What is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral therapy was developed by an Osteopath, William Sutherland in the early 20th century, Sutherland discovered that the skull was not fixed and in fact there was a rhythm to the movement of the cranial bones.
As a practitioner the focus is on the cranial bones and the sacrum, following the course of the spinal column, looking to restore the natural ‘Craniosacral Rhythm’. This is done by releasing any restricted movement of the bones. There is no physical manipulation as it’s an energy based therapy and works by applying your hands gently to specific areas, allowing the horse’s body to adjust at it’s own pace. The therapy works on the fascial tissue as when this becomes tight and restricted it applies pressure to the bones and can cause them to shift. Working to release these areas returns the body to alignment.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a treatment which enables your body to heal naturally. The world we live in surrounds us with energy which maintains all living things. If our energy flow is disrupted our body is unable to function properly. Reiki has a holistic approach, looking at a person as a whole, not just a one specific area.
How does Reiki benefit my horse?
Horses are very susceptible to energy therapy, using Reiki therapy with horses restores their energy flow. If this there are blockages in energy channels it can result in physical or psychological issues as well as behavioural problems. Reiki can be a very relaxing and soothing therapy.
Alice is fully insured through BALENS and is registered with NAREMT as well as being a member of The Reiki Association.
