Gemma Todd Equine Sports Massage Therapist

05/03/2026

3 quick muscle-building exercises that make a valuable addition to your horse’s daily routine. Read more below

09/02/2026

27/01/2026

The Wither Rock is a gentle and effective mobilising exercise for the whole body.

It is good for stimulating the core muscles, particularly the thoracic sling, strengthening the forelimb lateral stabiliser muscles that support the limbs when turning and moving sideways.

With your horse standing square.
💠 Stand facing the left shoulder, with your shoulders parallel to the horse’s spine.
💠 Do a personal postural check, ensure you have no tension in your shoulders or arms and take a couple of deep breaths.
💠 Place both hands cupping the top of the withers and take a moment to allow the horse to get used to your touch.
💠 Imagine the movement first and build up slowly from there.
💠 Gently push the withers away from you by about 1cm initially then allow the withers to return to the neutral position before pulling them back towards you by about 1cm then release again.
💠 Repeat this swaying movement in a natural rhythm. The side-to-side movement of the withers should be continuous and flowing. Don’t try to hold his weight in one position.
💠 Gradually increase the amount of sideways movement but only as the horse relaxes into the movement.

Build up from 20 sways remembering to repeat the same number of push-pull cycles from each side.

👀 As you are doing this exercise watch your horse, he may try to communicate that he wants more or when he would like you to stop.

Comment Rock and we'll give you access to our tutorial video on the Wither Rock

06/01/2026

Muscle Monday - Tensor Fasciae Latae
This week we are checking out the tensor fasciae latae. Firstly, let's break down this long name.

Tensor = "to tense/stretch"
Fasciae = "band"
Latae = "side"

Once you understand the name it is easy to picture this "stretchy side band" and how it works.

--- Function ---
The tensor fasciae latae (abbreviated to TFL) is a superficial muscle that has a pretty cool job. It originates on the tuber coxa (point of the hip). From there, it surrounds the patella (stifle/knee) and top of the tibia, both laterally and medially. The tissue that makes up the TFL becomes more fascia than muscle as it gets closer to the stifle.

In movement the TFL flexes the hip and extend the stifle, an action that pulls the hindlimb forward. As the TFL surrounds the stifle in fascia, it may also aid in protecting the stifle joint.

In the next post we'll take a look at the TFL in some real horses and find the difference in correct and dysfunctional muscle development.

02/01/2026

⭐️ Happy New Year ⭐

Just a reminder I am still working January & February before going on maternity in March - after which I will have some availability on a Sunday.

The diary is starting to get booked up so please get in touch if you would like your horse treated or lessons 🐴

Qualified & insured

Thanks Gemma 😊 x

23/12/2025

Merry Christmas 🎄 and Happy New Year to all my clients.

Thank you for your support throughout 2025 😊🐴

03/12/2025

The joint between the lumbar and sacral vertebrae is called the Lumbar-Sacral Junction (LSJ).

This is a hinge joint which can be felt at the point where the spinous processes of the lumbar vertebra slope forwards and those of the sacrum point backwards.

It's the LSJ that allows the pelvis to tilt and has a significant role to play in allowing the hindlegs to come under the body when the horse canters, jumps or performs high level dressage movements.

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23/11/2025

We are excited to announce that we are expecting a little girl April next year 💕

I will be finishing work on or around 2nd March for maternity. Once we are in the swing of our new life I will initially have availability on Sundays for clients who would like appointments/lessons.

For now I will continue to ride Parsley but wont be riding any others 🐴

If you have any questions please drop me a message 😊

Thanks Gemma x

23/11/2025

Why Some Horses Feel “Different” the Day After a Massage

It’s normal for a horse to feel a little loose, wiggly, or slightly uncoordinated the day after bodywork. This isn’t a setback — it’s a sign the body and nervous system are reorganizing after tension releases.

Why It Happens

1. The Brain–Body Map Just Updated

Massage changes how the body moves and how the brain senses it. When old restrictions release, the horse needs 24–48 hours to recalibrate balance and coordination.

2. Fascia Is Rehydrating and Reorganizing

Fascia gains glide and elasticity after bodywork. As it reshapes, the horse may feel temporarily loose or “floppy” while new tension lines settle.

3. Muscle Tone Drops Before It Rebalances

Protective tension turns off first, and postural muscles turn on second. That short gap can feel like softness or mild instability.

4. Proprioception Is Resetting

The horse is getting a flood of new sensory information. The nervous system needs a bit of time to interpret it and organize new, freer movement.

5. Old Patterns Are Gone — New Ones Are Forming

When restrictions release, the old compensation disappears instantly. The new, healthier pattern takes a little time to establish.

Normal for 24–48 Hours

✔ Slight wobbliness
✔ Extra bendiness
✔ Feeling loose or “disconnected”
✔ Mildly behind the leg

Usually by day 2–3, movement improves noticeably.

Not Normal

✘ Lameness
✘ Heat or swelling
✘ Sharp pain
✘ Symptoms worsening after 48 hours

These need veterinary attention.

How to Support Integration
• Light walk work or hacking
• Hand walking
• Gentle stretching
• Turnout and hydration
• Pole work after 48–72 hours

Movement helps lock in new patterns.

Why Some Horses Recalibrate and Others Don’t

Every horse’s response reflects their unique body:

A horse may need more integration time if they’re:
• tight or guarded
• weak in stabilizing muscles
• coming out of chronic patterns
• sensitive or older
• less body-aware

A horse may feel great immediately if they’re:
• already symmetrical
• strong and conditioned
• biomechanically correct
• quick to adapt neurologically
• had fewer restrictions to begin with

Both responses are normal — they simply tell you a different story about the horse’s body and nervous system.

https://koperequine.com/the-power-of-slow-why-slow-work-is-beneficial-for-horses/

08/11/2025

It is important as professionals to attend CPD’s (Continued Professional Development) - it allows us to stay current with the latest techniques and research, as well as revisiting things we already knew.

Time to get my books back out & revisit the Osteopathic manipulation & mobilisation techniques ready for an online refresher day.
These have been useful & I have found combining them with my myofascial release & trigger point work has proved beneficial to my clients 😊🐴

You never stop learning.