Equine Bodywork by Natalya

19/02/2026

Good luck to everyone competing in the Express Event this Saturday! 💙💛

Our 65cm ExpressEvent sponsor is Equine Bodywork by Natalya 💛

Natalya is passionate about helping horses feel and perform at their best through professional equine sports massage and bodywork. We’re so grateful to have her support for this year’s Express Event and Springbush over the years!

Find her website here: https://equinebodywork.co.nz

04/08/2025

We are back on the road! After already being sick last week, I had a rather close call with a truck on my side of the road on a blind corner while taking our kitten Pickle to the vets early before a day of treating horses. I missed the cab of the truck to avoid a head on and stopped, however the truck was too far over to miss the rest of me and I had no choice but to watch it crush my car. My car was written off with broken axels but I was so lucky to walk away! After recovering mentally the rest of the week, getting Pickle checked and vaxxed (she was also fine) and car shopping I now have my new runabout for a busy few weeks ahead. Sorry to anyone I’ve been a bit slow to repy to as well!!
This winter has been quite something and I have seen some decent injuries and paddock incidences to show for it.. not looking at my clients bay mare with a hole in her head from another horses knee causing the most decent skull fracture I’ve seen… 🫣 bring on Spring!!

11/05/2025

Jed had his treatment today as a timely Mothers Day gift to mum and had some tiny points of knotting through his back, slightly tight shoulders and I freed up the left side of his neck (most likely from pulling mum to catch up to me and my horse)! Not bad feedback for a horse in his 18th hunt season at 22yo rising 23. Can he get any more handsome and perfect? 🥰

23/02/2025

What an awesome weekend at Springbush Horse Trial helping out and watching so many clients and catching up with familiar faces. Such special stunning grounds for riders to compete on again. 🌿🐴 And not to forget some amazing results at Takapoto too. Next up is Horse of the Year for many clients, with a busy week of final preparation treatments for me!

23/12/2024

Merry Christmas everyone! What an awesome year filled with amazing clients. It’s a pleasure to be working on such loved and well cared for horses. Although my wait time can be tedious and I can’t get to all of you I’m so priveledged to be helping the horses I can 🥰 thanks for the many great chats, ignoring my injuries, and mostly for trusting me with your horses. I can’t wait to be back in Jan for you all. Stay safe and have a lovely holiday. From Nat and Smitten ###

08/10/2024

Gorgeous Jed recently finished his 17th hunt season with mum ❤️ At 21 years old and 17hh+ he’s looking no different to how he did 10 years ago. With a balanced diet, well shod feet, great management and his 6 weekly treatments he’s one happy boy who still wants to do his job. He also is carefully wound down after his hunt seasons with short periodic weeks off before he’s gently hacked over summer to keep his body and joints moving and to maintain topline in his senior years.
It’s so important to respect older horses and their bodies by listening to them and the level of work they’re comfortable with. In their later teens we owe them everything and have to keep them happy. Retirement comes at all ages and unless medically recommended, they will tell you and show you what level of work they are happy doing. In Jed’s case he still loves to fly the odd full wire fence but sometimes he insists on walking the rest of the way up steep hills while his younger hunting peers gallop past him 😆❤️

22/08/2024

Hugs from big boy Malibu, a happy guy after some shoulder work and some adduction stretches ➡️⬅️
I’ve been very busy ironing out winter niggles and injuries, and also trying to keep horses happy and sound with all this spring fever we seem to be battling a fraction early. Behave in your paddocks please horses! 🤪🌱🚀

07/05/2024

Good luck to all my clients heading to the National Three Day Event Championships in Taupo. All my prep work has come to an end and sorry to those who I couldn’t fit in beforehand!
My own mare Smitten doesn’t miss those early eventing mornings even if it meant she could jump her mums sponsored jumps like this picture, she much prefers galloping on the hunt field now instead 😆

04/03/2024

Last few horses done today who are heading to Land Rover Horse of the Year! It’s been a fun and busy few weeks prepping horses for their big trips, even though it feels quite surreal to finally have the show going ahead. Good luck to all my clients heading there, ranging from eventers, show jumpers, show hunters, dressage and showing horses 🥰🐴

24/01/2024

Gorgeous Hollie after her laser session for some post surgery recovery support this week. The best behaved baby and a pleasure to handle, a credit to her owner and the team she’s created around this filly to give her the best start to sporthorse life 🥰

19/12/2023

Who doesn’t love a head rub 🥹😴💕 this sweet guy Storm is in heaven having a tmj release. Learning about dressage and the contact is a tough gig!