Nele Svensson- Equine Therapy & Naturopathy

Nele Svensson- Equine Therapy & Naturopathy Nele Svensson is an Equine Therapist, Naturopath and Nutritionist based in Loburn, North Canterbury.

The past few weeks on the road up and down the West Coast have been absolutely exceptional. 🥰I am so incredibly grateful...
18/05/2026

The past few weeks on the road up and down the West Coast have been absolutely exceptional. 🥰

I am so incredibly grateful for all the help and support from Debbie Molloy, Gaylene Donaldson and Brenda Syminton. You girls are amazing and I truly could not have done these big trips without you. Thank you for helping organize routes, clients and making these runs flow so smoothly.🌻

Now it’s time for a little holiday and reset before we are back with some very exciting news to share for both businesses. We cannot wait!✈️🇿🇦

I also want to say a huge thank you to every single one of you for the incredible support over the years for my business and for Activomed NZ. Your trust, kindness and ongoing support means the world to me and I never take it for granted.🙏

I will be back from the 15th of June. As usual, I will post my recommendation list of fantastic professionals who will be available for bookings while I am away.🙌🏼

Recommendation list in the comments 👌🏼✨️

See you all next month 🌞

Nele 🧡

📸 The beautiful Sierra owned by Kelley Molloy, is getting her musculoskeletal check up/ 6 months old.

Always happy to help 🌻🧡🌞
18/05/2026

Always happy to help 🌻🧡🌞

Today I met another wonderful Activomed client who has owned her cover for many years. She reached out because she had so many questions around the correct programs, frequencies, settings and intensities for her horses and their very individual musculoskeletal conditions.

And honestly… that is such a fair and important question.

Activomed is not a one size fits all system. Every horse responds differently depending on their body, nervous system, injuries, training level and cellular health. Understanding how frequencies work and how to correctly choose programs and intensities can make such a huge difference.

Our Activomed systems are designed to support every horse, from performance horses to rehabilitation and general wellbeing, but the real magic is understanding how to use the system to its full potential.

If you own an Activomed cover and feel unsure how to use it properly, or you feel like you are not getting the most out of your system, please reach out. Even if you did not purchase through Activomed NZ directly, I am always happy to help and support you.

As a direct partner with Activomed 🇩🇪 and as an Equine and Canine Therapist, I can confidently offer extensive knowledge around our Activomed PEMF systems together with genuine long term customer support.

You are never left alone once you own an Activomed system. That support is for life.

Please never hesitate to ask questions. I absolutely love helping people learn and getting the very best results for their horses.

-Nele 🤍

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www.activomednz.com
mail@activomednz.com
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📸 At the West Coast RDA. We have our Professional 2.0 and our top of the line "Simply the Best " ✨️ in action.

Muzzles are probably one of the most emotionally discussed topics in the horse world. 👀And honestly, a lot of the critic...
14/05/2026

Muzzles are probably one of the most emotionally discussed topics in the horse world. 👀

And honestly, a lot of the criticism is completely valid. But the reality is far more complex than simply “good” or “bad.”

Common concerns include:

• heat build up with some models
• rubbing around the nose and chin
• some designs don’t work well with automatic water troughs
• frustration from restricted grazing
• clogging with grass or sand
• some horses quickly learn “tricks” and manage to eat almost normally
• others struggle and barely get enough intake

And that is exactly the important point:
The actual reduction in grass intake varies massively.

Studies and articles mention reductions anywhere from around 30% to 86% depending on the muzzle, pasture conditions, and the individual horse.

So why such huge differences?

Grass length and pasture conditions matter.
Short grass is much harder to graze through a muzzle. On long, thick pasture some horses become surprisingly efficient even while wearing one.

The horse’s skill and adaptation also play a huge role.
Some horses need days to figure it out while others become absolute professionals within hours. Once they learn how to use the muzzle properly, grazing speed often increases significantly.

The design of the muzzle matters too.
A larger hole does not automatically mean less restriction.
Material, shape, airflow, flexibility, and the distance from the mouth all change how effectively a horse can pull grass through.

Then there is the management around it.
If the muzzle does not work properly with the water source, some horses reduce their water intake.
If it fits poorly, pressure sores develop.
If it is too restrictive, frustration and stress increase.

At the end of the day the most important question is not:

“Muzzle yes or no?”

It is:
Which horse, which muzzle, which pasture, what monitoring, and what management?✨️

Because in real life there is a huge difference between a horse barely managing to eat and one that is practically grazing normally.🙏

My animals are my family. They are members of our tribe and every single one of them has their own place, personality an...
06/05/2026

My animals are my family. They are members of our tribe and every single one of them has their own place, personality and purpose within our home. 🥰

I often think that maybe in another life our roles could be reversed. Maybe one day our animals would be responsible for us. And if that ever happened I hope they would treat us with the same loyalty, patience and unconditional love they give us every single day.

The Dalai Lama once said that you can judge the worth of a society by the way it treats its animals. I truly believe that.✨️

Our animals spend their whole lives beside us. They trust us completely. Love them deeply. Be gentle with them. Speak kindly to them. Spend the extra minute to greet them, cuddle them or simply sit quietly beside them.

To them those small moments mean absolutely everything.

-Nele 🤍

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I would love to hear your thoughts or a picture of your special family 🧡❤️💙

📸 of Natalie Powell tribe. So much love, kindness and curiosity. 🥰

West Coast here we come 🐎I am so excited to be back on the road and to see you all again. I have really missed our West ...
27/04/2026

West Coast here we come 🐎

I am so excited to be back on the road and to see you all again. I have really missed our West Coast trips and catching up with everyone.🌞

A big thank you to Gaylene for planning my route and organising bookings. This support means so much and helps keep everything running smoothly. I am very grateful.🌻

If you are in the area and would like to be part of this run please reach out to the helpers below so they can add you to the group.👌🏼

Upper West Coast Run 💙
Springs Junction, Murchison, Inangahua, Reefton, Westport, Barrytown, Stillwater, Greymouth, Ngahere, Moana

Gaylene Donaldson
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Hokitika Run 💛
Jackson, Kumara Junction, Hokitika

Debbie Molloy
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South Westland Run 💜
Hokitika to Haast and everywhere in between

Brenda Syminton
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✨️ We also have an Ashburton Run 💚
To enter the group and get on my Run message Elise.

Elise Brown
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Thank you all for your ongoing support. I can’t wait to see you and your horses.

-Nele 🩷😊

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📸 Caterina's beautiful Nizzy. 🐎

Amazing opportunity for ✨️ Professionals ✨️ 😊
25/04/2026

Amazing opportunity for ✨️ Professionals ✨️ 😊

Activomed New Zealand is committed to supporting ✨️professionals✨️ in delivering the highest standard of care and performance outcomes for horses.

We are pleased to offer a professional pricing structure designed specifically to support the integration of Activomed systems into therapeutic and training environments. 👍🏼

This initiative is available to veterinarians, qualified therapists and bodyworkers, horse trainers, and established rehabilitation facilities who are looking to elevate their services through advanced PEMF technology.

Activomed systems are developed with a deep understanding of equine physiology, cellular function, and the importance of frequency based therapy. When applied with knowledge and intention, these systems can play a significant role in supporting recovery, improving performance, and enhancing overall wellbeing. 🌻

As a qualified equine therapist and official partner of Activomed Germany in New Zealand, I provide comprehensive guidance to ensure each system is used effectively and tailored to the individual horse and workload.

This includes support in understanding frequencies, program selection, and integration into existing treatment or training plans.

This is an opportunity to bring a clinically supported and results driven modality into your professional toolkit while receiving ongoing support and education.✨️

If you are interested in integrating Activomed into your practice or facility, please get in touch to discuss how we can support your work.

-Nele 🤍

Activomed New Zealand 🇳🇿
Direct partner for Activomed 🇩🇪

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www.activomednz.com
mail@activomednz.com
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Tying up in horses 💡 🐎
20/04/2026

Tying up in horses 💡 🐎

Tying up in horses 💡

Tying up, also known as exertional rhabdomyolysis, is a muscular condition where muscle fibres are unable to function normally and become painful and inflamed.

Clinical signs can include stiffness, reluctance to move, shortened stride, muscle tremors, sweating and sensitivity through the back and hindquarters. In more severe cases horses may not want to walk at all.

Key contributing factors:
• Muscle metabolism dysfunction
• High starch or sugar diets
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Inconsistent work or sudden changes in workload
• Stress and nervous system dysregulation
• Underlying genetic or metabolic conditions

Management requires a multi factor approach including veterinary involvement, correct nutrition, consistent training and supportive therapies.

✨️How Activomed PEMF supports these cases

Activomed PEMF works at a cellular level by supporting the body’s natural electrical activity. In compromised muscle tissue this rhythm is often disrupted.

With correct application, PEMF can support:
• Increased circulation and oxygen delivery
• Reduction in muscle tension and discomfort
• Support of muscle recovery and regeneration
• Regulation of the nervous system
• Improved overall muscle function

The key is not intensity, it is selecting the correct frequency and program for the individual horse.

I have been working with a very well known racehorse that had been tying up on a very consistent and almost daily basis.

With veterinary support and a well managed nutrition plan, the condition had been controlled over the years but not prevented.

I have treated this horse twice over the past 6 weeks and implemented a structured Activomed PEMF program.

The trainers have since purchased our "Simply the Best" Activomed cover and boots. I created a tailored program including pre training, post training and an emergency protocol to use if signs of tying up appeared.

Since starting this approach, the horse has not tied up in 6 weeks. ✨️

He is now performing at his absolute best and travelling across New Zealand in full work.

This is a great example of what is possible when we combine the right tools with the right knowledge.

Activomed systems are incredibly effective, but it is the correct use of frequency, intensity and program selection, combined with understanding the horse’s musculoskeletal system, health history and performance level, that creates these results.

I cannot rate these systems highly enough when they are used correctly and as part of a well managed overall plan.

If you are dealing with a horse that is prone to tying up or struggling with muscle recovery, feel free to reach out.

Happy to help guide you.

Nele 🩷

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www.activomednz.com
mail@activomednz.com
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Absolutely amazing outcome. I have had so many messages from you guys - I'm amazed! Thank you. I'm going to message back...
15/04/2026

Absolutely amazing outcome. I have had so many messages from you guys - I'm amazed! Thank you.

I'm going to message back over the weekend 🥰👍🏼✨️🩷🌻

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Hi West Coast, 🌻

I am getting organised for travelling again and I am really looking forward to being back over your way.

I would love a bit of help and support with my northern Coast run. I have tried to bring someone on for bookings and organising but it did not quite work out so I am hoping to find someone local this time.

Areas I cover are Springs Junction, Reefton, Inangahua, Westport, Barrytown, Stillwater, Ngahere, Greymouth and Moana.🩷

I am looking for someone who knows the area well, understands the roads and travel times and can help plan my bookings and time slots in a way that flows well for the days.

We would create a Facebook group with all clients. I will share my dates and you would help organise everyone into a schedule that makes sense and keeps things running smoothly.

This would save me a lot of time and help me stay consistent with my visits.

In return I offer a full treatment each run for your horse or we can chat about payment options as well.

I may also be looking for someone in Hokitika to organize the Jackson, Kumara Junction and Hokitika and surrounding areas.💙

South Westland (South of Hokitika to Haast) will be covered by Brenda. 💜

If this sounds like you please send me a private message via my ➡️ buiness page and we can see if it is a good fit.

-Nele 💛

There is something really powerful about timing. 🌻Not the moment when a horse is clearly sore or breaking down. Not when...
14/04/2026

There is something really powerful about timing. 🌻

Not the moment when a horse is clearly sore or breaking down. Not when the body is already compensating and struggling. Not when the ears go back as you bring out the saddle or bridle.

But the quieter moments before that.
The moments where you start to feel a shift. A change in willingness. A heaviness where there used to be ease. When you ask yourself honestly not what you want, but what your horse is telling you.

We look at them every day, but do we really see them?

Retirement is not giving up. It is not putting them in a paddock and walking away. It is not the end.

It is a transition into a different kind of care. A different kind of purpose.

Movement still matters. Gentle bodywork still matters. Active physio still matters. Being part of a herd, moving over different terrain, grazing, interacting, just being a horse again, all of this matters deeply.

Some horses love a job. Some thrive in it. But some horses become something else with age. They become the steady one. The teacher. The quiet presence in the paddock that brings balance to others.

That is a job too. A beautiful one.
Retirement should not start with a clinical breakdown. It should start with listening.
Really listening.

Putting our own goals to the side and asking, if my horse had a voice, what would they say to me right now?

There is so much love in choosing the right time. In honouring them before they have to struggle to be heard.

Because they always speak to us.

We just have to be willing to listen.

-Nele 💛

BRIDLE TALK😊✨️Does your bridle fit your horse? 🐎Correct bridle fit is something I see being overlooked far too often, ye...
01/04/2026

BRIDLE TALK😊✨️

Does your bridle fit your horse? 🐎

Correct bridle fit is something I see being overlooked far too often, yet it plays a huge role in your horse’s comfort, performance, and overall wellbeing.

Your horse’s head is an incredibly sensitive area. There are major blood vessels, important nerve pathways, and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is directly involved in your horse’s ability to chew, relax, and accept the contact. When a bridle is not fitted correctly, it can place pressure on these structures, leading to discomfort, tension, and even behavioural issues.👌🏼

I often see horses showing signs like resistance in the contact, head tossing, difficulty bending, or simply not moving forward freely. Many times, this is not a training issue, it is discomfort caused by pressure in the wrong places.

I also often hear people say “yes it fits” without really considering how important correct bridle fit truly is. Just because a bridle can be put on and adjusted does not mean it is fitted correctly for that individual horse.

Something important to understand is that “anatomical” does not automatically mean correct. Every horse’s head shape is different, and a bridle needs to be fitted to the individual horse, not just chosen based on brand or design.👍🏼

It is also essential to allow enough room around the ears and the ear base. The ear cartilage and surrounding structures are sensitive, and restriction here can create constant irritation and tension. The same applies to the TMJ area. This space must be free from pressure so the horse can comfortably chew, swallow, and relax through the jaw.

Simple details make a big difference. A noseband that sits too high or too tight can restrict blood flow, compress nerves, and even affect the airway. A browband that is too tight or incorrectly positioned can create pressure around the TMJ. The headpiece should sit comfortably without pressing into the base of the ears or surrounding structures.

As an equine therapist, I assess bridle fit as part of the bigger picture. The way your tack sits directly influences how your horse can move through their body, how they respond to the rider, and how relaxed they feel in their work.

➡️In regards to bit fitting, this is a whole different subject again. I highly recommend working with a fully qualified bit fitter alongside your dental vet. It is important to ensure your horse’s mouth, available space, and tongue are suitable for the bit being used. Just as importantly, the bit must also be appropriate for the rider’s hands and level of experience.

A correctly fitted bridle allows your horse to soften, chew, breathe freely, and truly work through their body without restriction. It is not about control, it is about comfort and communication.

-Nele 🩷

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www.nelesvensson.com
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ActivoMed NZ offers advanced equine therapy systems including PEMF rugs, pads and recovery solutions designed to support performance, rehabilitation and everyday wellbeing for horses across New Zealand.

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Loburn

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