Canterbury Equine ConTact CARE

11/01/2026

A beautifully insightful post from the amazing Camille. For any of my clients who have heard me say "Peripheral Self Defence System" - check out what this system is responsible for and how it affects their body
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The horse has what we called a ‘Peripheral Self Defence System’.

This means it is aware of its environment and where it is in relation to it (peripheral).

The self defence part relates to its innate nature in being a prey animal (flight state).

When this system is activated one of the systematic responses of it, is to shorter the nuchal ligament. Causing contraction of the neck into the withers and a shortening from the head to withers.

It is what we call the “act of attention”.

When the horse is happily grazing and then lifts its head above the withers to look at something, it is instigating this peripheral self defence system response.

If whatever has caught its attention is not something to be afraid of then it will return to grazing, extending the nuchal ligament again.

If it is something that has captured its attention and either spiked its curiosity or caused the alarm bells to ring more, you will see the horse lift its head further and shorten the nuchal ligament even more.

This in turn puts the alarm response into action, directly initiating the medulla oblongata response of the brain to increase the breathing rate, heart rate and start the adrenaline activation processes of the body.

It is literally a tilt and contraction of the head that initiates the alarm bells of self defence.

Equine ConTact CARE works directly with skeletal pressure on this system and helps the horse to restore a natural relaxed response to potential danger or threat.

*photo of the nuchal ligament in contraction with the curiosity and wariness of the young horse.

11/01/2026

What a beautiful start to the new year ❤️

I love treating minis, not just because they are small and cute, but they have lion hearts. Mighty but soft, and when you get it right, they just melt. Thank you Tracey for the photos!

Excited to see a number of regular and new clients over the next few weeks! Back in full swing

Over the weekend I also got the opportunity for my own treatment with while we were visiting Cromwell. I am a strong believer that to help others, I need to be at my best - it was an incredible session. If you are ever over in Cromwell, look her up! ConTact C.A.R.E Practitioner and Naturopath.

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23/12/2025

I hope you all have a beautiful holiday break and get to enjoy the rest and reset.

Find time for you ❤️🦴🐴❤️

10/12/2025

To return to feedback like this after the last week, has just made my entire month ❤️🐴❤️

Rolo presented with quite extreme aggression when being saddled (but ok to ride!), and his owner was worried about windsucking and overall general demeanor. He appeared dull and lackluster, and struggled to keep condition on him. Having tried everything, she decided to give ConTact C.A.R.E a go!

This feedback has come through a week or so after his first ever session ❤️ This is why I do this work.

This lad presented with a sensory core contraction and injury pattern affecting his Self Organisation System (Diaphragm systems were locked - he couldnt breathe well!), and what appeared to be a tongue tie injury. It was a pretty huge session, we left him half asleep. A core contraction, system, drainage and even gear release all in one is pretty massive - but it was all relevant to what presented on the day.

Im excited to see what this partnership can achieve as they continue to unravel together ❤️🐴❤️

01/12/2025

Feel so grateful, inspired and full of excitement for everything that is to be. ConTact CARE has changed my life, and so many people that I know and am yet to meet. Giving the pressure somewhere to go ❤️🐴❤️👌🥳

19/11/2025

🎄🎄🎄 GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE 🎄🎄🎄🎄

18/11/2025

Who else can't believe it's almost 2026?!

I have decided to take a break this year over xmas, to get some much needed rest, rehab, riding and relaxation in!

My last day this year is 22nd Dec, re-opening Tuesday 13th January. I am currently taking January bookings which are filling up very quickly.

Don't forget I do gift vouchers! If anyone you know needs a treatment (or their horse or canine friend!) Flick me a message or email to organise a digital gift voucher.

*I may be available over the xmas period for very urgent sessions - human or colic in horses*

Chch.contactcare@gmail.com
021 717 115
Or message me on FB or Instagram.

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18/11/2025

For those of you who didn't know, I have four horses of my own - with horses being part of my life for over 25 years.

Teddy has been in my life for 25 of those years (he is 27yo next week!) He was my first hack, my pony club horse, my best friend, my safe space. He has literally followed me around the country for my whole life.

He is the most gentle, beautiful soul Ive ever had the pleasure of owning. Everyone who meets him immediately feels his presence, and his peace.

He might be a little greyer, retired and a little slower, but he looks better than ever and is the best babysitter to my 10 month old Gypsy Cob, Beau.

I love you more than words can express my ol' Ted Ted man. Thank you for walking this crazy beautiful journey in life with me my boy. I hope I've done you proud.

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18/11/2025

Colic protocol for the beautiful Reggie, and Core Contraction release for the lovely Daisy ❤️🐴❤️

Jess Land Equestrian Ltd.

Reggie was showing signs of colic today, whilst only mild, we decided to run through the colic protocol to give him a head start just incase. Impacted rib on the left side could have been the culprit - we had lots of lovely releases and left him with some positive sounding gut sounds, letting out gas and he was eating/drinking. Hopefully he goes p**p soon!

Daisy loved her treatment today, where we found a deep core contraction and flintchlocks through her neck (potentially from a roll or flip or similar sometime in her life!) Set deep in her shock absorber, she was a bit "crunched up" with the core contraction and occipital in a "pushed back" position. After working her injury pattern (a lot in sacrum/sacral/tail) turns out her ability to release pressure naturally was compromised. She literally melted in my hands the whole session - followed with a hyoid release, hopefully Daisy is a bit happier moving forward.

❤️🐴❤️

09/11/2025

The sun sets on another incredible ConTact C.A.R.E weekend. This time with Dale Speedy and Kym Summers in Ngatea, where CC was founded. This was literally the only photo I took all weekend!

Human Skills Weekend was on another level. I started the weekend not knowing what to expect, and left with the most unbelievable level of skills that will literally save lives in the future.

From shock/trauma release, to heart attack, to stroke, to high/low blood pressure, migraines, fainting and the most insane one of all - death revival. We learnt how to bring someone back to life as they suffer an extraordinary event.

The body knows how to work, we just need to remind it. Your skeletal defence system literally holds the key to all the symptoms you are holding, as a bigger picture to the cause of what is really going on.

I met so many wonderful colleagues and am so grateful for Elly-May Ease in Flow Equine - ConTact CARE who put me up in her beautiful home and allowed me to visit the Coromandel again - I love our home in the South, but it made me realise how much I miss the Ocean being so close.

I hope those I worked on this weekend find peace in their change, and can move forward in their journey with less pressure and more clarity.

What.a.weekend.

If everyone had CC in their life, the world would be a better place.

❤️🦴❤️

05/11/2025

THANK YOU!!

I just want to take a moment to appreciate all of my wonderful, beautiful clients (Human, Equine and Canine) for the HUGE amount of support this year.

I am still pinching myself every day that I get to live and breathe my dream and genuinely help people and animals heal, from the inside out. I never thought this would be my journey and I am so grateful.

I am FULLY BOOKED for the rest of the year. I cant even believe it. I have a waitlist, so anyone looking for sessions for Nov/Dec/Jan will be automatically added to that - ive managed to fill every spot so far so its worth it!

THANK YOU! ❤️🐴❤️

28/10/2025

The best feedback to start a Wednesday morning ❤️

Poor Lad came off his last competition with a suspected Suspensory Ligament (career ending) injury.

Lad has regular ConTact C.A.R.E, and while he was dead lame, I gave him everything I had in my toolbox. So to get this result post vet checks, flexion tests and scans, we are are so happy that Lad gets to continue his Pony Grand Prix season with the amazing Maisie Holyoake

This family give their fur-babies the best of the best care, I love being on their team ❤️🐴❤️