Equine Kneads

23/01/2026

We're Not Self-Paced (and Proud of It)

22/01/2026

Winter can be tough.
Short days, cold fingers, frozen ground, and that familiar feeling of boredom creeping into both horses and humans.

But winter doesn’t have to be a holding pattern—it can be a building season.

One thing I’ve really come to appreciate during the quieter months is structured pole work, especially using the Equi‑Pole App.

What I love about it:
• ✔️ Tons of variety (no mindless repeating the same setup)
• ✔️ Clear spacing guidance so you’re not guessing
• ✔️ Breakdowns of what muscle groups you’re actually working
• ✔️ Options for strength, coordination, proprioception, and agility
• ✔️ Scalable for rehab-minded horses and performance horses

Pole work is deceptively simple—but when done with intention, it’s incredibly powerful. It challenges:
• Core engagement
• Limb awareness
• Balance and symmetry
• Neuromuscular coordination
• Mental focus (which winter horses desperately need)

And let’s be honest—having a plan laid out for you makes it easier to show up consistently, even when motivation is low.

No affiliation here. No kickback.
Just sharing something that helps turn winter boredom into purposeful work.

Winter isn’t about pushing harder.
It’s about refining, strengthening, and preparing the body for what’s ahead.

Sometimes the quiet seasons are where the best foundations are built.

A few of the beginner exercises in the photos.

21/01/2026

Before any technique, before any pressure, before any “problem area”—there should be a pause.
An effective equine bodywork session starts with assessment, not assumptions.

1️⃣ What am I seeing in this horse’s posture and movement?
How the horse stands, shifts weight, and moves tells you where compensation may already be happening.

2️⃣ What is the horse telling me today?
Today’s presentation matters more than last session—or last week. Energy level, sensitivity, and demeanor all guide how you begin.

3️⃣ What is my goal for this session?
Are you supporting recovery, improving comfort, preparing for work, or maintaining balance? Your goal should shape your approach.

These questions create intention.
They help you work with clarity rather than routine.

Good bodywork doesn't start with hands-on work—it starts with how you think before you touch the horse.

21/01/2026

Your horse is always communicating—you just need to know how to listen.

Subtle changes in posture, movement, and muscle tone often appear long before obvious soreness or injury. The Equine Owner’s Master Class is designed to help you recognize those early signs and confidently support your horse’s comfort with your own hands.

Join us for a 2-day, hands-on workshop that gives horse owners the tools to better understand equine anatomy, body language, and therapeutic massage—so you can become a more informed advocate for your horse’s long-term soundness and well-being.

→ Scenic River Farms | River Falls, WI
→ February 21–22
→ $395 | Includes the Equine Massage & Bodywork Reference Guide
→ Limited to 12 students

🔗 Register today:
https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1959466/checkout/order_yp468ftr

21/01/2026

If you love your career as an equine bodyworker but your body is paying the price, this is for you.

The Equine Bodyworker Biomechanics Clinic is designed to help bodyworkers work smarter—not harder—by improving how you move, position, and apply pressure during sessions.
Protect your body, improve your effectiveness, and build a career that lasts.

This clinic is a hands-on learning experience focused on how you:
• Move
• Stand
• Brace
• Apply pressure

You'll learn how to:
• Use more efficient body positioning
• Reduce strain on your back, shoulders, hands, and feet
• Apply pressure without overworking yourself

And of course, better biomechanics always leads to better results for the horse.

Here are the details so you can join us:
→ February 20 | 10am–4pm
→ Scenic River Farms, River Falls WI
→ $150
→ Limited to 12 participants

To Register: https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1959466/checkout/order_rfmrmztp

21/01/2026

One injury or chronic pain issue will cost far more than this clinic—financially and physically. But it doesn't have to.

This clinic is designed specifically for equine bodyworkers who want to protect their own bodies while delivering better results for the horses they serve.

Equine Bodywork Biomechanics Clinic
→ February 20 | 10am–4pm
→ Scenic River Farms, River Falls WI
→ $150
→ Limited to 12 participants

Learn how to work smarter, not harder—and build a career that lasts.
To register:
🔗 https://checkout.teachable.com/secure/1959466/checkout/order_rfmrmztp

20/01/2026

19/01/2026

Back pain is one of the most common reasons horse owners seek bodywork—but it’s rarely the full story.

The back often becomes tight or sore because it’s compensating for restriction, imbalance, or discomfort elsewhere in the body. When we only address what’s obvious, we risk missing what’s actually driving the problem.

Layered thinking is the ability to step back and ask why:
- Where is the movement pattern changing?
- What systems are involved?
- What is this horse compensating for?

This approach doesn't mean doing less—it means working with more clarity and intention.

In equine bodywork, the most effective sessions aren’t about chasing symptoms. They're about understanding the horse as a whole and addressing the underlying contributors to dysfunction.

16/01/2026

PEMF still gets side-eyed by some — even as the research keeps stacking up. 👀

A study published in The Spine Journal found that pulsed electromagnetic fields influenced cellular behavior, including reducing inflammatory and degenerative gene expression in disc cells. In other words: cells do respond to PEMF at a biological level — this isn’t just placebo or “energy talk.”

Does that automatically mean PEMF is a cure-all for horses? No.
But it does support what many of us are seeing clinically: PEMF can influence tissue environments involved in inflammation, healing, and recovery when used appropriately.

Equine PEMF doesn’t need hype — it needs education, correct protocols, and realistic expectations. The science is still evolving, but the question is no longer “does it do anything?” — it’s how, when, and for whom does it work best.

Adjunctive tool. Growing evidence. Used thoughtfully.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1529943016000437?dgcid=raven_sd_recommender_email

15/01/2026

This comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide walks you through the real foundations of a sustainable equine bodywork business—no guesswork, no chaos, no burnout.

Inside, you'll learn how to:
✔️ Define your vision and values
✔️ Set up the legal and professional side correctly
✔️ Manage clients with confidence and boundaries
✔️ Market yourself authentically and effectively
✔️ Build a business that supports you long-term

Designed for both new and growing practitioners, this guide helps you streamline operations, align your work with your values, and create a career that actually lasts.

The new year is the perfect time to build something solid—on purpose.

Get your Equine Massage Business Startup Guide today: equine-kneads.com/resources

13/01/2026

Your hands aren't the only thing communicating.

Watch for:
• Shifting weight
• Tail swishing
• Holding breath
• Licking & chewing
• Changes in muscle tone

These aren't “bad behaviors.”
They're information.

Stress responses tell you when to:
✔️ Adjust pressure
✔️ Slow your pace
✔️ Change technique
✔️ Give the nervous system time
Listening to these signals is what turns a routine session into an effective one.

Skilled bodywork isn't about pushing through these stress responses—it’s about recognizing them and responding appropriately.

This is why understanding stress responses and calming signals is a critical part of equine bodywork education. Technique matters, but timing, pressure, and awareness matter just as much.

When you learn to work with the horse’s nervous system—not against it—you create sessions that are safer, more effective, and more respectful of the horse.

11/01/2026

The Equine Massage and Bodywork Reference Guide is a beginner-friendly eBook created for horse owners who want to understand their horse’s body and provide safe, effective care between professional appointments.

Inside, you'll learn:
✔️ Key anatomy and massage concepts
✔️ Simple palpation and assessment techniques
✔️ 10 safe, effective massage strokes
✔️ When to massage—and when not to
✔️ Safety tips and when to involve your care team

Written by a certified equine bodyworker and educator, this guide is easy to follow, professionally designed, and meant to give you confidence—not overwhelm you.
Get your Equine Massage and Bodywork Reference Guide today on our website:
www.equine-kneads.com/resources