Equine Kneads

04/24/2026

On May 9–10, I'll be teaching a hands-on Equine Cupping Clinic in River Falls, WI focused on practical, approachable skills you can use to support your horse’s comfort and movement.

You don't need to be a professional to attend, just a committed horse owner who wants to better understand and care for and support your horse’s body.

Send me a message directly to register and save your spot in the clinic today or head over to:
https://equinekneads-school.teachable.com/l/pdp/equine-cupping-ce

And of course, if you have questions please ask them!

04/22/2026

If you skip this step, many horses will compensate by using the wrong muscles (or the right muscles in the wrong way) to get the job done.

That can lead to:
⚠️ Increased risk of injury
⚠️ Reduced longevity in their sport or work
⚠️ Lower performance and movement efficiency

Think of it like building a foundation for a house: without solid support, everything you build on top is at risk.

04/20/2026

If you're an equine bodyworker, cupping is a modality that can truly elevate your work. It’s not just about adding something new. It’s about expanding your ability to address different presentations, support tissue more effectively, and make better clinical decisions.

In our upcoming Equine Cupping Clinic we're not just learning how to cup, we're diving into how to assess, when to use it, when not to, and how to integrate it into your existing work.

This clinic is hands-on, practical, and built to help you stand out as a more confident, well-rounded practitioner. You'll walk away with continuing education credits, an Equine Cupping Certificate that sets you apart from other bodyworkers, and the skills to apply cupping immediately into your work.

To register and save your spot in the clinic:
https://equinekneads-school.teachable.com/l/pdp/equine-cupping-ce

04/19/2026

Horses are masters at hiding discomfort but small, almost invisible movement changes can reveal a lot.

Here are some things to watch for when you're trying to spot discomfort:

1️⃣ Shorter stride on one side: Your horse looks fine at a quick glance, but one hind leg doesn't reach as far as the other. This could indicate tightness in the hip, stifle, or back.
2️⃣ Slight head tilt or nodding: A subtle dip, raise, or tilt of the head while walking or trotting can mean tension or restriction in the neck or shoulders.
3️⃣ Stiffness in transitions: Hesitation or resistance moving from walk → trot → canter may be a sign the spine or hindquarters aren't moving freely.
4️⃣ Uneven weight shift: One shoulder or hindquarter carrying more weight than the other, visible in standing or during lateral movements, often points to compensation.
5️⃣ Shortened back or hollowing: A tucked or hollowed back while moving can indicate core or long back muscle tightness.

These subtle signs often appear long before pain or lameness shows up but they can be hard to spot. That’s why regular check-ins with a professional bodyworker are so important. A bodyworker is trained to catch restrictions early and help address them before a bigger problem shows up.

04/18/2026

The body is amazing, it adapts and adjusts. Just not always for the better.

That’s why regular work with a professional bodyworker who can help catch things early matters. Their work helps you:
✔ Prevent small restrictions from turning into pain
✔ Support healthy movement and performance
✔ Keep your horse comfortable, balanced, and happy

Don’t wait for visible problems, help your horse move freely before the issues start to obviously show up.

04/17/2026

We are so excited for this one ⬇️

We will be hosting an Equine Cupping Clinic May 9 & 10 at Scenic River Farms for horse owners and equine bodywork professionals. It’s going to be such a fun, hands-on weekend focused on helping you better support your horse or your client's horses.

Whether you're a professional or a horse owner, this clinic is all about giving you practical skills you can actually use.

We'll walk through:
• How cupping supports circulation, mobility, and muscle function
• When it’s helpful (and when it’s not)
• How to apply it safely and confidently

If you've been curious about cupping or looking for a new way to support horse’s comfort and performance, this is a great opportunity to learn in a supportive, small-group setting.

You'll also receive a cupping kit so you can begin practicing immediately and put your new skills to work.

Spots in this clinic are limited and tend to fill quickly, grab yours now or message me with any questions!
https://equinekneads-school.teachable.com/l/pdp/equine-cupping-ce

04/15/2026

A horse that’s engaged in a massage or bodywork session is aware of what’s happening.

You'll notice:
✔ Relaxed, soft muscles that respond to touch
✔ Shifts in weight or posture following pressure
✔ Gentle sighs, lowered head, or soft eye expressions
✔ Subtle adjustments to support balance

But sometimes, horses “check out” either because they're done for the day or because something feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar.

Signs of a checked out horse include:
⚠️ Tension that doesn’t release
⚠️ Pulling away from pressure
⚠️ Stiff posture or short, shallow breaths
⚠️ Fidgeting or distracted behavior
⚠️ Non-participatory, stoic, or uninvolved

True engagement when working with a horse is a dialogue. Those communicates through movement, posture, and tension and the bodyworker listenes to these cues to make sure every session is effective, comfortable, and safe.

04/14/2026

The result? Horses that are healthy, happy, and moving their best—every step of the way.

04/12/2026

Your horse might just surprise you. So next time your horse seems “lazy” or “unmotivated,” take a second look: maybe it’s not attitude, maybe it’s restriction.

04/12/2026

Food for thought. Work towards your goals/dreams/life you want. Don’t work against it!

04/12/2026

A legislative concern regarding the practice of animal massage and acupressure in Texas has recently come to our attention, and your voice matters.

While this is a Texas-based issue, the outcome has the potential to influence regulatory direction nationwide. Changes to language in one state can set a precedent that impacts equine chiropractic, farrier care, massage therapy, PEMF, laser therapy, kinesiology taping, equine dentistry, and other care modalities.

If you reside or practice in Texas, please review the details and submit your comments to the Texas Veterinary Board as soon as possible:
Email: comment@veterinary.texas.gov
Deadline: Monday, April 13

If you are outside of Texas, your support is still essential! Advocacy efforts like this help shape broader recognition and protection of our industry across all states. Taking a few moments to follow the link and see wha you can do contributes to the long-term sustainability and accessibility of these services.

As professionals in this field, it is important that we engage in conversations that affect the future of our work. Many of these modalities require specialized training and experience that supports the overall well-being of the horse.

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and involved. Your participation makes a meaningful difference—not just in Texas, but for the future of equine bodywork nationwide.

URGENT: A legislative concern regarding the practice of animal massage and acupressure in Texas has come to our attention. We are asking for your support through a few simple actions.

TEXAS MEMBERS: If you reside or practice in Texas, please read the link below and respond by submitting your comments to the Texas Veterinary Board immediately.
Send your letters via email to comment@veterinary.texas.gov

DEADLINE FOR COMMENT IS MONDAY, APRIL 13th.

ALL MEMBERS: If you do not live or practice within Texas, you can still help by taking the actions described in the link below. Supporting positive changes in regulatory language in any state helps to set the precedent that NBCAAM wants to support nationwide. We appreciate your support in legislative matters, and your colleagues in Texas will appreciate your support as well.

These are the type of grassroot activities that we hope to encourage in every state that has restrictive language in place or has no current recognition of animal massage or animal acupressure.

We appreciate your help in this matter.

Sincerely,

Lola Michelin LMT, LAMT, SAMT
NBCAAM Legislative Committee Chair

https://d1yei2z3i6k35z.cloudfront.net/4940915/69d99f46991c71.83829156_NbcaamLegislativeActionGuide.pdf?sc=22904527709d08018ca67e8509529a07ec49d5381