Bristol Equine Therapy LLC

04/21/2026

It’s wild to think that 12 years ago, I never imagined I’d seriously pursue this or become a bodyworker. This was with my best friend’s horse back then. Funny how something that once felt like a small “maybe” can grow into one of the best decisions you ever make when you finally go for it. I’m so grateful I took that leap of faith. I love helping owners and their horses stay comfortable, happy, and feeling their best.

04/15/2026

Absolutely love her content! Great podcast and video for more information on the iliopsoas.

04/15/2026

Living in the AI age makes it so much harder for horse owners to know who they should trust. Chatgpt makes it so easy for "professionals" to pump out daily content without having to sit down and be present with what they're writing. You just speak an idea into your phone and a polished article emerges.

The problem with this isn't the strategy of multitasking, it's the uncertainty of ability in the real world.

How do you know that professional can produce results that back up the articles AI has written for them?

This is part of the reason many of us are having to take off half of a work week to head to Houston to face the vet board to fight to keep our jobs.

This is what makes people weary of our therapy industry.

I was looking this morning at a continuing education course that I was really interested in taking. Then the more I looked into it, the more I realized all of the posts were written by AI and I'm about 90% sure the whole website is AI created too. Maybe it was done to save time, but I couldn't bring myself to spend the money on it.

I realize if I'm questioning this as a professional then I know it has to be hard to navigate as a horse owner. Let me give you a few tips that might help...

✔️ Ask the professional to create a custom protocol for your horse specifically.

🚫 If they can only produce information that sounds like they memorized their own equipment pamphlet or Chatgpt post... I would question the ability of the professional. If they can't answer your "why" and "how" questions... I'd consider it a 🚩

👉 You'd be amazed at the "professionals" I encounter that can't explain their equipment or techniques... So they dress it up with fancy wording, beautiful photos, or talk in circles about what it does. Can you actually walk the talk your AI post says you can?
These type of people are why we struggle to get the veterinary industry to take us seriously.

✔️ There's no magic potion, supplement, equipment or technique that fixes everything.

🚫 If someone is screaming from the rooftops a piece of equipment is the "cure" for everything... They're a BIG reason the vet board is trying to take our jobs.

👉 Equipment cannot "make the body heal". However it can assist the body in faster or more thorough healing. For me personally, when I encounter "professionals" that are entirely dependent on their equipment that tells me they haven't put enough skills points in themselves and in my experience that is a 🚩

✔️ Ask that professional how they feel about speaking to or working with your regular team of professionals that cares for your horse.

🚫 If they get quiet or shy away from speaking with your vet that might be an indication they don't know how to articulate their findings into words while staying in their scope of practice. Their excuse might be: "vets suck and never believe me anyway." I see a lot of victim mentality when in reality it's a lack of skill.

👉 Other professionals might not find value it what you have to say. I have plenty of vets that disagree with me, but I still provide my findings and evidence with confidence. I know what I see/feel and professional difference of opinion doesn't phase me. Most times I find that it is extremely easy to work with a team of professionals and collaborations create big results. Most times it's all in how you word things and the energy you put out.
When I encounter "professionals" that hate on vets and other professionals constantly, I find those people reek of insecurity and negative energy... That's a big 🚩 for me and I don't want that kind of energy near a horse...

💁‍♀️ There are so many excellent professionals out there that could really help your horse, and I don't want you to judge us all by the extremely flamboyant actions of the 🚩red flags🚩 of the industry. Hopefully these tips help you navigate the posts on social media.

04/09/2026

My newest client Mrs. Toffee enjoying her first inital massage and assessment. Morgan McCoy
Such a sweet little mare. 🥰

03/21/2026

Why is sports massage or any type of bodywork so beneficial during horse shows or times of peak performance for your equine athlete? Heard this question asked recently. It is a good one.

Let’s get into it 😎

Many people think massage is only for fixing problems. But what if we started using it as a preventative tool. Especially when we’re asking the most from our horses?

At shows, it’s not about a full, in-depth session (save that for home). Instead, it’s about prepping and supporting the body in the moment:

✨ Activating and “waking up” muscles before performance
✨ Supporting mobility and freedom of movement
✨ Promoting circulation for optimal function

And just as important—the cool down 👇
After performance, bodywork can:
✔ Reduce muscle tension
✔ Support recovery
✔ Encourage circulation for muscle repair

It all comes back to the fascia.
When fascia stays soft and adaptable, muscles can do their job efficiently, helping your horse perform and recover at their best.

Next time you’re at a show and see an equine bodyworker, go check it out you might find your next competitive edge 💪

03/12/2026

Wonderful read! I see asymmetry in scapulas all the time, including in my own horse. It is so beneficial to check your equipment frequently. Also, look at your horse’s back.

02/22/2026

Enjoy yesterday's session with Mr. Ollie. He is a spunky boy and very opinionated. Lol 💅
Enjoy all the faces that make up one session with this guy. He is a true ham. Sally Morgan Ludke

02/17/2026

One area I have started to noitce is a source of performance issues in horses is rib and sternum pain.

This discomfort can result from ill-fitting equipment, improper use of the body, or direct injury to the ribs. Such as rib rotation or fractures. Referred pain from the back can also radiate into the ribcage, further affecting movement and performance.

Signs of rib pain may include:
• Resistance in lateral work/ or hitching when breathing
• Girthiness during tacking up
• Behavioral issues under saddle
• Difficulty maintaining connection in the bridle
• Inability to properly lift the ribcage and engage correct mechanics for collection

Targeted bodywork can help relieve tension and discomfort, especially when combined with appropriate muscle rehabilitation exercises. Addressing rib dysfunction can make a significant difference in comfort, performance, and overall well-being. 💪

02/09/2026

Let’s talk about “naughty” behavior during bodywork 👀

Ear pinning, pawing, moving around—clients often apologize for it. Please don’t. As a bodyworker, I actually love it.

That’s your horse communicating the only way they know how. Every reaction gives me valuable information and helps guide the session.

We don’t expect them to be quiet or polite. We want feedback. Your horse is telling me what it needs and that’s the whole point!

02/06/2026

01/09/2026

When is it the right time to ask a horse for more?
Conditioning horses can be confusing sometimes because a horse may "appear" to do the job. Meaning the appearance of "proper musculature" , but fails to be able to do the job effectively. Horses are masters at being able to do what we are asking and "appear" as if they are doing it..but not really effectively or correctly. Especially when asked to increase intensity. When it comes to conditioning you have to take into consideration 3 big things:

1.Can they do it at lower impact gaits?
2. Can they hold it effectively for a longer duration at the lower impact gaits?
3. Consider the horse as a individual.

If your answer is no. Then your horse is not ready muscle wise to increase the intensity. Gradual progression is key when conditioning. Intensity and duration as stated before in previous post, are never ask together. You work on one or the other. Ideally duration first then intensity as the horse progresses through training. Also, focusing on lower impact more during training. Helps to keep a horse sound longer to do the higher impact gaits (jumping, galloping, etc)
Example: Horses that jump focusing more on pole/ low grid work and flat. With no more than one maybe two jump schools a week.

Your pony with thank you. Remember to ask youself those big 3. Especially the first 2.

01/04/2026

Just another update on my personal journey with my mare, Winnie.

Back in July, I started questioning her saddle fit due to changes in how she was moving and a noticeable loss of topline. Especially behind the shoulders along with pec and shoulder discomfort.
After having the saddle evaluated, it was confirmed to be ill-fitting. I replaced it with one that fit her correctly. At the same time, we took a step back from riding and focused on rehabbing her topline through purposeful, targeted exercises designed to rebuild her shoulders and overall topline, along with regular bodywork.

This is her five-month progression in muscle development. There’s still more improvement to be made, but we’re absolutely heading in the right direction.

One of the biggest takeaways from this experience is that a saddle cannot be properly fitted to a dysfunctional or compromised back. You must first address muscle health and overall comfort. Doing so saves money in the long run..fewer vet bills, fewer “quick fix” gadgets, and far fewer saddles over the course of a horse’s lifetime.