Knots & Kneads Equine Therapies

03/11/2026

Maryland clients! I will be in town next week-
the 16th-20th let me know if you need any of my services while I’m in town 👐🏼
Offering:
~Massage 💆🏼‍♀️
~Clipping ✂️
~lessons/traing rides 🏇🏼

Looking forward to seeing everyone next week 💕

02/03/2026

Does your horse have tension in their lower back?

This lumbar region (where the back of your saddle sits) is a problem area I see ALL the time, not just in working horses, but across the board.

The psoas muscle and those three long back muscles-- spinals dorsi, longissimus, and iliocostal muscles. These are known as the erector spinae group, which means they support the bones of the spine and keep it in place, or 'erect'.

this is an area that often develop knots and tension.

✨ Here's what YOU can do after you ride:

Use a curry comb or your hands in circular motions
Create gentle friction to loosen the area
Follow up with long strokes down the back to encourage muscle fibers to lengthen
Make sure you do this AFTER your rides when your horse is warm

Pro tip: Stop at the last rib- between the last rib and the hip is a VERY sensitive area with vital organs!

When we think about knots, think about those muscle fibers tightening up.

We want to encourage them to loosen and lengthen.

Try this simple technique and let me know what your horse thought in the comments!


Like

Comment

Share

01/31/2026

Did you know horses DON'T have a collarbone? 🤯

That means their entire shoulder is only attached to their body via MUSCLE!

This massive bone carries most of their weight in the front limb, making it a huge point of tension.

I like to think of the withers as "Grand Central Station" - so many muscles meet here, and contribute to tension in the thoracic sling.

✨ Easy at-home technique:

Use a curry or your hand up and down the shoulder
Go all the way up and over to the other side
Use your fingertips to release the fascia down to the girth area
OR simply place your hands on the muscle groups and hold for 30 seconds

That's how long it takes for a muscle to relax! Look for soft eyes like Secret is showing here.

Let me know if your horse loved it in the comments!

01/28/2026

Your horse's pecs need love too! 💪

The pectoral muscles run from the chest under and through the front legs.

They're soft and pliable, which means they don't actually take much work to loosen

✨ Simple technique:

Take the palm of your hand with fingers together
Apply small pressure and hold for about 30 seconds
Follow the girth line down between the front legs
Be cautious - you're under your horse! (You can also do this standing)

🔍 Watch for these relaxation signs:

Licking and chewing
Soft eyes
Big yawns
Sighs and slow breathing

This is ESPECIALLY great for horses in heavy riding work or anyone wearing a girth/saddle regularly.

Secret is clearly loving this! 😌

01/24/2026

Let's talk about your horse's b***y! 🍑

The hamstrings start about a hand above the tail and run all the way down to the top of the leg. This is a REALLY long muscle, so we want to encourage it to stay long!

✨ Two techniques you can try:

Run your hand or curry ALL THE WAY up and down (not just one small area!)

After warming up, cup your hand and pull from the top of the tail toward you for about 30 seconds

If the hamstrings are tight, you might see this area protrude a bit - that's okay!

Remember: knots = fibers getting tighter and closer together. We want to encourage them to stretch out with those long strokes! 📏

🔍 Look for relaxation signs:

Swaying back and forth
Licking and chewing
Soft eyes
Heavy breathing
Yawning (if you're lucky!)

Try this at home and help your horse stay extra relaxed! ✨

01/22/2026

My client got me talking about something fascinating I've learned from being both a trainer AND a massage therapist... 🧠

Horses release tension differently - just like they perform differently under saddle:
🐴 Some horses yawn immediately when I touch them
🐴 Some release in their favorite spots during massage
🐴 Some hold everything in until the VERY END and then let it all go

Sound familiar? The horses that hold tension during massage and release at the end are often the ones that are resistant under saddle... until you flip a switch and suddenly they're relaxed and listening! 💡

Here's my theory: It could be a comfort thing in their body. They might need extra time to warm those muscles up and feel comfortable moving - just like WE need more warm-up first thing in the morning versus after moving all day!

Some horses are their best at the beginning of a ride, others need time to loosen up.

The lesson? Horses aren't machines. They're not all going to act the same, and from a training perspective, it's important not to expect them to. 🙏

Meeting each horse where they are - physically AND mentally - makes all the difference.

01/21/2026

Why massage actually works:

The medical industry knows it's better to prevent injury than making corrections after the fact.

But hey, we all live and learn.

Horses though?

They're not as careful.

Sometimes it's better if we're careful for them.

Booking a massage can help prevent injury to solve problems before they ever arise.

Booking link in bio :)

01/16/2026

01/16/2026

Lucky to help our equine partners find relief in their bodies and minds

01/10/2026

Knots & Kneads is currently running a promotion for new clients in the Blacksburg area— $30 off your first massage session and an additional $10 off the first follow up session if you book them together.

Initial session includes: a full assessment of your horse’s movement pattern, points of tension and a full body massage.

In need of training or coaching? Knots & Kneads also offers training/riding packages that include discounted massages. I specialize in eventing, particularly thoroughbreds and green horses.

Learn more about my services by visiting Knots & Kneads Equine Therapies FB page, visit my website at https://www.knotsandkneadsequine.com
Or connect with me directly for questions, scheduling, or consultation.
📞 Call or text: (541) 760-5288
💬 Message me anytime — I’d love to discuss how I can help your horse feel and perform their best

12/31/2025

Maryland folks! I will be back in the area January 12th-16th to massage, teach, ride and clip. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you and your 4 legged friends.

Happy New Year and birthdays to all my thoroughbred friends out there 🥳

12/20/2025

You'll be amazed at how much your ride can improve when both you and your equine partner are working with supple buns 😂

Seriously though, this is a very overworked muscle group on people AND horses.

For yourself: Try pigeon pose, standing figure 4's, lying down knees to chest, etc...

Butt puns welcome.