The Missing Piece

10/27/2025

Almost every time I go see a horse, I recommend the use of foam/Surefoot pads for a number of reasons. Most horses are often lacking in balance and self proprioception, leading to secondary issues such as hoof issues, compensated gait patterns, tension and tightness. On the other hand, I really love using the foam pads to help with body awareness, relaxation and suppling the soft tissue as well.

I always introduce the pads very slowly, paying extreme attention to how the horse is responding. By changing the platform the horse is standing on, it often starts to activate the balance portion of their brain, forcing them to sway and try to find the center of balance. At the same time, this is creating muscle activation that the horse may not be doing themselves because they are so used to traveling in a compensated, unbalanced way. For some horses this can be extremely difficult and tiring!

Although I like using the balance pads to make the horse self aware of their center of balance, the pads come in all different shapes, sizes, and densities to help with the following:

👣extension of contracted soft tissue
👣activating muscles that were “sleeping” that the horse now has to use to hold themselves on different footing
👣looking at the imprints to see how a horse weights each hoof when they are standing
👣allowing horses that may be sore, especially in their feet, to find comfort on a soft standing zone
👣increasing circulation within the lower limbs & hooves

Although one of my favorite tools, I cannot stress the importance of checking with your horse’s medical team BEFORE introducing these pads. They can be so helpful in so many ways, but can be equally as harmful on your horse’s body if not introduced correctly or if used with certain conditions such as luxating joints or soft tissue injuries.

If you’re ready to give these pads a try and you have been given the all clear by your vet, let’s talk!💗

10/24/2025

What your horse is really trying to tell you is: they need bodywork! They aren’t being bad, unsound, grouchy or reluctant, simply, they just don’t feel comfortable in their body and could use some help! Don’t worry, I got you!

What is your horse’s red flag that always tells you their body needs a little extra help?!⬇️🚩

10/22/2025

Don’t get me wrong, I think any time is a good time for bodywork, but if I had to pick, I would say fall is a pretty ideal time to get your horse on a new bodywork regimen!

What time of year or season do you think your horse benefits from bodywork the most? Share in the comments!⬇️

10/20/2025

Some how this year has flown right by and we are already talking November & December!

Appointments remaining in November are limited so you’ll want to join in while you can! December books are also open!

Monthly I visit the following areas, but am always happy to add somewhere new to the list!:
🚗Cape Cod
🚗Dighton/Rehoboth/Freetown & surrounding
🚗South Shore (Hanover, Scituate, Pembroke etc)
🚗Middleboro & surrounding

Now is the best time to join in before your horse gets sore & cold with the weather, so let’s chat!💗

10/19/2025

Being loud is not the way to our horse’s brain, emotions or talent

10/17/2025

I know this will be shocking to most, but honestly- I’m still struggling.

I love every part of my job, the humans, the horses, all the things. I love that it has kept me involved in the industry and not let me quit even on the days when I think it makes the most sense to clean out the stall & lock the door one last time.

So I know, what more could I struggle with, right?! The reality is- even though I love all of my clients and I’m so fortunate to have friends who share their horses with me and let me treat them as my own, I am struggling to let me guard down.

When I lost Tommy, I lost a huge part of my life. So big so, that I actually didn’t realize how big until after the fact. I miss him, so much, and so many people keep asking me about my next horse or telling me “when the time is right one will show up for you” and maybe.. they are right, but at this point, I just don’t know if I can ever see it happening. Some days I’m all for it and other days, I just wish Tommy was here.

The whole moral of my story is- I haven’t quite figured out how to fully let go of what happened and “move on.” As much as I love everyone else’s horses and enjoy my time with them, it just isn’t the same and I find myself not letting the horses in to my emotional space. It isn’t their fault by any means. I think it is all part of healing process.

If you have ever or do ever feel this way, just know you aren’t alone, but I’ll know we’ll all figure it out💗

10/15/2025

Honestly, it’s true.

I can’t even count the number of times I have been asked to see a horse because their owner/rider has decided the horse is saying they are in pain. This is commendable, don’t get me wrong, I just wish I got to see horses before they got to be injured so we never let them get to the injury part of our relationship😭

Bodywork does matter! Bodywork does help your horse stay comfortable in their body! Bodywork does prevent injury and soreness within your horse’s body!

10/13/2025

Asking for a friend…

It’s me, I’m that friend… In all seriousness, though, why don’t we give our bodyworkers and other professionals the same respect we give our farriers?

No hate on farriers or trimmers, I love many of them so dearly and have great friends who fill that role. I just wish more professionals got the same booking respect as they did, that is all!

10/10/2025

I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but horses that develop ulcers, develop ulcers as a secondary issue to some other stressor in their life that is trigger them internally, not allowing them to be able to resort back to a calm state.

Massage CAN help! It sounds kind of silly, I know, but when we look at all of the benefits of massage and body work, it is very easy to see what one session can do for the horse at a deeper level than just addressing soft tissue problems.

Now, we both know your horse deserves a massage to help them unwind and prepare to brace against these colder temps, so what are you waiting for?!😉❄️

10/08/2025

When most sign their horse up for a massage or bodywork, it is inevitable to assume you are helping your horse’s body, particularly soft tissue. The reality is, though, that massage helps so much more than just soft tissue or muscles…

Massage helps:
❤️‍🩹Digestive Health: horses that are stressed, sore or lacking confidence within their body are often going to develop ulcers and gut issues, but massage can help relieve the stress & discomfort, allowing the horse to live more comfortably and avoid things like ulcers
❤️‍🩹Circulation & Lymphatic Flow: circulation and lymph flow issues can show as stocking up, being stiff, tense muscles, trouble healing, lack of energy etc and massage is able to help release the tension being placed on the soft tissue, encouraging the blood and lymph flow to resume, which helps restore the body’s function
❤️‍🩹Respiratory Function: if a horse is feeling tight within their body, or even sore, they are likely holding themselves in the fight or flight mode, rather than allowing themselves to submit, as a result, all of their bodily functions are going to be under higher stress, leading to burnout and then injury. This can include breathing heavier and increased heart rate. Massage allows the body to enter the door of submission and remove it self from the high demand of fight or flight, once again restoring the body’s functions back to normal rates.

Starting to think it’s time for your horse to get a massage? Let’s set one up today and get their whole mind and body in a better place before winter!❄️

10/07/2025

I am a big fan of carrot stretches, that are done correctly that is😉 if you need help or want any guidance, as always, I am happy to help you!🤍

🥕✨Carrot Stretches: Helpful or Harmful?

Carrot stretches, or “dynamic mobilization exercises,” are one of the most common homework assignments given to horse owners to improve flexibility and core strength.

On paper, they sound like a simple, harmless way to help your horse’s back, posture, and suppleness.

But I rarely recommend carrot stretches as independent homework. And here’s why ⬇️

👉 Horses often compensate instead of moving correctly.
When lured with food, many horses twist their necks, shift weight unevenly, or brace instead of engaging the right muscles. That means instead of strengthening their core and improving mobility, they may actually reinforce the very movement patterns we're trying to change.

(it often looks something like the horse in the photo, can you count the compensations?)

👉 Food as a lure creates frustration.
There’s an important difference between using food as a reinforcer in positive reinforcement training versus using food as a lure in a stretch. In training, the treat comes after the horse offers the correct behavior, rewarding calm participation and choice. In carrot stretches, the treat is dangled in front of them like a prize to chase. This often makes horses rush, grab, or get fixated on the food rather than how they’re moving their bodies. The result? Frustration, mugging, and sometimes even anxiety around stretching.

👉 Stretches aren’t always functional.
Static stretches (like chin-to-hip) don’t always translate into better posture, movement, or performance. What really helps horses build strength and suppleness is functional movement: things like bending correctly on circles, transitions, pole or obstacle work, and in-hand lateral work. These exercises ask the horse to use its body in ways that improve balance, core stability, and coordination in motion.

💡 Instead of carrot stretches, I often recommend teaching nose-to-target exercises with a target stick. This way, the horse learns to calmly and thoughtfully follow a target (rewarded afterwards with food), without the frantic “must grab carrot” energy. It’s slower, more precise, and keeps the focus on correct movement rather than chasing a treat.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just flexibility... it’s functional, correct, and confident movement. And that comes from exercises that engage the whole body, not just the neck.

✨ If you’ve tried carrot stretches with your horse, what’s your experience been? Helpful, or more trouble than they’re worth?