Jill's Equine Massage

Jill's Equine Massage Certified ESMT
Other modalities I offer include; MicroCurrent, MicroCurrent Massage, Red Light Laser, Cupping, Kinesiology Taping, & Nebulizer. J.E.M.

I proudly work with the best Horses and Owners! I look forward to meeting you and your athlete! Welcome to Jill's Equine Massage! offers Sports Massage, MicroCurrent, MicroCurrent Massage, Cupping, Red Light Laser, Kinesiology Taping, and Nebulizer Treatments!

04/21/2026

🐴Right front lameness case
Diagnosed as mild biaxial deep digital flexor tendinopathy with abaxial dorsal tears at the level of the proximal recess of the navicular bursa.

Meaning that there are small tears in the deep digital flexor tendon right over the navicular area. This tendon is under tension every single step!

❤️‍🩹This isn’t something you just “wait out”

What I’m doing
⚡ Microcurrent to stimulate cellular repair and ATP production
🔴 Laser therapy to reduce inflammation and increase circulation
🖐🏼 Targeted work ABOVE the injury to reduce strain without irritating it

This is why understanding anatomy matters
and why every case gets a plan🙌🏼

These kinds of injuries can improve really well
when they’re treated correctly 🤍

I have .wellness working alongside me on this case to give this mare the best modality combo! If you need PEMF for your horse, I highly recommend Ellie Ebberts she has so many certs and real experience! Ellie and I are working with the owners, veterinarian, and farrier (Cody Adams)!

Message me if your horse is dealing with something similar! 951.847.0603

Muscle Monday 🐴🔥Vastus IntermediusThis deep quadricep muscle plays a big role in stifle extension and hind end power 💪✨ ...
04/20/2026

Muscle Monday 🐴🔥
Vastus Intermedius

This deep quadricep muscle plays a big role in stifle extension and hind end power 💪

✨ Function
• Extends the stifle
• Supports weight bearing
• Drives push from behind

When tight or restricted, you may see:
• Short stride behind
• Lack of engagement
• Stiffness in transitions
• Compensation in the hock or hip

✨ How to stretch it
• Forward hind leg stretch…gently bring the hind leg forward under the belly and hold
• Low baited stretches … encourage nose to chest to help lift and engage the quad group
• Slow controlled backing… activates and lengthens the quadriceps
• Walking uphill… promotes proper engagement and stretch through the stifle

✨ Why it matters
If this muscle can’t lengthen and contract properly, your horse can’t fully use their hind end

And when the hind end isn’t working… everything else pays for it ❤️‍🩹

Muscle Monday 🐴Superficial Digital Flexor 💪Function: supports the lower limb, flexes the leg, absorbs shock, and helps w...
04/14/2026

Muscle Monday 🐴

Superficial Digital Flexor 💪

Function: supports the lower limb, flexes the leg, absorbs shock, and helps with movement and performance

If it tight: short stride, stiffness, soreness, more stress on the tendon ⚠️

How to stretch: gently bring the leg forward, hold soft, no forcing, let them relax ❤️‍🩹

Healthy muscle = better movement + happier horse ✨🐎

💪🏼Muscle Monday: External Intercostals🐴These muscles sit between the ribs and are a BIG part of breathing, rib mobility,...
04/06/2026

💪🏼Muscle Monday: External Intercostals

🐴These muscles sit between the ribs and are a BIG part of breathing, rib mobility, and core stability. If these get tight or sore, your horse can’t expand their ribcage properly, which affects breathing, stride length, and overall performance.

What they do:
• Help with breathing (expand the ribcage)
• Support the core and back
• Help with ribcage movement and flexibility
• Important for collection and stride extension

When they’re tight you might see:
• Short stride
• Girthy behavior
• Shallow breathing
• Poor performance
• Tight back
• Doesn’t want to bend or pick up leads

Good stretches/exercises:
• Carrot stretches (to the girth & barrel)
• Belly lifts
• Rib cage mobilization
• Walking over poles
• Deep, slow lunging work

❤️‍🩹The ribcage is a huge part of the horse’s movement…if the ribs don’t move, the back can’t move.

Wellness Wednesday 🐴❤️‍🩹Just because your horse isn’t lame doesn’t mean they aren’t sore.One of the biggest things I see...
03/25/2026

Wellness Wednesday 🐴

❤️‍🩹Just because your horse isn’t lame doesn’t mean they aren’t sore.
One of the biggest things I see in performance horses is compensation before lameness.

Horses will:
• Shorten their stride
• Travel hollow
• Brace
• Drop their back
• Carry their hip to one side
• Start refusing leads or crossfire
• Become “cinchy”
• Pin ears during saddling, grooming, or merely petting them
• Feel stiff at the beginning of a ride
• Not want to stop or turn one way
🚨PLUS so much more🚨

These can be early warning signs, not always bad behavior.

If we catch things early tight muscles, sore backs, hock discomfort, SI issues, foot soreness, etc we can try to manage it before it turns into major time off.

✨Maintenance is always cheaper than rehab!!!

❤️‍🩹Pay attention to the small changes. Your horse will whisper before they scream. 🐴

J.E.M. does not practice veterinary medicine. I work alongside your vet, chiropractor, farrier, and trainers.

03/24/2026

❤️‍🩹Jill’s Equine Massage & Bodywork does not practice veterinary medicine or diagnose under any circumstances. I work alongside veterinarians, farriers, chiropractors, and other equine professionals as part of a team. This horse had diagnostics performed prior to treatment, and I was given full owner permission to treat and to share this video for educational purposes.🚨

💪🏼Muscle Monday🐴Deep Digital FlexorThe Deep Digital Flexor is a BIG deal in performance horses.This muscle turns into th...
03/24/2026

💪🏼Muscle Monday
🐴Deep Digital Flexor

The Deep Digital Flexor is a BIG deal in performance horses.
This muscle turns into the deep digital flexor tendon that runs down the back of the leg and attaches to the bottom of the coffin bone. Basically… it’s a huge part of movement, shock absorption, and support.

What it does:
• Flexes the coffin joint
• Flexes the pastern
• Flexes the fetlock
• Helps keep the fetlock from dropping too low
• Absorbs concussion when the horse moves
• Helps with propulsion and stopping

When it’s tight you might see:
• Short, choppy stride
• Toe stabbing
• Tripping
• Heel pain / navicular type symptoms
• Doesn’t want to stretch leg forward
• Weird shoe wear
• Tight shoulders or hamstrings (compensation patterns)

❤️‍🩹A lot of “tendon problems” are actually muscle tension problems first.
Muscles get tight, tendon gets overloaded, then we have a problem.

My favorite stretches for tight DDFT is…
• Forward Leg Stretch
• Low Heel Stretch
• Toe Extension Stretch
• Fetlock Extension Stretch
• Backward Leg Stretch
• Shoulder Protraction Stretch
• Full Front Limb Extension Stretch

These stretches help open up the entire flexor chain, not just the tendon.

The DDFT is part of the Superficial Back Line, so sometimes your “leg problem” is actually coming from the shoulder, back, or hamstrings. 😉

Muscle Monday✨🐴SpleniusFunction 💪The splenius runs along the top of the neck and helps lift and extend the head and neck...
02/16/2026

Muscle Monday✨
🐴Splenius

Function 💪
The splenius runs along the top of the neck and helps lift and extend the head and neck.
It also assists with lateral flexion, meaning it helps your horse bend and turn through the poll and neck.
This muscle is heavily involved in collection, headset, and overall carriage.

Importance 🔑
-A healthy splenius supports proper topline development.
-It stabilizes the cervical spine and works with the nuchal ligament to maintain balance.
-In performance horses, it plays a big role in soft flexion, smooth transitions, and relaxed contact.

When It’s Tight 🚨
•Resistance at the poll
•Difficulty bending one direction
•Head tossing or bracing
•Shortened stride in front
•Hollowing through the neck and back
•Compensation into the shoulder and even the TL junction

🚨A tight splenius can make a horse look “stiff” in the bridle when really the restriction is muscular.

How to Stretch 🧘‍♀️
Carrot stretches bringing the nose gently toward the girth area
Encourage long and low work to promote lengthening through the topline
Slow controlled lateral flexion at the poll
Gentle manual stretching by guiding the head down and slightly to the side without forcing

Always stretch within comfort. The goal is release, not resistance.❤️‍🩹

Balance pads before bodywork 🐴✨I use them at different times but I’m finding I like to use them before I ever put my han...
02/15/2026

Balance pads before bodywork 🐴✨

I use them at different times but I’m finding I like to use them before I ever put my hands on a horse for a reason.

🔓They wake up the nervous system, activate the core and thoracic sling, and turn on the deep stabilizers that most horses don’t use enough. When the brain feels the instability and realizes it’s safe, protective tension starts to soften.

❤️‍🩹That means less guarding in the topline, better proprioception, and bodywork that actually sticks instead of just feeling good for a day.

They also show me asymmetries immediately 👀
One hip loading more
One shoulder collapsing
TL junction bracing

Every horse gets a different protocol because every body is different.

Prep the nervous system first. Then do the work🐴

✨Full circle moment….My very first client, Catherine, has stood by me since day one. Through moves, growth, life changes...
02/11/2026

✨Full circle moment….My very first client, Catherine, has stood by me since day one. Through moves, growth, life changes, and both of us leaving SoCal… the loyalty never changed. And now here we are I’ve been back from Texas and Oklahoma for over 3 years, she’s heading back, and the OG horse, Titus she trusted me with all those years ago just came right back into my hands. 🐴

There’s something special about clients who grow with you.
Loyalty comes from integrity
Integrity comes from real knowledge
And consistency is what keeps every relationship strong.

I’ve learned so much in the last 10+ years. I’ve expanded my toolbox, sharpened my skills, and stayed committed to showing up the same way I did on day one… with care, honesty, and the intention to help every horse feel and perform their best.

🩵The right people always stay in your corner. ✨ Catherine Kimball

MUSCLE MONDAY💪🏼Rectus Abdominal 🐴FunctionThe re**us abdominal muscle helps flex the spine, lift the back, support the co...
02/09/2026

MUSCLE MONDAY
💪🏼Rectus Abdominal

🐴Function
The re**us abdominal muscle helps flex the spine, lift the back, support the core, and stabilize the horse during every stride. It’s a huge part of true collection, balance, and body control 🧩

What it does and why it’s important🚨
This muscle works like the horse’s built in weightlifting belt. It protects the back, supports the ribcage, powers stops and turns, and keeps the horse’s body aligned during performance. A strong re**us abdominal means better posture, improved topline engagement, and fewer compensations in the hind end and lumbar areas ⚡️

🚫What happens when it’s tight
When this muscle gets tight or sore, the horse may hollow out, drop the back, resist bending, or struggle to lift through transitions. You might also see short striding, belly sensitivity, or difficulty engaging the core. Tightness here often leads to overuse of the hip flexors and tension through the thoracolumbar junction🐎

❤️‍🩹How to stretch it
• Belly lifts to help the horse activate and lengthen the core
• Slow backing in straight lines
• Carrot stretches toward the girth area
• Encourage long and low in groundwork or under saddle
• Gentle manual stretching and massage along the lower abdomen and ribs
All of these help lengthen, activate, and rebalance this crucial core muscle ✨

To book text 951-847-0603

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Norco, CA

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Tuesday 7am - 3pm
Wednesday 7am - 3pm
Thursday 7am - 3pm
Friday 7:30am - 12:30pm

Telephone

+9518470603

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