Project Pegasus Equine Massage Therapy & Bodywork

12/16/2025

Massage Therapy can down- regulate and up regulate muscle and fascial tone

The Nervous System Controls Muscle Tone — Not the Muscle Itself

Muscles don’t decide how tight or loose they are.
The brain and spinal cord constantly adjust tension based on incoming sensory information from:
• skin
• fascia
• muscle spindles
• Golgi tendon organs
• joint receptors

Massage and myofascial work change the information coming INTO the nervous system, so the brain changes the commands it sends OUT.

This is how you alter muscle tone.

HOW MASSAGE DOWN-REGULATES (RELAXES) MUSCLES

1. Activating slow, sustained mechanoreceptors

Slow compression, melting pressure, and long fascial holds activate:
• Ruffini endings (respond to stretch + sustained pressure)
• Golgi tendon organs (sense load and reduce contraction)

These receptors inhibit the sympathetic system and drop muscle tone.

2. Reducing protective guarding

When an area feels unsafe or unstable, the nervous system tightens muscles to protect it.
When you use slow, predictable touch, the body interprets this as safety → guarding drops.

3. Improving proprioceptive clarity

If the body has a “blurred map” of an area, it tightens muscles to stabilize it.
Touch improves sensory clarity → unnecessary tension melts.

4. Regulating breathing and vagal tone

Slow, rhythmic touch naturally shifts the horse (or human) into parasympathetic dominance, softening global tone.

HOW MASSAGE UP-REGULATES (ACTIVATES) MUSCLES

1. Using quicker, lighter, stimulating input

Techniques like:
• brisk strokes
• tapotement
• skin drag
• light vibration
• rapid fascial stretch

activate Pacinian corpuscles and muscle spindles, increasing tone and readiness.

2. Increasing proprioceptive awareness

If a muscle isn’t “online,” it often has poor sensory input.
Stimulation wakes up the neuromuscular connection, so the brain recruits it better.

3. Restoring reciprocal inhibition

Tight agonists shut down their antagonists.
If you release an overactive muscle, the underactive muscle naturally activates more easily.

Example:
Release the overworking brachiocephalicus → the thoracic sling activates more efficiently.

4. Improving movement organization

When fascial layers glide better, the nervous system allows more range and activation.

The Key Takeaway

Massage does not strengthen or weaken muscle fibers directly.

Massage changes what the nervous system allows the muscle to do.

You’re not altering the tissue —
✨ you are altering the sensory input so the brain changes motor output.

This is why massage therapists, bodyworkers, and skilled handlers can:
• switch off global tension
• “wake up” weak chains
• balance diagonal patterns
• restore proper neuromuscular sequencing

…and why the effects can be immediate and profound.

https://koperequine.com/25-of-the-most-important-and-interesting-properties-of-equine-muscle/

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from my herd to yours!

11/27/2025

New Horses Owners we were all there at one time yet often people judge rather than offer a helping hand
We all get things wrong, worry about not knowing, and often when we have been on a journey of learning we forget to give grace to those who are travelling the same path at a different time.

We often forget that there is always a whole new world that is opening to someone owning a horse for the first time, knowledge we take for granted is often new for someone else

I do not know about you but I can remember learning bandaging a tail for the first time and even struggling to wrap it up the correct way so the next time we used it, it unrolled correctly, I also learned at a time when we were still using needle and thread to put plaits in and elastic bands were frowned upon

And yes there are new things now but still having a basic knowledge of how to do things when all is calm is often knowledge that is remembered when an emergency hits, learning to apply a poultice to a foot is much easier when a horse is not in pain than trying to learn when a horse is reluctant to give you his foot due to a painful abscess

Learning the normal temperature, respiration and pulse of the horse is crucial as often you might have to check the temp if it is late at night and your vet may want to know as they cannot be there due to another emergency, but how many people may take temp without knowing to hold tight due to the action of a sphincter muscle or to place the probe slightly off centre as not to take the temp of faeces' rather than the body, or taking the pulse and knowing you can compress the artery against a bone to feel the beat and that will guide you as to where you can take it and a simple thing like do not place your thumb on the area or else you are feeling your own pulse and yes I know it may sound mudane to a more experienced person but we have all had to be corrected at some point

What brushes are used where and how, we all have raised our eyebrows at someone using a curry comb on the horses face yet who comes across and helps the new owner and show them their horse wincing at every stroke, we only know what we know and often new owners feel stupid or have worries about who do they ask but we all have been there at some point

Having the basic understanding of how tack fits is crucial for your horse's well-being, we often spend thousands on a saddle without considering how important girth and bridle fit is,

Having basic first aid knowledge for your horse is often the catalyst in how you react in an emergency or even to know whether it’s a vet call or can you handle it, I think there is not one horse owner that has seen their horse having choke and ringing the vet in a panic having a meltdown despite the vet reassuring you and only to find the horse is fine by the time the vet comes

Feed according to work, weight, age, etc

Behaviour and how to be safe in a situation where you once calm horse may be behaving out of character, complacency often leads to owner injury, so simple things like tying your horse up while applying a poultice may save you from getting knocked over if the horse moves, or having a competent handler who is aware of both you and your horses safety

Listen I am the most calm person you will meet if you and your horse needs help but as my vet will tell you I am an absolute neurotic mess when dealing with my own, apparently I thought I was talking to him normal but his version was probably a gibbering wreck on the end of the phone, so we all have those moments that is completely normal

The biggest issue is why people do not ask questions is because of fear of looking stupid or being judged but we were all there once and we are still there in the now, often when I do webinars I ask does anyone have a question and a wall of silence is reciprocated and I know people have questions because I always do but often hold back in case I get It wrong but no question is a stupid question and I love it when someone asks something and often if I don’t know it sends me on that learning curve

So, if you have a question ask it, go and do a first aid course so you learn in a calm environment to help you in a crisis moment remain calm and in control, know your horses normal and trust your gut and do not be dissuaded from what you feel

Learning the basics is not dumbing down its that first step into a whole new world

Learning should be just as enjoyable as achieving the goal, and those who are teaching must always remember they were once a student xx

And yes i wrote 7 bines Instead of 7 bones but just goes to show we all make mistakes 🤣

11/27/2025

Today is a day dedicated to giving thanks for all we have and to all those who are in our lives. I am beyond blessed and grateful for everyone who has allowed me to make it to where I am today. I am grateful for the life I get to lead.

Thank you to all of my incredible clients who trust me with their precious animals.

Thank you to my friends and family for supporting me chasing this dream.

A BIG “Thank You” to each and every horse and animal who has touched my heart and taught me so much; to all those I am blessed to work with.

And the BIGGEST “Thank You” to God for blessing me with so many incredible people and animals in my life and for working through me to touch the lives of those around me.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of you. Big things are ahead; more learning, more growth, more opportunities! But today, I stop to appreciate all the things that I have been blessed with now.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!! 🍁🦃🥧

(Photo credit: Image Photography)

11/19/2025

EHV-1 has everyone in the horse world on high alert right now, and understanding the facts can help bring clarity instead of panic.

What many people don’t realize:

EHV-1 spreads through:
• Direct horse-to-horse contact
• Respiratory droplets
• Contaminated surfaces
• Shared water or feed buckets
• Human hands or clothing that touch an infected horse

This is why limiting exposure helps — but eliminating all risk is impossible.

So while deciding what events to attend is important, it’s just as important to remember that every person’s situation, barn setup, and risk tolerance is different.

What we can all do:
• Practice good biosecurity
• Wash hands & change clothes after visiting other barns
• Don’t share buckets, hay bags, or grooming tools
• Monitor temperatures daily
• Stay home if your horse seems “off”
• Respect others’ decisions, even if they differ from yours

At the end of the day, we all love our horses and want to protect them. Fear doesn’t have to turn into division.

Be safe. Be smart. Be kind.
We’re in this together — and prayers for every horse, owner, vet, and barn crew working through this right now. 🤍🙏🐴

11/19/2025

In light of the recent outbreak of EHV-1 I will be implementing more stringent biosecurity protocols between clients and barns to ensure the safety and wellbeing of my clients and their horses.

As far as my knowledge, none of my clients nor their barns have any horses who were at the WPRA nor been around any horse who may have attended and been exposed. However, all precautions will be taken to protect the horses I have the pleasure of working with.

I highly recommend everyone take extra care to disinfect their supplies, their barns, their trailers etc.. and refrain from hauling your horses unless absolutely necessary. EHV-1 is a highly contagious, infectious, and fatal disease and symptoms can show up and become catastrophic within hours.

My prayers go out to all who have been affected by this outbreak. Let’s get our horse communities quarantined and healthy 🙏

Here's what horse owners need to know about the EHV-1/EHM outbreak in Texas including what the disease is and what signs to look for.

11/18/2025

Touch Over Tools: Fascia Knows the Difference

In bodywork, tools can assist — but they cannot replace the intelligence, sensitivity, or neurological impact of human touch.
Hands-on work communicates with the body in ways no device or instrument can.

1. Hands Provide Real-Time Feedback Tools Cannot Match

Your hands sense:
• tissue temperature
• hydration and viscosity
• fascial glide
• subtle resistance
• breath changes
• micro-guarding
• nervous-system shifts

This information shapes your pressure, angle, and pace.
Tools apply pressure — hands interpret and respond.

2. The Nervous System Responds Uniquely to Human Touch

Skin and fascia contain mechanoreceptors that respond strongly to:
• sustained contact
• warmth
• contour
• slow, intentional pressure

Human touch activates pathways that:
• quiet the sympathetic system
• reduce pain signaling
• soften protective muscle tone
• improve movement organization

Tools stimulate tissue.
Hands regulate the nervous system.

3. The Effect of Physical Contact Itself

Physical contact changes physiology — even before technique begins.

Touch triggers:
• lowered cortisol
• increased oxytocin
• improved emotional regulation
• better proprioception
• reduced defensive tension

Horses and dogs — whose social systems rely on grooming, leaning, and affiliative touch — respond especially deeply.
Tools can compress tissue, but they cannot create that neurochemical shift.

4. Hands Follow Structure; Tools Push Through It

Fascia does not run in straight lines — it spirals, blends, suspends, and wraps.

Hands can:
• contour around curves
• follow the subtle direction of ease
• melt into tissue instead of forcing through it

Tools often pull or scrape in a linear path, bypassing the subtleties that create real, lasting change.

5. Tools Can Override the Body’s Natural Limits

Hands feel when:
• tissue meets its natural barrier
• the nervous system hesitates
• a micro-release initiates
• the body shifts direction or depth

Tools can overpower these boundaries, creating irritation, rebound tension, or compensation patterns.
Hands work with the body’s pacing — not against it.

6. Hands Support Whole-Body Integration

Bodywork isn’t about “fixing a spot.”
It’s about improving communication across the entire system.

Hands-on work:
• connects multiple lines at once
• enhances global proprioception
• improves coordination and balance
• supports the body’s natural movement strategies

Tools tend to treat locally.
Hands treat the whole conversation.

7. Physical Touch Builds Trust, Comfort, and Confidence

Comfort creates confidence.
Confidence nurtures optimism and willingness.

Hands-on work:
• reduces defensiveness
• supports emotional safety
• encourages softness
• creates a more receptive body
• builds trust and relationship

Tools cannot build rapport or communicate safety.
Hands do — instantly.

Additional Elements (Optional Enhancements)

A. Co-regulation: Nervous System to Nervous System

Humans, horses, and dogs all co-regulate through touch and proximity.
Your calm hands shift their physiology — and theirs shifts yours.
This shared state enables deeper, safer release.

B. Touch Enhances Sensory Clarity

Touch refines the brain’s map of the body (somatosensory resolution), improving:
• coordination
• balance
• movement efficiency
• reduced bracing

Tools cannot refine the sensory map with the same precision.

C. Hands Integrate Technique and Intuition

The brain blends tactile information with pattern recognition and subtle intuition.
Tools separate you from that information.
Hands plug you into it.

In Short

Hands-on wins because touch is biologically intelligent, neurologically profound, and relationship-building.
Tools press — but hands listen, interpret, regulate, and connect.

When the body feels safe and understood, it reorganizes more deeply, moves more freely, and heals more efficiently.

The Energy Connection Between Horse and Human: Science and Sensation - https://koperequine.com/the-energy-connection-between-horse-and-human-science-and-sensation/

11/06/2025

It’s a true privilege to assist in rehabilitations and seeing such incredible transformations in a short amount of time. Savoy still has a ways to go but Kellie with Arete Hoof Care LLC is doing a spectacular job.

11/03/2025

A horse’s hoof isn’t a block of wood to carve - it’s a living structure full of sensory feedback, circulation, and adaptability.

Underrun heels are one of the most common hoof distortions in domestic horses, and one of the most misunderstood.
They can impact comfort, soundness, and even boot fit.

In our latest blog post, Equine Podiotherapist Lisa Agius-Gilibert explains how to identify underrun heels, what causes them, and what you can do to help your horse develop stronger, healthier heels. 😎

10/23/2025

Great read, giving good information regarding the necessity to continue to study and learn the effects of training on young horses’ bones.

10/07/2025

Myofascial Network Notes: How Fascial Lines Stabilize, Support, and Transmit Power

The myofascial lines work together to stabilize, support, and transmit power throughout the horse’s body:

Superficial Dorsal Line (SDL): Engages to lengthen the spine and maintain posture along the back.

Deep Dorsal Line (DDL): Provides deep spinal support and segmental stability.

Superficial Ventral Line (SVL): Shortens and lifts the belly to support the torso.

Deep Ventral Line (DVL): Stabilizes internal organs and maintains core integrity.

Lateral Lines: Stabilize the thorax, assist in lifting the belly, and support back engagement.

Functional Lines: Transmit power forward, linking the back to the limbs for coordinated movement.

Spiral Lines: Create controlled asymmetry and torsion, allowing smooth rotational flow throughout the body.

Front Limb Lines:
• Superficial Front Limb Lines: Lift and swing the forelimbs forward, linking into the back and spine for coordinated motion. They contribute to stride length, forelimb protraction, and elasticity in the gait.

• Deep Front Limb Lines: Connect through the pectorals and deeper stabilizing muscles, linking into the ventral line. They support the thoracic sling, stabilize the trunk between the forelimbs, and aid balance and engagement through the underside of the body.

Key Integration:
All four front limb lines—superficial and deep—converge in the thoracic sling, a fascial and muscular network that:
• Supports the horse’s forehand while providing both strength and elasticity
• Absorbs shock from the forelimbs during movement
• Suspends and stabilizes the ribcage and everything inside it between the shoulders
• Links the forelimbs to the spine and core, ensuring coordinated, efficient movement

In essence: The myofascial system functions as a dynamic network of lengthening, lifting, stabilizing, and power-transmitting structures, enabling the horse to move with efficiency, fluidity, and resilience.

When any of these lines are restricted, the effects ripple throughout the body, often without obvious lameness:

• Postural compensation: If the DDL or SDL is tight, the horse may hollow its back or lose suspension in the gait.

• Core instability: Restrictions in the ventral or thoracic sling lines can make the horse “fall on the forehand” or struggle to engage the hindquarters.

• Asymmetry and torsion: Spiral line restrictions can subtly rotate the body, causing uneven weight distribution, uneven hoof wear, and apparent “behavioral” issues.

• Power transmission loss: Functional line tightness or front limb restrictions reduce stride length and elasticity, which can mimic fatigue or lack of training.

Because these dysfunctions don’t always show as pain on palpation or obvious lameness, owners, trainers, and even vets may attribute changes to behavior, saddle fit, or general conditioning—rather than underlying fascial restriction.

08/11/2025

Q🐎 I’ve said it many times — 𝙃𝙊𝙍𝙎𝙀𝙎 𝘿𝙊 𝙂𝙀𝙏 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝘿𝘼𝘾𝙃𝙀𝙎!!

And I’ll keep saying it, because too many still ignore the signs.

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗛 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 🚩
𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗪𝗛𝗬 ⬇️

The general term head shyness refers to a horse that moves its head away when touched in certain areas — especially the ears, poll, face, or upper neck.

Yes, rough handling can create this behaviour. But I’m talking about the horses that give a clear pain response — and we MUST pay attention to the 🚩 red flags 🚩

Let’s break it down with some anatomy — including cranial nerves — and real-life examples:

🔺 If you have to take your bridle apart to get it on — this is NOT normal.
🚩 It’s a pain response! Likely involving the poll, the occipital bone, or surrounding soft tissues like the nuchal ligament and suboccipital muscles.

🔺 Soreness around C1 and the upper neck? 🚩
The atlas (C1) supports the skull and sits in close proximity to the brainstem — where cranial nerves originate. If there’s tension, compression, or trauma in this area, horses can experience headaches, vision changes, coordination issues, and hypersensitivity.

🔺 Ear shyness – Behind the ears lies a complex neural and muscular region. Structures here include:

CN VII (Facial Nerve) – controls facial expression; dysfunction can lead to twitching or hypersensitivity.

CN V (Trigeminal Nerve) – especially its mandibular and ophthalmic branches, which are often involved in facial pain and head-shyness.

CN VIII (Vestibulocochlear Nerve) – important for balance; tension near the inner ear can affect proprioception and make head movement uncomfortable.

🔺 Horse is poor to catch?
Many are not trying to be 'difficult’ — they’re avoiding the discomfort of the halter going on, which may stimulate the trigeminal nerve or cause tension in the TMJ area. 🚩

🔺 Can be brushed on one side but not the other? 🚩
Could be unilateral cranial nerve irritation, often stemming from fascial pulls, past trauma, or misalignment.

🔺 Foaming at the mouth under bit pressure? 🚩
This isn’t always “submission.” Bit pressure can impact:

the mandibular branch of CN V (trigeminal nerve)

the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) — which controls tongue movement

the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) — associated with the throat and swallowing
All of these nerves can be compromised by poor dental balance, bitting, or cranial dysfunction.

Summary

Refusal to touch the ears, poll, or head is NOT just “bad behaviour.”
It’s communication.

Horses with myofascial pain, C1 restrictions, cranial nerve irritation, or TMJ dysfunction will naturally protect themselves — pulling away, raising the head, tensing the jaw, or shutting down altogether.

💡 Signs of stress you may see when touching the head area:

Elevated heart rate or subtle sweating

Holding the head unnaturally high

Tight nostrils or pinched expression

Squinting or avoiding eye contact

Rushing to the back of the stable when a rug is taken from the door almost in a panic

Don’t ignore these changes. Don’t write them off as “just being difficult.”
Think about pull-back injuries, rope accidents, or even long-standing bridle or bit pressure. These can have lasting effects on the cranial nerves, cervical vertebrae, fascia, and overall comfort.

Not to forget the cranial sacral connections, got a a horse with SI joint issues ? Could be related all the way to the skull!

🧠 Pain is real.
🐴 Headaches are real.
🎯 And your horse is telling you — are you listening?

Reposting because it’s THAT important.
Let’s do better for them.