Equine Sports Massage Therapy

01/26/2026

01/20/2026

01/11/2026

Did you know? Horses have super-hearing powers!

Their sense of hearing is far more developed than ours, picking up high-pitched sounds beyond our range. Those large, mobile ears aren’t just for show – they work like antennae, independently moving to catch sounds and even express emotion!

Here's what your horse's ears are telling you:
👂🏻 One ear towards you while riding? They're concentrating on you.
👂🏻 Ears pricked forward? They're alert and attentive.
👂🏻 Ears relaxed and flopping sideways? They're calm and content.
👂🏻 Ears pinned flat back? Watch out – that signals aggression.

Next time you're with your horse, watch their ears closely – they reveal a lot about how they're feeling!

01/07/2026

🧐🐎 When your horse’s neck feels “tight”, what might be going on?

Neck tension is something we commonly feel during palpation, and one muscle that is often involved is the splenius. This muscle runs along the top of the neck and lifts, stabilises and laterally flexes the head and neck.

When the splenius becomes overactive or restricted, you will notice things such as ⬇️

❌ Reduced ability to bend or flex through the neck
❌ Resistance to contact or turning
❌ General stiffness, particularly in one direction

Tension here can develop due to posture, workload, compensation patterns, or even how the horse carries itself day to day. Addressing neck tension is not just about the neck itself, it’s about understanding how the whole body is working together.

This diagram highlights the splenius to help visualise where this tension is often felt and why it matters from a functional and performance perspective. I will post a video on next post of me treating 📹
Enjoy ☺️

Career in Professional Equine Massage for 2026, just visit 🎓 www.woldsequinemassage.co.uk
L4 Equivalent Diploma
For an informal chat 💬 just call Olivia on 07583411990

01/06/2026

FOALING SEASON IS UPON US! Do you have any mares due soon? Here's what to expect when you're expecting (a foal): 🐴

If your mare has made it through 11 months of pregnancy, you're almost there. Labor and delivery, while momentous, are generally uncomplicated. However, being a prepared and informed owner will help you keep your anxiety in check so you can assist the new mother and foal get off to a great start.

Here are some things you can do to prepare for the arrival of the foal:

• Consult with your veterinarian well in advance of the birth. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours and ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available.

• Clean and disinfect the stall as thoroughly as possible. Provide adequate bedding.

• Wash the mare's udder, v***a and hindquarters with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.

• Wrap the mare's tail with a clean wrap when you observe the first stage of labor. Be sure that the wrap is not applied too tightly or left on too long, as it can cut off circulation and permanently damage the tail.

• Time each stage of labor to help you keep accurate track of the mare's progress. Take written notes! When you're worried or anxious, your perception of time can become distorted.

As always, these are general guidelines, and you should contact your veterinarian for more information specific to your situation. Good luck!

12/23/2025

Backing up is a low-impact exercise with no moment of suspension. It can be done in-hand and ridden. You horse should move his limbs in diagonal pairs.

Executed correctly with relaxation, impulsion and with the head lowered, the movement increases the throacic vertebral rotation, encourages core recruitment of the abdominals , thoracic sling and hip flexors. It also contributes to back mobility, the ability to collect and good posture.

This exercise requires your horse to carry more weight on his hindquarters, and maintain increased hindlimb, lumbosacral and back joint flexion throughout the stride cycle.

For maximum benefit ask your horse to back up in-hand daily. Start with 1 or 2 steps and progress to 20 steps. The aim is good quality, long, marching steps.

12/20/2025

Did you know.....The Tongue 👅 is the most sensitive part of your horse's mouth and the most prone to injury.

This very large muscle extends from its tip, which you can see, to the hyoid apparatus and its attachment to the ramus of the mandible at the back.

The tongue is vital for swallowing and influencing the hyoid apparatus

Like any other muscle, restriction or tension within it can induce a muscular chain reaction.

The sensitivity of the tongue is a crucial consideration when fitting a bit. An ill-fitting or harsh bit or excessive pressure on the bit from your hands can cause pain and discomfort. In some cases it can result in tension throughout the body and poor performance.

Like and follow our page for lots more tips, exercises and advice on equine anatomy and biomechanics.