Heather Wallace- Animal Bodywork

Heather Wallace- Animal Bodywork Holistic wellness provider offering massage therapy, cold laser, Craniosacral, and aromatherapy for performance animals and pets.

Saddle Fit Evaluations for Horse & Rider. A holistic wellness practitioner who focuses on connection and partnering WITH the animal for the best benefits. Offering massage therapy, cold laser, thermal imaging, craniosacral therapy, and aromatherapy for pets, performance animals, and livestock throughout Central New Jersey.Let me show you why I make a difference in the lives of your animals. Visit me at animalbodywork.com to learn more.

It's Friday! That means time to answer a Frequently Asked Question. Do you have questions? Ask them below. ...
07/25/2025

It's Friday! That means time to answer a Frequently Asked Question. Do you have questions? Ask them below.

False. Tension is a normal part of life, even for horses that aren't ridden. I know that I personally, carry a lot of te...
07/24/2025

False. Tension is a normal part of life, even for horses that aren't ridden. I know that I personally, carry a lot of tension in my body and rely on my massage therapist and chiropractor to help me remove the imbalances that result. Some animals are more reactive and release tension through explosive behavior, while others are more stoic and internalize the tension.

Regardless, a massage or bodywork session is not a one and done. It is something to be included as part of your wellness program, like the farrier.

Saddle Fit Misconception #1: My Horse Has Big Shoulders and Needs a Wide Saddle It’s all about the angles, baby. Hors...
07/23/2025

Saddle Fit Misconception #1: My Horse Has Big Shoulders and Needs a Wide Saddle

It’s all about the angles, baby.

Horses with big bodies and muscular conformations don’t necessarily require a wide saddle. Case in point there is a Clydesdale locally that is in a limited work program. He is ridden and does not pull carts. More, he is mature, bordering on senior. All these characteristics combine to make for a narrow horse for his body type. Why? Because he’s under muscled.

Don't assume because you have a large breed or they have large shoulders that they need a wide saddle. The shoulder angles and the gullet width are two different measurements and mixing up the two can result in very poorly-fitted tack.

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Want to learn more? Let’s schedule a session to discuss YOUR horse!

A mentor of mine, Jochen Schleese says, “Knowing the why is most important.” Think about it. Your dog has stiffness, but...
07/22/2025

A mentor of mine, Jochen Schleese says, “Knowing the why is most important.” Think about it. Your dog has stiffness, but why? Your horse is suddenly behaving out of character under saddle, but why? Rather than focusing on the results, it is important to focus on the reason behind the physical or behavioral. To do this, we need to keep asking questions of our own. Did the veterinarian refer you- why? What did they notice that could benefit your approach? Do you work with a chiropractor often like I do? Ask why is this muscle group not releasing- could it be a subluxation in the area?

Then next time you’ll know why the area is bracing so much and it might allow you to take a difference approach. Our clients ask us questions all the time and it’s important that we do to. Ask your client for details: when did this occur, how long has it been going on, had anything changed prior to the shift?

It's Friday! That means time to answer a Frequently Asked Question. Do you have questions? Ask them below. ...
07/18/2025

It's Friday! That means time to answer a Frequently Asked Question. Do you have questions? Ask them below.

Red Flags in an Equine Massage Therapist or BodyworkerThis is such an important post. Despite its growing popularity, my...
07/17/2025

Red Flags in an Equine Massage Therapist or Bodyworker

This is such an important post. Despite its growing popularity, my career is not licensed or regulated like chiropractic care or veterinary medicine. What this means is that someone with a one-week course and a certificate can charge people money for their services.

Why is this important? Because we love our animals and want the best for them. If you're like me, then you also have a limited budget you can spend per month. You want to invest in their wellness and long-term health. Someone with one week of training is not going to be able to provide you with what you and your horse need.

Everyone has to start somewhere. I DID start with a one-week course by Equissage. Then, I volunteered at a local therapeutic barn (I'm still there 7 years later), and then did MORE training. A professional in their industry should NEVER be done learning. And I'm not talking about certifications necessarily, but finding a mentor, working with other professionals, learning other techniques and formulating your own, reading books, and using your own horses to practice and improve.

I know word of mouth is important, most of my clients come through that pathway. Talk to the practitioner and ask them questions, use a global directory such as the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork which requires 300 hours of case studies prior to acceptance, and always go with your gut.

If you ask the bodyworker what techniques they use, and they answer "regular massage", then move on.

Did you know that dog parks can be a primary cause of muscle pulls and strains? To stay safe at the park, walk your dog ...
07/16/2025

Did you know that dog parks can be a primary cause of muscle pulls and strains? To stay safe at the park, walk your dog on leash for 10-15 minutes before letting them play with friends, and make sure to cool down also with a light walk before getting in the car.

Muscles need to be warmed up and cooled down, just like in humans. Plus, your pet gets excited and doesn’t know when it’s too much!

What is Cold Laser Therapy? Cold laser therapy is one of my favorite things to use with both horses and dogs. It is refe...
07/15/2025

What is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold laser therapy is one of my favorite things to use with both horses and dogs. It is referred to as cold because it doesn't use heat. Instead, it uses ultraviolet light to pe*****te into the deep muscle tissue and bring healthy blood flow to a targeted area. As a result it:

- warms a targeted area, increasing circulation.
- removes lymph and help drain swelling.
- removes inflammation.
- speeds healing of soft tissue and wounds.
- Prevents soreness and negates the need to "overwork" knots and and difficult adhesions.
- Is gentle and unlikely to cause bracing or sensitivity in animals unlike other modalities.

Cold laser is available as an add-on to any therapeutic massage or performance bodywork session.

It's Friday! That means time to answer a Frequently Asked Question. Do you have questions? Ask them below. ...
07/11/2025

It's Friday! That means time to answer a Frequently Asked Question. Do you have questions? Ask them below.

True. Tension is visible and there is one thing I look at first, before I even watch the horse move...and that is how th...
07/10/2025

True. Tension is visible and there is one thing I look at first, before I even watch the horse move...and that is how they stand. Are their forelegs close together? Is one hoof rotated in or out? Can they stand square? Is the horse relaxed and straight, or fidgety and standing in a c-shape? Horses bodies reveal everything, if we only know where to look.

Want to learn more about recognizing tension in your horse? Click the Video Course link in my bio!

Did you know that most people over-tighten their girth? Most of us have been taught to check the side of the horse, but ...
07/09/2025

Did you know that most people over-tighten their girth? Most of us have been taught to check the side of the horse, but that's not a good indication and in fact, can cause your horse to be limited in their range of motion and weaken their thoracic sling over time.

Instead: check the girth under your horse's sternum, where the breastplate or martingale attaches. If you can't fit a finger in there, it's too snug.

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My Massage Sessions May Look Different Than Expected: The Dog Many of my clients have taken a one-day course to relax an...
07/08/2025

My Massage Sessions May Look Different Than Expected: The Dog

Many of my clients have taken a one-day course to relax and massage their dogs at home, something I think is wonderful. The course may required low lighting, a pet bed and long flowing strokes. Sounds amazing!

I can certainly provide that. When I meet an animal for the first time, I ask what the goals for your pet are. If the goal is relaxation, then I will certainly adjust the atmosphere and my energy accordingly.

BUT...

Yes, there's a but. There's another, more effective way to work with your dog. Because, they aren't humans and don't need the trappings we do to relax. In fact, sometimes asking them to lay down and stay sill can cause more tensing and bracing throughout the body, which is the opposite of my goal.

In my sessions, I encourage your dog to move naturally. Often they will be curious and want to sniff me and walk away. I let them. They always come back. Letting them leave gives them a sense of confidence and allows them to feel like they are not cornered. This is especially important when an animal has severe knots or pain points.

They think it's fun and often even the most shy animal walks out with a wagging tail and a pep in their step.

So when you come in for an appointment, let's talk about your goals. I'll introduce myself to your dog on the ground, and make it so enjoyable they can't wait to come back. Maybe we end up on the massage table after a few sessions, but it's optional, never required. Photo by

Address

Tinton Falls, NJ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 12pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17327847195

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About Our Services

Specializing in the entire musculoskeletal system of your performance athlete or pet through sports massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture as well as aromatherapy for large and small animals.