Iron Chariot Equine Bodywork

08/19/2025

What does a healthy TMJ look like? Smoothly moving through a wide range of motion. When the TMJ has fluid function, we see even movement in the wells above the eyes and movement in the bones behind the eyes. And if you're feeling especially curious about your horse's TMJ health, get in there and sniff their breath. It should smell like fresh hay, not stale saliva and food.

07/22/2025

why trace the bladder meridian? Its huge versatility makes it effective for nearly every horse. Bringing awareness and connection to this pathway relaxes and focuses your horse on what's happening in their body, and what you are doing. Perfect way to start your time with your horse!

A little more on the science: 🤓☝️
Collagen within fascia forms triple-helix structures known as tropocollagen nanotubules—microscopic tubing that connects fascia to nearly every part of the body, even down to individual cells! Gerald Po***ck out of University of Washington demonstrated how the collagen network acts virtually as a water battery when Infra-red light is present. when collagen tubules were monitored in the presence of infra-red light and water, the surrounding water became what Po***ck referred to as "exclusion zone water". Also known as viscous water/cell-bound water/crystalline water; what's been known as the fourth phase of water for roughly a century. When water is in this phase it creates a divide between a negatively charged zone within and a positively charged zone directly outside. this charged fourth phase water formed on the outside and within the collagen tubules. And now we have an electrical flow of energy that innervates the entire body that can be manipulated through deformation of the fascia as happens in acupressure and acupuncture. So! Is this for sure what the Chinese and many other cultures have been utilizing for thousands of years? Maybe! It's certainly a fascinating and compelling piece of the puzzle. Thank you to Catherine Clinton who shared all this incredible information in a way an average jo like me could understand, and to Clara Cohen for facilitating! if you want to learn more, here's a link to Catherine's full interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz9_ZyqRk-4

07/11/2025

Today finishes up another crazy week in Georgia!🧡 thank you to everyone who helped make it happen. Thanks to the mad director skills of Gwen Scott Ruttencutter, there is a short series on the way demonstrating some simple techniques for you to try on your horses! So keep your eyes peeled😶 See you soon Ohio!

06/18/2025

Getting this boy ready for the Perry County fair! Look at how the TMJ was stuck and visibly jutting out on his left side, as well as the lopsided nostrils. Afterward we have a much more fluid and even face structure. Between the two pictures, you can also see the decompression of the sinuses on either side of the bridge of his nose. I have the best job ever❤️
Here's a reminder, I'll be down in GA the week before the fair so don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like your horse worked on!

06/08/2025

Hey Georgia! July 7th through the 11th I will be in Valdosta and the surounding area working on horses. Shoot me a message to get on the schedule!

05/30/2025

The past few weeks I have seen a lot of nasty tick bites so here's our reminder to be checking out horses! Especially manes and tails were it's easy to hide.
A heavy bacteria load coming from tick bites often hardens surrounding muscles, creates swelling or edema, and then can even develop into symptoms of Lyme's disease like lethargy, weight loss, and nervous system sensitivity. Happy grooming!

UnFun fact; the bacteria responsible for lyme's is able to go into camouflage mode by changing the proteins of its outer layer, making it harder for the immune system to recognize and attack.

05/16/2025

We made it through our first day of youth show! Its been so much fun seeing everybodies hard work pay off in the show ring, as well as getting to give the horses a little boost to be their best.❤️ See yall in the barn tomorrow!

04/22/2025

"Stretching doesn't exist."... What!? Why do some teachers of biomechanics and bodywork say this? To elaborate, within the world of the nervous system, there is no existing primary signal for the brain to say it should stretch a muscle. During passive stretching, we elongate muscle fibers manually with slow, gently increasing tension. This is great for limbering up your Buddy before or after a ride but because we aren't including nervous system function, passive stretching doesn't last long-term. because to the nervous system, it never happened. Active stretching contracts the agonist muscle of a joint action which then allows the central nervous system to instruct the antagonist muscles to relax! Nervous System, meet Stretching. Stretching, meet Nervous System. Now with correct practice, the nervous system can remember and build lasting flexibility! Carrot stretches employ active stretching. Together, passive and active stretching is a big part of enhancing our horses' performance with bodywork. If your horse needs some help, let me know!

04/02/2025

Gelding owners! Every one of our goofy geldings have been through a harrowing surgical operation. Reactivity or tightness in the flank/sheath area is often the long-term effects of the surgical scar they'll carry their whole life. Softening and releasing those scars creates greater range of motion, balance of movement, and comfort. Reach out if your buddy needs help with this!

03/26/2025

If you overlaid a map of all a horse's acupoints on top of a map of all the nerve pathways and blood vessels, you'd find that they correlate very well. Acupressure lets us directly interact not only with the super-computer controlling all bodily function, but also the transportation system for the whole body's growth, healing, and development!
At the tip of the ear is the acupoint Er Jian. It reduces anxiety, relieves inflammation, boosts eye health, and aids balance. It's an extra point, meaning it's a stand-alone, not belonging on a meridian. Slide you hand up the ear until you get to the tip. Press slowly between your fingers for about 5 seconds. 👍
always watch your horse's reactions

03/19/2025

Look closely. Even though the Iliopsoas is deep behind the ribs and hip, we can still help it release tension through targeted stretching. Here is the Longissimus Dorsi spasming as the iliopsoas gets it's act together. With a loose and healthy iliopsoas, this horse will flex and move with greater fluidity, collect properly, and propel with maximum strength and efficiency. On the other side of the coin, iliopsoas stores extra mental/emotional stress. Getting it to a relaxed state releases that tension and makes for a more emotionally balanced horse too! Bodywork is so cool!
than massage

03/17/2025

that's what it's all about, after all🌱💜

“𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞.”1 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒔 3:12