Vandlen Equine Massage and Bodywork

12/16/2025

12/15/2025

PSA:

Horses are all very different shaped. If you see tack labeled as “anatomical” make sure it’s suits your horses anatomy. One size does not fit all, and sometimes anatomical tack works in the opposite way than it was intended. If an anatomical girth doesn’t fit your horse perfectly, for example, it will almost certainly cause uneven pressure across their sternum and pectorals.

My suggestion, take pictures from all angles. Especially the weird ones!

12/12/2025

Straight from my book this morning.

The Yamas and the Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Potential by Debora Adele

12/12/2025

Horses number one survival instinct is to keep themselves upright to the horizon. (Jk Inspired Level 1). There are many reasons why horses stand with poor or out of balance posture, but it all comes back to trying to make sure they can stay upright and get away if needed. Using the classic showmanship “set up” we can ask our horses to come into a more neutral posture. Caveat, you want to make sure their cannon bones are perpendicular to the ground, and that they are standing square, not base wide or base narrow. (Yes, I know he’s not perfectly neutral in this video.)

12/11/2025

Op! Filmed this a week ago and now it’s monsooning and 50 degrees. 🤷‍♀️

12/11/2025

A little something to do while the PNW is so wet. This exercise takes momentum out of the equation, and allows the horse to really use their postural muscles separately from their locomotive muscles.

12/10/2025

I’ve decided to try my hand at having a bi-weekly newsletter! I’ve been really enjoying writing some longer- form more personal posts on here, so one week will contain some of my personal thoughts about my business, recent learning or relationship with horses. The other week will rotate to include educational content related to bodywork, anatomy or movement. You will still receive my usual updates on travel alongside these, and I promise not to spam you! I will also be starting a blog portion of my website to save these newsletters so that you an always go back and find that information without the algorithm interfering! It will be going out every other Sunday, starting this week.

Without further ado, my first newsletter is on the topic of practice, and its many meanings and applications in my life.

“The act of practicing is an art. In the words of Brad Stulberg, it’s “an ongoing process of becoming.” It’s the middle part of the journey—after you start, when things aren’t new and shiny anymore. There’s practice. It’s there, in the quiet moments, when no one sees you. It’s there, creating your highlight reels and guiding you through those high, shiny moments. It’s there when you aren’t sure what step to take next. The simple act of doing, showing up, being, and practicing is enough.”

Sign up here: https://www.vandlenequine.com/

Photo by LT Photography

12/08/2025

So excited to have added these to my practice!

12/08/2025

I am so excited to have been able to purchase a complete set of Surefoot Equine Balance Pads. I’ve been messing around with exercise mats with my own horses, but I’m excited to have the real deal now! I am currently consuming all the education I can, and cannot wait to integrate these into our sessions!

12/08/2025

12/08/2025

Had so much fun with our students this weekend.

12/05/2025

Mindfulness in your grooming routine can help you tune into your horses responses. I love this exercise because if done over time, it makes patterns super clear, and all that’s needed from you is just to take notice.