Prior to becoming a massage therapist I was offered a grumpy 5 year old mare who was not easy to ride, and couldn't be sold, even with her good breeding, because she couldn't pass the vet check. Of course I took her, because she wasn't lame, and I could train anything. I knew that she was misunderstood , and probably would come around with patience, and one rider. She did! We went to some small dressage and hunter over fences shows and graduated to Trillium shows. We were bringing home ribbons, and all was going well until; all of a sudden she wasn't moving forward, and was nipping at me when the girth was being done up, she wasn't working well. I was unsure why my training was going backward, so I consulted trainers and breeders whom I respected, and was told my mare was, well.... a mare....and a Hanovarian to boot (double whammy). I was told she was testing me, so start wearing spurs, and start using a whip! Well I did, and she started rearing. Get tougher I was told, show her who's the boss! This didn't feel right so I ignored the advice, but then, all of a sudden, she went lame. I rested her and it went away, but it came back and the resting didn't work, so I called the vet. After spending thousands of dollars, blocking nerves, taking x-rays, and trying chiropractic, and acupuncture, I was told that my grumpy 8 year old mare would have to stay on pain medication for the rest of her life as it was the only thing that kept her basically sound, and not so grumpy. However, there was no reason found for the slight lameness that got worse if she wasn't rested, or kept on pain meds. That didn't feel right, or make sense, so I ignored the advice and looked for another solution that would make sense. I ended up finding a massage therapist who taught me to feel what was wrong with my mare's muscles, as well as how they were changing as they were massaged....what a revelation to me! I had been training horses, teaching riding , and showing without ever having been taught about the muscles and what they should feel like if they are functioning properly!Turned out my saddle didn't fit my mare and that was why she didn't want to (couldn't) move forward, and when I kept forcing her she "all of a sudden" went lame.My mare became sound and willing again without pain meds. Because of her I changed my life; became a certified equine massage therapist in 1998 and have continued to educate myself to ensure that my clients can find answers to their questions, so they can know how to prevent and/or spot a muscle problem and fix it themselves or call me if necessary.
When a horse's muscles are functioning properly they feel great and move willingly,
your training, and rides progress consistently; riding is fun for both of you.
Adding massage to your normal routine of grooming, hoof picking, and leg checking, will either improve, or maintain your horse's quality of movement which in turn will ensure more consistent and enjoyable rides.
I look forward to meeting you in person one day soon.
When you attend a Soothing Hands Equine Massage Workshop or Clinic, you will be taught in a supportive, and enjoyable environment, and you will have the knowledge and skills to make horses move great and feel great. Through the Soothing Hands Equine Massage Method you will learn a new way of listening to horses that enhances the horse/human interaction for the betterment of both
Please get your free copy of 5 things your horse can't do when it needs a massage.