Shay.Tactile.Therapy

Hip abductors are responsible for moving the hind leg outwards and stabilising the pelvis during movement.

Stretching works by lengthening muscle fibres that have become tight or shortened, while also supporting the nervous system to relax and reduce guarding.

So stretching the Abductors helps improve mobility through the hind end, supports better balance and coordination, and allows your horse to move more freely without restriction 🌿

These are best done after riding, when the muscles are warm, and are tools I often include in my treatment plans ✍️ to help maintain results between sessions✨

This is what trigger point work can look like 👇

I’m applying pressure to a sensitive spot, and you can see that deep pain response.
If you’ve ever had it done on you… you know exactly the feeling I’m talking about.

Trigger points are tight, reactive spots within the muscle.
Every horse has them, but their location and intensity can vary depending on workload, overuse, and compensation.

When I release a trigger point, I’m temporarily restricting blood flow…
and when I come off, fresh blood rushes back into the area, helping support healing and recovery.

Every horse reacts differently.
Some will step away, move around, or shift their body, this is them working through it, processing the pressure, tension… sometimes even emotion.

When they start activating the muscle like that, it mimics Active Release Technique (ART).
It’s something I use with humans, but with horses it’s not always something you can ask for…
so when they offer it themselves, it’s powerful.

It helps reset the nervous system faster,
and you’ll often see a big drop in tension and discomfort straight after.

Have you ever seen your horse process like this before?

STOP. 24 hours off.
Let the body recover, process, and reset properly.
I’ll share some recovery day ideas soon.

24 hours off. Let the body recover, process, and reset properly.

Are you the cause of your horse’s issues?
Maybe…

What do you think? 👇

Restriction can look like👇
• reduced shoulder reach
• difficulty extending
• resistance in transitions
• lack of suppleness through the body
• trouble bending
• bracing through the back
• poor hind end engagement
• girthiness or sensitivity behind the elbow

The lats connect the hind end to the front
so when they’re tight, the whole system can’t move properly.

Comment ‘LAT’ if you’re going to try this 🙌

Hearing it from owners themselves…
would you actually stick to this?
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You never wait for your horse’s hooves to fall apart.

So why do we do it with their body?

I get it… you can’t always see it.
It’s quieter.

But your horse feels it.

Massage isn’t just for when something goes wrong,
it’s for keeping them right.