Hayes Equine Sports Massage

𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗹𝘂𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗲. 𝗛𝘂𝗵? #! #?

In English – restricted range of movement of the neck bones. It’s more common than you might think.

𝗪𝗵𝘆?

A cause could be injury or more commonly in my experience is tension in the surrounding neck muscles.

I very commonly find restrictions, on the right side especially. This is because most horses are left bent (do you find your horse naturally wants to bend left?). So they put more weight in the right shoulder and as a result use the neck to help balance them, this then causes the muscles to tighten and subluxations of the vertebrae.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗳𝗶𝘅 𝗶𝘁?

I use a variety of massage techniques to relax the muscles and surrounding soft tissues, I also use an Animal Neuro-Myofascial Release Tool (where appropriate), and to finish off I can apply a kinesiology tape to help prolong the effects of the manual manipulations as well as provide its own benefits. Altogether this allows the restrictions and tension in the muscles to release and the body can rebalance itself.

Availability weekdays and weekends. Call or message to book.

Bye bye summer.

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞

Is anyone else experiencing the summer bubble?

It can be all consuming – kids, work, trips, horses. Just doing more of everything.

I wonder if our horses experience the summer bubble effect? Fun rides, competitions, or just more of whatever they do.

Now is a good time for a reset and a massage is the perfect way.

Energise with a release of endorphins. Improve function of both the mind and body. Release any built-up tension and get ready for what comes next.

Availability in September. Call or message to book an appointment.

New Horse

Can't wait to get my hands on this gorgeous boy next week when he's all settled in.

Every horse is different and it's fascinating what story their body tells.

I love discovering what they like, what they don't like, what feels tight or where they get their biggest release.

Always keeps things interesting.

What I can offer your horse.

I use my learned and intuitive skills of observation and feel to know how best to treat every horse as an individual, and they love it!

Every owner has their own reason for getting their horse a bodywork session; whether it be as a treat, they've noticed some discomfort or a behaviour change or just part of their routine maintenance.

Whatever the reason your horse thanks you 😊.

✨ Gentle Touch, Big Impact: How Face & Neck Massage Could Support Your Horse’s Brain Health and Overall Wellness

A groundbreaking discovery in neuroscience found that gentle massage of the face and neck in mice and monkeys tripled the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the vital fluid that clears away waste and harmful proteins linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

🔬 Researchers discovered a network of lymphatic vessels just under the skin of the face and neck — much closer to the surface than previously believed. By lightly stroking this area for only one minute, older animals showed fluid movement similar to much younger ones.

✨ Why does this matter for horses?
• Horses, like humans, rely on CSF flow to “clean” the brain.
• If similar pathways exist in equines (which is very likely), gentle massage of the head and neck could support neurological health, mental clarity, and recovery.
• Many equine bodyworkers already observe that horses become deeply relaxed, soften their eyes, and “let go” when these regions are gently worked. Now we may have a scientific explanation why.

🌊 CSF Flow & Brain Health
• CSF acts like the brain’s detox fluid, clearing waste and harmful proteins.
• If gentle touch can triple CSF flow, then therapies that influence the head, neck, and fascia (like massage, myofascial release, and craniosacral therapy) may do far more than relax muscles — they may directly support neurological resilience and longevity.

🐴 Nervous System Balance in Horses
• Horses are prey animals, always tuned to their environment. A buildup of waste proteins or restricted CSF flow could influence stress responses, learning ability, and even physical soundness.
• Gentle work around the poll, TMJ, and upper neck may encourage parasympathetic dominance (rest and digest mode), allowing the horse to truly relax and recover.

💆 The Role of Craniosacral Therapy (CST)
• CST already focuses on enhancing CSF flow through subtle, hands-on techniques.
• This discovery provides biological validation: even light touch on the skin and fascia may stimulate lymphatic vessels connected to CSF drainage.
• That means CST may not just balance cranial rhythms — it could help detoxify the brain and support long-term neurological health.

🧩 Whole-Body Wellness Implications
• Cognitive function: Sharper focus, learning, and memory.
• Aging: Restoring youthful fluid movement in older horses.
• Injury recovery: Supporting brain and nerve healing after trauma or stress.
• Sleep quality: Enhancing the brain’s natural nighttime cleansing process.

✨ Bottom line:
This groundbreaking research gives scientific weight to what equine bodyworkers have long observed — gentle, intentional touch to the head and neck doesn’t just relax the horse; it may help keep the brain itself healthier and more resilient.

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐔𝐥𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞.

Equitopia Center webinar with Dr Ben Sykes.

Study shows that massage lowers the salivary cortisol concentration in racehorses (the stress levels - before and after work). Stress is one of the leading causes of ulcers.

Massage was shown "Improving the horse's well-being". "Not only did the horses feel better but they also performed better".