Hayes Equine Sports Massage

𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻?

It’s normal for a horse to get tight muscles in their back, but it’s not normal for that tightness to become pain. It does however happen – how can I can help?

There are ways we can help alleviate that tightness so it doesn’t become pain and there are ways we can help reduce and even remove that pain.

The bodywork I do uses a variety of modalities and each works independently and complementary to the others.

𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 – manually manipulates the tissues using varying pressure and techniques.
𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗼-𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 – rebalances the cranio-sacral rhythm in the body.
𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼 𝗠𝘆𝗼𝗳𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 – Rebalances the joints and the nervous system.
𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 – adds support to muscles and joints, reduces pain and aids circulation.
𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 – Energises the cells, reduces pain, reduce spasms/trigger points.

Please have a look on my website if you would like to know more about each one of these modalities. Or, give me a call/message me if you have any questions or would like to book a treatment for your horse.

www.hayesequinesportsmassage.co.uk

It really is incredible how effective bodywork can be at helping a horse feel more comfortable in their own skin even after just the first session.

There can be may reasons why a horse is holding tension but whether it be massage or craniosacral therapy that helps let the horse just relax it's truly wonderful to see and always makes me smile.

Then to have an owner tell me their horse is feeling loads better since their session and they just seem happier, like their old self it really makes my day.

Massaging the fabulous Sydney today, such a sweetie.

I've left her with a back kinesiology taping on today, this will prolong the benefits of the manual therapies as well as provide its own benefits; increasing circulation and lymphatic drainage, supporting the muscles as well as reducing any discomfort to name a few. It is really common for horses to experience some level of back discomfort and there's a lot of reasons why. If you feel that your horse might have some back pain for example are they dipping away under pressure or when being groomed or you think they might be bracing their back? Then a bodywork session could definitely help.

A great exercise that I incorporate into my own horse's routine.

The Wither Rock is a gentle and effective mobilising exercise for the whole body.

It is good for stimulating the core muscles, particularly the thoracic sling, strengthening the forelimb lateral stabiliser muscles that support the limbs when turning and moving sideways.

With your horse standing square.
💠 Stand facing the left shoulder, with your shoulders parallel to the horse’s spine.
💠 Do a personal postural check, ensure you have no tension in your shoulders or arms and take a couple of deep breaths.
💠 Place both hands cupping the top of the withers and take a moment to allow the horse to get used to your touch.
💠 Imagine the movement first and build up slowly from there.
💠 Gently push the withers away from you by about 1cm initially then allow the withers to return to the neutral position before pulling them back towards you by about 1cm then release again.
💠 Repeat this swaying movement in a natural rhythm. The side-to-side movement of the withers should be continuous and flowing. Don’t try to hold his weight in one position.
💠 Gradually increase the amount of sideways movement but only as the horse relaxes into the movement.

Build up from 20 sways remembering to repeat the same number of push-pull cycles from each side.

👀 As you are doing this exercise watch your horse, he may try to communicate that he wants more or when he would like you to stop.

Comment Rock and we'll give you access to our tutorial video on the Wither Rock

It’s been great being back to work this week after breaking my arm.

I’ve been matching the horses and getting all the great benefits from kinesiology tapes, just a few include:

• Decreasing pain.
• Adding stability to the muscles and joints (I’ve definitely needed that this week), as well as;
• Reducing further injury.
• Improving lymph and blood circulation.
• Increasing proprioception and in turn promoting proper movement.

There are a variety of tapings in all shapes and sizes that can be used and applied and each one is applied with the specific needs of each horse in mind.

Not the best start to 2026.

First, I broke my arm, then I had to try and poultice my horse's foot (he didn't want me to). Not easy but we got there.

Less than a week before I got hurt I hung this picture on my wall, tempting fate? Maybe, but who doesn't have a little misfortune now and again.

So what were the opportunities from the misfortunes? Figuring out how to poo pick and push a wheelbarrow with one hand for one - doesn't involve bailer twine but instead a lead rope. Also realising it's ok to go a bit slower and ask for help sometimes to name just a few.

Things don't always go to plan. Usually not with horses, but I invite you to look for an opportunity when things do go wrong.

Don't worry I won't start doing inspirational quotes every month, but let's look forward to a new (hopefully drier) month.

A lovely review from the wonderful Katie Adamson Equine Services.

What a great evening we had on Friday. I gave a talk and demo about Equine Bodywork and all the modalities I use and Amanda Martin-Smith of Chapel Farm Equine Assisted Learning gave a fabulous talk on Natural Horsemanship. We hope everyone enjoyed it.

Every treatment is different.

Not just from horse to horse but even each session with the same horse. Their body could be different or their response could be.

Sometimes a horse could be fidgety or 'nibbly' and sometimes they can just go into the 'zone'. They are so peaceful and relaxed the whole atmosphere of the yard can change. It doesn't just have an impact on one horse but others too.

I was recently treating a regular client and she was so relaxed it affected the horse next to her which half way through just lay down and slept. Normal you might think but her owner was shocked. Apparently the companion next door only ever lies down when the horses are alone.

I could feel the absolute serenity of the moment and so could they.

This picture is from a previous session where the horse being massaged lay down before the session was over, she just wanted to rest. I know I've fallen asleep getting a massage before.

Really powerful how not just what we do with horses but our intent to help them and creating a calm space for them can have a big impact.