Morgen's Healing Moments

UPDATE: We have had a difficult week with the loss of several horses and a cancer diagnosis on another. Focusing on the more urgent animal care along with our regular work loads has prevented us from moving horses back to the rescue or working with horses to be ready for visits from potential adopters. We will be rescheduling any booked appointments to the following 3 weekends. We apologize for the inconvenience.

VISIT POTENTIAL LIGHT USE RIDERS NEXT WEEKEND JUNE 6-7

Although we had a good response to folks potentially offering summer pasture, I've had a hard time following up and closing the deals. Had to be in Detroit for two weeks of jury duty--which meant 14 hour days away from the farm, followed by trying to close out half a billion dollars in contract cases and finish things up at work so I can retire in June after 32 years (think "lots of junk in the office to clean up and files to properly transfer"), and then there's just the regular daily work of helping care for 60+ horses. So, I do apologize to all the good folks who queried and communicated with me without getting appointments set up to actually meet or deliver horses. I really do need, and appreciate your offers of help and appreciate your patience while I try to navigate a complex and busy summer while making the care of our animals a priority.

We were going to do companion animal visits this weekend, but several people I was messaging had indicated they would prefer horses that had riding potential. That is always the issue with being a rescue--and, as a result we are primarily a sanctuary these days. Our horses are older, didn't have other options, and so most are not in shape to be competitive athletes (without a fair amount of conditioning, if at all) or trail horses, although we have many older horses who are sound, or have manageable issues who could be light use mounts or riding horses for kids--especially if supervised by a trainer or knowledgeable horse person. Some of those horses are already with volunteers who train or condition horses for us, and some are on pasture elsewhere to help them put on weight over the summer.

In any event, if you have recently inquired about fostering, adopting, or pasturing a horse and are interested in a light use riding horse, we invite you to message the page or text me at (517)630-0602 and set up an appointment to visit next weekend--June 6 and 7. Our beautiful 29 y/o Cobra (shown here with a lovely leadline rider), Johnny, Jasper, Sugar and possibly a few others will be cleaned up and ready to be shown to potential foster or adoptive homes. You are welcome to bring your trainer, experienced friend, or veterinarian. We are looking to find caring horse people who are willing to offer older horses, who would love to find a home of their own, at least the chance to be considered as a member of the family by offering to foster them for at least a season.

We do require appointments as ensuring we have the right horses to show for your particular situation, and have them ready to assess or ride, in the round pen or arena, takes a little organizing on our part. But we will have 4 to 5 hours open in the afternoon and early evening each day during which we would love to have you visit and see if there's an older horse you'd be willing to help. We do require pre-apps in advance for appointments to visit riding horses.

Even if you hadn't inquired previously, but might be interested in helping an older horse, please let us know and we will get you a pre-app and set up a visit.

Thanks for supporting your local horse rescues.

Sunday afternoons are meant for horses and relaxation!

Today I spent the afternoon doing some bodywork for a few well deserving souls!

Sugar, Manny, Merci and Rocky 5.0 punched their golden ticket for the day and got to soak up some R & R with a little hay snackin', brushing, and a relaxing massage.

Each horse tells a different story, and it is extremely rewarding to be able to physically see their emotional/physical pain and anxiety just melt away as their massage progresses.

Thank you to the team at Hoof & Heart of Southern Michigan for including me in the healing journey of many, many horses!

Send me a message if you are looking to get your equine partner feeling their best!

Thank you Jamye Hunter for capturing these moments today

We spent the afternoon helping our friends at Hoof and heart with loading one of their new intakes. A big beautiful boy, Rex.

We discovered that Rex really enjoyed looking at his reflection through a dirty window then we brought in the prized mirror! He got to admire his handsome reflection as we tried to get him to move. He must have been so star struck!!!

With a little pressure release training and alot encouragement, we had success!!

Great read!

Why Some Horses Feel “Different” or Slightly Uncoordinated the Day After a Massage

It is common for a horse to feel a little loose, wiggly, or not quite put together the day after a massage. This is not a setback. It is a normal phase in which the body and nervous system are integrating new freedom and reorganizing movement patterns.

Riders may describe this as mild uncoordination, extra bendiness, or a horse that feels freer but temporarily less organized. These sensations are typically short-lived—and they are often signs that meaningful change has occurred.
Why This Happens

The Brain–Body Map Has Just Changed
Massage and myofascial work alter the sensory information sent to the brain. When restrictions release, the body suddenly moves differently, and the nervous system must update its internal map of posture, balance, and coordination.
This may show up as:

A different sense of balance
A new shape under saddle
More movement than the horse can immediately organize

This integration process typically settles within 24–48 hours.

Fascia Is Hydrating and Reorganizing

Following myofascial release, fascial layers often regain elasticity and glide. Fascia continues adapting over the next day or so, which can temporarily create a feeling of looseness or instability as tension patterns reorganize across the body.

The horse is adjusting to a body that moves differently.

Muscle Tone Drops Before It Rebalances

Massage temporarily lowers resting muscle tone as protective tension releases. Before postural and stabilizing muscles - https://koperequine.com/some-horses-feel-different-or-slightly-uncoordinated-the-day-after-a-massage/

I find it incredibly rewarding to be able to help these rescue horses❤️

They all come with different stories, different painful pasts, but one thing stands true every time I work on one of the horses at Hoof & Heart of Southern Michigan, they all learn the hand of peace, healing and love.

Manny, Peeps, and Shadow got their moments of tranquility today. Anxiety and nervousness disappeared through the big yawns and lots of chewing and licking!

If you are interested in helping your horse find comfort through massage. message the page, or email me at [email protected]!

Spots are filing up quickly!

FIRST MASSAGES OF THE SPRING

Well, our horses were fuzzy, and definitely muddy, but Manny, Peeps, and Shadow got massages from Morgen of Morgen's Healing Moments. We hope those three will be ready for more exercise this spring, and hopefully a little work under saddle. Morgen does a great job helping us assess issues with our new intakes or older horses, and once they begin to trust their handlers and relax, the horses seem to enjoy it quite a bit also.

If you'd like to help an older horse or recent killpen arrival get in condition for work, we would be grateful for massage sponsors. Our paypal is [email protected] and our venmo is

If you're looking for a good equine massage therapist, reach out to Morgen at [email protected]

Thanks Chalese for helping hold horses and for all your help around the farm today.

Thanks for supporting your local horse rescues.

Massage day for Josie!!

Thank you Sheila Shortz for allowing me to help your horses feel their best!

I'm delivering tomorrow (Friday) for all your weekend beef needs!

Text me at 989.640.9284. Thanks! 💚🏀

Today, we spent the afternoon at the Michigan Horse Expo at MSU. We watched a presentation on being successful on the trails and obstacles, as well as "Power Hour," which showcased multiple different disciplines within the Equine Industry. I was fortunate to finally meet and speak with Mr. Brandt Clark - Horseman as well as catch up with Jayme from Hoof & Heart of Southern Michigan.

If you are stopping by the Horse Expo this weekend, make sure to check out both of their booths!