Elite Performance Horse Therapies

15/07/2024

21/05/2024

2024 Equine Studies Students, always a great afternoon discussing anatomy and the benefits of massage 🙌👏🐴

03/04/2024

FITNESS 🏇

Ahhhh, this is a complex and deep topic, with a million variables and has taken some contemplation to work out how to simplify the topic, while keeping it informative.

In a nutshell.

Before fitness work commences it is important to tick all of the boxes:

✔️ Hoof balance
✔️ Tack fit
✔️ Dentist
✔️ Nutrition
✔️ Bodywork

🔹The body condition of your horse will have an effect on your horses fitness; too low or too high a body score will impair cardiovascular performance. A fitness program will assist in weight loss, however, if you have a horse needing to gain condition; it would be beneficial to work on weight gain and strengthening prior to commencing a fitness program.

🔹 All fitness work should be programmed, tailored to your specific goals and horse, and be gradual in their implementation to avoid injury. Cannot stress enough to keep a diary/record of your horse’s work.

🔹 Surface (riding on a variety of surfaces) will contribute an increase in fitness.

🔹 Your horse will plateau if ridden the same way, on the same surface, at the same distance week in/week out.

🔹 If you try to keep your horse at its ‘peak’ fitness wise, for a long duration; you drastically increase the risk of injury. Spelling/letting down a horse is important, especially racehorses and horses actively competing.

🔹 Horses will lose fitness if left idle for a length of time. It is unfair to ask your horse to jump 1.15m showjumping round if you’ve left it in the paddock for 6 months; and no it doesn’t matter that it could jump 1.15m easily 6 months ago. Yes. This actually happens.

CONTINUED IN COMMENTS…

13/03/2024

Mobility by definition is the ability to move freely.

This freedom of movement includes athletic ability, length of stride, range of motion, and lateral flexion throughout the body (including neck, head, pelvis, back and limbs).

❗️LACK OF MOBILITY MAY PRESENT AS ❗️
🔴 An overall feeling of stiffness.
🔴 Bracing.
🔴 Feeling too straight, unable to bend on one rein, or both - jokingly saying your horse ‘turns like a bus’, when ridden.
🔴 Consistent crookedness.
🔴 Short behind, or shuffling in front.
🔴 Lack of reach.
🔴 Consistently knocking rails.
🔴 Unable to lengthen stride (in walk, trot, or canter)
🔴 Leaning on one rein, or being generally heavy in the contact.
🔴 Unable to perform lateral movements.
🔴 Disuniting in canter.
🔴 Rushing transitions.
🔴 Throwing the quarters out on a circle.
🔴 Being straight on a circle.
🔴 Unable to flex to the inside on a circle under saddle, or in hand.
🔴 Horse resisting moving forward off the leg.

The thing to keep in mind is that a lack of mobility will present as movement being restricted involuntarily.

Excluding joint related issues (including arthritis), a lack of mobility may occur due to muscular tension. I often find different breeds and disciplines will have a predisposition to muscular tension.

Mobilities best friend is, you guessed it! Movement!!! Motion is lotion!! 🙌🙌🙌

✅ Lateral movements, gentle bending, serpentines, spirals, shoulder-fore, shoulder-in, travers, leg-yields, true-flexion to counter-flexion, long and low, gentle pole work focusing on slowly increasing the length of stride, are all EXERCISES you can perform UNDER SADDLE 🏇

✅ IN HAND gentle lunging, spirals in and out at a walk and trot (without restricting the neck), moving the shoulders, disengaging the hindquarters are all easy ways to work on your horse’s mobility.

✅ STRETCHES are your horses best friend when it comes to increasing range of motion, easing restrictions in muscles and fascia, ‘resetting’ muscle memory via the Golgi Tendon Organ in the muscle.
There are countless stretches of the body, limbs, and neck you can do, and these can be demonstrated by your chosen bodyworker.

24/02/2024

Just wanted to take a quick moment to share this on my page!

An exercise I often recommend to help with both strength, and suppling (especially ribcage and back); for horses of all abilities, in all disciplines 👌

FREE Dressage Rider Assessment QuizHttps://quiz.amelianewcombdressage.com Sign up for my e-mail list:https://bit.ly/3kfI1oXJoin Amelia’s Dressage Club on Fac...

04/02/2024

If you have ever had me out to treat your horse; you will have most likely heard me talk about these three components in relation to your horse and its athleticism.

Different horses will have strengths and weakness in these components; and a horse will move in between these three factors depending on where it is in its training, workload, injury, and the task required of them.

I consider each of these to be part of the ‘THREE PILLARS’ to the equine athlete, and I will be delving further into each component in the coming weeks, with some information that will hopefully be of use, wherever you are in your training 🙏

19/11/2023

Great read! And there are specific exercises you can perform target the thoracic trapezius. Once the saddle is fitted correctly of course 🙌🙌🙌

05/11/2023

Biggest congratulations!!!! What a win!!! 🍀

10/10/2023

Just for laughs…… this song is hilarious, all of it is true!!!

🤣😂🤣😂

17/09/2023

Here is a little illustration I wanted to share that covers most disciplines, and evaluates them on a basis of speed, endurance, and strength.

It’s great to consider our own horses, what we are asking of them, and what what we might need to do to strengthen our weaknesses in our training.

It’s also a great to consider how well-rounded our Eventers need to be, and the challenges riders may face in preparing their horses adequately for an event.

I have my own ‘Three Pillars’ I consider when evaluating a horse during treatment; which I will cover in another post…

*Image obtained from ‘Equine Exercise Physiology’ by Marlin & Nankervis

31/08/2023

We live in an age of technology, where horse owners delight in watching their horses being zapped, whacked and crunched; in the endless quest of finding the latest, greatest and most innovative way to improve their horse’s performance. Social media has become a breeding ground of edgy techniques, chasing likes, views and dollars.

I am by no means a ‘purist’, but I have yet to find a gadget or tool, that can rival the human hand.

I am often asked if I use massage aids, balls, guns and such? More often I am asked if my hands get sore?

Sometimes they do.

However, never will I ever use a machine to replace the function of my hands.

The human hand is a mechanical marvel. It contains over 100,000 nerves, of at least 20 different kinds. Different nerves communicating with the brain regarding motor skills, pressure, pain, heat, cold, vibration, and texture.

The fingertips alone hold more than 3,000 receptors, making them more sensitive than the human eye.

The Motor Cortex is a part of the brain that controls all movements in our body. A quarter of it is devoted to the muscles in our hands. 

My hands communicate to me the change of temperature within a joint or muscle, heat indicating localised inflammation. My fingertips read along the length of muscle fibres; as if finely reading braille, searching for adhesions, fibrous mass, knots, tension, and spasms. One massage stroke can vary from the lightest, to heaviest touch in a single sweep. The adaptivity, and response from feedback in the horse is instantly felt, acknowledged, and adjusted. Never, will I dull this precious sensitivity with gloves.

No tool will ever compare to the effectiveness, the gentle strength, and the intention behind the touch of the human hand.

Your hands are a gift. Use them.

23/08/2023

So good to be able to support such a great event! All the very best to everyone competing this weekend 🏇

03/07/2023

♦️ RED LIGHT THERAPY ♦️

This is a modality I have fairly recently introduced to support my sports massage treatments.

THE SCIENCE

In a nutshell, red light, at specific wavelengths targets the chromophores within the mitochondria. The mitochondria is considered the ‘Power-house’ of cells; they convert nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), also known as ENERGY 💥💥💥
When red light wavelengths stimulate the production of ATP, this means that cell proliferation (division) increases. This means more energy for healing, and replacing damaged and dead cells.

Red light therapy also has an anti inflammatory effect on the region treated; relieves pain, increases circulation, and stimulates the production of collagen.
Collagen is found in all connective tissue (muscles, cartilage, bones, skin etc).

I personally find it incredibly effective pre or post deep tissue work, to prepare a muscle with a strong pain response to palpation, or post, to assist in healing a painful area treated. I love it for tendons, inflammation, and muscular injuries. I also use it on abnormal joints. It is highly effective when used on the TMJ, and other cranial points 🙏

Please find attached a little case study on bowed tendons in Standardbreds:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6633135/

26/06/2023

Here are some helpful tips to assist you in selecting quality care for your horse.

If you come across any of these 🚩🚩🚩 double-check the person you are using.

1🚩 It goes without saying, if they can’t clearly tell you their Qualifications, Modality they use, where they have studied, what certification they hold. They are most likely NOT QUALIFIED. This is unethical, and puts your horse at risk. Studying at the “University of Life” does not count as a qualification.

2🚩🚩 This job should be what you know, not who you know. Name dropping usually covers a lack of skill. Quoting excessive numbers of horses treated in a week or day also falls under this point. It should be about quality NOT quantity.

3🚩 They arrive, often late, spend hardly any time discussing history, assessing your horse, and treating your horse. Before you know it they are off to the next appointment.

4🚩There is very little discussion of the anatomy, muscles, and dysfunctions observed/palpated, with no solutions suggested. They do not use the correct scientific terminology in conversation.

5🚩Firstly, in Australia, the only person that can legally diagnose your horse is your vet. Secondly, this is a massive red flag. Unless your horse is undergoing some serious rehab under the guidance of your vet; there should be no reason whatsoever your horse should be taken off you for intensive treatment.

Continued in comments… 👇

21/06/2023

Jasper, last horse of the day on the Winter Solstice ❄️ The shortest day of the year. As of tomorrow the days will start to get a little longer, and summer and balmy nights will return to us. It was so wonderful to see how much this horse has developed. Every horse has what I call a ‘secret recipe’, (as it’s different for the individual horse). It goes a little something like this:

*️⃣ Hoof balance

*️⃣ Nutrition / Balanced Diet

*️⃣ Correct training/ridden work

*️⃣ Correctly fitting tack

*️⃣ Body work

If you can nail these elements, you will give your horse the very best chance at success, and a comfortable life 🙌

04/06/2023

Benefits of stretching. 🙌

Note it mentions to stretch post-ride, the reason being (as I always say to my clients); we like to stretch muscles when they are warm 🔥 Stretching cold muscles is not nearly as beneficial, and in some cases, may be detrimental 🤕

It may seem like an inconvenience when you’re in a bit of a hurry, but I know that your horse thanks you 🥰

I have noted below a few benefits of stretching outlined in the scientific article “Stretching Exercises for Horses: Are They Effective?” by Frick (2010):

🐴 Reduced injury risk
🐴 Reduced muscular tension
🐴 Maintenance of functional length of all muscles
🐴 Eases joint stress
🐴 Increases joint range of motion
🐴 Improves muscular imbalance
🐴 Improves movement patterns, functional ability & freedom of movement.
🐴 Enhances posture
🐴 Develops body awareness (proprioception)
🐴 Decreased delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
🐴 Promotes circulation
🐴 Improved balance and stability

Do you do stretches with your horses? If so, do you notice a difference? I’d love to hear 🤍

I have personally noticed a massive difference in my horses range of motion, particularly of his spinal column and pelvic region, once I incorporated more targeted stretches into his post-exercise regime! 🐎

01/06/2023

💎 P E T T R I S A G E 💎

Is used to mobilise tissues and muscles, alleciating muscle knots and spasms. It involves a variety of techniques including squeezing, kneading, and rolling the tissues, thereby improving blood circulation (amazing for healing and recovery!!), removing adhesions, and relaxing the muscle.

FUN FACT: The British Journal of Sports Medicine, April 2008, published a study examining whether the sports massage technique of petrissage could be scientifically proven to influence localized circulation.

The Results: Lactic acid in the blood, muscle stiffness and perceived lower limb fatigue was evaluated in cycling subjects who received a ten-minute petrissage massage and compared with cycling subjects who simply rested between intervals of intense cycling. The investigators concluded that petrissage improved pedaling performance, improved recovery from muscle stiffness and reduced perceived lower limb fatigue.

As muscles share more in common than not, one can assume these results can be applied to all intensive exercise experienced by humans and horses alike.

No tool will ever beat the adaptability, feel, intuition, adjustability, and softness of your hands 🙏

30/05/2023

Just a little throwback to this before and after on one of my favourite horses Valac prior to his race at The Bool. Nothing makes me happier than seeing a good result 🙂🙏

21/05/2023

The German Training Scale - with ILLUSTRATIONS!!! 🤩

I think reflecting on the training scale, it’s stages, and where you are in your training with your horse is really encouraging.

It can take years, even a decade to have a horse in correct collection, where they are ‘active’ and ‘uphill’ performing higher level movements.

Muscular tension can be a contributing factor to resistance in performing particular movements… but so can weakness and a need to strengthen the horse before progressing further.

When we reflect on the training scale we can see where we may have holes in our foundation, or, we can see that where we are is where we are perfectly meant to be; and true strength and collection, takes time 🙏

08/05/2023

“Everywhere I go I see Art, and I couldn’t help but snap this beautiful moment ‘at the office today’...
Every day I see, and work with these magnificent animals; and I can honestly say that I never tire of their beauty 🙏”
Just a little throwback of a special moment with Sacred Sham. I still have the same sentiments working with these beautiful animals ☺️/

04/05/2023

Practicing what I preach and aiming for one lunge session a week with my beloved.

It’s not a session for him to hoon around disconnected from me and his body; but rather an opportunity for me to watch him (eyes on the ground), and for us to work on things we need to work on under saddle.

Today session was rhythm, forward (without rushing), transitions transitions transitions, big circle to little circle to big circle - including at the canter, to help him to learn to balance without me as his rider holding him there.

And of course enormous amounts of praise and encouragement 🙌

He is 5 years old, an OTTB (very short career), and so much fun!!! I really love this horse, and everything I do with him is about his physical and mental health.

Remember, if you’re looking to build muscle; it’s time under tension in the muscle. A slow, but active, controlled pace will be more beneficial than speeding around.

30/04/2023

Congratulations Danielle!! This horse truly is a little ‘Ripper’ with athletic ability and a lovely disposition. Such a deserved win for everyone, and proof of how rewarding it can be, when you put the horse first 🙌

Xcessive gamble breaks his maiden today in impressive style. A huge thank you to all the owners that stuck by him when his racing career was in doubt, Eliza Duggan for riding him track work and last but not least Fiona Pengelly for buying him from the Gold Coast magic millions and for everything you have done for rip and myself

21/04/2023

A client shared this video with me, and I found it fascinating! You don’t often get to see an analysis of movement before dissection, so this is very informative to see how issues such as these, effect mobility and locomotion in the horse.

https://fb.watch/k1TAHLNvsm/?mibextid=v7YzmG

12/04/2023

Firstly I would like to apologise for my lack of presence on Social Media 🙏

Today was a fairly standard day of hands on horses at 8.00am hands off horses at 6.30pm, no breaks in between (which I believe) is fairly typical if you work for yourself in the horse industry 😅

This plus travel, bookings, and my beautiful family; doesn’t leave a lot of time or energy left over for creating content!! Also I am generally so lost in treating horses I don’t even think to capture all of the precious (or challenging) moments that happen through the day.

A trend that I have noticed on social media of late; particularly in relation to horses, is a culture of criticism.

That you are in some way, not doing enough, or worse! Causing harm to your horse. I’m hoping to allocate some time in the near future to infuse this space with a more positive message!

For now I will just say that every one of my clients; from professional stables, to race trainers and re-trainers, to bold eventers & showjumpers, dressage and showing queens, bitless, bitted, barefoot, shod, meticulously balanced diets to forage based diets, and the rest!!! care very deeply about the wellbeing of their horses. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t book in the first place 😊 And for that, I commend every. single. one. of you 👏👏👏

Here is a picture of a very lovely mare, yet another super-spinatus muscle and some of the techniques that happen in treatment… your hands, your feel is the best gadget you will ever have in your toolbox. And I strongly encourage you to use them. Your horse will love you for it ✌️

17/01/2023

We are currently booked up a month in advance with only a few spaces left early February 🙂

If you have an events coming up, or bodywork is something you've been meaning to book, please reach out sooner rather than later 🙏

I will always endeavour to move things around and try to help out, but sometimes I am overbooked and there is no more room to squeeze.

Also how incredible is your day when you get to work with animals... never a dull moment over here 🐴🐔

19/12/2022

That's a wrap!!! We finish up this week and have no availabilities left 💛 We reopen again on January the 6th, and really look forward to kicking off the new year with lots of ideas, and more support for our clients and horses, to get out there and achieve those goals! I hope everyone enjoys their time off, the Sunshine, and their beautiful family and animals. Thanks so much for such a wonderful year!!! 🙏

22/11/2022

Tex stealing hearts.... he had us in fits of laughter. Read the caption regarding muscular tension in our horses in current muddy conditions 🙏 What can I say? Its been a loooooong winter for us! ❄🌧☁️

Anna Duca - Equine Performance Specialist 🇦🇺 shared a post on Instagram: "This gorgeous golden boy absolutely made my day!!! Could not get enough! His lovely owner making sure he is feeling 100% as a young horse who is having a little time off before coming back in again sometime next year. Th...

13/10/2022

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjpX5Yxr6oP/?igshid=NDc0ODY0MjQ=

30/08/2022

Congratulations to the Patemans! Such a dedicated team, with a number of great results over the weekend!👏👏👏

Bell Ex One - Winner of the 2022 JJ Houlihan Hurdle … Thank you to Sandy McGregor for the opportunity to train such an exciting young jumper.

24/08/2022

Check out the phenomenal Range of Motion on this gorgeous Shetland Beryl, during her post treatment stretches. This stretch in particular; being a favourite for the hamstring group. There is a reason why we call her the mini-warmblood! Her excellent range, and movement giving her that WOW factor!!⭐⭐⭐
❗Please whenever you are stretching your horse (or pony), or for any other reason need to be low to the ground; keep your knees off the ground for safety. It is quicker to move away if need be, and your patella won't be accidently trodden on 🐴