Helping Hands Equine Bodywork

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Schedule a Session — Helping Hands Equine Bodywork Complete the Questionnaire and you will be Contacted to Schedule a session! ShyAnne is Currently in the process of obtaining her Certification, and offering FREE sessions in order to obtain the hours she needs. Owner's Name * First Name Last Name Email * Phone * ( # # #) # # # # # # # Preferred Form of C....

You may get emails from us, we are trying out a new book keeping system. If you receive a request for a liability waiver signed but have already signed one. Please sign the new one as the system sends out automatic requests if it doesn’t recognize we have one on file.

I appreciate your patience.

Slots are filling up fast!

Slots have been filling up fast! free sessions are only for a limited time!
Perfect time to try the benefits of bodywork on your equine partners!

Still offering FREE sessions!

𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁 - 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀

The superficial muscles are located between the deep muscles and skin. They vary in size and shape, and are generally classified as movement muscles.

They are either:
𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗸𝘆 - examples include the superficial gluteal muscles, which are around 25cm thick in a 16hh horse. The triceps muscles, which are around 20cm thick. The masseter muscle that moves the jaw.

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 - such as the abdominal oblique muscles, which span the entire abdomen and contribute to rib movement, bend and protraction of the hind limb.

The surface of these muscles can easily be felt for tension, heat and swelling. They can be influenced by complementary therapies, such as massage, active and passive stretches.

With the amount of misinformation floating around, this post is especially important in determining the saddle needs of your horse.

We've seen several fitters use the topline to determine whether the horse is uphill, downhill, or neutral, ignoring the spine and structures the saddle actually needs to sit on. A lack of understanding of equine physiology as applicable to saddle fitting is what is causing horses to become saddle-lame, something that is completely avoidable.

Flat, Straight, Sway, Uphill, Downhill or Neutral?

A common misconception when it comes to determining the curvature and tendency of the back is to look at the topline, however when you think about it, the saddle itself doesn't (and should never) sit on the spine, so to follow the exact curvature of the spine will lead to problems. When evaluating a horse, we need to consider not the curve of the entire back or the shape of the topline, but rather what the curvature is inside the Saddle Support Area only. Looking at the concavity of the back well into the lumbar doesn't serve any purpose in helping to determine what type of panel curve is needed.

It's also easy to fall into the trap of looking at only a handful of areas to determine saddle fit, when in reality there are more than 80 points that need careful consideration to identify the unique saddle needs of that horse (and rider!) so as to not cause discomfort or injury.

Additionally, a tree or panel that is too curved will not cause the saddle to be pushed forward or backward, these are the result of a completely different issue. Also, it is NORMAL to see a little bit of lift in the rear of the saddle, especially without a rider.

Hoping to also be offering soon: cold laser & red light therapy! visit helpinghandsequine.com to keep tabs on what we are offering!

Helping Hands Equine Bodywork Helping Hands Equine provides equine bodywork, specializing in Massage. Currently serving CT, MA & RI

Did you know?

Massage can mechanically mobilize venous blood flow back towards the heart. It has been documented that during a massage, local circulation increases up to 3 times more than circulation at rest!

Massage stimulates the release of endorphins and other pain reducing neurochemicals

Massage helps tone weak muscles due to the muscle spindle activity that is increased during a massage session

I have availability today after 5:30 in the Coventry CT area for a FREE session. Message us if you’re interested!