Arrow SL Equine Bodywork

No better way to start the morning than with some quality time with my personal horse, today's massage and spa day was just what she needed to feel her best!

Inside the Equine Athlete

That big muscle on the side of your horse’s face is called the masseter. It’s one of the main chewing muscles, but it can also give bodyworkers clues about tension in the rest of the horse’s body.

Sometimes when I check the masseter, I find it’s tight, uneven, or overworked. When that happens, horses may show things like:

- Trouble relaxing in the bridle
- Bracing through the neck
- Short or choppy strides in the front end
- Stiffness through the back
- Difficulty bending one direction
- Trouble stepping under with the hind end

The reason?
When the jaw is tight, it can limit movement through the poll and neck, which then affects how the shoulders, back, and hind end move.

The good news:
When tension in the jaw and surrounding muscles is released, horses often feel more comfortable using the rest of their body.

Owners may notice:
✨ Softer contact
✨ Better bend
✨ Freer shoulder movement
✨ A more relaxed topline

Sometimes what looks like a training issue is actually your horse trying to move around discomfort.

And sometimes the first clue…
is simply feeling your horses cheeks!

Inside the Equine Athlete

What the Latissimus Dorsi Can Really Tell You

The classic rider frustration:
“They are bracing against my leg.”
“They wont pick up the correct lead.”
“My horse keeps shouldering the barrel.”

But here’s the thing, a tight lat makes it physically hard for your horse to lift their back and move their legs freely. So what feels like resistance is often just protection. Your horse isn’t arguing… they’re guarding.

Because it’s such a big working muscle, the latissimus dorsi needs proper nutrition to recover from daily use. Horses lacking adequate protein, amino acids, vitamin E, magnesium, or trace minerals often struggle to repair muscle tissue effectively. When that happens, this muscle may feel tight, flat, or sore again shortly after work or bodywork. Instead of elastic and springy, it feels guarded. Not from training, but from lack of recovery support.

The lat can also tighten when the body is compensating for internal stress. Horses dealing with inflammation, ulcers, metabolic strain, or fatigue often develop brace patterns through this muscle to stabilize themselves. What feels like resistance under saddle may actually be the body trying to protect itself from discomfort elsewhere.

So when I find a lat that won’t soften, I don’t just look at the saddle fit or the rider. I start asking bigger questions about fueling, recovery, and overall health.

Because sometimes this muscle isn’t the issue, it’s the clue pointing toward what the horse truly needs.

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Every brand has a story, but my story is a horse. Her name is Ophelia.

Ophelia came from the Wind River Reservation, and she’s the reason I do this work today. She was always kind, willing, and always tried her heart out for me even with being young and afraid. So when she bucked me off at a barrel race years ago… something she had never done before, I knew it wasn’t attitude. It was a message.

When I listened, I discovered her SI joint was pinching when I asked her to stop. I wanted to help her more than anything but at the time, I was young and didn’t have the kind of money to send her to every specialist or try every therapy out there. So instead, I chose a different path. I chose to learn.

Night after night, I studied, practiced, and experimented, starting with what I could access on YouTube. I listened to her responses, trusted my hands, and let her guide me. Little by little, she softened. She moved better. She felt happier. In that process, she taught me something powerful, that dedication, curiosity, and love can take you further than resources alone.

That journey eventually led me to the Equine Natural Movement School, where I refined the skills I first built out of necessity and turned them into a lifelong practice of helping horses feel understood in their bodies.

She didn’t just inspire this business, she built it with me.
She taught me that horses don’t need perfection.
They need someone willing to listen, learn, and try.

Ophelia is, and always will be, the horse behind the brand.

Here’s an example of the kind of personalized work I create for my clients and their horses. 🤍

Every session includes individualized notes and body mapping so you can clearly see where your horse is holding tension, how it’s affecting their movement, and what we can do to support them. I also provide tailored riding recommendations, things like specific stretches, exercises, or tack adjustments that help your horse stay comfortable and balanced between sessions.

I believe bodywork shouldn’t end when I leave the barn. Giving owners a clear, personalized plan helps create lasting change and keeps your horse feeling their best in both work and rest.

If you’d like customized bodywork notes or a riding plan for your horse, message me and I’d love to work with you!

✨ December Openings! ✨

Now that things in the horsey world have started to settle down a bit, I have some openings this month for equine massage sessions. December is a great time to help your horse unwind, stay comfortable in the colder weather, and reset going into the new year. 🐴🤍

If you’d like to book or have any questions, feel free to message me! I’d love to get your horse on my schedule!

The change between these two photos says it all. Watching Mia release, rebalance, and find new freedom through our sessions has been amazing. Finishing my last module with her was such an inspiring reminder of why I love this magic work. 🤍✨

Before, Mia couldn’t square up, her left front leg, chest, and sternum were really out of alignment. After just ONE session, she stood evenly and soft, totally relaxed through her whole body. As the sessions went on not only could I feel the difference, you can see the body completely realigning.

Calling all my horse loving friends!

As many of you know I’m currently working toward certification in Equine Structural Integration, and I’m looking for a handful of committed horse owners who are interested in getting their horses the full Structural Integration series—completely free of charge while I complete my schooling.

This work goes far beyond a typical bodywork session. Structural Integration is a series-based approach that focuses on releasing tension, improving posture, balance, and movement by working with the horse’s fascia and structural alignment. It’s incredibly beneficial for performance horses, horses in rehab, seniors, or really any horse that could use a full-body reset.

Each series includes multiple sessions spread out over several weeks, and I’ll be following the full protocol taught through my school. Your horse will get high-quality, focused work—and I’ll get valuable experience as I move through my training.

All I ask is that you’re committed to seeing the full series through and are open to giving feedback along the way. If you’re passionate about your horse’s well-being and want to be part of this exciting journey, please reach out—I’d love to chat with you and see if we’re a good fit!

If you were to compare two photos—one of a hollow horse and one of a collected horse—you’d see a dramatic difference in their posture, movement, and overall biomechanics.

Photo 1: Hollow Horse

In this image, the horse moves with its head high, back dropped, and hindquarters disengaged. Under the saddle, the spine is concave (dipping downward), causing the muscles along the topline to weaken while overstressing the lower back and front limbs. This posture puts strain on the joints, reduces shock absorption, and increases the risk of soreness or injury over time.

Photo 2: Collected Horse

Here, the horse moves with engagement from behind, lifting its back and rounding through the topline. The spine is convex (lifting upward), distributing the rider’s weight more evenly and allowing the horse to carry itself correctly. This position strengthens the core, promotes soundness, and improves balance and athleticism.

These photos are about 3 years apart, you can see what riding in proper collection has done for Ophelia in her movement, muscle growth, and conformation.

Encouraging collection through proper training, riding, and bodywork helps support long-term soundness and comfort!

When I arrive at the barn, my equine massage clients recognize me immediately. There’s a noticeable calm as I start working, and even the other horses can’t help but watch with curiosity – they’re clearly jealous of the attention!

Every day feels like a blessing, especially when I get to help horses feel their very best!

I am incredibly thankful for my wonderful clients, especially this remarkable little soul. Romeo has a unique journey that truly resonates with me.

He has such a special personality, and as someone who owns a horse with a rare medical condition, I deeply understand the challenges and joys that come with caring for our beloved mystery horses. It's a privilege to work with them.

Here is Romeo‘s page if you’re interested in learning more about him- Romeo's Journey