Second Wind Equine Sports Massage

Hard ground, sore horses.

2012-02-15T06:04:00.001-08:00

I have worked on a LOT of horses lately, and they all have had one thing in common: soreness through their shoulders and necks.

Actually, they have had something else in common: their turn-outs have been affected by the lack of snow, leaving the ground hard, lumpy, uneven, and generally not very inviting for the horses to move around they way they need to, in order to keep their muscles supple. Instead of being able to stride out at a walk, trot or canter, chase their buddies around, rear, buck, and get their ya-yas out, they are forced to mince around, taking very little, controlled steps, using their front end to brake and control their movement, while their hindquarters just sort of get pulled along.

Three horses in particular come to mind in this scenario. They all are worked in an indoor arena, with very good footing. One gets worked very rarely, perhaps only once a week, and was by far the most uncomfortable. The second horse gets worked a couple of times a week, and was definitely more comfortable than Horse #1. The third horse gets worked several times a week, and while he was more uncomfortable than usual through his neck and shoulders, he was definitely happier than the first two.

What does this mean? It’s important that you make the effort for your horse to get them out of that uneven footing, a couple of times a week at least, where they can move normally. If you don’t have time to ride, hand-walk them, lunge them on good footing, and of course, sign them up for a massage session!

Thanks!

2012-02-09T16:36:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to thank all my wonderful clients, both old and new, for making January 2012 my most successful month to date—this in spite of the fact that I was in Oregon for 8 days taking an Equine Anatomy/Dissection class with Dr. Deb Bennett. Thanks! And your horses thank you, too!

Great clinic this past weekend.

2012-02-01T09:17:00.001-08:00

Click on the following link for more details:
http://www.icontact-archive.com/WftxKSvVk5WpDuR-B8dl4qpsDPKegEjH?w=3

True connection

2012-01-25T09:38:00.001-08:00

Hi, everyone.
We have all hard a great deal about connection as it pertains to training your horse. I’d like to get you thinking about your horse as a beautifully engineered marvel of design, and the true connection in your horse’s body, from nose to tail, from head to hoof.

Here’s a brief overview: your horse’s HEAD is connected to his FEET, from JAW muscles (such as the omohyoidius inside the jaw), which connect to muscles of the NECK (the cephalic muscles, for example), which connect to the muscles of the CHEST (some of which make up the bicep complex), which connect to the FOREARM (the carpi muscles), which connect to the HOOF (via the flexor and extensor muscles and tendons).

Think about it: head to neck to chest to forearm to hoof. None of these parts operates independently. What does this mean? Any tension or imbalance or strain in one part, will of necessity have an adverse effect on the rest of the system. A strain in one area means compensation in another area. Restriction of movement in any area is going to lead to problems, some obvious, some subtle.

The best thing you can do for your horse? Allow him to carry himself freely and in a relaxed way. A tense horse is not using his muscles to their full advantage. Look at your horse when he is moving, and pay attention to how he feels when you ride him. Do his strides feel even or choppy? Do his hooves make the same sound when each hoof makes contact with the ground? How does he carry himself? If you’re not sure what you’re seeing, ask someone you trust to help you. Asking questions doesn’t mean a lack of wisdom, it means that you know enough to know that you need to learn more.

Our horse’s bodies are truly wonderful.

Airline food

2012-01-18T11:44:00.001-08:00

We all know it's bad, but never, NEVER, ask them for a cup of tea. Bad beyond belief.
Judith Falk, ESMP
Second Wind Equine Sports Massage
www.SecondWindESM.com
Massage is good for your horse!
Sent from my iPhone

Anatomy course

2012-01-18T06:32:00.001-08:00

Headed to Redmond, Oregon to take an equine anatomy/ dissection with Deb Bennett and Joe Lally. Everyone should be this lucky!

Judith Falk, ESMP
Second Wind Equine Sports Massage
www.SecondWindESM.com
Massage is good for your horse!
Sent from my iPhone

The holiday season

2011-12-28T06:21:00.001-08:00

Hi, all.

Here we are in the thick of the holiday season. How are you doing? Are you remembering to breathe, and take some time for yourself? I know, these can sound like platitudes, but it is vitally important that you take time to nurture yourself. At this time of year, it is so easy to get caught up in giving everything we’ve got to others, leaving us exhausted, drained, and with little time to enjoy what really matters—our family and friends.

It is easier to be generous to others when we are not running on empty. Allow yourself the time to do what feeds your soul—make a cup of tea, sit with a favorite book, spend time with a friend, two-legged or four-legged. Give yourself a few extra minutes at feeding time to bask in the company of your horses. I find that there is nothing that grounds me more than sitting in my barn, listening to my horses munching on their hay. Their contentment washes over me, and I am at peace.

Here’s wishing you all a truly joyous holiday season, and the best to you in 2012!

Weekend plans!

2011-11-04T15:14:00.001-07:00

Heading to a two-day Equine Biomechanics clinic tomorrow, taught by Dr. Deb Bennet, a noted expert in the field, with Dawn Jones-Low of Faerie Court Farm. Positively can’t wait!

Help your horse, help GMHA!

2011-08-31T17:32:00.001-07:00

Hello, friends.

As you know, GMHA was devastated by the hurricane. How can you help? WHEN YOU BOOK A MASSAGE SESSION FOR YOUR HORSE FROM SEPTEMBER 1 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2011, I WILL DONATE 15% OF THE PROCEEDS TO GMHA. You’ll be helping your horse feel and perform better, and we’ll be helping GMHA together!

This offer is good for all my clients, current OR new, and don’t worry—I’ll still be applying the discounts you are used to getting (multi-horse discount, equine senior citizen discount, and Good Neigh-bor Discount, to name just a few)!

Why am I doing this? GMHA has been a wonderful resource for the equine community over the years, and I am strongly committed to giving back to and supporting my sport.

Help me to help GMHA! Thanks!
--
Judith Falk, ESMP
Second Wind Equine Sports Massage
www.SecondWindESM.com
www.secondwindesm.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SecondWindEquineSportsMassage/
802-989-3350

2011-07-23T06:49:00.001-07:00

Just had an awesome ride on Monarch, to the music of Caravan Palace. They are a jazz/techno/gypsy band, and they are a blast! (Think Django Reinhardt on hallucinogens, and you’ve got the idea, but way more fun) I particularly recommend tracks 1, 14 and 15 if you need to energize yourself or your horse.

Courage and confidence

2011-07-14T04:35:00.001-07:00

Let’s talk some more about courage and confidence, especially as it applies to your horse. (Check out cegavt.blogspot.com/2011/07/courage.html) If courage is about overcoming fear, and confidence is not having the fear to begin with, what does this mean to your horse?

Courage in your horse is asking your horse to give a little more, push himself a little harder, try something he hasn’t done before, trust you. Confidence is all about that “look of eagles” that some horses have—they don’t know the meaning of can’t!

What happens when your horse is not feeling courageous, even fearful, about the task confronting him? He becomes tense, rigid, tight. His back may hollow, his jaw may lock up and clamp down, his neck becomes rigid, his gaits lose their fluidity. His muscles will tighten as he prepares to “fight or flee”. What does this mean for his performance?

A horse who is rigid and tight is only going through the motions. He may be technically doing what you ask, but something will be missing.

What is your job in this? What can you do to help?

The first thing, of course, is to know your horse, his personality and how his mind works. Does he thrive on challenges and learning new things? Does he need plenty of time to absorb the new task? Does he get tense, wound up, and have to be pushed/helped through his tension? Or does pushing him make him even more tense?

Some horses are naturally courageous, some are not. You can help your timid horse to be more courageous by first helping yourself to be more relaxed, of course-if you are anxious, you can bet your horse will pick up on it! Remember to center and ground yourself by using three deep breaths to release your own tensions. Ask your timid horse to expand his comfort zone incrementally, whether it’s leaving his herdmates a little farther behind, or tackling a slightly more challenging series of jumps. Praise is always a good thing, as long as you are praising for actual good behavior. And if you feel yourself becoming frustrated, take a break—don’t add to the stress level.

And remember that our horses are so often mirrors of ourselves. Take the time to really examine what’s going on, and ask for help if you need it.

What techniques do YOU use to help yourself and your horse relax and gain courage?

What makes you tick? How about your horse?

2011-05-19T04:42:00.001-07:00

As we move through life, striving to improve and grow, a key portion of this is finding out what motivates us to achieve our best. In our relationship with our horses, we also need to find out what motivates them. How do they learn best? Are they sensitive, “thinking” types, easily bored? Do they question everything we ask them to do? Are they good-natured, willing to comply with anything within reason that we ask of them? Do they need to think about a request, take time to absorb it, before they can comply? And there are many more ways to learn, especially when you put different riders and trainers into the equation.

In my barn, I have four horses, each with one of the learning styles I mentioned above. I have to approach work time with each of them differently. The sensitive thinker is happiest with doing something different all the time, keeping him happy and engaged. My just-for-fun horse will do anything, really, and will babysit anyone on his back, including my three-year-old grandson. Another is sensitive in his own way, needing time to process information before I ask again, and gets confused if asked again too quickly. And the mare questions everything! She should really have one of those question mark cartoon bubbles over her head, permanently.

None of these styles is necessarily any easier than the others—it all depends on us, our personalities, and how we approach our ride time. I’ve found that I need to be completely relaxed, have all the time in the world, for Mr. Sensitive Thinker. If I’m in a hurry, he gets stressed out. If I’m tense, he is exponentially tense. Of course, tension in us affects them all, but some of them hide it better than others. Mr. Easy-Going is my relaxation ride, but he doesn’t like to be taken for granted just because he is easy-going. Mr. Processor shuts down if nagged at. He will just give the minimum effort to get by. And Ms. Questioner needs to be asked, not told, to do anything. Try to force a situation with her and she will never forget it.

Essentially, I have to be four different riders with these four different horses, although the base line is the same: relaxed, focused, listening. These are my basic tools in my tool kit. Then I pull out others as I need them, depending on which horse I am working with. It’s made me a better, more well-rounded horse person.

What does your horse want YOU to know about how he learns? And what does he want you to know about how YOU learn, to be the best partner you can be for him?

Spring in VT

2011-05-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Ahh, yes...this is the weather we’ve all been waiting for! Sunny, 70 degrees, nice breeze, puffy clouds but not too many! What are you going to doto get out and enjoy it? Just had a lovely ride on Sid, found a new trail in the woods that seems to go on forever....wish the weather would do the same!

Give yourself a treat....take back some time for yourself, and get out there for a walk, ride your horse, go sit by the river, get a lawn chair out of hibernation, but get out there! These days are gems!

Inspiration

2011-05-04T04:46:00.001-07:00

Looking for inspiration in your life? Here are three things that come to mind for me, right off the top of my head.

First, watch the movie “Temple Grandin”. It is the story of a truly amazing woman, who has autism, but that assumed “disability” enables her to think in pictures (her words), the way animals do. I’m not doing her story justice, I know—so watch the movie, or read one of her books.

Also, because I am fresh back from the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, I am still thinking about that a lot. It was won by Mary King of Great Britain, riding the lovely King’s Temptress, a mare that Mary bred, raised and trained herself. Mary also took second place, on the gorgeous gray Fernhill Urco. First and Second place both? Unheard of! Unprecedented! Mary is no spring chicken, either—she is 49 years old. Oh wait, that’s how old I am!

Third place went to Sinead Halpin, who has NEVER competed at Rolex before, and her horse Manoir de Carneville. Sinead is only 29, and to watch her ride, and the love and credit she gave to her horse after her gorgeous show-jumping round, brought tears to many eyes.

We’re never too old, or too young, or too “handicapped”, to let that stand in our way. It’s no good sitting on our butts, wishing and dreaming, waiting for things to be different. Get up and make your dreams happen! Ask for help if you need it, but do it! What are you waiting for?

Spring happenings

2011-04-10T18:27:00.001-07:00

Had my first ride on Simon today in several months. Yahoo! Half an hour of brisk walking, trying to maintain that nice steady 1-2-3-4 rhythm. Good for both of us. Couple that with the return of the songbirds, and the fact that it is raining and melting the snow, and I’m feeling pretty good about things.

Fun Day!

2011-04-09T08:18:00.001-07:00

Just had a most fun ride on Burnished Monarch! Now I’m off to UVM’s Healthy Horse Day, where yours truly will be giving a talk on the Center for Equestrian Growth and Awareness’ programs. Check it out!

2011-03-27T10:34:00.001-07:00

Great sheepherding lesson with Beck today! Some good outruns, getting the hang of wearing, much more focused on the sheep and less focused on me (which is a good thing, in this case.) Now he is contentedly napping while I type.

2011-03-27T10:30:00.001-07:00

The horse trailer is all cleaned out and ready for spring. Too bad spring isn’t ready for us.

The wonders of life-coaching

2011-03-24T07:53:00.001-07:00

I was recently asked to give a talk at the University of Vermont on Equine Massage, to a group of pre-vet students. I was flattered, but one of my first thoughts was, “Oh no! How am I going to get through this? I hate public speaking!”

See how we can sabotage ourselves? This was a golden opportunity, gift-wrapped and handed to me on a silver platter, and all I could see were the possible pitfalls. How did I get through it, and even more, turn it around to be a really positive experience? CEGA, of course!

There are lots of different coping skills we can use in such a situation. Here’s what I did. I made a list of all the positive things that could result from this clinic, such as increased business, greater recognition, the chance to share something I really love, and working on an area in which I’d like to improve—public speaking. Some of these benefits I came up with on my own, some of them were pointed out to me by friends with whom I shared my anxieties, but really, what helped me most was “channeling” Barb Torian, professional life coach and one of the founders of CEGA. I could hear her, helping me to turn my thoughts around and take control of the situation before it was able to take control of me. Allowing myself to step back and look at it from a different perspective enabled me to focus on the positive aspects of the UVM talk. I’m not saying that my days of feeling anxious about public speaking are over, but what if they ARE? What if I just allow myself to imagine that I really like public speaking, having the chance to talk to a roomful of people about work that I truly love? Suddenly, that adrenaline rush I’m feeling is excitement, not nerves. Wow! Thanks, Barb!

Haven’t had a chance to work with Barb yet? Do yourself a HUGE favor and give her a call, send her an email, and get started! Your possibilities are endless!

Heading to UVM

2011-03-22T02:19:00.001-07:00

I’ve been invited to teach a class at UVM today, on Equine Massage. So excited!

2011-03-16T05:38:00.000-07:00

I have been feeding my horses free-choice second cut hay from lovely, sweet-smelling round bales this winter. One of the nice things I’ve noticed from this is that when I kiss them on their furry noses, they smell like summer—that gorgeous smell of green grass and fresh air. Aaaaahhh.....

Acupressure

2011-03-12T05:20:00.001-08:00

Spent a fun-filled and most interesting hour this morning with my equine acupressure text. I love how this dovetails so neatly with my equine massage practice!

Great clinic!

2011-03-06T15:50:00.001-08:00

Yes, that’s right—another great CEGA clinic today! This one was at Dalneich Stables at Hibernia Farm in Cornwall, VT. Our intrepid participants braved a truly “interesting” day of Vermont weather, for a fun, enlightening afternoon full of learning and connecting with their horses. Watch our website (CEGAVT.com) for details on upcoming clinics, and reserve your place!

Of dogs and ponies

2011-03-03T04:48:00.001-08:00

Those of you who know me, know that my favorite breed of dog is the Border Collie. I love everything about them—their intelligence, their work ethic, the way they look and move, the close bond they form with their person, and their unbelievable energy. I have a lot in common with Border Collies. I love to be busy, don’t do well with idle time, and my mind is always going. This is great for me, and my interactions with my two Border Collies, but can be more challenging for those around me who don’t operate on the same high frequency.

Take my three horses, for instance. Sid, my Standardbred, is happiest when he gets worked no more than 3 or 4 days a week. If I try to work him more than that, he responds by simply walking away from me in the pasture. Monarch, my Thoroughbred, would love to be worked every day. He is a lot like a Border Collie—intelligent, sensitive, great work ethic. And he acts out when he doesn’t get enough work.

And then there’s Simon. As we have been struggling with some soundness issues with him, (strained check ligament, abscess, some arthritis issues), I have been struggling with not super-imposing my needs and work ethic on him. Simon is 22 now, and has had a very active career, mostly with other people. I asked him yesterday what he wants—does he want to be retired? He let me know that he isn’t ready to retire yet, but that winters are hard for him in this climate, so her would really like to have winters off. This will be a hard one for me—I am a firm believer in keeping older horses moving as much as possible, to keep them limber. Also, riding is something that I really need to help me get through the winter, and I find the prospect of trying to get an older horse back into condition in the spring after a winter off to be daunting.

But we’ll try it. Simon will have the rest of this winter off (yes it’s still winter here—below zero this morning), and we’ll see how he does over the summer. And if he decides that it’s time to retire, that’s what we’ll do. This old dog is trying to learn a new trick.

CEGA clinic

2011-03-03T03:55:00.001-08:00

Only 3 days left until our next clinic, at beautiful Hibernia Farm in Cornwall, VT. Still a space or two left! Sign up and see why everyone is talking about CEGA!

Something new for your tool kit!

2011-02-10T15:28:00.001-08:00

In mid-October, my horse, Simon, strained the check ligament in his left fore-leg. (This ligament is also known as the accessory ligament of the deep flexor tendon. It "checks" the amount of flexion of the deep flexor tendon. The check ligament is an important part of the stay apparatus, which allows the horse to sleep while standing.) A couple of weeks of cold-hosing and stall rest, in tandem with NSAIDS, leg wraps, and of course, massage, and he was ready to begin limited turnout and finally go back to work. Except it wasn’t so easy.

One of the side effects of his stall rest and limited mobility has been a stubborn stiffness and tightness, mainly in his shoulders. This is not surprising, as Simon is a big guy, and taking one of his forelegs out of the equation has put a lot of strain on the rest of his body, especially in this case his right foreleg and shoulder. This has manifested itself by a reluctance on Simon’s part to engage in any kind of lateral movement with his forehand; instead of crossing over nicely with his front legs, he has been taking little shuffling steps to the side, and has been noticeably stiff and tight when leaving his stall in the morning.

What’s a massage therapist to do? Let me introduce you to my very good friend, “Equine Acupressure: A Working Manual”, by Nancy Zidonis, Amy Snow, and Marie Soderberg. I LOVE this book. It is a very well-done, complete resource for the horse owner. I believe that massage works and feels so good, in part because the massage therapist may be manipulating acupressure points as she works, freeing up and stimulating the flow of Chi and energy along the meridians. Flipping through the book to find an answer to Simon’s predicament, I came across the pages on treating shoulder soreness, and bingo! One treatment later, he was greatly improved.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Treat your horse (and yourself!) to this great addition to your equine library. You’ll be glad you did, and so will your horse.

Do a 180! Or even a 360!

2011-01-27T05:17:00.001-08:00

With cold weather here to stay, at least for a couple more months, not only is this a good time to get educated by watching videos, auditing clinics, and reading, it is also a good time to think about our relationship with our horses. A couple of weeks ago, I suggested that you turn off your brain—now I’m suggesting that you turn it back on!

What I’m thinking of is taking a look at things from a completely different perspective. For instance, if you have the mind-set that your horse hates arena work, you already have certain expectations of how your time in the arena is going to go. We all know how our mood and attitude affect our spouse or children, and of course it affects our horses too. You head to the arena, after grooming and tacking up your horse, somewhat less cheerfully than if you were heading out for a nice hack or to jump cross-country. You may be a little resentful at having to ride inside, or that winter is dragging on, or that you can’t find your favorite winter riding gloves. Make no mistake, your horse has picked up on your mood. This may be manifested, for instance, as your horse being sluggish and unwilling to work, or being squirrelly in an attempt to get your attention, or being cranky and resentful that you aren’t thoroughly grateful to be spending some time together.

Our relationship with our horses is just that: a relationship. It needs to be fed and nurtured and not taken for granted, like all relationships. Can you envision how different it would feel, if instead of saying to yourself, “Poopsie doesn’t like arena work”, you were to say, “Poopsie and I have an opportunity to work on our serpentines” or lateral work, or drill team maneuvers with a buddy, or simply spend some time together.

I encourage you to sit with both these scenarios. Try them on for size, and allow yourself to feel how your energy changes as the scenario changes. Then think about how your relationship with your horse is affected by your energy. And that’s just the beginning!

Raise the roof and help the horses!

2011-01-10T03:58:00.001-08:00

Hey all—here is a very worthy cause to get your New Year off to a great start! Please make a donation—any amount is much appreciated!
www.LendaHandtoRaisetheRoof.com <http://www.LendaHandtoRaisetheRoof.com>
Happy New Year!

Turn off your brain!

2010-12-30T06:14:00.001-08:00

This week is my week to do the CEGA blog posting. Kate, Barb and I have structured some of our CEGA responsibilities on a three-week rotation, and the blog posting is one of them. Sometimes, a topic comes to me pretty easily. Sometimes, I feel like I have to just sit down and start typing, then my brain starts working. The funny thing is, when I am writing, it is actually much more productive if I shut my brain off, and just let the ideas and thoughts come out my fingertips. It is when I am over-thinking that I get into trouble.

And so it is with riding. I consistently find that two things are true when riding.

Over-thinking gets me into trouble, or at the very least, interferes with the feel that I am striving to develop.
Sometimes, I have to just go through the motions of grooming, tacking up, and hopping onto my horse, to sort of prime the pump and enable me to have a really good ride.

This is precisely what happened to me yesterday. I had ridden Sid, my really fun, solid, reliable little Standardbred. Good conditioning ride, no expectations of anything else. We had a blast.

Then it was time for me to ride Monarch, my Thoroughbred, who is also a great amount of fun, but let’s just say that he tends to be more “highly aware” than Sid. And once again, right before I got on him, the neighbors across the road decided to try setting off some bottle rockets. Another neighbor was walking down the road with her three unruly dogs and a little kid who was pulling one of those noisy plastic sleds. Oh boy. Combine this with the fact that I hadn’t ridden Monarch in over a week, and my mind was full of the possibilities for things to go wrong. So you see, I was already in defensive mode when I mounted Monarch.

How silly! As it turns out, we had a great ride! I was aware that I was defensive and over-analyzing the situation, and just decided to trust myself and my horse. I worked on getting Monarch’s attention on me, and not on the sled or the dogs, and I did some deep breathing and relaxation exercises for me so that I could be back in my body and less in my mind. You want to lean on my leg, Monarch? I will give you ONE good nudge with my leg to get off me, and that will be that. And I will expect you to respond appropriately. You want to accelerate in the trot and start flying around? Nope. ONE good half-halt will suffice. Then you will resume that nice one-two, one-two cadence. I focused on feeling, and not on thinking. The results were fabulous. Monarch really liked me being clear and not nagging him. He was reaching out for the bit, flicking his ears back and forth, and responding much more willingly and quickly. I really liked being able to communicate with Monarch in a clear, way that left no room for misinterpretation and that relied on feeling rather than thinking.

Here’s wishing you all a wonderful New Year, filled with fun times with your horses!

Cold weather reminders

2010-12-15T18:10:00.000-08:00

It is officially winter here in central Vermont! Plenty of snow, single-digit temperatures, the works.

When winter reappears each year, drivers have to "relearn" how to drive on icy or snowy roads. I find that it is helpful to apply the same "relearning" attitude to our horses.

As I have been working on horses in the past couple of weeks, I am beginning to see the same cold-weather phenomena pop up as happens every year. These include things like tight hamstrings, tight/reactive common calcaneal tendons (that big tendon that runs down your horses hind leg), muscle spasms, and general reduced range of motion. Sound familiar? I'm betting you feel some of the same sorts of tightness when you struggle out of bed on a cold, dark winter morning.

What this translates into is allowing your horse (and, incidentally, yourself) more time. Try to spend a few extra minutes grooming--remember that grooming isn't just about making your horse pretty; it's also about checking for lumps and bumps but also getting his blood moving. A deep grooming can do a lot to loosen your horse up before you work him. And it will do a lot to loosen you up, too!

Take the time to hand-walk or ride your horse on a loose rein at the beginning of every ride. Allow him to stretch and begin to move freely. If you have the time to lunge him for a couple of minutes before you get on, so much the better!

Make every effort to ensure that his feet are in good shape. Loose shoes, too-long hooves, ice balls in the hooves; all these will compromise how your horse moves, which can be a disaster for a cold, stiff horse.

Pay attention to whether or not your horse needs blanketing. I know many folks who don't blanket at all, and I know many whose horses have entire wardrobes of blankets and sheets. it really depends on what your horse will tolerate in terms of the cold. A cold horse is a stiff, tight horse.

And my personal favorite: STRETCHES! Remember to stretch your horse after you ride--and take a few minutes to stretch yourself too!

A lot of winter maintenance is about just that: trying to maintain the level of suppleness that is easier to achieve in warmer weather. Yes, it takes a little longer, but it feels worlds better when you're done! And knowing that you're doing all you can to avoid sprains and strains for your horse and yourself will help keep you warm this winter--I guarantee it!

Winter!

2010-12-06T14:09:00.001-08:00

Suddenly, it has become winter here in Lincoln. If there are outdoor chores left undone, you can forget about it until Spring. They’re buried under the snow. We went from a dusting of snow this morning (about 2 inches on the ground) to about 9 inches of fluffy white stuff now. And it’s still snowing! Great fun for riding bareback and watching the horses clean themselves by rolling in the deep, clean snow. And the mud is covered up!

November

2010-11-25T05:35:00.001-08:00

I have a confession to make. Are you ready? I LIKE November.

Those of you who don’t live in the Northeast are probably thinking, “Big deal.” But for those of you who live in this climate, I can almost hear the gasps of shock.

Why do I like November? I’ll tell you. I have thought for a long time that November gets a bad rap. October foliage is a tough act to follow, sure, but November is quite lovely too, with the varying shades of silver and brown. And the visibility in November is spectacular! Being able to look deep into the woods offers a perspective we don’t get the rest of the year, not even in springtime. Also, my daughter Hannah, one of my favorite people in the world, was born in November.

Mind you, I have not always been a fan of November, and I still don’t enjoy the endless days of rain and gray that we can get. But overall, I really like the whole hunkering down for winter feeling—more cooking, making sure my horses are tucked in and cozy for the night. Nothing like the sound of rain on the roof while listening to my horses contentedly munching their hay, then going back in the house for some nice hot soup!

So many things in life come down to perspective. You know, the whole glass half full/half empty thing. It can be so easy to focus on the negative aspects of anything. Think about your horse. For instance, do you have the mindset that,”My horse doesn’t like ring work—he gets so bored!” Is it your horse that doesn’t like it, or is it really YOU who gets bored? Or maybe you spend a lot of time wishing something about your life was different—a different horse, different place to live, different job. All of these may be valid things in your life that need changing. But two thoughts come to mind. It’s easy to spend a lot of time wishing things were different and imagining how much better our lives would be if they were. Wouldn’t this time be better spent enjoying what we have, and finding the beauty in it? And it is so easy to spend time wishing for a change, without actually doing anything about it. Not a very satisfying way to live!

I invite you to consider that your glass is half full. Happy Thanksgiving!

Just do it! No, really.

2010-11-04T04:50:00.001-07:00

I recently had a truly fabulous trail-ride on my horse, Simon. No big surprise there, you say. Regular followers of this blog know that I have raved about Simon more than once. He is my Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome—a 17h1” dark bay Bavarian Warmblood. What made this ride so memorable was the variables that were thrown in.

We were in the middle of a nor’easter that weekend, complete with a temperature of 37 degrees, high winds, driving rain, a few inches of snow, the works. But my horses had already been in their stalls for all of the previous day, and Simon was clearly antsy.
I decided to bring along my Border Collie, Beck. Now, if you know anything about dogs, you know that Border Collies are very high-energy—a tired Border Collie is a happy Border Collie, and I try to bring Beck along whenever possible.
I was wearing my winter riding boots, which meant I couldn’t wear my spurs, as they don’t fit those puffy boots.
And oh yeah, I had taken the flash noseband off Simon’s bridle, which had the potential effect of allowing Mr. Wonderful to ignore the bit a little more effectively.

What the heck, I figured, it’ll be fun! And besides, I was at the Fair Hill Three-Day Event last year, when the weather was absolutely horrific. They had temps in the 30’s for the first three days, and pouring rain. But they got out there and did their job. I resolved after that weekend to never again complain about riding in a little inclement weather. As the saying goes, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes.”

We set off up the road, all of us happy to be outside, even in the teeth of the nor’easter. Simon was high-headed and looking around, shying and spooking a little, being silly. Beck was bouncing in and out of puddles. As we made our way up the road, the wind picked up and the rain came down in buckets. When we got to a neighbors driveway, her four golden retrievers came barking and charging down the driveway toward us. Mayhem ensued. Simon bucked and spun around,trying to bolt for home, Beck charged off after the four goldens, and I was rather abruptly woken up out of my la-la land state, which is where I often tend to go when riding. Meditative and relaxing, sure, but not always the most useful place to be on a horse.

I sat up, took up some rein, and insisted that Simon pull himself together. I called Beck, who mostly ignored me (it was too much fun to be big and tough and chase four dogs all at once), but then came back to me, and we continued up the road.

For the rest of our outing, I had to be at my most alert, trying to ride every stride, and not get lulled into inattentiveness. I insisted that Simon pay attention to me, and kept changing up what I was asking him to do, so that he always had at least one ear flicked back at me, checking in to see what was next. He was that best possible combination—highly aware, light, responsive, forward. It was wonderful!

Just do it? Well, just do it for me meant making myself get out there when it would have been so easy to stay inside by the woodstove with a book. The tipping point for me was asking myself whether I would feel better about myself if I stayed inside for the morning, or got outside and worked my horse. And just do it for Simon meant shut up and listen, with me insisting on the correct response the first time I asked him for something. We returned to the barn feeling really pleased with ourselves.

Here’s to pushing ourselves and our horses to become just a little bit better with every ride!

Fantastic weekend!

2010-10-24T09:08:00.001-07:00

What a great weekend! We had a wonderful CEGA clinic at Plumbrook Pony Farm in Norfolk, NY, yesterday—12 riders and horses, a great day of learning—for all of us!

Clinic Today!

2010-10-22T05:03:00.001-07:00

Leaving today to do a CEGA clinic at Plumbrook Pony Farm, just outside of Potsdam, New York. Can’t wait!

Bellies and Bearclaws!

2010-10-14T06:33:00.001-07:00

In some of my recent blogs postings, I have been discussing the importance of stretching your horse before and after a ride. It is also very wise to do this if your horse is confined to his stall, whether for a day or a week or even longer.

I have explained how to do Carrot Stretches. These are great to get your horse to stretch laterally. Today, I am going to explain how to do Belly Lifts and Bear Claws.

Remember, before starting any exercise or stretching regimen, it is best to check with your veterinarian.

The Belly Lift

Start with your horse in his stall. Standing at your horse’s side, reach under your horse’s belly, and with drag your knuckles forward from the horse’s umbilical region to just behind his front legs. He will left his belly and back as you do this. Start with a small amount of pressure, until you learn just how much pressure you need to use to get the desired lift. Work you knuckles back and forth a little, to get him to hold the lift for a few seconds. Then release. He will probably be surprised the first time you do this, and may protest, so be prepared!

The Bear Claw

Again, start with your horse in his stall. Standing near your horses rump, drag the fingernails of one of your hands down his rump, about a hand’s width to the side of his tail. Use only one hand at a time at first, so that you can be out of the way if he decides to protest vigorously. Again, use light pressure at first, until you see how much pressure he needs to respond. He should respond by tucking in his gluteus muscles and tighteneing his hindquarters, while at the same time, lifting and tightening his obliques (his belly region in back of his rib cage, along his flanks). Get him to hold it for a few seconds at first, then up to 15 seconds at a time. Hard working dressage horses and jumpers really benefit from this stretch.

Remember too that with any stretches, don’t ask your horse for as much effort before a ride or work as you would after you have worked him, when his muscles will be warmed up and more responsive.

A limber pony is a happy pony! And a happy pony is a more willing partner for you!

Conversations

2010-09-22T05:57:00.001-07:00

I have been thinking about conversations and communication a lot in the past week. What got me started down this path? A couple of things.

First, I was in my local food co-op last week, and overheard a mother talking to her 13 or 14 year old son. They were discussing tattoos, and the mother said that essentially it was a moot point, as her son would NEVER be getting a tattoo. He teased her about it a little bit, saying, “What if I want you to come live with me and buy you a big fancy house? Does that mean you wouldn’t come live with me?” She said, that’s right—she would not live with him if got a tattoo—furthermore, if he ever wanted to come home to HER house, he wouldn’t get a tattoo either. Hmmm.....

The second thing that got me going was that my riding instructor, Kate, had come home from a great week-long clinic, full of ideas and new ways of looking at the horse-rider partnership. I worked on two of the horses at her farm right after they had had lessons, which is when I typically work on them. I have NEVER seen them more relaxed and content. Not physically or mentally really tired, just very peaceful and almost buzzing with happiness. And I had a lesson with Kate right after this, and my own horse,Simon, was the most relaxed I have ever known him to be in a lesson.

The really interesting part about that for me is that the changes that Kate made weren’t huge, by any means. In fact, I’m not even sure that I could clearly define for you what those changes were, but the word soft keeps coming to mind. I know that we spend a fair amount of time in my lesson working on getting me to ask ONCE, clearly, and get the result I had asked for, not nag, nag , nag with my hands and legs and whip, which is my tendency. But we’ve worked on that before, without the same overwhelming relaxation on Simon’s part—not to be confused with laziness.

So the conclusion I come to about both these interactions—the mother and teenage boy, and the horses and riders in lessons with Kate, is that it is all about the ASKING. My thought after hearing the mom and son was, “Oh boy. I’d love to check in with both of you in about five years, to see how that ultimatum-style of parenting is working out for you both.” Imagine how things could have been different for both of them, if she had invited a discussion, a conversation, with her son, instead of laying down the law.

It’s the same with our horses. Discussions, conversations, asking nicely instead of demanding or nagging—this will get us further toward our goal of excellent horsemanship. This is not to say that we don’t have to demand respect from our horses, or that we should allow them to be bulls with us, but think about what most makes you want to cooperate with a co-worker or your partner. Demands, threats, bullying, may get you short-term results, but will certainly get you long-term resentment and unwillingness.

Enjoy your conversations with everyone around you, two-legged and four-legged.

Back to school!

2010-09-13T04:42:00.001-07:00

This week, like so many other folks out there, I went back to school. I started taking a very comprehensive equine anatomy and physiology course, which will expand my knowledge of how the horse works as a physical entity, and help me to provide better care for my clients.

I noticed several things early on in the process, among them, that it is harder for me to study now than it was a "few" years ago when I was in college; that my brain works on this stuff even when I am asleep; and that we all learn and process information in different ways.

Like our horses, I can get stuck when learning something new. Some of the terms that I am trying to memorize are definitely more challenging and less intuitive than others. Some of them take only one read-through and I have them down. Some of the ones that I thought were so challenging, I wake up in the middle of the night, reciting them in my head. If I am in just the right mind-set, learning is so easy! But if I am distracted, looking at the clock, not in my quiet place (whether mentally or physically), it is an absolutely uphill battle.

We are so much like our horses! Except for memorizing Latin medical terms, our horses have the same challenges when trying to learn. A gifted equine athlete may find flying changes easy, but another horse may really struggle with them. Some horses are easily distracted and easily bored, and need to mentally challenged more than others. Some horses benefit from a lot of repetition, others find this to be mind-numbing and frustrating.

And sometimes, we project our own learning styles on our horse. We might say "Oh, Poopsie just hates ring work! She gets so bored!" when the reality is that Poopsie is just fine in the ring, but WE are the ones bored with it.

It all comes down to the same thing. Whether we are the ones trying to learn something new, or we are working on something new with our horse, we have to get out of our own way, and really listen to what we or our horses need. Set yourself and your horse up for success. Create situations where learning can really happen. Remember to give yourself a pat on the back, and your horse a pat on the neck, when you've overcome a challenge, even if it felt small. We can all use more encouragement! Take breaks, and allow yourself and your horse to feel a sense of accomplishment. Don't be too hard on yourself or your horse if that lateral movement wasn't just picture-perfect, but don't settle for second-best and laziness in yourself or your horse, either. Ask for more, and then allow yourselves to enjoy having achieved it. And don't school yourself, or your horse, into the ground. Make learning fun for both of you! The rewards are infinite.

I wish you joy in your time spent with your horses, and in the time spent with yourself.

Rainy morning

2010-09-13T04:36:00.000-07:00

Ahh, the joy of a couple of simple things...A rainy morning, a cup of tea, my horses warm and fed, curling up in my favorite room with my dogs to do some studying. Memorization, here I come!

Stretch that pony!

2010-09-02T04:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, folks, the easiest thing you can do to keep your horse's back in great shape is stretching. Ever heard of carrot stretches? Well here goes!

Remember: before you begin any new exercise regimen with your horse, it is always a good idea to check with your vet or other equine health care provider.

I like to do these after I have worked horses. It is also great to do them before you ride, drive, or lunge your horse, but you should not ask your horse to make the same effort before they are worked as after they work, because their muscles will not be as limber beforehand.

Get a carrot from your treat bag. (See now why they are called carrot stretches?) Have your horse in a confined space, like his stall, where he won't have "help" from his pasturemates. Show the carrot to your horse, and bring the carrot around to the horse's flank region, encouraging him to follow the carrot with his head. The idea is for him to keep his feet still, while reaching around with his head and neck to take the tasty morsel. You do not want your horse spinning in little circles around you. If your horse has never stretched before, he is going to wonder why you aren't just giving him the treat, so be patient! But don't let him be obnoxious either, he's still working! And don't be concerned if he can only reach back maybe as far as his shoulder at first--the more often you do these, the more limber he will become. Stop if your horse seems uncomfortable, and never try to pull his head and neck around. Let him reach as far as he is comfortable doing. Then move to the other side, and repeat.

After you have done this a couple of times on both side, you can ask for him to stretch down between his forelegs. Again, show him the carrot, and bring it down between his forelegs, and underneath his belly, close to the ground, as though he were trying to graze with his head between his forelegs. If he starts to bend his knees, stop. the idea is for him to keep his forelegs straight, and reach down and back with his head and neck, to really stretch out his top line. This one is usually the trickiest of the carrot stretches--so be extra patient with your horse.

Most horses catch on to these stretches really fast--once they learn that there is a treat involved! After doing these for the first time with Monarch, my Thoroughbred, t, after our next ride, he stretched first to one side,then the other, then nudged my pocket as if to say, "Okay, I've done MY part!" Now, who's training who here? And the more you do them, the easier they will become.

Next week: Bellies and bear claws!

More, more, more, on your horse's back.

2010-08-26T04:04:00.000-07:00

Here's an easy check that you can do to see if your horse's back is hurting. Run your thumb down along your horse's topline, starting at his withers, with your thumb about a hand's width from his spine. Do this check on both sides of his spine. Use moderate pressure--more than you would use to brush your horse's face, but less than you would use to curry a really muddy horse. Does your horse duck, flinch from the contact, pin his ears, move away from your touch? Aha! These can be signs that his back is tight or sore, and it's probably time to pick up the phone to call your equine massage therapist, your equine acupuncturist or chiropractor, or your vet. They'll help you assess what's going on and give you ways to deal with it.

The problem with this hand's on assessment is that not all horses are going to be so clear in telling you, "Ow! That hurts! Cut it out!" Some horses are much more stoic than others, and you have to pay attention to the good deep listening that you do with your horse. If your still, quiet voice is telling you that your horse just isn't quite right, that's a voice you need to listen to.

So, you've figured out that your horse has a sore back, and your equine health care professional has paid a visit and given you a plan of action. Your horse feels better, and you have the all-clear to go back to work together. How can you KEEP your horse's back in great shape? My favorite: STRETCHING! Stay tuned.....

The back is at the forefront!

2010-08-12T03:54:00.000-07:00

What a great week it's been! One of the highlights was giving a clinic on Equine Massage to a group of Pony Club kids at Western New England Pony Club Days at GMHA in Woodstock. The topic? Your horse's back.

And this has really hit home for me lately. Thankfully, this increase in empathy has nothing to do with my horses or my client's horses suddenly suffering from sore backs. Rather, it is due to something that I have never before had to deal with--debilitating back pain. For several reasons (two "involuntary dismounts" from my horse, lots of lifting, a very strenuous lesson, and laziness on my part in keeping up with my exercise regimen), last week I had a bout of severe lower back pain, requiring a visit to my chiropractor and acupuncturist. I am grateful that, after two chiropractic sessions, my back felt back to normal. But then yesterday, the pain flared up again, probably due to too much time riding in the car, with the seat not adjusted properly. Some stretching, some pain meds, a decent night's sleep, and I felt much improved today. I will be might cautious about the kind of work I do today, and have renewed my commitment to getting my exercises done before my day gets too busy to fit it in.

But the kicker is this: I KNOW how much my back hurts, or when it hurts, or if it feels just fine. If it doesn't feel great, I can pick up the phone and make a couple of calls to get back on track. What about your horse?

Your horse relies on you to pay attention to his back. Oh sure, he knows if or when his back hurts, and will no doubt try to tell you. Reluctance to pick up a lead, pinning his ears when he is being saddled, a suddenly sour attitude from your previously sweet pony, an unwillingness to go forward or do any of the tasks that he normally performs with aplomb; all these can be signs of discomfort in your horse's back.

Next week: How to detect a sore back, and some things you can do to prevent it.

Body work matters!

2010-08-05T05:23:00.000-07:00

Yes, body work matters! And what are the matters of body work? Two different ways of looking at the same subject.

Yes, body work is important for your horse. Ongoing body work helps your horse be more comfortable, perform better, be a happier, more willing partner. And once you get your horse to that comfortable, firing-on-all-cylinders level, that's where you want to keep him! And that is why regular massage matters. An occasional session is great for a quick fix, or to address a specific problem, but nothing beats the benefits of on-going, regular work!

And that brings me to my second point: The matters of body work. One might think that, once a horse is brought to that optimum level that is found from regular body work, all that's left is maintenance. Not necessarily so! Of the horses I worked on this week, all regular clients, I found new issues with each of them. One mare had a new, very tight region on her neck, leading me to believe that she could benefit from chiropractic as well as massage--the two work very well together! And another horse, a very sweet little Morgan gelding, had a knot high up on his gluteus muscle. When I released the knot, he suddenly arched his lower back and "cracked" his pelvis--we heard a loud pop as he "readjusted" himself.

If you really want your horse to be the best he or she can be, give your horse the benefit of regular body work, and allow yourself and your horse to enjoy the benefits that equine massage brings.

Benefits of Stretching

2010-07-15T04:15:00.001-07:00

When I have finished working on a horse, I give the owner recommendations for how to ensure that they and their horse get the most from the session. These tips invariably include stretching exercises for the horse (and the rider should be stretching too!)
Here is an article from The Horse.com, the AAEP's on-line magazine. It details, quite nicely, why stretching is such a good idea for your horse--and it only takes a couple of minutes a session! No reason NOT to, and plenty of reasons to take the time to help your horse be more limber. Enjoy!

http://www.thehorse.com//ViewArticle.aspx?ID=16107&eID=298283

New!!! Good "Neigh"-bor Discount!

2010-07-01T03:58:00.000-07:00

To celebrate my three-year anniversary as a certified Equine Sports Massage Practitioner, and my excitement at having been on Vermont Public Radio this week talking about equine massage, and most importantly, to say a big THANK YOU!!!!! to all my clients and their horses, I am very pleased to announce my Good "Neigh"-bor discount!

If you and a neighbor--someone from across the barn aisle or across town--book back-to-back massages, you will BOTH receive a discount! The same discount will apply when you book back-to-back massages for two of your own horses.

The less time I spend driving, the more time I have to work on your horses!

Thanks for helping me make your horses happier, more comfortable, and more willing partners.

Horses in the moonlight; or, night turnout

2010-06-25T04:43:00.000-07:00

What a pretty picture! Horses in and out of shadows, as the moon hides and reappears behind the clouds. Grazing peacefully.
What's missing? Foot stomping, agitated tails swishing, sweating while just standing around. Ah yes, the joys of night turnout.
Night turnout is one of my favorite ways to bring added comfort to my horses during the hot, humid days of summer. The benefits include relief from flies and heat, easier access to your horses during the day when you want to ride, but for me, it has been the best way I have found to get rid of horse flies and deer flies, those fierce little bloodsuckers that are active only during the day. I have repeatedly found that just a few days of night turnout is enough to confuse the flies, and send them off to easier feeding grounds. To which I say, good riddance!
It typically take my horses no more than a day to get used to the idea of night turnout, so I switch their schedule around on a day when they won't be working.
As a massage practitioner, there are benefits too. That foot stomping leads to tighter shoulders, along with the possibility of hoof and leg concussion injuries. The tail wringing leads to tighter, fatigued muscles in the hindquarters, and if the horses are stressed by being hassled by flies all day, they will be tighter all over. Night turnout can be an easy thing to do to give your horses a higher level of comfort.
Do yourself and your horses a favor. Try night turnout when the biting flies get bad!

The joy of fly sheets.

2010-06-10T04:46:00.000-07:00

Fly sheets! Possibly the number-one thing you can do to protect your horse from the nasty biting flies--deer flies, horse flies, and big ol' green-headed flies. And you don't have to spend a ton of money on them! Last year, I bought 3 new, soft and silky fly sheets for my guys, and spent less than $100--TOTAL! Now, you do have to watch for the deals, and try to buy in the off-season when possible, but good deals come up from the major suppliers all the time. (Think Dover Saddlery, State Line Tack, and TackoftheDay.com.)
You want soft fabric, not the stuff that feels like lawn chair fabric, so that it doesn't chafe your sensitive pony. A belly wrap style is great, and that way, you won't have to fly-spray your horse's belly. Neck covers are great too--as long as your horse has some shade to get into, as even the lightest fabric can cause your pony to be uncomfortably warm on those hot, steamy summer days.
For my money, NOTHING beats looking out at my horses on a hot summer day, and knowing that they are totally unconcerned with the flies buzzing around.
Next week: Night turn-out.

Summer fly control

2010-05-27T04:12:00.000-07:00

As an Equine Massage Practitioner, I am all about making horses more comfortable. Here are my three favorite strategies to fight flies: Fly predators, fly sheets, and night turnout. In this post, I'll talk about fly predators
Fly predators are tiny wasps that feed on the larvae of nuisance flies, such as stable and house flies. I have been using them for five years, and every year I am amazed at the results. I will hang fly-paper in my barn, just to see how well the fly predators are working, and it is not unusual for me to not find a SINGLE fly on the fly paper--all summer long. Cheap (under $30 a month for five horses) and really effective. Next week: Fly sheets.

2010-05-23T04:11:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting article on alternative therapies for horses, recently published in the venerable New York Times. Can the mainstream be far behind?
www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/sports/10horses.htm

liniment usage

2010-05-13T04:33:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting article on the benefits of using liniment, particularly Absorbine, when your horse is massaged. Personally, I am a big fan of Sore No More, which contains arnica, among other beneficial herbs. I am cautious about using other liniments, as they can burn if not used judiciously.

http://www.equestrianmag.com/article/absorbine-veterinary-liniment-equine-massage-02-09.html

2010-05-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

Heading outside to ride my three horses, wearing heavy Carhartt coveralls. In May. Seems wrong, somehow.

2010-05-08T04:55:00.001-07:00

Time to go give the horses another flake of hay.

2010-05-08T04:47:00.001-07:00

Soggy day...Horses in the barn listening to country music...good day to clean my boots and a bridle or two...and lay on the couch and study my equine anatomy book

What does your horse most like/dislike about his/her job?

2010-05-06T18:34:00.000-07:00

So here's what got me thinking about this. It seems to me that, quite often, we as riders choose vocations for our horses without giving enough thought as to whether or not it is a job that our horse wants to do. And I'm not talking about being overly indulgent here if your horse is lazy, for instance; your horse doesn't get to run the show! But I am suggesting that you listen to your intuition (without editing it--when you ask yourself a question such as this, listen to the FIRST THING that pops into your head). What we think of as an intuitive response, is very often our horse's way of communicating with us.

2010-05-03T09:06:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! It's a lovely day here in central Vermont. Hope you're all out enjoying your horses!