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    New Course! Posture: Function, Dysfunction, & Everything In-between

    Education Equine Bodywork Equine Massage New Offering Online Class Posture
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    Have you ever been working with your riding instructor or farrier, and they said something like, "Your horse is moving better!" And you just smiled and nodded, because you aren't sure what they are seeing? Or maybe you were that instructor, and you could see that the horse was moving more comfortably, but couldn't quite explain how or why. And when you tried to explain it, the owner kind of squinted and said, "Um, maybe I can see what you mean??"

    What if you didn't have to just trust that the horse is making improvements - What if you were empowered to see what your care team mean when they say your horse is looking 'better', or to know when your horse's body is feeling less than their best?

    In this 1-hr, online course, you will get to learn more about your horse's posture - what it is, why it's important, and what it can tell you about the health of your horse's body and movement. Armed with this new awareness, you will be better prepared to fend off lameness, ride your horse into health, and have vocabulary to talk to your care team professionals.

    Professionals and non-professionals alike will benefit from this class. It has been previously taught to folks from beginners to seasoned clinicians, and all were able to learn something new to take with them on their journey with the horses!

    To find more info, and to register, please follow the link below:
  • Published on

    5 Signs of Discomfort in Your Horse (And What You Can Do About It)

    Originally published in the May/June 2023 issue of Northwest Horse Source

    As you get up from your desk, you place a hand on your shoulder and rotate it uncomfortably. Really need to get that checked out, you think. As you fight traffic on the drive to the barn, you notice the tension in your back. When you arrive, you pull your horse out – he’s always a little slow when leading on the ground – and you start tacking him up. You thought it was too cold for flies, but he was swishing his tail when you brushed him. He’s always troublesome to saddle but you manage. He’s antsy when you mount up, and will sometimes kick out under saddle, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. You get your ride in, give him a treat and a kiss at the end, and head home. You feel better going home than you did on your way to the barn, and that makes you pause – Does my horse feel sore, too?
     
    There were several signs in the above paragraph indicating discomfort – did you catch them?
     
    Bucking and/or Kicking Out
    If your horse is bucking or kicking out under saddle that may be a sign they feel uncomfortable. We’re told to just “work them through it,” but your horse is trying to tell you something in the only way they can. This is especially true if it is a newer behavior, or if it happens at specific moments, such as asking for a gait transition. A horse who is comfortable in their body should rarely kick or buck.
     
    Reluctance to Move
    If your horse is consistently a few steps behind you when you’re leading them or you find yourself having to kick them to move forward under saddle, they are probably feeling some discomfort somewhere. When you have a bad stomachache the last thing you want to do is go for a long jog with a big backpack on. The same goes for your horse. When your horse feels good in their body, there will be willingness and ease of movement.
     
    Doesn’t Stand Still for Mounting
    If you’re standing on the mounting block while your horse dances around or moves in circles around you, that’s a sign your horse is feeling some discomfort. This is another moment that is often misunderstood to be a training issue rather than one of pain or discomfort. A horse who doesn’t anticipate pain will stand still and balanced as their rider mounts up.
     
    Issues when Saddling and/or Grooming
    Just like when mounting, if your horse has trouble standing still when grooming and saddling, that’s a sign they are feeling discomfort somewhere. A comfortable horse should enjoy a good groom session, and should be able to stand still when saddling.
     
    Swishing Tail, Pinned Ears, Nipping
    A horse in discomfort will often wring or swish their tail. There will be other signs of discomfort as well, such as tension through the face, pinned ears, and/or nipping. They may toss their head or stomp a front foot. Rather than a ‘training issue,’ think of these signs as your horse trying to communicate in the only way they can. A horse who is comfortable will have a light, balanced tail – even when swishing at flies – and will be relaxed through their face and shoulder.
     
    How to Help Your Horse
    So, your horse is showing some of these signs and you’re concerned there is pain or discomfort – but what do you do about it? The first step is to contact your veterinarian. They can perform an exam and prescribe treatment where needed. Once your vet is involved, an equine bodyworker can help your horse find reconnection and ease of movement in areas of discomfort. A professional bodyworker should have hands-on training from a reputable school, be able to speak comfortably about equine anatomy and biomechanics, and be able to provide you with exercises to help your horse between sessions. They may also require a vet referral or licensing by the state, depending on local laws. In addition to finding a bodyworker for your horse, don’t forget to visit a bodyworker yourself – your horse will thank you!
     
    Now as you get up from your desk, you feel an ease of movement. So glad I went to a bodyworker! You think. When you arrive at the barn your horse greets you with ears forward and joyful movement. Grooming and tacking up is a breeze, and you’re mounting up and moving out before you know it. Thanks to addressing your horse’s discomfort, working with your horse is so much more joyful and full of ease.

  • Published on

    On the Bridle Path

    In this inaugural, three-hour workshop, we will be exploring how awareness can provide greater connection with our horses and ourselves.

    Using experiential learning activities and interactive demonstrations on the ground, we will be practicing self-awareness and learning more about the language of the horse.

    This clinic is for all experience levels, and there will be a few horses available on-site for those who cannot haul-in. Professionals and non-professionals alike are welcome!

    This clinic is a collaboration between Horse by Northwest and Life Lessons with Horses. Combined, they have over 50 years of equine experience, with certifications in Centered Riding, equine bodywork, and equine experiential education.

  • Published on

    Connection Retreat: Reconnecting with ourselves & our world

    We stand as a group in the arena after a full day of learning and growth. The gentle warmth of the late spring air fills us. The herd is nearby,  peacefully eating hay and grass. Along with the herd's contented munching, we can hear the sounds of birdsong outside. We are surrounded by the herd's earthy hay-and-hide scent and the bright smell of fresh grass. Through our bodies, we can feel the connection to ourselves, each other, and the Earth.

    Standing in a circle, we reflect on what we experienced, speaking of transformation, deep insights, and connection. We glow with the day's work and the steps we have taken on our life's journey, knowing we will take these lessons into our relationship with ourselves and the world we live in.

    We finish the day by expressing gratitude, to the horses acting as guides, to the beautiful space surrounding us, and to those who joined us with openness and fierce vulnerability.
    If this sounds like the end of an ideal day, join us for our Connection Retreat, happening on Monday, May 31, 2021. For more information and to register, please visit the event registration page.
  • Published on

    Donkey Wisdom

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    I pulled up, running late from a prior appointment. As I turned toward the barn, I was greeted by the biggest and brightest rainbow I have ever seen. I almost continued on, but at the last minute I stopped to capture a photo. As I parked and rushed to grab my kit out of the car, I noticed the incredible sunset behind me - a glory of cream-and-gold cumulonimbus clouds, lined by the deep grey of rain and the bright blue of the sky behind them.
    When I finally made it into the barn, I was greeted by Ben’s big bray. It was dinner time, and the herd hadn’t been fed yet. “Sorry, friend, I don’t have any food to offer, but I do have massage.” Ben seemed to consider, and came to a decision: my terms were acceptable. As I entered his stall and removed his blanket, I apologized for the chill. Although we had officially entered spring, the evening still held onto a bit of winter. I stood with Ben for a heartbeat or two, reminding him that I was sharing his space.

    Ben was a fragile old donk who had lived through significant abuse before landing safely at the sanctuary years ago. Because his body was fragile, my touch had to be soft, encouraging small shifts in his posture and soft tissue. Recently, I had started experimenting with small motion, manipulating the skin and surface layers of fascia, a flowy serpentine around his poll and jaw, down his neck, over his shoulder. He soaked it all up, as if his body was a sponge, and my touch the water. Slowly, his fascia and muscles would transform, from being brittle and hard to being soft and yielding. As his tissues softened under my finger tips, the connective tissue slowly melting, I could reach into those deeper aches.

    Ben stood there, his lower lip droopy and trembling, his head gently bobbing with relaxation, not quite asleep but not quite awake, either. This time, as I worked on releasing tension and old aches I noticed - really noticed - the signs of old age on his body. Ben’s little weight shifts to try and find a comfortable posture; a tight belly that struggled to absorb nutrition; the loss of muscling, despite large meals and constant roughage. “Oh, buddy,” I thought, “You must be so tired.” As my focus shifted from the skin, fascia, and muscles directly under my fingers to sympathy, I could feel him stir a little. “I’m alive now, dammit. Focus on that. I’ll go when I’m ready, and not a minute sooner.”

    Nothing can make you feel chastised quite like donkey wisdom.

    The next day, Ben lay down in the warm, dry sand of the arena, his favorite spot. He was ready, and he passed when the moment was right for him, surrounded by his herd and people who loved him. Even after his passing, he continues to provide me with donkey wisdom, lessons to pass along to others.

    First, be present in the moment. Anxiety about the future robs us of experiencing any joy in the now.

    Second, enthusiastically celebrate the good. How many more opportunities would present themselves if instead of being wrapped in judgement, we accepted the gifts being offered?

    Third, trust in yourself. Accept not only the gifts being offered by others; accept the gifts you have to offer. While this last may sound easy, how many times have you thought to yourself, “I’m not good enough” or “If only I were…” There is always room for improvement, of course, but when you accept all you have to offer the world, you reach your fullest potential.

    So when you catch yourself in judgement, worried about all that has passed and all that has yet to come, bring yourself back. You’re alive now, dammit; focus on that.
  • Published on

    Yes, I am open!

    Horse by Northwest has re-opened for business, and I am scheduling sessions! For your safety and mine, I have some new protocols in place. You can find the full list of my updated Terms & Conditions on the contact page; I encourage you to take a look.

    How I will be protecting you:
    • I will wear a mask the entire time I am visiting your barn.
    • For busier boarding barns, I will be providing my own halter (either nylon web or rope) and lead rope to minimize cross-contamination.
    • I will be using hand sanitizer upon arrival, and washing my hands with soap and water between horses.
    • Massage sessions will be performed in your horse's stall or paddock.
    • I will be limiting the number of clients seen in a five-day span to minimize exposure.
    • If I am experiencing symptoms of, have been exposed to, or suspect I have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), I will notify you immediately.

    How you will be protecting others:
    • If you prefer to be present during the session, you will be required to wear a mask over your mouth and nose while I am present, and try to remain at least 6 feet away. If you prefer not to wear a mask, you will be required to remain at least 10 feet away, and in a separate area from the session.
    • I request that you ask others who may be present (friends, family, stall cleaners, trainers, etc) to wear a mask and/or remain at least 10 feet away while I am present.
    • If you prefer to be present, I will send out a survey prior to your session. I request that you respond honestly, and within 12 hours of your session. All responses are confidential, and will be deleted after one month.
    • If you have symptoms of, have been exposed to, or suspect you have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), you agree to notify me immediately.

    I travel to a variety of barns, large and small. This increased exposure not only puts me at risk, but also you and anyone who may be caring for your horse. By practicing social distancing and wearing a mask, I am protecting you and your equine's health.

    Additionally, please note that because I am limiting the number of facilities I will be visiting in a given week, scheduling may be delayed. I appreciate your patience as we work through this together.

    Please do let me know if you have questions/concerns/comments prior to scheduling a session with me. I look forward to hearing from you so that I can provide support for you and your equine on your journey together.