What modalities do you offer, and how much experience do you have?
In my equine therapy sessions, myofascial and craniosacral therapies following osteopathic principles - supported by my skills in proprioceptive and somatic techniques, nerve release, and massage - work together to address the entire neuro-musculoskeletal system (the nervous system, the soft tissues, and the skeletal structure). Gentle postural, movement, and isometric activation techniques integrate the changes into the horse’s motor patterns. I also utilize red/infrared light therapy, stability pads, and equine kinesiology tape as needed to support my manual therapy work.
My methods work intimately with the nervous system. Simply put, the nervous system governs all other systems within the body, and connects all of the tissues and structures. The nervous system stores pain, trauma, and motor patterns. It's deeply connected to emotional well-being. It is the key to working in a way that honours the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual being of the horse.
I’m always happy to discuss my education - check out the bottom of THIS page to see what education courses I’ve taken and am currently undertaking.
In addition to working as a Certified Equine Therapist since 2015 and completing multiple certification programs, I also have nearly 20 years of horse ownership experience, and have been working in the equine industry since the early 2000s (I worked my way from feed/tack store employee, to stable manager, to equine veterinary assistant, to equine therapist - with a sprinkling of various barn jobs in between!).
What is your service area?
I’m based in Ladysmith, BC and service Vancouver Island. I travel regularly from Qualicum Beach to Cobble Hill. Travel to other parts of the island are always possible upon demand, and small travel fees are applicable for some locations. I also have a variety of online services. Please check the Services page for more information.
I built a busy practice in the Lower Mainland from 2015-2023, and I’m now enjoying the growth of Free to Be Equine on Vancouver Island, and meeting all of the wonderful horses and their people here.
What horses can benefit from your work?
Most horses love and benefit from these gentle but profoundly effective techniques - regardless of age, breed, ability, and workload. Regular equine bodywork is an impactful way to ease excess tension, weaknesses, and restrictions, which in turn increases range of motion and reduces strain on muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and joints. By activating new motor patterns and restoring freedom of motion, we can facilitate ideal posture and biomechanics unique to each horse’s body and lifestyle. Allowing horses to move with freedom, confidence, and comfort improves well-being and reduces chance of injury.
Horses rely on us as their stewards to facilitate these positive outcomes for them. We need to look at their physical and emotional well-being through a holistic lens to ensure that we are meeting their unique needs as highly sensitive, active, and social beings; both in their interactions with people, as well as within their environment.
What are some common reasons that people seek out this kind of equine therapy work?
Common reasons that craniosacral and myofascial therapies are sought after for horses*:
Management of chronic conditions and past injuries.
Pull back incidents, head injuries (commonly hit on beams, fences, and trailers), and horses who have been cast or otherwise strained their neck.
Sensitivity to touch or holding excessive tension in their jaw, ears, and/or poll.
Head shaking.
Difficulty building correct musculature in their neck and thoracic sling.
Back pain and tension, a weak topline, or imbalances in the spine.
Difficulty bending or balancing on a circle.
Reduced range of motion.
Changes in habitual posture.
Imbalances and weaknesses in the pelvis.
Difficulty holding up limbs for the farrier.
Uneven hoof wear patterns.
Anxiety and excessive spookiness, or an inability to self regulate.
Stress behaviours under saddle.
And many more!
*Injuries, illnesses, and lamenesses must be first evaluated by a veterinarian.
How long do appointments take?
If your horse is seeing me for the first time, or if over one year has elapsed since they were last seen, an Initial Equine Therapy Session is needed. These sessions are longer than regular appointments due to time spent on history taking, observation (static and in motion), as well as giving the horse an opportunity to relax into my presence and my techniques. Initial Sessions include bodywork appropriate for your horse’s current needs. I ask that you allow up to 2 hours for these appointments.
While subsequent Equine Therapy sessions can sometimes take longer depending on what is happening with the horse at the time, most regular appointments require about 75 minutes.
What are your hours?
I typically work between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. I can accommodate evening appointments as my schedule allows. I do not book weekend sessions at this time unless travelling to provide services to out-of-town clients.
How far ahead do I need to book?
This varies greatly depending on the time of year and how quickly my schedule fills up. I recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance. If you have very specific days/times that work for you, book as far ahead as you can because it might be a few weeks until I have those days and times available! Sometimes, when someone else needs to reschedule, I may have a last-minute appointment available.
How do I pay you?
Payment is due at the time of the appointment and I have a Square reader that can process Visa, Mastercard, Debit, Apple Pay, etc. If you are unable to be present at the appointment, I can invoice you through Square and you can make your payment online prior to the appointment. I also accept cash. GST is included in my prices and I will happily provide receipts. Please check my website for current pricing.
What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
Because my work days are very carefully scheduled to accommodate horses all over my service areas, it’s very important that you give me as much notice as possible of a cancellation or rescheduling of an appointment - in person, or online.
If you cancel or reschedule less than 48 hours ahead of your appointment, you are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. I charge this fee because cancellations with less than 48 hours notice are very difficult to fill with another horse, and can be costly for me since I drive so far to accommodate appointments in specific areas.
I am very understanding of emergency situations, and I try to accommodate last minute rescheduling due to emergencies as best as I can. I appreciate your honesty in these situations, and your respect for my time.
How can I prepare my horse for the session?
Unless discussed otherwise for assessment purposes, please have your horse fed, reasonably dry and groomed, and ready for their appointment. Try to avoid scheduling your appointment when it is feeding time or there are other professionals working – these things can be very distracting for your horse. Please avoid using coat/grooming sprays before the appointment – a slippery horse is very difficult to work on, and kinesiology tape will not stick to a coat that has been sprayed. Fly spray during the summer is, however, encouraged. Dirty horses do not enjoy me rubbing grit into their skin, so brushing is essential.
We can work in the stall, in the barn aisle, or in a paddock/arena. It varies depending on the horse’s preference, available facilities, and what else is going on at the barn at the time. Use of cross-ties is discouraged, as they don’t allow enough space for movement and safety.
I generally recommend giving your horse at least 24 hours off from riding after a session, but gentle exercise and ample turnout is encouraged.
When is it NOT recommended to book an equine therapy session?
It is not recommended to book equine therapy appointments for horses who are acutely lame, injured (cuts, swelling), or ill (even a runny nose) - please contact your veterinarian instead. Your horse may need veterinary treatment and time to heal before we can do bodywork.
It is not recommended to perform bodywork within 5-7 days of vaccinations or joint injections. Please also disclose if your horse has had surgery within the last 3 months.
I do not recommend booking a session within 5 days of a show or competition. Horses need time, often several days, to integrate the changes from bodywork - and a minimum of 24 hours of no riding after their session (sometimes longer).
I do not recommend booking an equine therapy session on the same day that your horse is receiving veterinary work, farrier work, clipping, or any riding before the appointment that exceeds their normal work load.
Extra precaution must be taken with pregnant mares - please disclose your mare’s pregnancy prior to booking a session.
How should I expect my horse to react during their session?
Each horse is an individual having a unique experience within their body. Some horses stand with their eyes closed, lips drooping and drool on the floor. Some will blink, lick and chew, or yawn. Some will fidget, paw, or mouth the lead rope before a tension release - the ability to work in an area where movement can be utilized is helpful for these horses. Some will require breaks throughout the session to process the changes, or to utilize movement for integration.
The important thing to remember is that context is the key to interpreting the signals from our equine partners, and that my goal is to NOT cause the horse discomfort, or put them over their threshold. I always listen to what their body needs in the moment. Forcing the horse to stand still will never result in a relaxed horse. Not every horse can tolerant the same amount of hands-on work in one session.
How many sessions will my horse need, and how far apart?
This also varies depending on the individual horse. Bodywork schedule frequency can vary from every 4 weeks to 4 times per year, and anything in between. Sometimes I see horses 2 weeks apart if we’re dealing with an issue that needs additional work.
I’m very open and honest about what I think your horse will benefit from the most, and I understand that everyone has a budget that they need to work within. Regular appointments are recommended – this way we can catch and correct minor issues before they become major issues that will cost a lot more time and money in the long run. Every horse’s situation is unique and I work within that. If you’d like to read about why consistent bodywork is important, you can check out my article about it HERE.
There are also lots of things you can work on with your horse between appointments to support their musculoskeletal system. I have many individually tailored exercises to suggest and demonstrate for you at your appointment. I also offer Support Sessions, which are sessions dedicated entirely to helping you with what you can work on with your own horse (in person or online options are available). Owners who do “homework” with their horses always see the best results from bodywork sessions!
What else do I need to know?
Please tell me before the appointment if your horse has any current injuries or illnesses, or if they’ve had any major illnesses or injuries in the past. There are contraindications to bodywork (things that can make it harmful rather than helpful) and I need to be aware of your horse’s history to avoid this.
If your horse has an acute injury, illness, or lameness, please check with your veterinarian before you set up an appointment. These things are in your veterinarian’s scope of practice, not mine. Remember that I cannot diagnose injury or illness or prescribe medication because I’m not a vet!
Please tell me if your horse has sensitive areas on his body that cause him to react to touch in that area. It’s not a good “test” to withhold that information. I need to know this information to avoid hurting your horse, or getting hurt myself.
Please don't hesitate to ask questions before, during, and after the appointment! I also love to hear updates on how your horse is doing, so never hesitate to get in touch.
I hope this helps with any questions you may have - but please CONTACT me if you are curious about anything else or would like to set up an appointment.
Thanks for reading!