What modalities do you offer, and how much experience do you have?
In my equine wellness sessions, I combine my equine therapy skills and knowledge to address the horse’s entire neuro-musculoskeletal system (the nervous system, the soft tissues, and the skeletal structure). This includes myofascial and craniosacral therapies, proprioceptive and somatic techniques, nerve release, massage, communication and energy work, and postural and movement exercises. I also utilize red/infrared light therapy, stability pads, and equine kinesiology tape as needed.
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 Malahat area. Travel to other parts of the island are always possible upon demand, and small travel fees are applicable for some locations. I also travel periodically to the Lower Mainland. Some services are available online - 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?
I have a special interest in working with horses who struggle with emotional regulation, who have had difficulties with traditional bodywork methods in the past, or who are sometimes described as “difficult”, “quirky” or “a puzzle” because of their behaviours. However, the reality is that horses regardless of age, breed, ability, and workload benefit greatly from this work. Horses don’t need to have a “problem”, have a hard-working lifestyle, or even be ridden, to reap the many benefits of my manual therapy skills, combined with a deep understanding of the needs of horses. I work with both preventative and restorative methods to help horses feel their best.
We need to look at the physical and emotional well-being of our horses 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 wellness work?
Support for chronic conditions and past injuries.
Pull-back incidents, head injuries, or neck strain.
Sensitivity to touch or tension in the jaw, ears, and poll.
Head shaking.
Difficulty building correct neck and thoracic sling musculature.
Back pain, weak topline, or spinal imbalances.
Trouble bending or balancing on a circle.
Reduced range of motion.
Postural changes.
Pelvic imbalances and weaknesses.
Difficulty holding up limbs for the farrier.
Uneven hoof wear.
Anxiety, excessive spookiness, or difficulty self-regulating.
Discomfort with touch.
Inability to focus or connect with handlers.
Stress behaviors under-saddle.
*Injuries, illnesses, and lameness must be evaluated by a veterinarian first.
If your horse is suffering from an ailment, please contact me to discuss their veterinary diagnosis, to determine if my services are appropriate for your horse’s needs, and to receive clearance from your veterinarian where necessary.
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 Session is required. Initial Sessions exist to allow me to gather information and to begin a plan to support you and your horse. Please allow up to 2 hours for Initial Sessions. A generous appointment time allows for for me to meet your horse where they are in the present moment, to discuss your challenges and goals, and to develop a trusting working relationship - with you, and with your horse.
While subsequent Follow-Up Equine Sessions can sometimes take longer depending on what is happening with the horse at the time, most regular appointments require about 75-90 minutes.
What are your working 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.
What are your rates, and how do how do I pay you?
Please visit this page for current service offerings and prices. Note that there are a couple of discounts available.
My payment policy is outlined on the intake form in detail - please refer to it there when it is sent to you. Here are the main points:
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, or you do not have reliable cell service at your barn for the Square reader, I can invoice you through Square and you can make your payment online (via credit card or e-transfer) prior to the start of the appointment.
Cash is always accepted.
GST is included in my prices, and I will happily provide receipts.
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.
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.
If I need to reschedule your appointment due to illness, emergency or weather, I will give you as much notice as possible. You will not pay any fees, and any pre-payments will be refunded.
I am very diligent about being on time for appointments. However, if I am going to be more than 10 minutes late to your appointment, I will call or text you to let you know.
How can I prepare my horse for the session?
Please have your horse recently fed, reasonably dry and groomed, and ready for their appointment.
We can work in the stall, shelter, in the barn aisle, or in a paddock/field/arena. It varies depending on the horse’s preference, available facilities, weather, 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.
Avoid scheduling your appointment when it is feeding time or there are other professionals working – these things can be very distracting for your horse. If that’s unavoidable, finding a quiet place to work will be important.
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 encouraged.
Dirty horses do not enjoy me rubbing grit into their skin, so brushing is essential. They don’t need to be perfectly dust-free, but crusted on dirt will need to be removed (from the head and limbs as well as the body).
I 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 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 proceed. I cannot diagnose injury or illness or prescribe medication. There are also 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.
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 a minimum of 5 days before a show/competition/clinic. 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 a 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. Your horse’s threshold for the work may be impeded, and limit the work that I can do with your horse that day.
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. Some horses are keen to be touched all over their bodies, while some horses are extra sensitive or protective and require more patience and time.
The horse's feedback is essential to my work, and I prioritize their comfort and consent throughout each session. I rely on the handler’s assistance, especially with unfamiliar horses. Please let me know if you have questions about handling or communication during the session, and disclose any sensitive areas your horse may have to prevent discomfort or injury.
Context is key when interpreting a horse’s signals. My goal is never to push them beyond their threshold, but to respond to their needs in the moment. Forcing stillness won’t create relaxation, and every horse has different tolerance levels for hands-on work.
How many sessions will my horse need, and how far apart?
This also varies depending on the individual horse. A wellness schedule 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.
While a single session can show positive results, ongoing sessions or a series of sessions are highly recommended. The nature of this work is gradual unwinding and peeling back of layers of compensation in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. As with any equine bodywork modality, craniosacral and myofascial work can bring about fascial, muscular, and emotional releases for the horse which may result in revealing underlying compensations in the body. For this reason, it is crucial to understand the importance of consistency in follow-up sessions, completing "homework" with your horse, and potential referrals to other equine professionals if/when needed.
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. While regular appointments are recommended - especially so that 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 and nervous systems. I have many individually tailored exercises and activities 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 - find information HERE). Owners who participate in their horses’ wellness journey always see the greatest positive changes.
What else do I need to know?
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.
Feel welcome to take photos during the session. I always appreciate your permission to use them on my social media pages or in my newsletter, as well as your social media tags and shout-outs.
Videos are also allowed, but please do not record or post my explanations or recommendations without my permission - these are tailored specifically to you and your horse, and not for public access.
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!