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Equine Bodywork - for the Ears

January 31, 2025 Kaiti Elliott

**As an Equine Craniosacral Therapist, the ears are an important part of my work.**

Horses are highly sensitive animals, and their ears play a critical role in interpreting their environment. Not only necessary for sensory input and communication with people and other horses, equine ears are also connected to other very important structures in the body, and their function plays a considerable role in the horse's overall health and comfort.

Equine bodywork practitioners generally focus on restoring balance to a horse’s musculoskeletal system. Most of the attention is often directed at the larger muscles and joints, and an area that can be overlooked is the horse's ears.

How Can You Support Your Horse This Winter?

January 31, 2025 Kaiti Elliott

In this article, I'm going over what you can do at home with your horses to improve their well-being during the winter season.

Supporting Your Horse When On Rest

January 9, 2025 Kaiti Elliott

There are so many ways to support a horse that is on rest from an injury. A common misconception that we see in the equine therapy/physio/bodywork industry is that such work only has value for horses if they are ridden regularly. When a horse is on rest, especially with a restricted movement recovery space (stall or paddock), it is vital to ensure that their body is receiving support throughout their recovery.

Research Discussion on Equine Pain

January 9, 2025 Kaiti Elliott

I read a very interesting study published earlier this year that validates what many horse people have already been seeing and experiencing. Through this study, researchers have developed a tool to aid in the assessment of musculoskeletal pain in horses. You can find the full research article cited at the bottom of this post.

Facilitating Nervous System Regulation for Horses

January 9, 2025 Kaiti Elliott

What are some of the ways that I facilitate nervous system regulation for horses in my equine wellness sessions?

The importance of honouring the horse's nervous system in their environment, relationships, training, riding, bodywork, etc. cannot be denied when you see first hand what a positive difference it makes for their welfare.

The importance of honouring the horse's nervous system in their environment, relationships, training, riding, bodywork, etc. cannot be denied when you see first hand what a positive difference it makes for their welfare. What are some of the ways that I facilitate nervous system regulation in my equine wellness sessions?

Do All Horses Benefit From Bodywork?

March 4, 2024 Kaiti Elliott

Every once in a while I talk to someone who is interested in what I do, but comments that their horse doesn't really do much and therefore doesn't require any bodywork.

Everyone has a different opinion on whether any horse "requires" bodywork, but let's reframe it and pose this question - can a horse benefit from bodywork even if they "don't do much"? That I can confidently answer with a resounding yes!

Always Be Softer

March 4, 2024 Kaiti Elliott

If there is one piece of advice I can offer to both new equine bodyworkers and to human partners of horses, it would be this: whatever you are doing, do it softer. When you think you're being soft, be softer still.

Intention is a form of energy that I find most people struggle to control around their horses. Equine therapists have to learn this skill quickly because without it, many horses - especially if they have pain or anxiety - will refuse our touch. It's an ongoing skill development that doesn't occur overnight and is never fully learned. But it is an easy one to begin and when you do, you will notice a significant shift in how your horse responds to you.

When We Cannot "Fix" Our Horses

March 4, 2024 Kaiti Elliott

A letter to my dear fellow horse professionals, specifically equine therapists, but this can apply to anyone who helps or cares for horses for a living.

To my dear fellow equine practitioners and caregivers, please give yourself some grace. I know it can be a very thankless career, and I want you to know that you are seen, understood, and you are not alone.

Equine Craniosacral Therapy - How is it Different?

March 4, 2024 Kaiti Elliott

How is equine craniosacral therapy the same or different from other equine therapy methods?

CST has given me a whole new way of working with horses' minds and bodies. Embodiment of the necessity of consent from the body and appreciation of its ability to self regulate and heal. It has refined my palpation, deepened my listening, and opened my mind.

Be A Good Listener - Not Just For The Horse's Sake

March 4, 2024 Kaiti Elliott

Being a good listener doesn't end with the horse. Half of the partnership that we are working with in equine manual therapy is the horse's human steward. And I can say with confidence, having been a horse owner for almost twenty years myself, that they are rarely truly listened to. As a horse owner, you get very accustomed to people telling you what to do - and what not to do - with your horse.