Equine Bodywork & Massage Treatments
Hi, I’m Stephanie! I’m a Certified Equine Massage Therapist located in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. I have been a licensed massage therapist for over ten years and specialize in myofascial and craniosacral massage techniques.
I have applied my years of experience and continuing education in equine bodywork incorporating multiple massage techniques along with essential oils.
Each session is customized to the client’s individual needs whether it be a high-level competition horse or a retired companion pony. Sessions include a combination of therapeutic modalities such as sports massage, craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, trigger point, and acupressure work.
All sessions include an evaluation and aim at treating the whole horse.
Pricing
$100 – 60 min
$135 – 90 min
Raindrop Technique $105 – 60 min
Serving the Bradenton and Sarasota areas.
Raindrop Technique
The Raindrop Technique was developed by D. Gary Young, the founder of Young Living Essential Oils. This powerful technique is used on both humans and horses and has the ability to bring homeostasis back both physically and emotionally.
Physically, it has the potential to relieve pain and muscle soreness as well as release buried trauma and behavioral patterns that affect training, riding and the overall horse’s wellbeing.
Essential oils help detox the cells and organs while also releasing emotion/truama that is stored in tissue from past injuries.
The vita flex technique is used to help transport essential oils throughout the body. This technique uses the reflex system to release stress and energy blocks found in the body.
What happens during a Raindrop Technique?
An initial assessment and oil of the horse’s choosing to help relaxation and acceptance.
Next, I use Valor to balance the energy centers, starting at the poll, shoulder and base of tail.
Third, I use Oregano, Thyme, Basi, Wintergreen, Cypress and Marjoram. These are applied to the spine of the horse (from the sacrum to the withers) which simulates raindrops. The oils are then “feather stroked” after each oil is applied. The Vita flex technique helps the oils get deeper into the tissue and allows for healing. I like to apply a hot towel compress after the essential oils are applied so as to allow the oils to integrate and do it’s work.
It’s best to wait at least 24 hours before being ridden or in competition as the horse will experience detoxification.
Why is Equine Bodywork So Important?
- Improved performance: bodywork improves your horse's gait, range of motion and stamina
- Rehab: If your horse has an injury, it should be addressed as soon as possible. Delay's can worsen the injury and affect healing time
- Prevention: As a Licensed Massage Therapist, we are trained to detect early signs of trouble such as stiffness and muscle spasms
What is Craniosacral?
Craniosacral is a gentle hands-on technique that releases tension in order to relieve pain and improve health and performance.
The practitioner works with the craniosacral system–the cranium, spinal column, sacrum and central nervous system. The cerebral spinal fluid is continually circulating throughout the body bringing nutrients to the brain while removing toxins. When blockages in fascia are present the circulation slows and problems manifest.
This therapy helps the cerebral spinal fluid to flow at a normal rate and allows the entire craniosacral system to regulate, promoting healing both physically and emotionally.
What is Craniosacral?
Craniosacral is a gentle hands-on technique that releases tension in order to relieve pain and improve health and performance.
The practitioner works with the craniosacral system–the cranium, spinal column, sacrum and central nervous system. The cerebral spinal fluid is continually circulating throughout the body bringing nutrients to the brain while removing toxins. When blockages in fascia are present the circulation slows and problems manifest.
This therapy helps the cerebral spinal fluid to flow at a normal rate and allows the entire craniosacral system to regulate, promoting healing both physically and emotionally.
How does this correspond to horses?
Craniosacral Therapy addresses both postural issues that look like conformation issues. It is greatly beneficial for nervous or anxious horses or those that are very tight.
Equine Craniosacral is beneficial for all horse disciplines. Whether a top-level performance horse, a trail pony or a hunter jumper. Unfortunately, many horses that have been retired due to injuries can be prevented with some quality bodywork.
This technique allows the horse to recover from physical stress and strain of everyday training by helping them rebalance their body.
What can CST help with specifically?
- -head shaking
- -TMJ dysfunction
- -hindquarter injuries
- -lameness
- -head trauma
Case Studies
I frequently use oils on humans, dogs and horses.
One of the first horses I worked with was a rescue in bad shape. I used a series of essential oils. I always let the horse choose the oil as the “inner physician” knows what it needs most at that moment.
The horse will either choose to lick it out of my hand for internal ingestion or I will get a sense of where the horse needs it most. This particular horse had a lot of tension and stress in his hind quarters (I suspect from being laid up on concrete). I use CranioSacral Therapy in conjunction with essential oils as they compliment eachother. This particular horse had a release in his biceps femoris and eliminated in front of us (which he had never done before).
Another horse was a retired OTTB at the age of 4. It seemed as though this horse had lost its spirit. It was in a great deal of pain and had a tremendous amount of tension and muscle soreness in his neck/cervical junction as well as his saddle/sacroiliac joint. After using some essential oils and CranioSacral, the horse went immediately to turn out and started galloping in the pasture. He proceeded to lay down and roll on the ground. This was an exceptionally good sign as his entire emotional/physical body was releasing emotions and fascia and resetting to it’s original state. This horse now has his spirit back and is alert and runs as he did not before. He is also eating well and gaining weight.