ALL ABOUT HANNAH
Qualified and fully Insured Equine Massage Therapist
From when I was little I always knew I wanted to work with horses. My riding career started in Germany when I was 8 years old. After graduation from school, I moved to England and studied B.Sc. Equine Studies at Bishop Burton College which I graduated from in 2015. I then started my journey to become an Equine Massage Therapist with the Equine Massage Academy. I finished my Studies in 2018 with Distinction. Apart from my academic achievements, I have also worked for olympic riders in Germany and the UK as well as trained up to Advanced Medium Dressage level. I hope to compete my own horse at Prix St. George Level in the next few years, working on riding at Grand Prix level one day. Throughout the years I have learned that there is no such thing as a naughty horse, every problem has a root. With the skills I have learned throughout the years and still undergoing CPD courses regularly, I would love to help you and your horse with whatever issue it is you are facing. Please get in contact if you have any questions or would like to discuss if your horse could benefit from a massage session.
MY SERVICES
What I Offer You and Your Horse
REMEDIAL MASSAGE
£45 - approx. 1 hour
When you book your horse for a Remedial Massage Session, I will conduct a dynamic and static evaluation of your horses movement and confirmation after you have given me a detailed description of your horses history and issues. I will then palpate your horse before starting the massage. Throughout our session I will talk you through what techniques I am using and why. To help muscular and myofascial tension release I can use kinesiology taping techniques. Kinesiology taping can also be applied for a longer period of time to help your horses proprioception.  If I feel this may be beneficial to your horse, I will discuss this with you. An extra charge may apply.
After the session you will receive exercises tailored to your horses needs. For an extra charge I can create a personal exercise plan which will be send to your email address. It is important that you speak to your vet for veterinary approval before booking in for a massage session. Please get in contact if you have any questions or would like to book your horse in for a session.
PRE- AND POST- COMPETITION MASSAGE
Price on Request
I offer to travel to your yard before setting off to a competition or can meet you at the competition venue to prepare your horses body for increased energy demands. This can help muscle performance as part of your warm up routine.Â
A Post Competition massage will take place at least 2 hours or a day after the event. The effects can assist in recovery and removal of lactic acid build up. We can monitor stress build up areas and help reduce muscle tension after strenuous work.Â
As this service is very tailored to you and your horse, this can only be booked if I see your horse regularly for remedial massage sessions. Please get in contact if you have any questions.
PERSONALISED EXERCISE PLAN
£20 - In conjunction with Remedial Massage
Once your Horse had a remedial Massage Session with me, I can design you a tailored exercise plan. Whatever muscular issues we have discovered in our massage session will be addressed in the plan. If you like, I can design this plan together with your riding coach. It will be send to your email address, for you to keep.
NEWS AND UPDATES
HELLO EVERYONE!
I have finally managed to create a website. It is definitely not as easy as it looks... But I am super happy to finally show you the end result! In this Section of my website I will write some articles which I will also post on Facebook. This will include some interesting facts about the horses muscular and skeletal system as well as exercises which you can try at home! If you would like me to talk about something particular, just get in contact.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS REMEDIAL MASSAGE AND WHY COULD IT BENEFIT MY HORSE?
The definition of Remedial Massage is the "therapeutic application of massage techniques applied to a horse via manipulation of the soft tissue" and its benefits include an increased blood flow which can result in quicker muscle recovery, joint mobilization and efficient removal of lactic acid. Remedial Massage also helps your horse to relax physically which can lead to more psychological relaxation. All these and more benefits can lead to a happier horse which should perform better.
WHY WOULD MY HORSE NEED A MASSAGE SESSION?
Has your horse just started its ridden career? Has it suddenly stopped in front of a fence or shown any other behavioral changes? Do you feel like your horse fatigues quicker or has its performance suddenly dropped? If you can answer yes to any of these, then I am pretty certain I can help you. The horses body is a very complex chain of bones, muscles and a lot of other soft tissue. Once tightness or adhesion within one area occurs, other issues will follow.Â
Massage can be used to prevent injury, but also to help recovery after injury. I am happy to work together with your vet to support your horses healing process. Don't hesitate to get in contact to discuss this further.
ARE THERE ANY TIMES I SHOULD NOT BOOK IN FOR A SESSION?
The contra indications for your horse receiving a massage are any contagious diseases like strangles or ringworm. I will also not be able to see your horse if it has injured itself on the day of the booked session. If this may be the case, please give me a call and we will find another day for your session. During the acute stage of an injury, massage will be counterproductive.
If your horse is unwell and has a fever or diarrhoea, I will not be able to perform massage. I will not be able to come out to your mare when she is pregnant. If you are unsure of anything, just get in contact.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO CONSIDER ONCE I HAVE BOOKED IN FOR A SESSION?
When your horse is due its massage, it is important that your horse is in its stable or in an area where you can hold it. The horse has to be clean and dry. Please do not use any show shine on the coat as it will get too slippy for me to massage. Your horse should not have any hard feed for at least 1 hour before or after the session if it is prone to colic. Make sure your horse has access to enough clean water after the massage, as they can be a little thirsty afterwards. A horse can also defecate a little more than usual for 24 hours after the massage and the urine may be darker with a stronger smell. These are signs of toxin release. Some horses show some clear nasal discharge for a day after the massage which is nothing to worry about. It may be necessary for your horse to have a day off after it has received a massage (Unless it is a pre competition massage). Please bear this in mind when agreeing on a date. I will make you aware of all the above when booking in for a session and also tell you about the after care once your horse received its massage.
WHY IS VETERINARY APPROVAL NEEDED?
When the Veterinary Act was written in 1948 with the aim to safeguard the welfare of sick and injured horses, Equine Massage Therapist did not exist. At this moment in time, Equine Massage Therapists are not included within the Veterinary Act, however the Equine Massage Academy has been included in a consultation process with BEVA (British Equine Veterinary Association) to work as closely within the act as possible. The Act makes it an offence for anyone other than the vet and owner (or other professional included within the Act) to treat a horse without permission or approval by the vet. I am very proud to be part of the organisation that represents Equine Massage Therapists to ensure we work to the best of our abilities within the Veterinary Act and in close connection with other Equestrian Organisations.
