In this hands-on episode, we dive into the horse’s hindquarters—the true “engine” that powers propulsion and performance. Restrictions in the hip flexors (iliopsoas), lumbosacral junction, or sacro-iliac joints often lead to compensatory issues elsewhere, affecting everything from the stifle and hock to the back and neck. Designed specifically for equine bodyworkers, massage therapists, and dedicated horse owners, this episode provides safe, effective tools to identify and address these...

A massive THANK YOU for tuning in to the Starline Equine Bodywork Podcast all year. Your support means everything! We're closing out 2025 with a bang! The final episode is here, packed with the BEST and most unforgettable moments from the year. Fresh, all-new episodes are coming your way in 2026, so stay tuned! Shoutout to this week's incredible featured guests! Go give them a follow on Instagram: Christa Myers: Equestrian Entrepreneur @equestrianentrepreneur Isabelle D'Cost...

Full disclosure: I think this method of horsemanship is GENIUS. And looking back at this fan favourite episode, I believe everyone can benefit from this technique and philosophy- regardless of their profession or discipline within the equine industry. Communicating with horses in way they understand is key to our safety as bodywork practitioners, and to the safety of our client’s horses while in our direct care. Tom Shields is a Master Certified Chris Irwin Method Practitioner who is a wealth...

Ever had show season sneak up on you, only to realize midway through that your horse isn't firing on all cylinders? On this episode of the Starline Equine Bodywork podcast, I sit down with Dr. Amy Bennett from Bennett Equine Veterinary Services. She shares her essential pre-season, mid-season, and post-season checklists for managing performance horses. We're talking soundness checks, targeted treatments, bodywork timing, routine vaccines, and why proactive planning is everything. The result? ...

In this episode of the Starline Equine Bodywork Podcast, we dive into the fascinating science and practical application of 128 Hz weighted tuning forks – a gentle yet powerful tool for accelerating tissue repair in horses and humans alike. Often called the “Otto 128,” this low-frequency fork creates coherent mechanical vibrations that travel beautifully through bone and dense connective tissue. Backed by principles of vibroacoustics, mechanotransduction, and piezoelectricity, the 128 Hz frequ...

Who themselves hasn’t worked out to the point of being a little bit stiff and sore? Horses aren’t different. In this fan favourite episode we talk about how there is a fine line between working muscles to an appropriate place to allow tissue adaptation and fitness to increase, and a place where you have pushed too far. Join me for this episode of the podcast where I discuss delayed onset muscles soreness, muscle micro-damage, and tissue adaptation. I will also have a look at bodyw...

Horses aren’t just animals—they’re individuals with their own thoughts, feelings, and voices (if only we learn how to listen). In this deeply personal episode of the Starline Equine Bodywork Podcast, I open up about a horse who came into my life under less-than-ideal circumstances…and how everything transformed in just four short days. It all shifted because of one sentence. Dr. Marisa Markey of Full Circle Equine Veterinary happened to be at the farm that day. With a single observation, she ...

This is the muscle group, that in my opinion, is too often overlooked. I believe that it is largely responsible for long term soundness in the pelvic limb and its joints, low back health and correct way of going. Join me for this fan favourite episode where I look at the equine iliopsoas group. I look at anatomy, function and dysfunction that appears in horses. Of course I will also look at ways to exercise to promote the health and optimal function of this muscle group. PLEASE CONSIDER R...

Ever wonder why your horse is proficient at left circles but falls apart on the right? Or why they spook more from one side? It’s not stubbornness—it’s laterality. In this week’s episode of the Starline Equine Bodywork Podcast, we break down what “handedness” really means in horses, how to spot it, and why ignoring it is the downfall of performance and soundness. From facial whorls to canter leads, you’ll get practical tests and a step-by-step plan to turn your crooked horse into a symmetrica...

This week’s episode is a fan favourite. Words carry more weight than we often realize—they shape meaning and set expectations. Let’s examine two terms that are frequently swapped without a second thought, and uncover why that’s a mistake! Flexibility vs. Mobility Tune in as we explore how flexible horses are developed, and the right times to focus on flexibility training. We’ll dive into mobility for horses, how it’s built, how the nervous system turns mobility exercises into fluid movement, ...

Come on a hack with Katie Wood (The Equestrian Physio) and me! We catch up, and discuss the idea for the need for critical thinking in the equestrian industry. Are you an innovator? Early adopter? Early majority? Or are you part of the majority? Join us for this episode of the Starline Equine Bodywork recorded entirely from horseback and hear Katie spill the tea on her new venture- trust me, you don’t want to miss this! PLEASE CONSIDER RATING, REVIEWING AND FOLLOWING THIS SHOW. ...

In this fan favourite episode we look at why is back pain a common recurring issue in horses. This question should be front and center in your mind as a horse owner or bodywork practitioner. So here‘s the reality. If your horse suffers from a period of back pain, it’s common for it to re-occur. Seriously. Frustrating…. Right?! There are a variety of reasons why. Join us for this episode where we discuss 4 reasons for recurring back pain and a simple “back hack” to help your horse....

In this week’s episode of the Starline Equine Bodywork Podcast we dive into the unsung hero of your horse’s spine: the multifidus. This small but mighty muscle plays a massive role in both human and equine spines, but it’s uniquely adapted to support your horse’s four-legged, weight-carrying lifestyle. We’ll explore the key differences between the human and equine multifidus, why these distinctions matter for movement, and how understanding this muscle can elevate your horse’s training and bo...

Join me for this fan favourite episode where I share my thoughts on shortening distances between jumps and training bounces in order to produce a better quality jump and step in the horse. As a bodywork practitioner, I'm often concerned that the essential prerequisites for these exercises are overlooked, putting horses at significant risk. In this podcast episode, I share insights on preparing horses to manage bounce and shortened distances, covering both bodywork and training perspectives. I...

The rib cage is more than just a protective structure for a horse’s vital organs; it’s a dynamic framework that significantly influences movement and comfort. However, stiffness, misalignment, or tension in the rib cage can disrupt this harmony, leading to back pain, even in the lumbar region. This episode explores how biomechanics, nerves, muscles, and fascia intertwine, revealing the rib cage’s critical role in equine health. Issues like poor saddle fit or uneven riding can cause rib ...

In this episode, we uncover the magic of leg circles, a simple yet powerful exercise to elevate your horse’s mobility, health, and performance. This science-backed technique involves gently rotating a horse’s front or hind limbs to lubricate joints, engage stabilizing muscles, and awaken the nervous system through non-habitual movements inspired by the Feldenkrais Method. By improving range of motion (ROM) and fostering neuroplasticity, leg circles help horses move with greater ease, prevent ...

In this episode of the Starline Equine Bodywork Podcast, I chat about overhearing a skeptical trainer dismissing kinesiology tape as a gimmick, sparking my mission to educate listeners on its real value. I dive into decompression taping over nerves, postural taping, and taping for hyper-reactive muscles. I am addressing skeptics head-on, emphasizing that kinesiology tape succeeds with proper anatomical application—failing only when misused—and sharing stories of transforming horses' comfort a...

Ever wondered why your horse’s mane flips stubbornly to one side or suddenly switches direction? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of mane direction, a quirky topic that sparks curiosity among horse owners and equine bodyworkers alike. We start by exploring the science behind why a horse’s mane falls the way it does, tracing it back to embryonic development where hair follicles and whorls are set in motion around 30-60 days of gestation. With a nod to equine behavior researc...

In this episode of the Starline Equine Bodywork Podcast, I explore a compelling case of a horse with chronic back pain, revealing that the issue wasn’t a poorly fitting saddle but a deeper problem rooted in the horse’s body. Through a real client story, I uncover how intercostal pain (between the ribs) and mid-gluteal dysfunction caused referred pain to the thoracic and lumbar regions, leading to hypersensitivity and stiff movement. Despite the horse’s strong back the dysfunctional movement p...

Ever noticed your horse acting stiff or reactive in one spot, but the area feels fine when you check it? You might be dealing with referred pain—a sneaky phenomenon where discomfort shows up in one part of the body but stems from a problem elsewhere. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of referred pain patterns in horses, exploring how to crack the code using Reaction Points and the science behind it all. Referred pain is common in horses due to their complex anatomy and stoic...