Thank you for choosing Optimum Equine to provide quality, intuitive bodywork for your horse. I take great pride in the work that I do through careful, patient, and correct techniques and am confident that you will see and feel the difference in your horse. Each horse is an individual, and we can decide together which type of session is best for your equine athlete. Within the session, the horse guides the techniques I will use based upon their responses and the patterns of tension uncovered in the body. I consider myself an eternal student and will never stop learning new methods and techniques in order to best help our horses. To date, I have certifications in equine sports massage therapy, Masterson Method Equine Performance Bodywork and SureFoot Balance Pad proprioceptive therapy. I am currently receiving education in the Balance Through Movement Method techniques combining movement with bodywork for healing and postural rehab as well as their Lazaris Nerve Release Techniques.
He always struggled with the left pirouette. After his massage, he wouldn’t stop! I think he really loves and benefits from his massages.
Pam & Wally
Wellness Bodywork Session
$90 / 60 min
In these hour-long, full-body sessions, I will first evaluate the horse for any areas of reactivity or tension in major muscle groups and key junctions of the body and then use a integrated mixture of Masterson Method bodywork techniques, sports massage, acupressure, and myofascial release techniques to release muscle tension, improve range of motion and therefore improve performance and comfort in the horse. Ideal for horses that are actively training and in moderate work. These sessions should be used as maintenance every 4-8 weeks in most horses for maximum results.
Enhanced Bodywork Session
$110/ 60 min
In these sessions, I will evaluate and treat the horse as described above with the addition of extra modalities, including red/near-infrared light therapy and/or SureFoot Equine Balance Pads. These sessions are ideal for horses that are competing, in moderate to heavy work, or struggling with either acute or chronic discomfort due to arthritis, hoof imbalances, distal limb injuries, kissing spines, long standing muscle imbalances, postural asymmetries, etc. Red and near infrared light is an effective modality for reducing pain and inflammation through healing at the cellular level. Proprioceptive therapy via SureFoot pads can be an integral part of rebalancing the horse’s whole body and unlocking long standing compensatory patterns.
“Mini” Enhanced sessions are also available for maintenance clients and are ideal for horses who are holding the bodywork well and respond well to the extra modalities. $70 for 30 minute sessions.
Performance Bodywork Session
$130 / 90 min
Recommended for horses in heavy work, frequently competing or displaying performance issues such as reluctance to move off the leg, difficulty lifting or engaging the back, a preference for one direction, swapping leads, bucking or rearing, difficulty with bend and suppleness, tension in their work, uneven use of front or hind limbs, etc. The evaluation will search for areas of restriction in the body and the limbs and treat with deep tissue sports massage, joint mobilization techniques, acupressure and myofascial release. Alternative modalities will be added as needed. The frequency of these sessions will be guided by the horse’s improvements and performance requirements.
Topline Massage
$60/ 30 min
Available as maintenance sessions only
These sessions focus on massage of the major muscles supporting a healthy topline: the neck, withers, back, sacroiliac and sacrolumbar joints, pelvic attachments, and glutes. Recommended for horses who are receiving bodywork regularly and performing well, or for horses in light work, in retirement, on stall rest, or as an introduction to bodywork for very young horses.
Red & Near-infrared Light Therapy
$60 / approx. 30 min
Light therapy (red & near-infrared) is an excellent adjunctive treatment for horses in regular work. It helps to promote healing from within the body, which can delay the onset of soreness and help your horse’s bodywork treatment effects last even longer. Plus, light therapy can act on legs and joints to reduce pain and inflammation, allowing your horse to feel and perform his best–from head to hoof. It can also be used as a stand-alone treatment, if preferred
Teaching Sessions
$130 / 90 min
For owners interested in learning and performing some supportive techniques in between professional sessions, I offer personalized coaching sessions and plans that will best help support your horse’s problem areas. The scope and duration of these sessions will vary based upon the needs of the horse and the ability of the owner, and can often be paired with your horse’s regular bodywork. Contact for pricing.
Masterson Method Sessions
$180 / up to 2 hours
I offer the classic Masterson Method bodywork which can take up to two hours in its full and true form. While each bodywork session incorporates Masterson techniques as indicated by the horse, in these sessions I will visit each of the 30+ releases that encompass this powerful and interactive method.
For these sessions, it is imperative that the horse be able to rest for 48 hours following the bodywork.
Movement Sessions
$130 / 90 min+
For owners looking to take the effect of these bodywork sessions to the next level, we can work together to incorporate movement into the practices both for enhanced healing and for a deeper understanding of the horse’s movement and compensatory patterns. These sessions can be done in-hand or on the lunge and will incorporate SureFoot therapy as well as manual techniques to encourage greater freedom of movement. For owners interested in Balance Through Movement work, this is an ideal time to introduce Pillar One work for postural rehab as well as a deeper connection in your partnership and more relaxation and emotional stability in the horse.
Have Questions? Contact Me or Read More
I service the greater Pittsburgh equestrian community, and also travel regularly to Morgantown, WV. For locations more than an hour outside of Pittsburgh, travel fees may apply. There is a $10-20 farm call when I travel for just one horse, depending on location.
How to get the most out of your horse’s bodywork session
There are a few things to take into consideration when scheduling bodywork for your horse. Depending on the intensity of the session, your horse may need 24 hours for their body to reset before under saddle training can resume. Also, when possible, it is best to work on muscles when they are “cold,” meaning that if you need to ride your horse before the session, they should have 1-2 hours before bodywork. For many maintenance sessions, it is ok to ride after the bodywork. Lastly, it is ideal to schedule the session for a quiet time of day when the horse will not be focused on turnout or feeding times. Though it’s called bodywork, it also affects the mind! We want your horse to be able to relax and focus on the session for maximum benefits.
