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Bodywork Sessions

After an initial discussion of purpose and goals of the visit and for the horse/rider (with prior vet/trainer approval), an assessment of tissue and movement is conducted. Kate will employ a combination of techniques, primarily myofascial release (MFR) and Reiki, and include equine sports massage, craniosacral therapy, acupressure and stretching, to allow the tissues of the horse to relax, lengthen, receive circulation and nutrients so that balance and function can return to the fascia, muscles, ligaments, and joints. A bodywork session lasts approximately two hours and is conducted in a calm, safe place for the horse.

$75/Hour; Sessions typically last approximately 2 hours

Techniques Offered

MFR is a soft, deep technique that horses enjoy and settle in to participate in the healing process. MFR encompasses the benefits of chiropractic, cranio-sacral therapy and massage in one technique and is extremely beneficial and productive to locate and resolve restrictions due to natural crookedness, repetitive use, injury and compensation, sometimes revealing issues not apparent to riders/owners such as dentistry, saddle and bridle fit, and relationships in crookedness/soundness. Although we all enjoy massage (horses, too), fascia can have the tensile strength of 2,000psi. Until released, restrictions will return. 

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Reiki is an energy-based healing art originated in Tibet over 2,500yrs ago. It’s a wonderfully effective compliment to MFR which is also energy-based whereby the practitioner and patient connect energetically when the practitioner places hands upon the horse. Reiki clears blockages, aligns, harmonizes and recharges life force energy.

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Energy-based healing is very effective with horses who, as prey animals, read energy (eg; is the bear on the hill really napping with a full stomach so that I do not have to leave this grass – or am I his next meal and should I run?). Some horses are unable to tolerate hands on, or pressure of massage due to issues with trust, or pain. Energy work is particularly helpful as it can be done without hands on and allow the horse to build trust and connect with healing process.

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Owners receive a detailed feedback form for their files to be used by themselves or the horse's professional team as desired. Feedback includes recommended stretches and exercises for the owner to continue/maintain the horse's healing, suppleness. As as equine bodyworker, who is also a rider/trainer, this adds to my understanding of the discipline and goals for the horse and facilitates communication to riders/trainers regarding the horse's tensegrity. A horse without restrictions (pain and physical limitation) will be better able to perform it's intended job and to feel less like prey—be more safe (although there can be celebratory yahoos after the release of some restrictions). 

Bodywork Testimonials

"With Kate's help, my horse has made incredible strides. He spent a year rehabbing an injury and Kate's bodywork during his rehab has been a critical component of his recovery. She pays very close attention to their cues and adjusts as needed. Her sessions are thorough and she doesn't quit when time is up. She keeps going until the work is complete. Kate and her work are worth every penny!"

—Amy, via Facebook

"I have known Kate as a horsewoman for years and after my mare was diagnosed with DSLD she told me she thought she could help with her comfort and movement. My mare can be distrusting of people and complicated to deal with and Kate took this into consideration during her sessions with her, never pushing her past her comfort level at being touched. Kate spent about 12 sessions with her during which I noticed may huge changes in her skin, muscle tension and shape all showing strongly that the body work was accomplishing exactly what we had intended... lowering her pain level, increasing her range of movement, allowing her body to unwind and her awareness of her body to increase. But what I did not expect was how she started building trust in Kate and what she was doing, every session Kate was able to increase the areas that she was allowed to touch and the length of time she could work on her. My mare obviously started to look forward to the sessions, calling for Kate when she would walk into the barn. All of this showed me that not only does the practice work but the horses understand and enjoy the practice as well.

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Kate thank you so much for making my mare comfortable!"

—Sarah

"Kate Bostrom is wonderful! She does MFR and is very patient and kind with horses! She's worked with rescued and abused horses as well. She is 1 in a million! Kate also does cranio-sacral work, as well as equine sports massage and Reiki. She is worth every penny. She's helped my horse tremendously. My horse has head shaking syndrome and medications were not working. The vet said I only had one other option which was surgery. I looked into other things and worked with Kate at a local barn for a while before asking if she could come out and look at my mare. She did and I saw a HUGE difference in her after only one session. She laid down and rolled for the first time in years! Her head shaking has decreased to almost none." 

—Lauren

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