Testimonials

Candice Williams B.H.S.I, BSc.(Hons), PGCE

" Isabelle is an essential to the team, she maintains my show jumpers, both advanced and novice, in peak muscular condition for the strenuous competition schedule that they undertake."

Abby

Abby is an eight year old TBx mare who has a history of suffering from a sore back. When ridden Abby can become very tense, hence taking very short and choppy strides. Abby was stuck in a vicious circle, in that her way of going, which is very hollow, increases tension in the muscles of her back. This increase in back tension, causes her to work in a more hollow fashion and to become mentally stressed, taking short and quick strides. Abby has been checked over by the Vet and Chiropractor who found no real reason for her tension. Abby began a course of Sports Massage treatments and within only two sessions there was a marked improvement when testing for pain in her back. Her muscles were clearly not so tight and she appeared calmer in herself. When ridden Abby was more relaxed and beginning to take bigger and longer strides.

Mystery

Mystery is a 26 year old Arab x I.D. mare. Mystery suffers with a fibrotic myopathy on her near hind hamstring. This fibrosis of the muscle and tendon junction causes Mystery to be mechanically lame on this hind limb. As a result Mystery is only able to be hacked with the odd light schooling session, but no jumping. Due to the mechanical lameness, excess pressure has been put upon Mystery's body and in particular her opposite hind leg. As a result she has developed arthritis and moves with her hindquarters notably shifted to the left. Mystery's fibrotic myopathy is very severe and advanced, and although Sports Massage can help less serious cases to improve, Mystery's is probably too advanced. However, the muscular asymmetry and tension that is the result of her mechanical lameness has been very much improved with Sports Massage treatments. After just one session Mystery was a lot more supple and stepping out better. Her owner, Kelly Amos, commented: 'I can't believe it, she feels like a younger horse again! We have just had the most lovely canter on a hack! Thank you!'.

Christie

Christie is a 25 year old Welsh Section C pony. She suffers from navicular disease and ringbone in both front legs. As a result Christie's paces are rather short and choppy. As Christie has aged she has also started to get wastage of the back muscles. In addition Christie has an old injury to her sacroiliac joint, which can often give her trouble in the colder months. Although I actually own Christie, she has been on loan to Katie Wilsher for a very long time! Katie enjoys schooling and hacking Christie although is aware of her limitations due to her conditions. I began massaging Christie as soon as I could, and the improvement has amazed both Kate and myself. After her first session Christie went for a hack and felt so much more supple and loose. Later that week, Kate had a lesson on Christie and found that the longer stride they had been striving for for so long, was beginning to come. After a couple more treatments Christie's strides really were noticeably longer and less choppy and the constant clicking from her old sacroiliac injury had all but ceased. Christie's wasted back muscles are also gradually coming back, which I believe is a combination of both the massage and the stretching and pole exercises that Kate now undertakes. In addition as Christie is now able to work with a rounder back into a softer outline, she is using the correct muscles and improving her muscles herself! Kate commented: 'I had begun to think Christie was just stiff due to her age, but now I see that with the correct therapy, and with my input too Christie can still perform!'.

Pride

Pride is a homebred TB x I.D. x W.B. mare, aged 7, who belongs to Kelly Sheills, BHSAI. Kelly competes regularly with Pride, her main sphere being British Eventing and Affiliated Showjumping. Pride was rather tense when Kelly was jumping her and although she can get away with this over smaller fences, as Kelly is now moving into Discoveries she was keen to try anything that may help improve Pride's jumping. Upon treating Pride, I noted that she did have rather a lot of tension in the back and has muscular asymmetry of her hind quarters. Regular massage treatments will gradually improve this asymmetry to ensure that as Pride is competing in the bigger classes, she does not suffer any soft tissue injuries. After just one session Pride's back tension was improved and she was jumping more calmly.

Susie Butler, BHSAI - (Proprietor of Horse-E-Culture training & events)

"Isabelle has a unique understanding of the horses anatomy and biomechanics. She is genuine in her approach and skillful in her ability to treat horses. I have no hesitate in recommending her to my clients knowing the that she will be as attentive to their horses as she is to mine."