Gemma Todd Equine Sports Massage Therapist

29/07/2026

I am now able to offer some Sunday appointments for Equine Sports Massage as part of my keeping in touch days 🐴

If you would like your horse treated please get in touch. These are already getting booked up so looking into Sept.

I will also be starting to run one pole rally a month as of August 😊

23/06/2026

COPING WITH THE HEAT 🐴🥵

Firstly, please don't panic.

Using good sense and some thought will mean you and your horse will survive the heat wave.

🌞 Turnout overnight ideally (but adjust for you and your horse's individual situation), and consider stabling in daytime if your horse's field lacks shade/shelter - but only if it's cooler inside than out. Brick or block stables are usually cooler than wooden

🌞 Don't assume its only exercise that can cause heatstroke - horses with thick coats can overheat outside without shade - especially if they are very old, young, or have PPID

🌞 You can hose your horse down to help them keep cool and more comfortable - this acts like sweat and won't 'cook' them

🌞 Take your horse's temperature if in doubt - if over 39 deg, you need to cool them, if over 40 they're at risk of heatstroke and you need to cool 'aggressively' with plenty of cold water (vets and physiologists agree)

🌞 Ensure clean fresh water is available at all times and check your horse's hydration. Consider soaking hay to increase water intake and palatable hydration products like Saracen Recovery Mash

🌞 Exercise your horse during cooler periods e.g. early in the morning or late in the evening (but adjust this to keep them adapted to what they'll face in competition if they compete)

🌞 If you are due to compete in the middle of the day, you'll need to adapt your horse to this but do it gradually

🌞 Adjust your horse's exercise routine with reduced duration and possibly intensity too if you're unable to exercise them during cooler periods

🌞 If your horse gets very hot during exercise, cool them with - ideally iced - cold water sloshing or hosing without scraping off (thermoregulation expert Dr David Marlin has studied the research and concludes that scraping wastes time when aggressively cooling and its more beneficial to keep sloshing cold water onto the horse, not scrape off the hot water, which will run off anyway)

🌞 Use sun protection cream for pink noses/legs

🌞 Consider clipping very hairy horses, especially if you find them sweating standing still

🌞 You may need to increase your horse's salt intake in the feed if they are sweating more (for extra sodium and chloride) and you can offer them salt in water as well (for hydration)

🌞 Watch out for feed and/or supplements going off - especially those with a high oil content - which can reduce palatability

🌞 Most importantly - monitor your individual horse or pony in terms of how you manage them, rather than trying to follow what others are doing/saying. Signs of overheating (non-exercise associated) include lethargy, reduced appetite, sweating, rapid, shallow breathing and a high heart rate (if unsure, take their temperature)

🌞 Don't forget to look after yourself too, with suncream, plenty of fluids and shade!

If you need help with their diet, you can contact me direct on WhatsApp

Please feel free to share,
🐴🍏☀️🥵

17/06/2026

As many of you know I am still on maternity leave but I am slowly starting to treat horses again as part of my keeping in touch days ☺️

So if you are local, don’t mind little Grace joining me & would like your horse treated please get in touch 🐴

05/03/2026

3 quick muscle-building exercises that make a valuable addition to your horse’s daily routine. Read more below

09/02/2026

27/01/2026

The Wither Rock is a gentle and effective mobilising exercise for the whole body.

It is good for stimulating the core muscles, particularly the thoracic sling, strengthening the forelimb lateral stabiliser muscles that support the limbs when turning and moving sideways.

With your horse standing square.
💠 Stand facing the left shoulder, with your shoulders parallel to the horse’s spine.
💠 Do a personal postural check, ensure you have no tension in your shoulders or arms and take a couple of deep breaths.
💠 Place both hands cupping the top of the withers and take a moment to allow the horse to get used to your touch.
💠 Imagine the movement first and build up slowly from there.
💠 Gently push the withers away from you by about 1cm initially then allow the withers to return to the neutral position before pulling them back towards you by about 1cm then release again.
💠 Repeat this swaying movement in a natural rhythm. The side-to-side movement of the withers should be continuous and flowing. Don’t try to hold his weight in one position.
💠 Gradually increase the amount of sideways movement but only as the horse relaxes into the movement.

Build up from 20 sways remembering to repeat the same number of push-pull cycles from each side.

👀 As you are doing this exercise watch your horse, he may try to communicate that he wants more or when he would like you to stop.

Comment Rock and we'll give you access to our tutorial video on the Wither Rock

06/01/2026

Muscle Monday - Tensor Fasciae Latae
This week we are checking out the tensor fasciae latae. Firstly, let's break down this long name.

Tensor = "to tense/stretch"
Fasciae = "band"
Latae = "side"

Once you understand the name it is easy to picture this "stretchy side band" and how it works.

--- Function ---
The tensor fasciae latae (abbreviated to TFL) is a superficial muscle that has a pretty cool job. It originates on the tuber coxa (point of the hip). From there, it surrounds the patella (stifle/knee) and top of the tibia, both laterally and medially. The tissue that makes up the TFL becomes more fascia than muscle as it gets closer to the stifle.

In movement the TFL flexes the hip and extend the stifle, an action that pulls the hindlimb forward. As the TFL surrounds the stifle in fascia, it may also aid in protecting the stifle joint.

In the next post we'll take a look at the TFL in some real horses and find the difference in correct and dysfunctional muscle development.

02/01/2026

⭐️ Happy New Year ⭐

Just a reminder I am still working January & February before going on maternity in March - after which I will have some availability on a Sunday.

The diary is starting to get booked up so please get in touch if you would like your horse treated or lessons 🐴

Qualified & insured

Thanks Gemma 😊 x