Serenity Equine LLC

Serenity Equine LLC Allison Strauss, EEBW. Holistic, Hands-on Equine Bodywork & Massage | Supporting Mind-Body Connection, Overall Wellness, & Prevention. Various Modalities.

Whole Horse Approach.

What is Fascia?🕸️🐴Fascia is tough connective tissue, which forms a complex network that surrounds the muscles, tendons, ...
06/16/2026

What is Fascia?🕸️🐴

Fascia is tough connective tissue, which forms a complex network that surrounds the muscles, tendons, ligaments & bones ALL throughout the horse’s body. Head to toe!

Think of it as a 3-dimensional web, made up of 3 components:

1️⃣ Elastic fibers, which provide flexibility & resiliency
2️⃣ Collagen fibers that are tough and support the structure, providing strength & stability
3️⃣ Ground Substance/Extracellular Matrix, a gel-like matrix that surrounds the fibers & cells within the fascia. It helps maintain the hydration & elasticity of the tissue, also supporting the connections between cells & the immune response.

Fascia is SO important - it supports the body and protects the internal organs! FASCI-nating, right?!😄

However, it can also become restricted or tight due to:

Physical & Emotional Trauma or Stress
Poor nutrition
Dental issues
Overexertion
Injury
Unbalanced riders
Ill-fitting tack
Incorrect training methods
+ more

Hence why it is important to consider the ENTIRE body and the WHY! It is all connected. Hands-on equine bodywork & massage heavily supports the fascia, resulting in an overall healthier, comfortable, happier horse! 🙂

Happy Tuesday! Another happy client this morning saying 'thank you' after their bodywork session, resting their head on ...
06/09/2026

Happy Tuesday! Another happy client this morning saying 'thank you' after their bodywork session, resting their head on our shoulder! Bodywork days are clearly their favorite days. 🐴😄 Keeping your horse on a routine schedule with us benefits them most!

Connect with us - call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a message to schedule an appt or for more info.

Minimal restriction is preferred during a bodywork session, as it's important the horse is able to lower their head as t...
06/06/2026

Minimal restriction is preferred during a bodywork session, as it's important the horse is able to lower their head as they process the work and release tension. This horse relaxed deeply into her session and lowered her head during work in her back, which is where she needed it the most! 😄🤲🏻

Movement is always accepted, we never expect the horse to stay completely still: it's our responsibility to listen to the horse and also encourage a safe space for them to be vulnerable. Is your horse weary of touch or untrusting? Bodywork is a great way to turn human touch into a positive experience along with so many other benefits for both body and mind!

Call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a message to book an appt. 🗓️ Limited June slots for certain travel areas, currently booking into July!

This horse has made incredible progress in their monthly bodywork sessions with us, alongside their fully dedicated owne...
06/01/2026

This horse has made incredible progress in their monthly bodywork sessions with us, alongside their fully dedicated owner! Thank you for trusting in us and also taking these great candid photos during our most recent session Tammie 😃🐴!

It's truly uplifting to see a horse become more expressive during releases of tension (check out those silly faces!), while feeling better overall in their body! Progress and change takes time. This horse and their wonderful owner are now back to enjoying what they love with fun obstacle course challenges! We are happy to be a part of their journey.

Call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a Facebook message to book an appointment with us! 🗓️

Bodywork is extremely beneficial for senior horses too! We work with equines of ALL ages and walks of life - your equine...
05/31/2026

Bodywork is extremely beneficial for senior horses too! We work with equines of ALL ages and walks of life - your equine partner deserves to feel their best regardless of age, breed, size, discipline, etc.

This sweet older mare thoroughly appreciates her routine sessions! We always use a gentle, horse-led approach. Listening to the horse. 👂🏻

Hands-on bodywork and massage is a non-invasive, holistic modality proven to:
🔄Increase Circulation
🔁Stimulate & soften muscles, tissue, + fascia
↪️Release Endorphins
⤴️Improve Elasticity & Muscle Tone
⏹️Prevent Injury
▶️Identify Potential Issues
+ so much more!

As horses age they naturally experience a decline in muscle tone, changes in their joints, fascia, reduced circulation, compensatory patterns, and more. Furthermore past trauma, injuries, environment, lifestyle and other factors can affect the body. Everything is connected!

Call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a Facebook message for more info or to schedule an appt. 🗓️

Happy Factual Friday! In our previous post, we discussed the different types of muscles, but did you know the horse also...
05/29/2026

Happy Factual Friday! In our previous post, we discussed the different types of muscles, but did you know the horse also has 4 different layers of muscle? 💪🏻

🔹Cutaneous Layer🔹
▪️Thin muscles that are attached to the skin
▪️This layer helps twitch the skin (also known as the Panniculus reflex) for example when flies land on your horse and they 'twitch' them away! 🪰
▪️Provides sensory awareness to the body

🔹Superficial Layer🔹
▪️The most visible muscles, lying beneath the skin
▪️Responsible for major movement and locomotion
▪️Can feel any tension, heat, swelling, etc. upon palpation

🔹Middle Layer🔹
▪️Located beneath the superficial muscles
▪️Assists movement in joints and limbs, propulsion & extension
▪️Responsible for posture, coordinated motion and momentum

🔹Deep Layer🔹
▪️This layer of muscles connects to the skeleton
▪️Provides stabilization & support to the closeby joints, spine
▪️Aid in proprioception (awareness of the body)

Equine bodywork can help not only the muscles, but the entire body as a whole! Everything is connected. In our next post we will discuss the amazing fascia!

Connect with us to schedule an appt: Call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a Facebook message!

The benefits of equine bodywork extend far beyond the muscular system, but muscles play a huge role! Did you know that h...
05/25/2026

The benefits of equine bodywork extend far beyond the muscular system, but muscles play a huge role! Did you know that horses have more than 700 muscles in their body? Each muscle serves its own purpose. Everything is connected. 🐴 What types of muscles are there?

They have 3 distinct types of muscles:

1️⃣ Skeletal -
Assists with posture + joint stabilization
Produces movement, also protects internal organs
Attach to the bone via tendons (connective tissue)

2️⃣ Smooth/Visceral -
Aids in the digestive, circulatory, urinary, reproductive systems + more
Responds to the central & autonomic nervous systems
Found in the walls of blood vessels

3️⃣ Cardiac (Myocardium) -
Located in the heart
Circulates blood flow throughout the body
Contains pacemaker cells which send out electrical signals, setting the 'pace' for pumping blood & heartbeats

More posts to come regarding more muscles and their functions and muscle layers!

Is your horse-🔻Showing challenging behavior?🔻Girthy? Irritable? Nippy?🔻Anxious/stressed/antsy? 🔻Sore? Tense?Horses commu...
05/19/2026

Is your horse-
🔻Showing challenging behavior?
🔻Girthy? Irritable? Nippy?
🔻Anxious/stressed/antsy?
🔻Sore? Tense?

Horses communicate the ONLY way they know how...through body language & behavior!

They may be saying:
'My body feels sore, tight, and tense'
'I am stressed'
'I need more turnout'
'My tack no longer fits properly'
'I cannot physically do what you are asking'
'I have past trauma'
'I am confused, I don't understand' and so forth.
💡Instead of becoming frustrated or labeling - think about what could be going on to cause this behavior in my horse?

☝🏻 There is always a REASON.
Many behavioral issues are due to discomfort, pain, tense/tight muscles & overuse, restrictions, compensation patterns, lack of turnout, stress, ill-fitting tack, training methods, trust issues, and/or miscommunication/misunderstanding and more. Bodywork can help!

We can help identify potential issues (not diagnose), provide a safe space for untrusting/traumatized horses, release tension in the fascia, tissue & muscles, increase circulation, flexibility & range of motion, reduce inflammation, prevent injury, and more! We present another perspective to reconnecting, communicating, & strengthening the bond with your equine partner. Utilizing 100% hands-on various modalities, a gentle, horse-led approach. 🤲🏻

Call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a Facebook message for more info!

05/09/2026

Post-bodywork session feels! 🐴🤲🏻

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Elkton, MD

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