Equine Bodywork by Laura

Equine Bodywork by Laura Serving OR and WA. Nationally licensed Equine Massage Therapist through NBCAAM and Washington State.

Sometimes you gotta remember the good ol’ times 🐮💕
09/09/2026

Sometimes you gotta remember the good ol’ times 🐮💕

08/01/2026

Take a deep breath and enjoy 13 seconds of barn peace. 🤎

There are countless songs in the world, and this is still one of my favorites. 🐴🌾

Taking five for a mid-session siesta 😴💤
07/11/2026

Taking five for a mid-session siesta 😴💤

Notice where he’s chosen to put his feet❓We often focus on how a horse moves, but we can also learn a lot by looking at ...
06/22/2026

Notice where he’s chosen to put his feet❓

We often focus on how a horse moves, but we can also learn a lot by looking at how they choose to stand.

👉A horse’s posture is their default way of organizing their body when nobody is asking them to perform, carry a rider, or work through an exercise. In many ways, posture gives us a glimpse into how comfortable the body feels at rest.

➡️In the before photos, he looks more compressed through his body. His feet are tucked underneath him, his neck appears shorter, and the angle at his poll is more closed.

✅In the after photos, he has chosen a noticeably different posture. His stance is more open because he is more stacked over his joints. His neck appears longer, and there is more freedom through the poll and upper neck. Instead of looking compressed, he’s taking up more space through his entire frame.

✨What I find interesting is how often posture changes when a horse no longer feels the need to brace or protect certain areas of the body. When more freedom becomes available through the joints and soft tissues, the horse often reorganizes itself naturally.

Movement starts with posture. Before a horse ever takes a step, their body is already telling a story. 🐎

(These photos were all taken today — at the beginning and at the end of his first session)

What differences do you notice? 📸

Did you know that the look in a horse’s eye can tell a much bigger story? 👀⬇️✨Research shows that a horse’s facial expre...
06/11/2026

Did you know that the look in a horse’s eye can tell a much bigger story? 👀⬇️

✨Research shows that a horse’s facial expression can be an indicator of pain and discomfort in the body. This is visible in the eyes, ears, nostrils, and facial muscles.

🐴That’s why regardless of what area I’m working on, I try to keep the face in my peripheral vision whenever possible. I’ll also routinely check in with a horse by reaching a hand towards their nose. You’ll see me do this several times during a session and there is a purpose behind it.

✋Offering my hand isn’t me seeking their affection—although it does help build a foundation of trust and rapport—it also gives me valuable insight into a horse’s nervous system state. Their response tells me whether they’re present and engaged, processing the work, or beginning to mentally check out.

🪰That’s also why I prefer not to work on horses wearing a fly mask whenever possible. Their facial expression communicates valuable information, and helps guide the work.

The eyes offer a glimpse into what the horse is experiencing beneath the surface, adding context to everything the body is communicating. 🤍

Address

Vancouver, WA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Equine Bodywork by Laura posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Equine Bodywork by Laura:

Shortcuts

Share

Category