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Certified Equine Body Worker

Serving the greater Yamhill County Area📍

06/08/2026

Since I haven’t really been discussing the Body Work portion of my business lately, I figure with all the smoke in the valley, there’s not a better time to get your horses feeling good.

This is B, a little Welsh Pony tasked with packing her little bestie around. Miss B was presenting with some soreness around her poll. It’s not uncommon to find some soreness or tension around that area, it’s figuring out if that’s where the problem actually stems from or if it’s lower. Thankfully I was able to determine miss B just had a little soreness at the base of her muscles.

A lot of times when you find horses that are presenting with issues around this area, the problem is coming from somewhere else. When a horse has front end issues or is tense in their front end, that tension builds. Equine body work done by a certified tech can allow that tension to release instead of travel.

Miss B finished her session with some facia release (which you can see she was stretching out herself 🥰), some red light therapy & a full body stretch. She was sent on her way with her bestie and was feeling great 🤍

Ask about our ambassador program too 👀🫶🏼

05/07/2026

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸🤍

Of course, today I decided to ride without taking into consideration that I was riding a 2 year old… in Hey Dudes… on the Fourth of July. 🤣

Hi, my name’s Aspen. Welcome to Jackass! 😋

Just kidding!!

About five minutes into my ride, the fireworks started. And when I say fireworks, I mean close enough to feel them in your chest. Big, loud booms that definitely make you question your life choices. 😂

Let me tell you, every single day I’m thankful for this 2 year old’s mind. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think this horse had been through St. Pauls grand entry 1000 times with how little he cared. 🤣

Moments like today are a good reminder that a horses mind is worth so much more than flashy colors or natural talent (which this horse isn’t lacking😉) You can teach skills, build strength, and improve athleticism, but a good brain is priceless.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th! Happy 250th Birthday America! 🇺🇸

07/06/2026

When I was 17, I was given an off the track thoroughbred named “Just Kathy.” Of course, we just called her Kathy. I’ve always loved riding, but man, did Kathy start my love for training and sharing my knowledge with others.

But of course, it didn’t actually start there.

I grew up with horses and have been riding for as long as I can remember. My grandpa trained horses and my grandma had horses all her life. My grandparents always tried to share their valuable knowledge with me but, unfortunately at 14 you think you have it all figured out and don’t want to listen.

However, one of the most pivotal and humbling times in my life was when I was 16 and had the opportunity to lease a horse named “Wild Eyed Dutchess” AKA Fergie.

Fergie, along with her owner Britney, taught me so many valuable lessons. I quickly learned when you’re working with a horse that’s at the caliber of Miss Fergie, you NEED to listen and absorb EVERYTHING! I took lessons with reputable trainers, spent almost every weekend at a barrel race, competed in youth rodeo, and learned so many things. Not only about horses but, about life and, I still carry those things with me today. Britney pushed me to be the best rider, horseman, and overall the best version of myself I could be, and for that I will forever be thankful.

Through all the horses I’ve had the pleasure of owning, training, and working with, I find myself constantly thinking back to where I started. We all start somewhere.

No learning experience is pretty. There are mistakes, frustrations, and plenty of moments where you wonder if you’re doing anything right at all. But it’s those ugly experiences that shape us and we carry those with us the longest.

Every horse has taught me something, and every opportunity, good or bad, has played a part in getting me where I am today. Or maybe its that “lucky side pull” Ally let me buy off her for $80 when I was 17 & broke 🤣

Who knows, but I do know, that I am so thankful to carry and share the knowledge that was instilled in me by so many other great minds 💙

06/06/2026

Often when I mention that the horse I’m riding is only 2 years old, I’m met with a lot of questions.

Questions like:
“Aren’t you worried about their joints?”
“Isn’t that too young to be riding?”

To be honest, I used to have the same questions.

One of my favorite lines from a performance vet was, “Horses are stupid—especially young horses.” While it always gets a laugh, there’s a lot of truth behind it. Young horses run, buck, spin, play, and generally make questionable life choices every day in turnout. Yet we rarely question the impact of those activities on their joints.

The reality is that no ethical trainer is asking a young horse to do anything more strenuous than what they would naturally do on their own. Starting a 2 year old isn’t about drilling them into the ground or asking them for the moon and stars. It’s about education.

A dear friend of mine, Ally, once told me, “2-year-olds are fun, but they need a job.” No truer words have been spoken.

That job is learning the foundational skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives. Learning to move off pressure, soften through the rib cage, control their shoulders, carry themselves correctly, understand basic cues, etc. These are all things that can be taught and developed through short, thoughtful rides.

None of it happens overnight. Building a solid foundation takes time, consistency, and patience. Every ride is simply another opportunity to add tools to their toolbox that we can draw from later in their training.

So yes, I ride a 2 year old.

And no, I’m not worried about his joint health because he was started at 2. What I am concerned about is giving him the education, confidence, and foundation he needs to be successful for years to come.

02/04/2025

🌸 Spring into comfort & shed off that winter stiffness🌿

Spring is here, and that means longer rides, more training, and plenty of time in the saddle! After a long winter, your horse may be feeling stiff, sore, or in need of a little extra care to get back into peak condition. That’s where equine massage comes in!

🌿 Benefits of Massage for Your Horse:
✔️ Loosens stiffness and increases flexibility
✔️ Improves circulation for faster recovery after workouts
✔️ Reduces tension and prevents injuries as training intensifies
✔️ Helps your horse feel relaxed, refreshed, and ready for the season ahead

Whether you’re gearing up for show season, hitting the trails, or just want to keep your horse feeling their best, now is the perfect time for a spring tune-up!

📅 Book a session today and help your horse move into spring with ease! 🐎💆‍♀️

14/11/2024

We’re always promoting wellness through body work but, what exactly is bodywork and how can it benefit you and your four-legged friends?

Services conducted by a certified bodyworker offer powerful benefits. These techniques help relieve stress, promoting relaxation and calming the nervous system. They also release fascia tension, improving flexibility and range of motion. By stimulating circulation, bodywork enhances blood flow, reducing inflammation and boosting overall vitality. Whether you’re seeking to alleviate muscle tightness or improve mobility, equine and canine bodywork can be a game-changer for physical and mental well-being. Experience the benefits for yourself and your animal companions today!

12/11/2024

We’re ready to kick off the holiday season!

The next 5 customers to book a massage will receive a “massage punch card” with their 6th massage free!

Stay tuned as we have a Christmas Massage Package giveaway in the works!🥰

02/11/2024

Welcome to McLaughlin Elite Performance – Your Partner in Equine and Canine Wellness!

At McLaughlin Elite Performance, we believe that our four-legged companions deserve the best care possible. Specializing in therapeutic massage for horses and dogs, we focus on promoting health, mobility, and overall well-being. As a certified Equine/Canine massage therapist, we use techniques tailored to each animals unique needs, helping to alleviate pain, reduce stress, and enhance performance. Whether your animals are performance athletes or beloved companions, we’re here to support their wellness.

Our services currently include full body massage, full body stretching and red light therapy. We are always furthering our education to offer more therapeutic options!

For appointments and inquiries, contact us at [email protected]
Or send us a message here on Facebook!

Address

97114

Telephone

+19713128191

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