Heart & Soul Horse Care

Heart & Soul Horse Care Certified in Equine Sports Massage. Specializing in rehab, senior care/retirement and force free/fear free training.

EXCITING NEW OFFERING AT HEART & SOUL HORSE CARE! We are thrilled to officially open booking for our brand-new, private ...
06/01/2026

EXCITING NEW OFFERING AT HEART & SOUL HORSE CARE!

We are thrilled to officially open booking for our brand-new, private 4-Week Intensive Science Courses!

If you are looking to dive deep into evidence-based equine education, these completely customized, one-on-one lesson programs are designed to give you hands-on, practical skills. We are launching two distinct tracks for ages 12 to adult:

đź©ş 1. The Junior Equine Practitioner Course (Ages 12+)
Tailored for young aspiring veterinarians, vet techs, and future equine professionals. Students will learn advanced horse health handling, vital signs, and foundational practitioner skills. Tuition includes a real working stethoscope, a custom course T-shirt, and a starter gear pack to keep!

🧬 2. Equine Biomechanics & Owner Foundations (Adults & Amateurs)
Designed for horse owners who want to deeply understand their horse’s anatomy, posture, movement, and long-term soundness to optimize their training and care. Tuition includes a custom course T-shirt, a comprehensive study workbook, and a laminated Barn Health Tracker Guide for your tack room!

🗓️ The Details:

Format: 4 weeks of private, 1-on-1 sessions (2 hours weekly | 8 hours total instruction).

Location: Right here in Bend, Oregon. 🌲

Tuition: $400 (all specialized course gear and materials are included for both tracks!).

Because these are strictly private, one-on-one courses to ensure the highest quality instruction, our weekly calendar slots are very limited for the upcoming block.

📬 How to Register:
Send us a DM right here on Facebook, or visit our website at www.heartandsoulhorsecare.com to secure your spot on the schedule! Let’s elevate your equine knowledge together.

Our horses are constantly communicating with us, often through very subtle physical cues. And as an equine sports massag...
05/11/2026

Our horses are constantly communicating with us, often through very subtle physical cues. And as an equine sports massage therapist, I’m always looking for the "tells" that a horse is holding tension:

- Difficulty picking up a specific lead
- Pinning ears during saddling
- A "short" or choppy gait that doesn't quite look like lameness
- Sensitivity when being groomed over the back

Equine massage helps "reset" the nervous system and release those deep-seated holiday-tensions. Watching for that big sigh, a deep lick-and-chew, or a soft eye is the best part of my day—it’s the horse finally saying, "Oh, thank you, I needed that."

Have you noticed any of these signs in your partner lately? It might be time for a session!

05/11/2026

We often talk about a "round" frame as the goal of training, but true roundness isn’t just about where the nose is—it’s about what’s happening underneath the surface.

Have you ever noticed a horse with a "shark fin" appearance at the withers? While some horses are naturally high-withered, that sharp, bony protrusion is often a sign that the thoracic sling has disengaged.

Horses don’t have a collarbone! Their entire front end is suspended between the shoulder blades by a network of muscles. When we ask for engagement, we are looking for these muscles to "lift" the ribcage upward.

When a horse is over-flexed (behind the vertical), the "bridge" of the topline breaks.

* The base of the neck drops.
* The ribcage "slumps" between the shoulders.
* The back hollows, causing the muscles around the spine to atrophy.

When that muscle padding disappears and the chest sinks, the withers appear to stick out like a fin. It’s not just a "look"—it’s a mechanical collapse that leads to forehand heaviness and restricted movement.

The Heart & Soul Approach:
True engagement can’t be forced with short reins or aggressive pressure. It’s built on trust and patience. By allowing the horse to telescope the neck forward and stay at or in front of the vertical, we allow the nuchal ligament to help pull the spine upward.

The result should be a soft jaw (not a gaping, frothing mouth!), a lifted back, and a horse that feels like they’re floating rather than leaning.

Training should feel like a conversation, not a conquest. Let’s focus on the lift, the lightness, and the long-term soundness of our partners.

If you’re located in the Central Oregon area feel free to reach to me if you’d like lessons/training for you and your horse or if you’d like massage for your equine partner as well. And stayed tuned for more updates coming soon as we are preparing to start offering virtual sessions and evaluations as well. Remember to follow our page for more details!

Behavior is Communication—Why are we closing our ears?A horse’s only way of communicating with us is through physical be...
05/09/2026

Behavior is Communication—Why are we closing our ears?

A horse’s only way of communicating with us is through physical behavior. Yet, so many riders are taught that a horse is simply “misbehaving,” “testing,” or “being dominant”. We are often told we must "make them listen" and shut down unwanted behavior immediately.

To me, denying a horse the right to use their body to speak is the equivalent of taking away a person’s right to advocate for themselves.

Think about a young child. When they are overwhelmed, frustrated, or scared, they may "act out" physically because they don't yet have the words to explain their internal state. Horses are no different. We expect them to understand our language and our world, yet we so often refuse to learn theirs.

When a horse refuses a cue—like picking up a foot—it is rarely an "disrespectful" refusal. More often, it is a signal of a struggle:

Physical Pain: There may be acute pain within that hoof.

Compensatory Issues: The opposite leg may be sore, making it feel unstable to shift their full weight.

Strength & Balance: They may lack the core strength or conditioning to stand on three legs comfortably.

Instead of jumping to punishment and "corrections," I advocate for an investigation. What if we looked for the WHY behind the behavior?

At Heart & Soul Horse Care, I firmly believe in advocating for the horse first. When we stop trying to "fix" the behavior and start trying to understand the communication, the partnership changes forever.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—have you ever had a "lightbulb moment" where you realized your horse wasn’t being difficult, but was actually trying to tell you something?

If you're in the Central Oregon area and want to learn more about my investigative approach to training and bodywork, feel free to send me a message!

Beyond the Saddle: The Science of SupplenessAt Heart & Soul Horse Care, we believe that a truly athletic horse is built ...
04/25/2026

Beyond the Saddle: The Science of Suppleness

At Heart & Soul Horse Care, we believe that a truly athletic horse is built from the inside out. Whether your partner is a weekend trail adventurer or a high-level competitor, their "engine" requires more than just fuel—it requires fine-tuning.

The Power of Bodywork & PEMF
Equine sports massage and PEMF therapy aren't just luxuries; they are vital components of preventative maintenance. By addressing the soft tissue and cellular health, we unlock significant physical benefits:

Increased Range of Motion: Releasing tension in the fascia and muscles allows for those long, effortless strides.

Cellular Recovery: Our PEMF therapy helps to reduce inflammation and increase circulation at a deep level, speeding up natural healing.

Injury Prevention: By identifying "hot spots" or compensatory patterns early, we address imbalances before they lead to lameness.

Training with Intention
Proper bodywork goes hand-in-hand with functional training. A massage "resets" the muscles, but correct movement "programs" them. We focus on:

Core Engagement: Building a strong topline so your horse can carry a rider without strain.

Biomechanics: Incorporating hill work and lateral movements to ensure the equine body is developed symmetrically.

When we combine therapeutic touch with biomechanically sound training, we aren't just working with a horse—we are honoring their soul.

Ready to Elevate Your Horse's Wellness?
Is your horse feeling "heavy" on one lead, tight in the shoulder, or just needing a post-competition reset? I’m here to help you look at the whole picture—from bodywork to biomechanics.

Comment below or DM me to schedule a session!

Could your horse use a boost going into show season? Then reach out to us today to schedule a introductory massage for $...
04/19/2025

Could your horse use a boost going into show season? Then reach out to us today to schedule a introductory massage for $25 off your horses first massage! We also offer PEMF therapy sessions to help increase circulation and decrease inflammation to help your horse recover faster and perform better at their next competition.

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Bend, OR
97701

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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