JW Equine Bodywork, LLC

Ever heard someone talk about the horses “sixth sense”?
They are likely talking about proprioception! Proprioception is often overlooked, even though it plays a crucial role in maintaining a functional horse

🧠 So, what is it?
Proprioception is the body’s awareness of where they are in space. It allows them to complete complex movements, stay balanced, and move efficiently. Proprioceptors send information to the nervous system, which is interpreted by the brain to make adjustments to coordination and posture.

❓why does this matter for our horses?
Good proprioception is important for an overall well functioning horse, but especially when we add a rider into the mix.
Some examples of good proprioception can be seen as precise foot placement on various types of ground, balanced maintained in all gaits and tight circles and turns, the ability to quickly adjust stride while jumping, and evenly coordinated with both sides of the body.
Some examples of poor proprioception can include frequent tripping, difficulty with lateral movements, poor coordination, and one sidedness under saddle.

👋🏼What can we do to help?
Proprioception pathways get stronger with use, similar to muscles. Luckily, we can do exercises to support and challenge them.

🐎Exercises we can do to help

⚪️Train on a variety of ground types such as walking on hills, sand, gravel, or grass to introduce new sensory feedback

⚪️Ground poles or cavalettis- encourages correct limb placement and coordination while going encouraging slow and controlled movement. Chances are if you’ve booked a session with me, you’ve been given this as homework

⚪️Backing- slow and controlled backing over a variety of surfaces

⚪️Balance pads- standing exercises on unstable surfaces such as balance pads

Pictured is the eagle prosix which works to improve proprioception, balance, and muscle condition

A little PEMF + bodywork session post lesson with Empire Farms, LLC to keep my favorite guy feeling his best. ❤️🐴

Consistency with bodywork is key. We can’t ask our equine partners to perform at their best if we aren’t also making their comfort and physical well-being a priority.

And in full transparency… my own horse has fallen through the cracks a little over the last few months, and it definitely showed in our lesson today. 😅

Rocket wasn’t able to pick himself up and use his body as effectively as he normally should because he hasn’t had his regular bodywork. Historically, Rocket has struggled with his stifles, which can cause him to avoid properly loading that hind leg. Over time, he compensates by using his neck and other parts of his body to help balance himself, which causes muscles to take over jobs that they weren’t designed to do, and creates a chain reaction of tension and compensation throughout his body.

Just like with us, it’s much easier to stay ahead of these issues than to wait until compensation patterns have already developed. Regular bodywork can help keep the body moving well, identify areas of tension early, and support our horses in feeling and performing their best.

So, instead of following in my footsteps, take this as your reminder to schedule your horse’s routine bodywork! 😂

Rocket and I have a little extra homework ahead of us to get him back on track, but with consistent bodywork and some intentional riding, we’ll get there.

Your horse works hard for you — make sure you’re working hard to take care of them too

📍 JW Equine Bodywork, LLC
Massage • Muscular rehabilitation• PEMF • Red Light Therapy

Better movement starts with a balanced body⚡️

Got to meet and work on the cutest little pony yesterday!

Meet Julia 🤍

Julia's journey into equine bodywork started with a horse named Rocket. She wanted a way to spend more time with her horse, deepen their bond, and support some soundness issues they were navigating.

After completing her first massage certification, what started with one horse grew into an opportunity to work with other horses and their owners alongside trainers and veterinary professionals.

Today, Julia's business has been serving horses for nearly a year and a half, with a continued commitment to education and expanding her knowledge through massage, muscular rehabilitation, PEMF and red light therapy.

As we prepare to open the doors to Empire Farms, we're incredibly excited to introduce you to the people who are helping make this place more than just a barn.

It's a community built around the horse.

Come meet Julia—and the rest of the Empire Farms team—once we open to the public next year. 🐴🤍

PEMF—Let’s Talk About It! ⚡🐴

Have you ever wondered what PEMF is and why it’s becoming so popular in the equine world?

PEMF stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy. It’s a non-invasive therapy that uses electromagnetic pulses to stimulate cells, support cellular function, and promote the body’s natural healing processes. These pulses pe*****te into muscles and tissues, helping cells function more efficiently.

So, what does that mean for your horse?

✨ Potential benefits of PEMF include:
• Supporting healthy circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues
• Helping reduce inflammation and discomfort
• Easing muscle tension and soreness
• Promoting faster recovery after exercise or injury
• Encouraging relaxation and reducing stress
• Supporting overall wellness and performance

research has shown PEMF can improve blood flow and tissue oxygenation, which is one of the reasons it’s commonly used to aid recovery and healing.

At JW Equine Bodywork, I use a low intensity Respond Systems PEMF blanket in combination with hands on massage therapy. Combining these therapies helps encourages relaxation, and supports your horse’s comfort, recovery, and overall well-being.

Whether your horse is a high-level athlete, a weekend trail partner, or enjoying retirement, PEMF can be a valuable addition to their wellness routine.

Between welcoming a new baby and moving states, I have been a bit quiet on here lately. We have officially relocated to Northwest Indiana and I am ready to start taking clients again.
Kentucky and Tennessee were so good to me. This is where my business began and my first clients that entrusted me with working on their horses. I am so thankful to each and every one of you, but especially the ones who stuck with me as I continued to expand my education.
Northwest Indiana is home for me and I am so excited to be back. This is where my love and passion for horses began and I am ready to work with and give back to my local community. Little me that always begged for riding lessons and to be around horses would be so thrilled for current me. Fun fact- the buckskin in the lower right photo was actually my first lease horse and carried me through all of my angsty teenage years...truly a saint for putting up with me.

I am opening my schedule and taking clients starting mid may. feel free to message me here or text to get on the books!