From Sore and Unwilling to Buckle-Winning: Why I Do What I Do

There’s nothing quite as rewarding as watching a horse transform — not just in body, but in spirit.

When I come out to meet a horse for the first time, my goal isn’t just to “work on them.” I want to connect with them. I talk to them (yes, out loud). I ask their permission to touch them. I tell them I won’t hurt them and that if something I do causes pain, they can let me know — preferably without the kicking and biting part.

I swear, sometimes the horses look at me like, “Lady, you crazy”

Meet the Mare, Lynx

One particular mare I’ve been working on for the last six weeks has been a challenge — and I love her for it.

She’s a big girl: big-boned, solid, and came with an equally solid opinion about people touching her. When I first started, her attitude said it all: “No thanks. Move along.”

I used a mix of techniques , massage, cold laser therapy, kinesiology taping — but the most consistent tools were good old-fashioned massage and taping.

Week by week, I watched her body soften, her stride open up, her reactions settle. Then came “that week.”

You know the one. The week where you start thinking: Are we going backwards?  She made her displeasure known by lifting her let like she wanted to kick the crap of out of me more than once. I asked her to move over, and she made it perfectly clear she wasn’t taking requests.

I in turn let her know that she is not allowed to kick the person that is trying to help her!! But we pushed through it.   Her attitude shifted again, and she came out the other side lighter in spirit and freer in her movement.

The Payoff

Yesterday, when I checked her, her responses to palpation were barely worth noting. She was calm. Soft. Willing And then today… I text to see how she did at the show today and I got the text. That this mare went to her open competition and came home with the High Point Buckle.

I literally jumped up and screamed in my house — scared the life out of the dog and the husband. Tears welled up in my eyes.

This is why I do what I do.

Why It Matters

When I work with a horse this way — listening, exchanging energy, building trust — the relationship becomes more than just therapy. It’s a partnership.

I feel deeply invested in the horses I work on, as if I carry part of their journey with me. To watch a horse go from being in pain, unwilling, or performing below their potential… to standing in the winner’s circle with a ribbon or a buckle — it’s the ultimate reward. Thank you Lynx for allowing me to be part of your journey. 

For me, it’s not just bodywork. It’s about creating a connection where the horse feels safe enough to heal — and sometimes, to shine. For me, it’s about being part of the team. Every horse owner has a team of professionals they rely on and I would love the opportunity to be part of your team. 

✨ If you’ve got a horse who’s sore, cranky, or just not quite themselves, don’t give up. With the right support, they can find comfort — and sometimes their best performance yet