Bodywork for Competitive
Horses and Dogs
With a combined over 15 years of experience in equine bodywork, we’ve had the privilege of helping horses move more freely, recover more comfortably, and perform at their best. We are both experienced hunter/jumper riders, and Sue was also a hunter/jumper trainer for over 20 years. That experience has given us a deep understanding of the demands placed on horses and how important it is to keep their bodies balanced, comfortable, and moving well.
Today, we combine that experience with advanced training in Equine and Canine Osteopathy, massage, and cold laser therapy to provide thoughtful, individualized care for every animal we work with.
Whether your horse is a high-performance athlete, a trail partner, or simply a beloved member of the family, or your dog is an active companion, canine athlete, or cherished family member, our goal is the same: help them feel better, move better, and enjoy life to the fullest.
Osteopathy Care - Sue Kellog
Functional osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on approach that focuses on restoring natural movement and balance throughout the body. I begin each case with a thorough history of both the horse and rider, which helps me better understand the horse’s overall health, workload, environment, and any contributing factors that may be influencing their condition.
From there, I complete a full assessment of posture, movement, joint mobility, and soft tissue function. I look beyond the site of discomfort to identify areas of restriction that may be affecting how your horse moves and compensates. Using osteopathic techniques, I then develop a clear, individualized plan for care that addresses the whole body rather than isolated symptoms.
These techniques allow me to work very effectively with horses that have more complex or difficult-to-resolve issues, where a deeper understanding of compensation patterns and whole-body function is essential. By improving mobility, releasing tension, and supporting healthy circulation, I help the body return to more efficient and comfortable movement.
Functional osteopathy works well on its own or alongside massage and cold laser therapy as part of a complete, integrated approach to care. It can benefit performance horses, companions, and senior animals alike—whether they are dealing with stiffness, recovery from injury, changes in performance, or the natural effects of aging.
Every treatment is tailored to the individual animal, and when appropriate, I collaborate with veterinarians and other professionals to support long-term comfort, soundness, and wellbeing.
Sue and Lisa
Massage
Every horse we see needs - and deserves! - a massage. They work so hard for us and give us so much in return. When we look at a horse, we’re not just seeing the horse in front of us; we’re looking for tight muscles, areas of compensation, weakness, and imbalances that can affect the way their entire body moves.
With massage and bodywork, we work to first loosen areas of tension, then restore balance and help the body return to better symmetry. When a horse is able to move more freely and comfortably in their body, we often see improvements in both their overall wellbeing and performance.
We believe regular bodywork can be an important part of a horse’s health and wellness program. It’s not just about addressing a problem when one appears, it’s about helping our horses feel their best, move their best, and stay healthy for the work they do for us.
Cold Laser
Cold laser therapy works by stimulating cells and supporting the body's natural cellular processes, helping to encourage the body's own ability to heal and recover. We find it to be an excellent complement to our hands-on bodywork.
When we use cold laser before massage, it can help prepare the tissues for hands-on work. The combination can improve circulation, help reduce inflammation, and allow tight muscle tissue to release more readily. One of the things we love about laser therapy is that it can reach deeper into the tissue than our hands can, allowing us to address areas that can be difficult to reach through massage alone.
For us, laser therapy isn't a replacement for bodywork; it's another tool that allows us to provide more comprehensive care and help each horse feel and move their best.
Animal Types
The Athlete
Massage helps keep the body balanced and performing at it’s best. Pre- and Post- Show massages also help the body prepare and recover more easily.
Massage can help find slight issues that may be contributing to new or abnormal behavior that training doesn’t seem to be helping. A tight low back can irritate the SI area which can throw off lead changes, for example.
Trauma
After a trauma (something as simple as a slip or as complex as a flip), massage can help to increase circulation, which allows the cells and muscle tissue to begin to heal. Some trauma can show up in the body weeks or months after the incident. I often hear “he was fine right after, but now he won’t…”
Geriatric Animals
While massage may seem like “a nice thing to do”, I have had much success with helping the older horse and dogs feel better by reducing aches and discomfort. Massage also has a positive effect on the nervous system, which is responsible for sensory, interpretative, and motor functions. I have often heard of a horse and dogs being calmer and more relaxed after a massage, due to the effects it has on the nervous system.
Osteopathy Care Benefits
Improved Mobility & Flexibility
Helps restore natural joint movement and flexibility, allowing your horse to move more freely and comfortably.Better Balance & Symmetry
Addresses restrictions and imbalances that can affect how your horse carries and moves its body.Enhanced Performance
Supports more efficient movement and coordination, which can help performance horses reach their full potential.Reduced Muscle & Joint Tension
Gentle hands-on techniques can help release areas of tension and restriction that may contribute to discomfort or compensatory movement.Support for Recovery
Can be a valuable part of a horse's recovery and rehabilitation following injury, changes in workload, or periods of reduced activity.Greater Comfort as Horses Age
Helps support mobility and quality of movement in senior horses experiencing age-related stiffness and changes in flexibility.Preventative Wellness
Regular osteopathic care can help identify restrictions before they become larger movement problems, supporting long-term mobility and overall wellbeing.
Massage and Laser Benefits
Supports Faster Recovery — Helps support the body's natural recovery process following exercise, strain, or injury.
Reduces Inflammation & Discomfort — Cold laser therapy can help calm inflammation and ease areas of muscular and soft-tissue discomfort.
Improves Circulation — Promotes healthy circulation to targeted areas, supporting the delivery of oxygen and nutrients needed for tissue recovery.
Supports Muscle & Soft-Tissue Healing — Helps stimulate cellular activity and supports the body's natural repair processes.
Improves Mobility & Range of Motion — By addressing areas of tension, inflammation, and discomfort, laser therapy can help your horse move more freely.
Enhances Performance & Recovery — Can be incorporated into a performance program to help horses recover more efficiently between workouts, training sessions, and competition.
Reaches Difficult-to-Treat Areas — Laser provides targeted therapy to areas that can be difficult to effectively address through hands-on work alone, including the SI region, lower back, and hooves.