Bodywork

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Structural Integration is a  comprehensive, holistic form of bodywork therapy that works to slowly 'melt' restrictions in the soft connective tissue called 'fascia'.

An  Equine Structural Integration Series consists of five sessions, each lasting around 90 minutes. Session one is about gaining the horse's trust and identifying connective tissue holding patterns. Sessions two through five work on releasing those patterns and reinforcing changes made in previous sessions. 

Benefits of Structural Integration:


Helps overcome physical manifestations of emotional trauma 


Allows for more efficient use of the body, conserving energy


Improves flexibility


Improves symmetry and balance


Connects the horse's front and back


Allows horse greater freedom of movement


Helps eliminate behavioral issues caused by pain


Allows for better communication between horse & rider


Increases the horse's ability to pick up requested canter leads and improves canter departures


Allows horse to be able to flex at poll and accept contact easier


Lateral work becomes easier​


Provides Relaxation


Sessions are $135 for local clients within an hour of Asheville, NC. Evaluations are $45. A series of five sessions paid in advance is $625. *This discounted price on a series is not available in conjunction with any other special offers.


For non-local clients, not exceeding 2 hours from Asheville, NC, individual sessions are $150. A series of five sessions paid in advance is $700. *This discounted price on a series is not available in conjunction with any other special offers.


Bodywork/Saddle Fitting Combo:

Local clients - $185

Non-local - $235


Equine Freedom Solutions Accepts Cash or Check 


*Equine Freedom Solutions reserves the right to charge extra for services  performed at locations extending past the greater Asheville area. 


***Structural integration is not a substitute for veterinary care! Please call your veterinary if you feel your horse is ill or injured


Contact Us Today!

Testimonials

Immediate Relief!

 "Immediate relief to damaged muscles, freedom of gait - especially in  hind legs = happy horse!" Looking forward to more sessions with you!  Many, many, thanks!"

 - Allison Hayes 

Softer Backed!

 "Cat is definitely much more even feeling and softer backed, and it feels like she is more flexible."

- Alejandra Brown, owner/trainer at Jumpers 

More Fluid!

"Lily is more sociable with humans and members of her herd. She is moving more fluidly in general, and with greater ease and calmness under saddle, physically and mentally." - Rebecca Crawley

King of the World

"When I took Sonny to my trainer after the second session, she was amazed at his change. Before I really struggled to keep him in a jogging/sitting trot. Now he was prancing around like the king of the world! ." - Laura Nelson, Equine Facilitated Learning Coach

 

She felt like a new girl!

"When finished with her "spa day", SweetPea trotted into her pasture and  bucked! She felt like a new girl! Many thanks, Kelly!"

 - STAR Rescue Ranch, Waynesville 

He's Swinging!

"Kelly performed structural integration for my 15 year old dressage horse, Felix. Before, it would take almost an hour before Felix would start swinging at the walk, but now he starts off swinging."

- Helen Sandven, Tantalus Farms

Restorative Horsemanship

A means of corrective riding and training that is...

 ... a form of bodywork in itself due to how it helps release restrictions in the connective tissue and fascia, and can help prevent future restrictions from developing.


Benefits are: 

  • Supports other equine therapies such as massage, bodywork, chiropractic, and acupuncture
  • Creates a well-rounded physique  by fostering proper muscle development in the horse
  • Helps horses develop and maintain self-carriage
  • Helps restore horse's natural balance and promotes correct forward movement
  • Builds horse's confidence and trust
  • Enables clearer communication between horse and rider by breaking down communication barriers
  • Works for the majority of horses no matter their primary riding discipline 


*Restorative riding and training technique recommendations as well as instruction in how to complete them are included in each bodywork session when applicable.


Restorative Horsemanship incorporates the use of Forward Riding techniques. Forward Riding was developed by Italian cavalry officer, Captain Federico Caprilli during the early 1900's. Caprilli has been recognized by the International Society of Equitation Science as being a pioneer of horse welfare and of having teachings in line with their training principles. 

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Saddle Fitting

Kelly has been thoroughly trained by world-renowned, expert saddle-fitter and saddle designer, Ron Friedson of Pegasus Saddles to help meet the saddling needs of horses and riders in Asheville and surrounding areas.


Benefits of Pegasus Saddles:


  • Distributes rider's weight evenly like a treed saddle
  • Adjusts to fit the width and angles of the horse’s back like a treeless saddle
  • Flexes longitudinally parallel to the horses spine like a flex-tree saddle
  • Keeps the rider forward, in the natural spot, thereby reducing stress on horses with long or weak backs
  • Has short panels that keep the rider's weight off the horse's back end making them great for short-backed horses
  • Flexible hinges in the tree allow saddle to be molded to horses of differing conformation saving horse owners with multiple horses money since they only need one saddle
  • No more dealing with screws and screwdrivers to change gullets
  • No  more dealing with reflocking adjustments


Saddle Fitting for local clients located within an hour of Asheville, NC - $65 or $50 with purchase of a series of five bodywork sessions.


Saddle Fitting for non-local clients not exceeding 2 hours from Asheville, NC - $100 or $85 with purchase of a series of five bodywork sessions.


*Saddle fittings purchased with a series will be performed during one of the five session visits.


Bodywork/Saddle Fitting Combo:

Local clients - $185

Non-local - $235

Clinics & Classes

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Looking to  host an educational weekend at your farm or need an interesting subject  for your next horse club meeting? Equine Freedom Solutions has you  covered!

Learn about fascinating topics like:


  • Benefits of Structural Integration Bodywork
  • Evaluating equine posture
  • Evaluating equine movement
  • Equine fascial meridians
  • Equine proprioception


  • Saddle Fitting
  • How to communicate with horses
  • Basic energy work
  • And much more!

Clinics can be 1 or 2 days and are typically unmounted

Mounted clinics are available through and in association with Sacred Connections Horsemanship

Upcoming Events

Module 1, Equine Structural Integration Training  October 18 - 20 and October 25 - 27 in Asheville, NC. Want to become an equine bodyworker? Then this class is for you! This is the first module of three within the program required for certification. For more information, please contact The Equine Natural Movement School

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Farrier Clinic for Horse Owners hosted by Annie's Place, November 16. Join farrier, John Banks, and equine bodyworker, Kelly Snyder, as they discusses hoof angles and other important elements to proper trimming and shoeing. Knowing these will help you in evaluating your own horses hooves so you will understand why your horse may or may not be moving and performing their best. For more information or to register your horse, please contact Calisa Hughes Calisa.Hughes@AnniesPlaceWNC.com


Saddle Fitting Clinic hosted by Annie's Place, December 7. Equine bodyworker and saddle fitter, Kelly Snyder, will explain some of the history behind why we do some of the things we do when saddling as well as how to check a saddle for proper fit. For more information or to register, please contact Calisa Hughes Calisa.Hughes@AnniesPlaceWNC.com

For scheduling and prices

About Kelly Snyder

Kelly Snyder is a Nationally Certified Equine Massage Therapist (NBCAAM), Certified Advanced Equine Structural Integrator, Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist (NCLMBT #14691), and skilled energy worker serving horses and riders within Asheville and surrounding  areas. She is also a saddle-fitter and representative for Pegasus Saddles, and a faculty member with the Equine Natural Movement School. As a result of her training, she is able to identify  structural imbalances within horses and riders that  create painful compensation patterns within the body. These compensations prevent clear communication which lead to less than ideal rides. 


Kelly has been riding for over 20 years and has trained with many knowledgable, talented instructors including nationally rated rider/instructor, Catherine Hunter, author of Sacred Connections Horsemanship. The knowledge and skills gained through that training, combined with her knowledge of equine and rider biomechanics, gives her a deeper insight into identifying when rider position or certain training practices may be the cause of painful imbalances within the horse's body. While treating a horse with these imbalances, this insight enables her to work in partnership with the rider and trainer to develop sound riding and training practices that support the massage and bodywork the horse is receiving. Kelly can also recommend exercises and stretches that compliment all the other work being done to help the horse experience optimum, pain-free movement which ultimately improves communication between horse and rider.


Kelly is a firm believer in team work and loves working alongside veterinarians, farriers, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and other equine professionals. She is a founding member of the Holistic Equine Collaborative and believes combining knowledge and talents is the best way to ensure that horses have the best chance of leading long, sound, healthy lives. She is a graduate of the Equine Natural Movement School where she studied Equine Structural Integration, and is also a graduate of Western North Carolina School of Massage where she studied Neuromuscular Therapy, Swedish, and Prenatal Massage.


Besides working on horses at various farms in and around Asheville, Kelly is also a practitioner at Ebb & Flow Massage Therapy Center where she is available to help riders relieve pain, increase mobility, balance, strength and overall health.

Book Your Appointment Today

Contact Us About Your Horse

For more information or to schedule a bodywork or saddle fitting session for your horse email or call

Kelly Snyder

828.665.2589

Contact Us About You

To inquire about or schedule a session for yourself please contact:

Ebb & Flow Massage Therapy Center

947 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806

828.552.3003

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Testimonials

I highly recommend Kelly

"I highly recommend Kelly for her expertise in equine structural integration, her kind and loving manner, and her intuitive energy healing capabilities."

- Laura Nelson, Equine Facilitated Learning Coach 

Most Dedicated

"Kelly was one of the most dedicated and talented students that I have ever worked with. Kelly's expertise with equine structural integration probably surpasses my own due to her strong equestrian background."

- Jack Boyd, Asheville Structural Integration 

Drastic Changes in Timber

"I was amazed at the changes Timber displayed physically and mentally during his sessions! Physically just to look at him from the first session to the last was a drastic change. He came out every week looking more filled out, bigger, and softer all over."

- Michelle Mallonee 

Less Pain and Stiffness

"Since working with Kelly, I have noticed a difference in my co-therapist, Jenny. I noticed that with a reduction in pain and stiffness, Jenny's attitude towards work has significantly improved." 

- Rebecca Stares, Spirited Connections Equine Facilitated Counseling

 
 

She Connects with Horses

"Kelly Snyder has a passion for horses that is evident when you watch her work. The way she connects with the horses is beautiful. Her work is steady, deliberate, effective and informed by an innate, intuitive sensitivity. I highly recommend her."

- Joseph Freeman, founder Equine Natural Movement School 

Obe Has More Freedom

"Obe has become more elastic longitudinally through her spine - I can feel this in the transition between collected work and extended work. I can also see this in her tail carriage - up and away from her body rather than clamped."

- Jennifer Hfippensteel