Equine Posture & Movement Analysis - Equine Structural Bodywork & Massage – Saddle Fitting
Asheville, WNC, Tryon
Equine Posture & Movement Analysis - Equine Structural Bodywork & Massage – Saddle Fitting
Asheville, WNC, Tryon
Kelly successfully uses bodywork and massage modalities such as Structural Integration and Neuromuscular Therapy to treat her clients’ abnormal compensatory patterns, myofascial trigger points, and overall knots, aches, and pains. She is trained in Advanced Equine Structural Integration from the Equine Natural Movement School and is on their faculty as a Module 1 Instructor. She is also a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist (NCLMBT #14691), having graduated from the Western North Carolina School of Massage where she studied Neuromuscular Therapy, Swedish, and Prenatal Massage. Kelly has also spent time apprenticing with a highly skilled veteran farrier in order to better understand the relationship between hoof imbalances and ACP. As a result of Kelly’s knowledge and training, she is able to identify structural imbalances and restrictions within horses and riders that create painful compensation patterns within the body. These hinder clear communication between the horse and rider which lead to less than ideal rides as a result of movement, and even behavioral, issues.
Neuromuscular Therapy is an extremely specialized, focused approach to releasing painful knots and trigger points within muscles while also improving nervous system function. These knots and trigger points often develop as a result of muscle overuse or muscle trauma.
Structural Integration is a holistic form of therapeutic bodywork that slowly 'melts' restrictions in the soft connective tissue called 'fascia'. The most common sources of these restrictions are hoof imbalance, poor saddle fit, rider imbalance, certain riding and training techniques, injury, and sickness. These restrictions are what often lead to abnormal compensatory postures.
Benefits of Structural Integration:
***Structural Bodywork and Massage are not a substitute for veterinary care! Please call your veterinarian if you feel your horse is ill or injured.***
Kelly is a professional saddle fitter who 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. Due to the amazing technology within Pegasus Saddles, she finds them super easy to work with and appreciates the freedom of movement they allow the horse. When placed in the correct position and properly used, Kelly has found these saddles act as a form of bodywork in itself due to how they help release restrictions in the fascia and can help prevent future restrictions from developing.
Benefits of Pegasus Saddles:
Kelly has been riding for over 25 years and has trained with many knowledgeable, talented instructors. She apprenticed for two years with nationally rated rider/instructor, Catherine Hunter, author of Sacred Connections Horsemanship and one of the few remaining instructors trained in Traditional American Forward Riding. Kelly utilizes her knowledge of horsemanship to figure out if there are any underlying issues in the riding or training of the horse that could be creating restrictions and compensations within the horse’s body. This knowledge is also useful when Kelly recommends exercises that will benefit the horse while other parts of the therapeutic treatment plan are being carried out.
Kelly incorporates what she calls Traditional American Forward Riding techniques in her riding evaluations and exercises. Over the years she has discovered that many of these riding techniques act as 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. This is because the goal of this method of riding is to produce efficient movement through interfering with the horse's natural way of going as little as possible. This method of non-interference frees up the horse's body, especially the back and neck.
Benefits of Traditional American Forward Riding are:
Traditional American Forward Riding has its roots in the riding techniques developed by Italian cavalry officer, Captain Federico Caprilli during the early 1900s. 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...
“Beginning in the late 1890s, after centuries of studied and purposeful abuse of horses by mankind, Caprilli invented a system of training that was humane in every aspect... the relief from suffering that he brought horses is the true key to his greatness.” - 3-time Olympic Equestrian, Jim Wofford
An overall evaluation of the horse’s posture and movement - unmounted and under saddle, along with the fit of the horse’s current saddle, is necessary before proceeding with any treatment plan. Massage and bodywork are usually able to be performed immediately following the scheduled evaluation. If, during the evaluation, Kelly discovers that a client’s current saddle does not fit, she can provide information the client can use in possibly correcting the fit, purchasing a saddle of their own choosing, or the client has the option of purchasing a Pegasus saddle with Kelly’s help.
Evaluations $235
No additional charge for Massage and Bodywork performed the same day as evaluation.
Follow-up Massage and Bodywork Sessions
$135
Or save and buy a package of 5 sessions!
$625
***Equine Freedom Solutions reserves the right to charge extra for services performed extending past the greater Asheville area
Equine Freedom Solutions Accepts Cash, Check and PayPal
For more information or to schedule an evaluation, please contact Kelly at 828-665-2589 or kellysnyder.efs@gmail.com
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! Kelly also teaches Module 1 classes for the Equine Natural Movement School. Check below for available dates.
Learn about fascinating topics like:
Clinics can be 1 or 2 days and are typically unmounted. Mounted clinics are held in association with Sacred Connections Horsemanship.
Module 1 Equine Natural Movement Series Training, June 11 - 17 2022
*Kelly is a certified BTB Feng Shui consultant.
For more information or to schedule a clinic, please contact Kelly at 828-665-2589 or kellysnyder.efs@gmail.com.
Apprenticeships are available for equine professionals looking to deepen their knowledge and skills. Must be 18, have an open mind, be willing to learn, have a valid driver’s license, and reliable transportation.
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.
Need a helping hand navigating life and goals while attempting to make sense of your thoughts and emotions? Visit Partsdiscovered.com to learn about life coaching sessions and more. Sessions are available over Zoom, or if you prefer, you can request a session to be conducted at your farm surrounded by the comfort and support of the horses you love and care for.