Louise Heal Equine Massage & Emmett Practitioner

12/05/2025

1.30 minutes of calm….gentle head work, nothing dramatic just a moment in time helping the healing process.

11/04/2025

Highly recommended- hacking confidently and capably is a huge skill. To be a “happy hacker” is a triumph indeed!

The Art of Hacking 2025 - Open for new members now!

Doors close April 28th, only 20 spaces available.

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I created this course with no idea it would be so useful to so many people and horses. I did it because I wish I had been able to get more ideas and support when I was in the eye of the storm. I dreamed of harmoniously heading out into the world with my horse. My horse, however, did not share this dream....

We talk about 'just wanting to go for a hack', like it's the easiest thing in the world. And then when it feels pretty tricky, and we wonder about putting stronger bits in, and not riding when it's windy, or when the bins are out, or when our horse gets out of bed with his mane on sideways - we feel like a huge failure. But actually, we just lack the skills and the ideas, that's all. Neither of you are failures you just haven't got a map - so you get lost.

Some people are happy to ride their horses with a growl and a big stick (or two) . Others enjoy riding a sideways cantering unexploded bomb, laughing at spooks and skitterings ( I suspect the horse isn't laughing). However, If you find yourself not one of these people, and want to know what your horse really feels about this situation and how you can improve things between you, this may the course and the community for you.

We meet over 10 weeks, with a huge amount of video content, weekly zooms and an incredible amount of information and support. AND, you have lifetime access to the content and can join in each time we re-run the course.

BOOK NOW - https://softandsound.org/register/the-art-of-hacking-premium-coaching-2025/

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Here is what some participants have to say:

'Never give up! A course in bite size pieces. A bit like your driving test, you learn to pass the test (follow lessons in order and absorb the many tips) and then you do the real learning after you've finished the course by picking up the lessons that are relevant at the time you need them. Excellent tool for training you and your horse and building a solid relationship together. Enjoy 😁' - Tracey

'Cannot recommend it enough. I did the course 2 years ago, and I'm still using the content to great effect. f you're on the fence, do it, you won't regret it.' Marian

'I absolutely loved this course. I did it two or three years ago and use the contents on a daily basis. Not just for hacking. I refer back to the videos; the content is enough to last a lifetime. Absolutely brilliant. As much about general good horsemanship as hacking. Cannot recommend enough. ' MM

Discounts for Soft and Sound members, please use your code.

01/03/2025

Even on holiday I can’t get away from horses 🙂
Just had to visit Hanoi’s oldest temple - Bach Ma (white horse) .. inside the incense prayer spirals perfumed the air and honoured the life size white horse statue. The temple was built on the area described by the footprints of a faerie horse and despite surrounding fires and floods has been kept safe by the spirit of the Bach Ma.
They are seen as dragon horses on altars and carvings, life size stone statues at mausoleums accompanying the kings to their next life. As objects to be worshipped in great temples and small house shrines.
There is a terrible insult used against women which refers to the sounds of the fierce stallions kept caged by the city gates for royal use - Ngua Thuong Tu. The insult describes women who are fierce, wild and untamed at a time when grace and beauty were esteemed.
So today i burn incense for the women who are fierce and wild, speaking up for horses and those gone before.

13/02/2025

Meeting new faces and seeing some great changes in old friends!

21/01/2025

It’s a long winter and you might be feeling a bit ‘groundhog day’ so maybe a good time to play some Joy Bingo ! 🤩

Feeling funky?! Hurrah! You can always play Joy Bingo. I even made you a board to play the game (asking for suggestions from unsuspecting JoyRide members) but if you think it's rubbish, you can make your own 😆

Here's how you play the game...

1. Make a 5 x 5 grid on a piece of paper.

2. Fill in the squares with activities that make you joyful— horse related, things you might not do often but always love when you make the effort, things that feel important but you might forget to do, things that you love...

3. Stick it somewhere obvious and visible.

4. Cross off squares as you complete them.- give yourself a week a month, whatever.

If you yell BINGO you get extra points. We won't hear you, but you will have our undying support and respect.

What other Joy Bingo Bringers can we add to our ever-growing list?

And most importantly:

A sense of humour is an important nervous system regulation tool.

Take things seriously, hold as much as you can lightly. That's what allows for the long game.

Yours in love, joy and hopefulness,

xx Jane

18/01/2025

Being and working with horses we have to be aware of what we bring in our touch. I hope you have experienced that conscious touch from a therapist, friend or loved one that immediately makes you feel calmer and at ease… and have less experience of touch that is unsettling. We can feel the difference, so can our horses.
Yes, we have to get stuff done, and there is usually a time frame; it’s not a plea to be wafty - but we would all benefit from times when we are mindful and attentive of how we are interacting with our horse (dog / spouse / child / rabbit) and how we are using our hands.

🌀 Is your ATTENTION present or are there lists going on in your head?
🌀Are you LISTENING with your hands and eyes? What feedback are you getting? Are you waiting, asking or probing?
🌀 Is there GRATITUDE in your heart for this being as they are, or are you wondering how to make improvements, achieve a goal? (Maybe plan those things at home!)
🌀Are you CALM and at ease or have you bought stress and upset with you? Horses can be wonderful therapists but have you checked that is ok? If your mind is in overdrive, can you take 5 minutes to breathe before being with your horse?
🌀What is your INTENTION today, in your hands and your heart?

Take a few moments to rest your hands, mindfully and with permission; smile and notice …..

30/11/2024

Not my usual type of post but sometimes they come back to you and it’s important to remember their story…

You were most alive on the day you died.
You had been a shadow horse
No trust left for humans who had used, abused and discarded you,
Despite winning a King’s ransom.
My two ponies took care of your heart while I tried to take care of your body
But it was too broken, so it was decided , for the best, for you to journey on.
I cried a lot that day.
Not so much for you, because you were going to be safe and out of pain,
But for all the horses you represented.
All the other commodities that had been exploited, damaged then thrown away.
Horses with no names. No identity. No voice.
Shadow horses.
Even after a year of living with us it was hard to remember you.
You never made a fuss or demands, just quietly existed,
A shadow horse.
On the day you died here we went into the woodland.
Rain dripping off branches
Mist closing in
Your herd were with you galloping, tails up, fire breathing, snorting
Dragon horses
Caught between two worlds.
Between the trees, in the grey light you moved on quickly.
The others came after, breathing in your body one last time.

You were beautiful that day you came alive.

21/11/2024

The forecast was snow but it was a perfect sunny day to visit Track to Nature and work with their lovely herd. Although I was technically there to see Charlie, Archie was actually in need and soaked up everything offered. Charlie stayed very close but just didn’t want hands on which was absolutely fine. It’s great when ponies are able to choose.

15/10/2024

Super session with this awesome driving pony today 🥰

29/09/2024

I’ve just moved over the border from Ceredigion to Pembrokeshire and just about unpacked! Some availability in the area now without the added extra of travel costs.
Regular Ceredigion clients, don’t worry - I will be more organised and do ‘zone’ days to keep prices the same.

For people who haven’t used me before, what do you get in a session?
🔸a holistic, sympathetic approach
🔸static and dynamic assessment
🔸bodywork using a range of techniques ( massage, Fascial release, manipulation, cranio-sacral )
🔸Advanced Emmett practitioner adjustments
🔸Photizo ‘Red Light’ Therapy
🔸Notes and follow up advice as required

Any queries please get in touch x

10/07/2024

Interesting video showing the movement of the superficial fascia with gentle pulls on the mane; this is a nice technique to use on your horse if there is tightness in the neck, after a schooling session or just for a feel good moment.