Back in Balance Osteopathy

14/08/2025

I love getting feedback from owners. Here’s yesterday mornings clients thoroughly enjoying some post treatment relax time in the sun!!! Happy ponios!

07/08/2025

I’m back home now after 3 days of fantastic horses, great chat and a couple of serious head scratchers! Had some pats with all shapes and sizes of canine and most importantly got to hang with my son too!!

Next trip (Cambridge only, I will try and sort and Auckland run when I can!) is Sept 3-5
Pretty much full already but message if you want adding to this run 🙂

Good luck and have fun to everyone going to Takapoto this weekend 🦄

06/08/2025

Day 2 back in the North Island. Having a great few days catching up with my old regulars!! Super busy day of showjumpers yesterday- this particular rider has dedicated this winter to flat work and getting some lessons on each of her team. Holy HECK what a difference!!! Stronger, rounder, more balanced!! Very impressive

Today was a mix of show ponies and jumpers and riders!! My riders today have been doing reformer pilates to help improve their bodies and agsin BIG changes. Much better ankle stability, hips more open and relaxed and happier pelvis!!
Ponies had a tune up before they head to Takapoto this weekend and then on to Aussie.

Tomorrow it’s dressage ponios and then heading back south!

I’m looking to make this a monthly run (mainly if I can sort out a car as rental is craaaaazy priced!!) so watch this space! For those I couldn’t fit in this trip I’m really sorry, will add you to the list for September!

03/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G9r55yEzp/

I shared this on my human page today.... Obviously the videos are of human not equine bodies but the same issues arise in horses. Restricted scapula function has a huge knock on in terms of stride length, performance, breathing mechanics and overall body comfort/discomfort.

Remember the fascial and muscle connections from the scapula to the hypoid and opposite direction to the hind limbs (see an earlier post!!)- hugely important
Consider the affect of saddle fit on scapula and shoulder function....
Altered hoof angles in the front feet- and vice versa (restricted scapula and shoulder affecting forelimb balance)

There's a LOT to consider around the scapula and its fascial and muscular connections!!! One of my favorite areas to work on 🙂

Obviously important for us riders to have a nicely mobile scapula too!!

14/07/2025

So. It’s been a year since I sat in a saddle. Never in my life did I think I’d stop riding. I thought it was in my blood forever…. Life’s changed in so so many ways!!! Wonder if I’ll ever hop on again….. 🧐

09/07/2025

Meet Basil. My new wingman
He’s as much use as a chocolate teapot currently, but tries his hardest!!!!!! Will be accompanying me as hes learning his job!!!!

29/06/2025

I’m back in the southern hemisphere now!!! Loveky trip back to UK but it’s great to be home.
I’ve got space for a couple more Rangiora type way on Wednesday otherwise we are looking at week starting 7th July 🙂

04/06/2025

Admin catch up....

The forecast is diabolical till I go to the Uk, but if you have shelter and want to book in before I go, I have some space on Tuesday next week. I'll then be back at the helm from 30th June.

On my return I will sort out

CAMBRIDGE date- likely 1st week after school hols (but message if you want including on this trip)

AUCKLAND I havent forgotten you guys just been chasing my tail a bit.... Would you like me to sort out a trip up end of August, or sometime in September- I will await your response

FAIRLIE peeps... I guess it hinges on how much snow you are going to throw at me???! Open to ideas and suggestions.

Im happy to sort other destinations too if theres a wee group.... jut let me know who is keen!

Right, that's pretty much me done till I head off to the other hemisphere. Im going to try and tee some stuff up while im back over there too, so watch this space for anything of interest that comes my way!!!

Stay safe with the weather warning around the country...... 😊

30/05/2025

Wolfhound vs Jack Russell??!

As all horse people know, the smaller the beast, the more terrifying!!!! Poor Shadow (Wolfhound) totally put in his place by his tiny friend!!!!!

I've treated Little n Large this week. A gorgeous wee mini who had a hefty dental surgery recently and needed some help calming down her very sore poll and TMJ/facial muscles after 5 hours with the dentist! Almost could have sat her on my lap to treat her!

And biggest of the bunch was a gorgeous mare who I did a follow up visit on thursday evening. WISH I'd taken before photos as her standing posture is TOTALLY different now. She'd had a vet work up and was being treated and rehabbed for right sided neck and forelimb issues but I was quite sure there was a hind end problem too. Wonderful owner re vetted and yes, needed hock injections and boy what a different horse!

It really is like being a body detective... Listening to the horses body can point out issues we might otherwise not "see"

I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend. Good luck (and omg you are all crazy) to those running the Selwyn Marathon on Sunday... Remember you can book online for human appointments after if you need rebuilding 🤣🤣

26/05/2025

Drum roll…….

My website is finally live. Only required 16 meetings with 62 different satellites, 8762662 new passwords as I kept forgetting them, some head scratching, a bit of a toddler tantrum and a lot of coffee!!

But, it’s done!

Please go check it out and share around.

www.backinbalance.org.nz

Info on the horsey and hound side, but contact me directly for bookings 😃

Experienced trusted osteopathy services in Lincoln.

20/05/2025

Another blinking STUNNING day down here in the South Island! Was back to beautiful Fairlie today for a selection of horsey and human patients!

Here's wee Credence Aka Giraffe having a wonderful post treatment moment!

One of my favorite parts is to watch the horse "process" what I have asked his body to do, and to allow the feelings to kind of wash over then. This wee dude had one heck of a jammed poll and upper neck. He was very blocked and wouldn't really let me bend him side to side. His nuchal ligament was very sore and reactive and his whole upper neck was just a block. Both shoulders were tight and his right Sacro iliac joint was a bit funky too (all highly Osteopathic terms!!!!!)

He had some really big releases, I got his poll mobilized pretty much asap as I knew it would just open him up and allow me to really work in all the places he needed.

Heaps of yawning and big deep belly breaths throughout his session and then this wonderful relaxed moment after. Gentle big nostril breaths, soft and relaxed upper neck, gently feeling the fascial and muscular releases... one happy ponio!! 😊

14/05/2025

Can osteopathy help the more elderly of the equine world??

Without a DOUBT! Some of the most rewarding sessions I have are on our elder “folk”both horse and human. Restoring as much mobility as possible, easing tight and tired muscles, mobilising areas that otherwise don’t get much movement…..

This wee gentleman certainly responded well!! We all got a good look at his tonsils!! After his session he had a good roll and then snoozed in the sun while i worked on his buddy!! Perfect 👌🏻

It’s often not about finding a “cure”. Often there isnt one. It’s about optimising what we can and offering the body as much balance and freedom to move as we can.

Sermon over….