Down the Stretch Equine Bodyworks

11/22/2025

As the EHV-1/EHM outbreak affects all of us in the horse community, please stay informed and supportive.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐇𝐕-𝟏/𝐄𝐇𝐌?
Equine Herpesvirus-1 is a form of DNA virus that causes a spectrum of symptoms from respiratory to neurological, and can even cause abortion. EHV-1, in its neurological form, can cause Equine Herpesvirus Myoencephalopathy, which attacks the CNS and can be fatal.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤?
The most common route of transmission is direct horse-to-horse contact, via respiratory droplets. Indirect transmission is possible by contaminated clothes, tack, grooming supplies, etc.

By restricting horses' movements onto and off your property, and following good biosecurity practices—like washing your hands regularly, avoiding sharing tack and grooming supplies, and limiting contact with horses that aren't under your direct care—you can reduce the risk of disease transmission.

𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬: (𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭)
Fever ( >101.5 F)
Nasal Discharge
Lethargy
Abortion
Hindlimb Weakness
Dribbling Urine
Ataxia (lack of coordination)
Inability to stand

If you have questions and/or your horse starts showing any of the symptoms of EHV-1/EHM, contact your vet immediately.

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧?
EHV-1 & 4 Disease Guidelines:
https://aaep.org/resource/aaep-infectious-disease-guidelines-equine-herpesvirus-1-4/

Latest News/Updates:
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/alertshttps://www.equinediseasecc.org/alerts

06/08/2025

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) can help racehorses relax and recover

06/07/2025

We also see dogs!

Someone here uses her weekly sessions as nap time! 😴🐶

PEMF has several benefits for your pets including...
Increasing mobility
Relieving arthritic discomfort
Improving overall wellness

05/17/2025

A soft horse moves with ease, stays mentally relaxed, and gives to the rider’s aids. Here are some practical examples and exercises to teach softness:

🔹 1. Lateral Flexion
🔹 2. Yielding the Hindquarters
🔹 3. Soft Halts and Back-Ups
🔹 4. Circle and Bend Work (In-Hand or Riding)

Teaching the whole body to follow a soft feel, stay connected, and move in harmony with the rider. Practicing it regularly sets the stage for a happy, athletic, and willing horse.

05/04/2025

Winding down from an exhilarating weekend at Churchill Downs 🏇🏆

Did you know many of the sport’s top trainers use MagnaWave therapy to help their horses perform at their best, including Brad Cox, the trainer behind 2025 Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer?

From pre-race prep to post-race recovery, MagnaWave supports circulation, reduces inflammation, and promotes healing, helping equine athletes stay healthy, balanced, and race-day ready.

Give your horse the same elite-level care trusted by champions!

04/27/2025

𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲!

Whether it’s the arena, the trail, or the track, your horse gives their all—and just like human athletes, they need proper recovery and care to stay at the top of their game.

Massage therapy helps:
✅ Increase circulation for faster recovery
✅ Improve balance and flexibility
✅ Reduce stiffness and soreness
✅ Support mental relaxation and focus
✅ Decrease the risk of injury

Regular bodywork isn’t just a luxury—it’s a key part of your horse's performance and well-being. If your horse is working hard, massage is a great way to keep them at the top of their game!

📅 Book your session today and give your equine partner the care they deserve!

04/21/2025

𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐎𝐃𝐘𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑!
👋 Hi, I’m Samantha! I’m a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, Certified MagnaWave Practitioner (specializing in equine, pets, exotics, and livestock), and a Certified Laser Therapist. I’m proud to serve both pets and equine clients across North Texas, helping them live their best, healthiest lives.

At Down the Stretch Equine Bodyworks, my passion is helping animals of all kinds move better, feel better, and thrive naturally. From horses and livestock to dogs, cats, pocket pets, and even exotics (yes, from geckos to giraffes!), every animal is welcome here.

I specialize in:
* Therapeutic Massage
* MagnaWave PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy)
* Photobiomodulation (Class 3 Laser)
* Kinesiology Taping

I believe every animal deserves to feel its best, and my work is 100% mobile—I come to you so your pet can relax and heal in their own space.

Whether your horse is a high-performance athlete, your senior pup needs comfort, or your anxious rescue needs grounding, I’m here for them all!

I can’t wait to meet you and your furry, feathered or scaled family member!

📍 Based in North Texas
🚗 Serving Decatur to Beyond Anna, up to Oklahoma
📩 DM me to learn more or schedule a session!

04/12/2025

Multiple studies have shown that increased flexion of the neck during riding or lunging can have many negative effects on the horse’s body and is a welfare issue. Please read this comprehensive article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-72766-5

Image:
Riding behind the vertical or lunging while restricted with side or draw reins can also damage the nuchal ligament. The nuchal ligament is the main ligament of the neck, running from the occipital bone to the thoracic spine with attachments to the cervical vertebrae. It plays a crucial role in supporting the neck during locomotion and allowing for energy-efficient movement.

During hyperflexed head and neck positions, there is increased tension on the cord portion of the nuchal ligament and its attachment to the occipital bone. In horses ridden behind the vertical, the nuchal ligament does not function as a unit, with both parts – the cord and lamina- complementing each other. The cord is under increased tension, which over time can lead to degenerative changes in the ligament and bone changes at its attachment site, resulting in new bone formation – exostoses.
Between the first cervical vertebrae and the nuchal ligament are often developed nuchal bursae, cranial that is above the atlas, and caudal nuchal bursa between the cord and axis. When the nuchal ligament is under extensive tension, that can also initiate inflammation of those thin-walled structures. Cranial and caudal nuchal bursitis can be confirmed by ultrasound.

https://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/pdfs/vet/2020/08/01.pdfhttps://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/237/7/javma.237.7.823.xml

Links to my work:
Patreon page that supports my work
https://www.patreon.com/equineanatomyinlayers

Whole Horse Dissection online (12 months access)
https://ivanaruddock.podia.com/the-equine-anatomy-in-layers

Atlas of the Equine Musculoskeletal system
https://ivanaruddock-lange.com/equine-atlas/

03/24/2025

Since my post on my stories a few days ago about a horse posted on an influencers reel that had incredibly poor muscles through their back, I have had so many messages from people asking what are the implications of this?

I thought to repost this diagram that I made a few years back as a starting point, but I will continue to add to this thought train and provide a couple of different perspectives over the coming weeks.

But firstly, there is a sliding scale of danger when you have a horse that is loosing muscle through their backs. Dents, widespread muscle wastage and such are clear signs of chronic nerve damage. If a muscle is compressed by too much pressure for too long, damage to the nerves occur — the nerves communicate to the brain to say “don’t use this area, too much pain is caused when we use it!”

This process, which can be so localised to even a small part of the back, can have a rippling effect throughout the body… to the point of even effecting the positioning of the tongue and tail.

Healthy backs are ESSENTIAL! 🙏

03/21/2025