Karen Jackson Equine Bodywork

Love this 💗

One thing I’ve learnt as an equine bodyworker is how emotionally invested we can become in both the horses and their owners.

When you genuinely care, you don’t just “do a job.” You celebrate the progress, worry about the setbacks, spend time researching, answering messages late at night, talking owners through difficult moments, and carrying the responsibility of wanting the very best for the horse.

But I’m also learning that caring deeply and protecting your own wellbeing have to coexist.

Sometimes we pour so much of ourselves into helping others that we forget to set healthy professional boundaries. And when situations change, clients move on, or difficult decisions are made, it can leave you emotionally exhausted and questioning yourself.

This profession can be incredibly rewarding, but also quietly heavy at times.

So this is my reminder to myself — and maybe to others in the equine industry too:
You can be compassionate without carrying everything on your shoulders.
You can support people without sacrificing yourself.
And setting boundaries doesn’t make you less caring or less dedicated — it helps you stay sustainable in a career built around helping others.

I’m seeing quiet a few horses at the minute that are lame 😞 this is a excellent post , it explains why these compensatory patterns over time will break the horse down leading to osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is not always a ‘joint’ issue it can be caused by movement patterns which load the joint inevitably causing lameness , have a read xx

Let them grow 🙏

Please read 🙏
Did you know the vertebral epiphyses (growth plates of the spine) can continue closing until around 5–6 years old, and sometimes even a bit later in larger breeds.

So when people say “horses aren’t truly mature until around six,” they are very referring to the final maturation of the spine and axial skeleton rather than just height or the horses outward appearance!

Need help keeping on top of your anatomy and CPD? Pop over to https://woldsequinemassage.co.uk/monthly-cpd

Saddle fit day for Artie with LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting Jemma Aigner . It was exactly one year since his first ever saddle fit . His template says it all. A healthy back that’s non reactive, free from atrophy and growing 🙌🏻 . Im extremely proud of his posture also how far this young man has come. Thankyou Jemma see you in 3 months

This post 🙏 I’m a true believer and brand ambassador for LM Saddles Ltd Horse-friendly Saddles, Holistic & Remedial Saddle-fitting . Posture is absolutely essential. A healthy back that can lift with a beautifully balanced saddle 🙏 . A healthy back says so much about the saddle your horse wears.

Rethinking Saddle Fit: Why Shimming Is Essential for the Modern Horse

For many years, the equestrian industry has treated saddle pads and shims as an admission of failure.

The narrative was simple:

A well-fitting saddle should not need them.

But this assumption was built on a misunderstanding of equine biomechanics.

Horses are dynamic athletes, not static structures.

When a horse engages correctly through the thoracic sling and lifts the back, the shape of the ribcage and topline changes significantly. The back widens, elevates and lengthens through movement.

Yet traditional saddle fitting typically measures the horse standing still.

This is where the philosophy behind LM Saddles challenges conventional thinking.

Rather than fitting saddles purely to the static horse, the LM system considers the posture of the horse in correct work.

To support this dynamic interaction, carefully designed shim pads are incorporated as part of the saddle fitting system.

This creates an adaptable interface between the horse and the saddle that serves several biomechanical purposes:

1. Allowing the back to expand
When the horse lifts the back in movement, compressible shims accommodate this change rather than restricting it.

2. Stabilising saddle balance
Movement creates constant changes in pressure distribution. Strategic shimming helps maintain equilibrium across the saddle panels.

3. Supporting muscular development
Many horses present with asymmetry or muscle atrophy from previous saddle issues or training patterns. Adjustable shims provide temporary support while the horse rebuilds correct musculature.

In essence, shims function as a dynamic adjustment system.

They allow saddle fit to evolve with the horse rather than forcing the horse to adapt to the saddle.

This perspective reframes shimming entirely.

It is not a shortcut or a compensation for poor fit.

Instead, it represents a scientifically informed approach to managing the complex interaction between horse, saddle and rider.

As our understanding of equine biomechanics continues to improve, saddle fitting must move beyond rigid, static solutions.

The future lies in systems that allow precision, adaptability and continuous refinement.

Because the best saddle fit is not one that remains unchanged.

It is one that changes with the horse.

🌐 lmsaddles.com