Equisport N Z

Check out this seasons Young Riders Series you might just catch a glimpse of me !!!

Young Riders S6 Ep 5 Three Show Showdown It's a three show showdown in Te Ika-a-Māui and bomb-shell announcements turn the whole season on its head.

And it’s the same for Horses…

Musculoskeletal May Day (Not a thing, we’ve made it up) 😆

Tight shoulders? Achy back?� It might not just be your muscles…

Your fascia plays a huge role in how your body moves and feels. When it tightens, everything can feel restricted.
Bowen works with the fascia - gently encouraging the body to release tension and find balance again because your body works as one system, not separate parts. 💙

Fabulous photos thank you, Bowen utilises this amazing facia network, light touch has such far reaching affects.

ESNZ Community – We’re Live!

We’re excited to launch the ESNZ Community Facebook and Instagram pages — a new space created especially for our grassroots and recreational equestrian community across Aotearoa.

This page is here to support, connect, and celebrate everything happening at the entry and development levels of our sport — where so many riders begin their journey.

Whether you’re just starting out, riding for fun, supporting a school team, or stepping into your first competitions, this is your hub for:

*Recreational and grassroots riding
*Schools equestrian events and pathways
*Introductory memberships and getting started in ESNZ
*Intro level competition information
*Demo, developmental and participation events
*Helpful tips, updates, and rider support
*A welcoming space for riders, parents, coaches, and teams

Our goal is simple: make it easy, fun, and more accessible to get involved in equestrian sport at every level.

We know the grassroots of our sport are where passion is built — and we want this to be a place that helps that passion grow.

So whether you’re riding your first test, supporting a school team, or just curious about getting started, you’re welcome here.

👉 Follow along, share with your riding friends, and help us build the ESNZ Community together.

Check out the new ESNZ community page for all the info you need.

So you get a new pony, and everything seems to be going ok,,you get all the right things done, teeth, new saddle fitted, farrier to carry on shoeing,,,but something isn’t quite right, pony isn’t very forward, reluctant and has been stopping at shows !
Comments made about what a “naughty pony” !! when body worker comes and sees how pony is standing when at rest and the pony is tight in a few places but is always very tight, sore and reactive in the hind end !! Wonders about hoof angles ?
New farrier comes along and also comments on pony’s hoof angles ? So the owner decides to get hoof balance x rays done. And pony has hind NPA, negative hoof angles, causing pain and discomfort for pony.
This is a perfect example of the team you need for your horses and ponies, and how we need to work together with each other and owners to keep our horses and ponies happy. Shoeing credit Forsythe Farriers

What a super day, congratulations to all the riders, super team support with all the highs and lows of competition, love being involved and supporting this great event.

This is why I love Bowen Therapy,,,

15 Interesting and Often Misunderstood Benefits of Massage with Myofascial Release

1. It Improves Movement Before It Changes Structure

One of the earliest effects of bodywork is improved movement coordination, not structural change in tissue. When the nervous system senses reduced threat and improved glide, movement patterns often improve quickly.

2. It Reduces Protective Muscle Guarding

Muscle tension is often a protective strategy, not simply tight tissue. Gentle fascial work can reduce sensory input that drives protective contraction, allowing muscles to relax.

3. It Improves Interfascial Glide

Many movement restrictions arise from reduced sliding between fascial layers. Myofascial release can temporarily improve the hydration and glide of the extracellular matrix.

4. It Improves Proprioception

Fascia contains large numbers of mechanoreceptors. Manual input stimulates these receptors, improving the body’s awareness of position and movement.

5. It Changes How the Nervous System Interprets Load

Bodywork alters sensory feedback from tissue. When the nervous system receives clearer information, it can reorganize how the body distributes load.

6. It Helps Redistribute Mechanical Stress

Restrictions often cause forces to travel through inefficient pathways in the body. Myofascial release can help restore more even force distribution across tissues.

7. It Improves Breathing Mechanics

Tension through the ribcage, diaphragm, and thoracic fascia can influence breathing patterns. Releasing these areas can allow more natural expansion of the ribcage.

8. It Influences Circulation and Fluid Dynamics

Manual pressure and tissue movement can shift interstitial fluid, supporting circulation and lymphatic movement within the tissues.

9. It Supports the Body’s Ability to Self-Organize

Rather than forcing change, myofascial release often provides conditions that allow the body to reorganize its own movement patterns.

10. It Can Improve Joint Function Without Directly Treating the Joint

Because joints depend on surrounding soft tissues for coordination, improving fascial mobility can indirectly improve joint movement.

11. It Helps Restore Variability in Movement

Healthy movement includes subtle variations. When tissues are restricted, movement becomes more rigid. Bodywork can help restore movement variability, which is important for resilience.

12. It Influences the Autonomic Nervous System

Slow, sustained touch can encourage a shift toward parasympathetic activity, supporting relaxation and recovery.

13. It May Improve Postural Organization

When tissues begin moving more freely, the body may reorganize how it supports itself against gravity, improving posture.

14. It Creates Opportunities for Better Training

Massage and MFR often create a window where the body can move more freely. Movement training during this window can help reinforce improved patterns.

15. It Encourages Long-Term Tissue Adaptation Through Movement

While manual therapy can improve glide and reduce resistance, lasting change usually occurs when improved movement patterns are practiced consistently afterward.

A Key Perspective

Massage and myofascial release are often misunderstood as techniques that “fix tissue.”

In reality, they more often create conditions that allow the body to reorganize movement, load distribution, and coordination.

That is why bodywork is most effective when combined with appropriate movement and training.

https://koperequine.com/touch-over-tools-why-fascia-knows-the-difference/