Using new toys!

Development of correct muscles to carry the rider, and for dressage, is important for our horses, no matter what age or fitness they are in. During the massage certification course, students were introduced to the use of multiple modalities to help the clients’ horses feel better and improve.

Serenity Farm recently got in two new tools, the EquiCore Bands and two of the slanted SureFoot Pads!

The EquiCore system was scientifically researched for years to develop the correct material at the right pressure to stimulate the abdominal muscles of our horses. While it looks like a belt, it is not a brace that lifts the belly muscles. Instead, it acts on the sensation receptors, reminding the horse that they have ab muscles and to use them. It is so effective that when first starting with the band, they suggest only the belly band and not the butt band and only for about 5 minutes at a time until the horse gets used to it. Over time, the horse can use the belly and butt band on the lunge line and under saddle for a few minutes during warm up to help remind them where their muscles are. Its kind of like when Kelly keeps telling you to pull your belly button to your spine again and again. Instead of a verbal reminder, its a tickling sensation reminder.

The other tool we recently received can be used for pain relief and for core muscle strength. Have you ever stretched a muscle just to the point of feel good and not beyond, and just held it for a while? Have you ever stood on a squishy balance ball and felt your core muscles tremble after a few minutes? The SureFoot pads do both of these things. They come in varying degrees of firmness, with the super squishy being for the horses who are used to the pads and have sufficient core strength and confident. They also come in slant for all the firmness as well.

Here Summer is demonstrating the way she prefers these pads for a bit of self release.