About Me
My name is Amy. I work (almost) full time as a librarian, have a reference from The Simpsons for almost any occasion, and I was, unsurprisingly, "the horse girl" at school.
I bought my first horse, Dusty, when I was in my 30s - because I decided I was an adult and could finally own a pony if I wanted to!
It wasn't until I got Dusty that I discovered equine massage was even a thing. Dusty was grumpy about being groomed or touched, and my trainer suggested a horse massage therapist to investigate if he was in pain. Dusty had some great appointments and when the opportunity to study it myself came up, I grabbed it. Combined with my Bachelor of Animal Science (nerd) and Graduate Diploma in Library Studies (double nerd), it seemed like a perfect fit for me.
I adore meeting so many different horses and people from all walks of life, and could talk underwater about my favourite things if you'd let me. Finding the best solutions to keep your pony pals happy and mobile, whether they're a well loved paddock pet or a top competitor, is incredibly rewarding for me. I strive to create a safe and judgement-free zone where we can work and learn together regardless of experience levels. I especially love connecting with first time horse owners who are exploring all these exciting new learning curves!
Is massage good for horses?
Do you have a horse who:
* Seems to hate being caught from the paddock?
* Is girthy or irritable with saddling?
* Walks away or gets grumpy during mounting?
* Doesn't feel quite right under saddle, but you can't put your finger on why?
* Is often grumpy when touched or handled?
* You would describe as a jerk, an asshole or a 'typical mare'?
These are all common issues discussed in the equestrian community, and can potentially be linked to an underlying problem: pain. We can use massage within our toolkit of horse care to influence and improve musculoskeletal pain, gait symmetry, and stress responses.
Massage is just one of many tools we can use to look at horse pain and stress, and I will ALWAYS refer you to a veterinarian, dentist or other equine professional where needed, or if I find something that would benefit from further investigation. I firmly believe that the best care of your equine partners comes from meetings of the minds from a range of professionals - no single person can be an expert in everything!
Services
Prices listed below include travel within 25kms of Mount Barker 5251. Locations outside of this zone will have a surcharge applied of $0.90 for each kilometre over 25kms. If you would like to confirm prices before bookings please don't hesitate to get in touch! :)
Initial Appointment
For all new horse clients.
Includes conformation evaluation, full massage, stretches, and a written report provided within 7 days.
Please allow approx. 2 hours.
$130
Ongoing Appointment
For horse clients who have had an Initial Appointment within the last 3 months.
Includes full massage and stretching. A written report can be provided for an additional $10.
Please allow approx. 1.5 hours
$110
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of horses benefit from massage?
Much like humans, nearly all horses can benefit from massage! You don't need to be a top athlete to find relief and benefits from a massage session, and neither does your horse.
What horses SHOULDN'T have a massage?
There are some contraindications to massage, e.g. the horse is currently tying up, is pregnant, has recently been given any medication or wormer etc. If you're not sure if it's right for your horse right now, please Contact Me.
What if my horse has never had a massage before?
No problem! I will always be guided by the horse, e.g. by going slowly or lightly where needed, avoiding any tricky areas until they are used to it etc. I once massaged a 34 year old pony who had never had a massage before, then spent the next few weeks after the session trying to con people into rubbing her butt :)
What do I need to do before the session?
* Have your horse caught and ready to go
* Ensure they have been recently fed
* Ensure they are dry and are (relatively!) clean
Please note that sessions go for between 1.5-2 hours, depending on the horse.
How do you accept payment?
A deposit is taken at the time of booking online. I carry a Square reader with me to take the remainder of the payment via card directly after the appointment - easy peasy! If you're in an area with limited phone reception where my card reader may not work, I also accept cash or bank transfers, or can send an invoice to be paid within 7 days.
When are your appointment times?
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays: 8am-6pm
I can also do after hours (e.g. up until 7.30pm) on all other weekdays during summer OR if you have an undercover area with good lighting. If these times don't work, please don't hesitate to email and I may be able to find another solution for you.
Do you offer gift cards?
Yes! I have online gift cards available for the Adelaide Hills horse owner in your life. Please click here to choose your pre-set or custom amount.
Any questions? Please don't hesitate to get in touch. Messages will be responded to within 72 hours.