After a fantastic two days at Derby College Equestrian Centre, I am now able to offer Kinesio Taping as part of my treatment programme where appropriate. 

The Kinesio Taping method can be used to treat a variety of equine issues including:

• muscle imbalance
• acute and chronic pain
• ligament, tendon and joint injuries
• postural insufficency 
• lymphatic conditions

Kinesio taping can be used to create space between the muscles and skin, providing pain relief, it can be used to inhibit muscles that are in spasm and facilitate those that are weakened. It can be used to release tigntened fascia optimising muscle function and to assist with lyphatic drainage. It also provides proprioceptive awareness to ligaments and tendons following injury.

A huge congratulations to Chelsea Skelton Showjumper who has returned from a successful time at Keysoe CSI **. She just keeps going from strength to strength with Chilli winning the opening 1.10 and coming third in the 1.15/1.20 grand prix, Louis coming 6th in the opening 1.40 and winning the 1.35/1.40 grand prix and Rumba winning the opening 1.40, coming 2nd in the 1.35 speed and 9th in the world ranking grand prix. Needless to say she has come home with lots of lovely ribbons.  Very proud of you Chelsea, well done!!

I had a fantastic time yesterday with Willow Farm Pony Club, Thorpe Fendykes, at their summer camp.  I spent two hours with 20 young horse enthusiasts aged between 4 and 15 years. Armed with paint brushes, paint (lots of), white t-shirts (not white for very long) and Lora's grey competition horse Parker (also soon to be in need of a wash) we set to painting on the superficial muscles of the horse onto Parker - which apart from the humiliation of becoming rainbow coloured, I think secretly enjoyed all the fuss and attention.

He stood for nearly two hours whilst enthusiastic riders took turns to eagerly paint muscles on him. At the same time, 4 volunteers donned their white t-shirts, whilst their team mates painted the corresponding muscles onto each other. To finish, Parker our portable canvas was then put through his paces on the lunge so everyone could see the muscles in action.  A great afternoon, thank you to all the riders and the coaches for inviting me to your camp to share in some of the pony club fun. 

For more information on Willow Farm Pony Club please follow the link: http://www.willowfarmholidays.co.uk/riding-schoolpony-club/ 

I am excited that my new banner is now in place at Ingeby Hall Livery yard.  It all looks rather good, even if I do have a slightly bias opinion! 

The new year has started well and January turned out to be a really busy month, although I did manage a few days away at the end to go on a riding holiday to Portugal which was amazing - the horses, the hospitality and the scenery :-) However, back to reality and things to do at home. 

I have spent some time over Christmas (which now seems like an age away) updating course material ready to offer a selection of refreshed and updated courses for 2016.

• Equine Massage for Horse Owners (Adults)
• Equine Massage for Horse Enthusiasts (Children)
• Basic Equine Anatomy
• Emergency First Aid (People)

I am always on the look out for potential venues to run courses, so if you know of any or have a yard yourself and are interested in hosting one or more of the above courses, please get in touch. Alternativley, if you are interested in attending a course, please get in touch for the current course list or keep an eye out on our Facebook page.