More than Massage!
The core of what I do is gentle fascial compression throughout the body, paying particular attention to problem areas until I can feel the area softening, which increases circulation and eventually encourages a greater range of motion. A minimum of 4 sessions is often the most productive; these shifts must happen gradually.
Proper saddle fit is essential.
The saddle that fit your horse years ago probably doesn’t fit today because horses’ bodies change, as all bodies do. An ill-fitting saddle can cause pain and make your horse stiff, cranky, and eventually sore or lame. ‘Saddle lameness’ begins within muscle and connective tissue, which is difficult to diagnose. How would you feel if you hiked shouldering a heavy pack in shoes that hurt?
These are not training issues, they are issues from pain:
- Refuses or resists bending, extensions, transitions, or leads
- Hangs a leg over jumps or jumps flat
- Poor head carriage, shakes or throws head, chafes at the bit
- Complains when saddled, bridled, or mounted
- Holds head, neck, or tail to one side
- Is cranky or behaving out-of-character-don’t ignore this!
- Holds tension in the jaw, clenches or grinds teeth
- Rigid, wrinkled muzzle or nostrils
- Refusing to 'stand square’
Your horse can benefit greatly from Susan’s bodywork:
- After chiropractic work
- At the first indication of uneven gait or cranky disposition
- While re-conditioning after lay-off
- Before and after eventing, show, or performance
About Susan:
Susan worked on Thoroughbred racetracks throughout the Northeast, exercised horses and worked at boarding, school, and show stables, and managed an equestrian center, then earned her CEMT (2010) through the 10-month Bancroft School of Massage in the Equine Program in Worcester, MA.
She completed "Recognizing Saddle Fit Issues" taught by Certified Master Saddler and Saddle Ergonomist Jochen Schleese.
www.saddlefit4life.com. She studied privately with Dr. Renee Tucker in CA,
www.wheredoesmyhorsehurt.com and studied fascia release with Margret Henkels.
Testimonials
She still is putting weight on both hind legs when I pick up her front right, and she has not been girthy. Yay!
I've ridden a few times since you worked on Kiki. When I was tacking up she didn't try to bite me and wasn't girthy. That is a very noticeable difference.
~Debbie, Kiki
He's doing GREAT! He feels better when being ridden, he's more forward and moving out better!
Thanks again!
~Melanie Morrison, Gigi
Susan Bartfay is a gifted horse therapist. Her natural talent along with her loving heart for horses create a person whose entire goal is to heal horses... body, soul, and spirit.
Susan is a successful graduate of Tucker Biokinetics Technique. I have personally watched her work on depressed, painful horses and seen them transformed into happy, comfortable horses. If you desire a top horse therapist, I highly recommend Susan Bartfay.
~Renee Tucker, DVM http://wheredoesmyhorsehurt.com
I was amazed at the involuntary reactions my horse was having to where Susan was working. It made me realize that his mannerisms which I had previously discounted were indications of deeper muscle issues. He is much more comfortable to ride and he is moving very smoothly after Susan’s work.
Hawk did very well on group trail ride on Sunday and bareback riding today. On the group ride he was much calmer than I expected and I was very pleased with his energy. Today when rounding up the horses for fun, he was extremely gathered and did a very collected lope from a walk that I have never known him to do !!!!!
Thank you so much for his body work the other day!
~ Robin Merritt, Red Hawk
Susan Bartfay has worked on the school horses at UMass multiple times. Her work has clearly helped the horses relax tight muscles and have the capacity to better use their bodies. The work that Susan does helps to resolve pain cycles caused by muscular spasms or muscular tightness experienced by the horse. It is a great maintenance plan to have Susan help keep the herd comfortable and happy within their individual work demands!
~Sue Bruns, UMass Amherst, Hadley Farm
Susan has an incredible touch with horses. It’s amazing to see our animals respond so well to her work — they visibly appreciate her healing and soothing massage. For horses that work as hard as ours do, a therapeutic massage is more than a gift, it is a necessity.”
~David Fisher of Natural Roots, the horse-powered CSA
“After a couple of massages, my horse seemed eager to be with Susan. It was obvious from my horse’s reactions that she was experiencing feelings of pleasure and release — her reactions were much greater than I had expected.”
~Diane Merritt, Breezy
“Thank you for your magic hands!”
~Gail Hartnett, Buster and Foxy