Healing, Growth, and Connection at the Stables — Animal-Assisted Therapy & Equestrian Lifestyle Experiences
Supporting horses, dogs, and their humans through holistic wellbeing, education, and inspiring stories.
Welcome to LS Equine Therapy
Empowering Horses Holistically
Transforming Equine Wellbeing with Compassion
At LS Equine Therapy & Education, we enhance your horse’s health and happiness through gentle, effective holistic techniques. Let us help your horse thrive.
About Equine Hanna Somatics
Equine Hanna Somatics (EHS) is a gentle equine neuromuscular re-education method that helps horses release chronic muscle tension and improve movement by retraining the communication between the brain and muscles. Rather than treating symptoms alone, EHS focuses on helping the horse regain natural control of its body through guided movement and increased body awareness.
Central to Equine Hanna Somatics are the concepts of pandiculation and Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA), where muscles become stuck in patterns of chronic contraction and tension. Through a horse-led learning process, EHS helps reawaken the brain's control of these muscles, supporting improved posture, flexibility, comfort, and overall wellbeing.
Because the horse actively participates in the process at its own pace, sessions are gentle, stress-free, and work with the horse's natural movement patterns. As the nervous system learns new movement habits, many horses experience long-lasting improvements in mobility, relaxation, and functional movement.a
What to Expect During an Equine Hanna Somatics Session
An Equine Hanna Somatics session typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, although this may vary depending on your horse's individual needs and willingness to participate. Each session is tailored to your horse and progresses at a pace that feels comfortable for them.
Sessions can be carried out directly with your horse, or owners, riders, and handlers can learn the techniques themselves. Online Equine Hanna Somatics lessons are also available via Zoom. Hanna Somatics for humans is available as well.
For the best results, sessions should take place in a calm and quiet environment where your horse can relax and focus on the learning process.
Following the session, you will receive simple maintenance exercises tailored to your horse's needs and your daily routine to help support improved posture, mobility, comfort, and overall wellbeing.
Why Include Complementary Healthcare for Your Horse?
Complementary equine healthcare can play an important role in supporting your horse’s physical wellbeing, movement, and overall quality of life. By taking a proactive approach to horse health, it can help:
Improve comfort, mobility, and posture
Reduce muscle tension and dysfunctional movement patterns
Support nervous system regulation and relaxation
Encourage the body’s natural healing processes
Strengthen the horse-human partnership
Modern domesticated horses experience physical and emotional stresses that can affect their wellbeing and performance. When stress and tension build up over time, horses may become more susceptible to discomfort, injury, and reduced functionality.
Gentle, holistic approaches such as Equine Hanna Somatics, Equine Massage, and Equine Acupressure help support horse wellbeing by promoting relaxation, improving body awareness, and encouraging healthy movement. These natural equine therapies can contribute to a more comfortable, willing, and balanced horse while helping owners maintain their horse's long-term health.
Just as human athletes benefit from regular bodywork to support performance and recovery, horses can also benefit from ongoing care that promotes comfort, flexibility, and musculoskeletal health.
Please Note: LS Equine Therapy is not a veterinary service and does not replace professional veterinary care. Only a qualified veterinarian can diagnose illness or injury.
Do I Need Veterinary Consent Before Booking?
If your horse is healthy and you are seeking treatment for maintenance, wellbeing, or preventative care, veterinary consent is generally not required. Current RCVS guidance states that musculoskeletal maintenance care for healthy animals, such as equine massage and similar therapies, can be provided without prior veterinary delegation, provided the horse is registered with a veterinarian.
As part of a collaborative approach to horse health and wellbeing, it is always beneficial to keep your veterinarian informed of any complementary equine therapies your horse receives. Where appropriate, I am happy to work alongside veterinarians and other equine professionals to support your horse's overall care.
However, if your horse is lame or showing any signs of illness, injury, or underlying pathology, a veterinarian must assess your horse before any equine bodywork or complementary therapy is carried out. This includes Equine Hanna Somatics, Equine Massage, Equine Acupressure, Equine Physiotherapy, Equine Chiropractic, and other equine musculoskeletal therapies.
Please note: LS Equine Therapy does not replace veterinary care, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a qualified veterinarian can diagnose illness or injury.
Horse Wellbeing Tips Straight to Your Inbox
Receive practical advice, Equine Hanna Somatics insights, and updates to help your horse move and feel their best.
©