Equine Muscular Therapy NZ offers treatments focusing on muscular and biomechanical aspects of the horse. Our mission is to facilitate performance enhancement and greater wellbeing in our beloved horses.
Our sessions work towards the treatment of a range of physical conditions, promoting healing and aiding return to full function following injury.
Regardless of what their discipline is, horses are athletes and much like their human counterparts they deserve to be seen to by a qualified practitioner. We work along side veterinarians and other equine professionals to ensure that every horse has the best level of care possible.
For injury or post-operative cases we can work with you to provide a full rehabilitation plan to get your horse back up and running.
Reasons your horse may need to see us:
Your horse has started exhibiting signs of pain or discomfort when ridden or in the paddock
They have recently had surgery
Your performance as a team has plateaued or has declined despite frequent work
A sudden change in character or behaviour in your horse
They are showing signs of arthritis or slowing down with old age
Your horse is returning to work after an extended holiday
Your horse is competing frequently and you want to make sure they are performing at their best
Sessions may include use of:
Soft and deep tissue massage
Stretches and Joint Mobilisation
Phototherapy
Myofascial Decompression Therapy (Cupping)
Kinesiology taping
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF)
Exercise Prescription*
*Exercise prescription is an important aspect of our job at Equine Muscular Therapy NZ. As such we will routinely leave exercises and/or stretches to be carried out in between sessions. Exercises are tailored to every horse. We offer an in depth exercise program as part of our Performance Package.
Initial session
$130.00
Duration: 1 hour
During the initial session we will take a detailed history and discuss with you any concerns or aims you may have. A full body examination will be carried out and we will begin the treatment of any issues or points of interest.
Follow up session
$110.00
Duration: 45 min - 1 hour
Follow up sessions will continue on from the initial session working on specific issues. These sessions will vary case by case. Follow up sessions must be within 8 weeks of previous session.
Performance Package
$520
Perfect for those serious about getting their horse up and running (or galloping as the case may be!). This package includes:
• A once a month session for 4 consecutive months.
• A personalised exercise program. This program is intended to be integrated into your regular riding schedule. We will discuss with you your goals and create the program following the first physio session.
(Payment plans available for this package)
Stretch Clinic
$60 per person
Learn correct techniques on how to stretch your horse, as well as protecting your body at the same time.
This clinic was designed for horse owners wanting to learn how to stretch their horse to aid in the preventative care of their horses. Perfect for a group of friends or riding groups.
Clinics last 1-2 hours. Groups of 4 are needed to make the booking. Weekends available. A small travel fee may apply.
Travel Charges
0 - 50km Free of Charge
50 - 100km $10
100+ km $20
Travel costs can be split between clients at the same location.
We are located near Pukekohe and frequently travel all over the Waikato and South Auckland regions. We also have a list of regular locations we travel to outside of this area. Check out our Facebook or Instagram pages for the dates of these trips. Dates updated monthly.
About Us
River grew up on a beef farm on the coast between Raglan and Kawhia in the Waikato, New Zealand. At the age of 5 her parents started their horse adventure business Wildcoast Ruapuke Horse Adventures where River learned to ride and spent all of her summers working with the horses.
Her life of riding began on a naughty Welsh mountain pony called Diddy who her mother had also ridden as a child. He lived to the ripe old age of 40. River is still part of the core team at Wildcoast and takes any chance to go out for a ride.
In 2017 River graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Behaviour. After taking a year off to travel she then began her Diploma in Animal Physiotherapy from the College of Animal Physiotherapy in England in 2018. A trip or two to the UK later, she qualified in January 2021. River is constantly upskilling so that she can provide the best possible care for your horses.
Where did you train?
I completed a Diploma of Animal Physiotherapy through the College of Animal Physiotherapy in the UK. They have been training students for over 25 years and their founder, Sherry Scott, is one of the pioneers of animal physiotherapy.
Prior to this I completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Animal Behavior through Waikato University, which still remains very relevant to my work now.
What areas do you cover?
I am Pukekohe based, so my local area is the Franklin District and North Waikato. I visit Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Raglan (& all areas in between) on a fortnightly (& sometimes weekly) basis; plus Whangarei every 3 months. Monthly trip dates get posted on the Facebook page at the beginning of each month.
How often should my horse see you?
This varies case by case and is something I can discuss with you specific to your horse.
But I generally suggest:
A horse that is in full work and completing regularly - 4 to 6 week cycle
A horse that is in consistent work but not competing as often - 8 to 12 week cycle
Young or old horses that aren't doing a whole lot - every 4 to 6 months
Of course this can change if there are issues we are working on.
How do I know my horse needs to be seen by you?
I firmly believe there doesn't have to be a reason for your horse to see me or any other bodyworker, it's just part of looking after your horses. But, reasons you might want to book your horse in include, but not limited to:
disuniting at canter
sore back
change in behavior
increased workload
just not quite right
problems bending
as a preventative measure so they don't breakdown over the season
they are about to go on holiday or come back into work
What do I need to do to prepare for a session?
You don't need to do any specific preparation before your horses' session. I do ask that your horse be ready and clean. If you are going to feed them, please ensure they are finished before the session or hold off until we are done. I will work with your horse wherever they are most comfortable, but an area with the least distractions is preferred.
"River has made a big difference to my pony's comfort and way of going. She is also very prompt and easy to communicate with."
Taylor P
“I have had a handful of assorted therapists come to help with my horse to pickup his hind feet to no success at all, and River was amazing with him & gave him the confidence to trust her and he gently lifted both his hind feet . After a year of her visit, I still haven’t been able to do it myself, until just last week with an outstanding Hoof Trimmer… yippee… so decided to get River back again to help my horse to gain his confidence again and get balanced properly on 3 legs"
Denise M
“Rani says thanks again for her treatment earlier in the week! It’s been really useful to have River come out to help Rani- she is a complicated case with a few issues which makes her tight all over. River has also been great with researching rehabilitation exercises and stretches for her. Highly recommend!"
Lucy S
“Excellent professional service. River is very experienced and handled my young horse with confidence. Both my horses enjoyed their treatment and was lovely to get some insights into how they are feeling. Thank you."
Amber Q
"I highly recommend River. She came out to see my young Thoroughbred as I was concerned he may have a back complaint. He loved his horsey massage. River is extremely knowledgeable, giving me practical advice and exercises to do moving forward."
Tammi B
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Contact us
River Knuiman
027 856 9608
hello@equinemusculartherapy.co.nz