Sophie Elfleet Equine Body Worker

12/06/2026

Such a joy to work with this diamond of a yearling. Margo took it all in her stride and started to find release and a softer more present focus. All big things for a baby brain!
Don't underestimate the value of bodywork for young horses. Being able to identify asymmetries or potential issues can be invaluable for their development and helping them release tension that may have built up from said asymmetries/issues or from general life will make a huge difference.
Not only that but the benefits of contact and connection with humans is such a positive guiding force when their lives will be shaped by us. It can mean the difference between trauma and regulation.

Margo is a credit to her owners Vicky Cartwright and Victoria Hayter and honestly a model pupil! 👏😍⭐

07/06/2026

Rou and I did our first ground work together at liberty today. It's something I have been aspiring to and still a little shocked we did it and it wasn't half bad!
I have felt like I'm missing something with her and just had a f*** it moment (seems to be a theme with us) and took the rope away and just went with it.
Her head went down to graze immediately and I admit I thought that was that. But I didn't let it get the best of me and just moved myself to ask for her ear and was genuinely surprised when she came to me and we started going through a few basic patterns and following. There were a few more moments we lost connection and she grazed, but each time we reconnected and by the end i had her full attention and she was enjoying it and moving herself in a different, freer way.
Mind blow!

Bodywork really isn't just about the body. The horse's mind and mental well being is a huge part of how they hold and move themselves, thus is a huge part of bodywork.

This mare is changing everything I once held as my foundation of horse care and welfare. I hope this will make me a better therapist and I think I already know in my gut it is.

Sometimes taking a leap of faith, no matter how small can change your life.

Thank you Rou ❤️ I can't wait for what's to come and all that you have to teach me.

06/06/2026

Show report from team Margo;
"Its been a good day! Margo getting the hang of things now. Grown up bridle on for the first time today much improved ❤️
1st place in our first BSPA coloured youngstock qualifier.
Coloured in hand Champion.
Im so greatful to Victoria Hayter for breeding her !! We are having such fun!! Im blown away by her attitude. Go Team Margo!!"

06/06/2026

Very exciting day for Margo! Incoming show report. Go Team!!!!

29/05/2026

Here's a spicy one for you this evening - because i havent made a career limiting post in a hot minute(!)

How complicit are you in your own (or your horse's) suffering?

I appreciate we all have horses for a reason, and I appreciate their care and management is a complicated thing.

When I work with people, sometimes I have to say things they dont want to hear:

"Your horse shouldnt be ridden right now" - because theyre in pain, their posture is too compromised, they barely have enough muscle to support themselves yet alone a rider, their saddle doesnt fit.

"You shouldnt be jumping your horse" see above reasons why.

"You shouldnt be cantering right now" because it will definitely strengthen the compensatory pattern.

Compromise can be made when making the argument between streamlining the process - not riding will get quicker postural changes, but if you want to ride and ultimately the horse isnt in overt pain/discomfort, then that should be fine.

But I really dont compromise when your horse is in pain. Nor should you.

There are SO many people who are wonderful when they hear this -

"I just want my horse to be happy" - literal music to my ears

But there are many people who want their horse to be happy - stating as much - but when it comes to taking the above guidance, they push back.

It's not the answer that they want to hear.

Yet they've been chasing an issue with their horse for months or years and you've given them a solution... its just not a solution where they get to do what they've always done...

And I wonder about the graveyard of professionals behind me, who have given them appropriate advice that again was not heard because it wasnt the answer that they wanted to hear.

I understand that professionals dont always get it right. I also understand that there are many professionals that get it really really quite wrong -

I just find it to be very profound that when you point out the behavioural indicators of pain, the lameness and the biomechanical dysfunction, you can still be totally ignored -

Especially when your friend in the stable next door (with no formal training in anything equine related) says their horse does the same thing, so therefore your horse must be fine!

-

For the entirety of May, you can get 50% off lifetime access for The Modern Centaurian Academy using the code MAY50 at checkout:

https://www.yasminstuartequinephysio.com/modern-centaurian-academy

📸 Olivia Rose Photography

11/05/2026

This is how I would also describe my ownership style 😅 wouldn't want to any other way

I’ve realised my horse ownership style is probably best described as:

✨ affectionate neglect ✨

Which sounds deeply concerning until you actually see the horses.

Then you realise it mostly means:

🐴 ad-lib hay
🐴 muddy friends
🐴 freedom to move
🐴 standing in the rain by choice despite having three shelters available
🐴 scratches in weird itchy places
🐴 me wandering into the field saying “hello gorgeous goblin”
🐴 low-pressure expectations
🐴 no obsession with constant productivity

And honestly?

I think horses quite like being allowed to just… exist.

The equestrian world can sometimes make you feel like if you are not:
• riding five times a week
• drilling transitions
• filming every session
• buying seventeen supplements
• attending clinics every weekend
• producing an athlete worthy of the Olympics

…then you are somehow failing your horse.

Meanwhile your horse is stood there covered in mud, half asleep, emotionally fulfilled by a hedge.

A lot of horses do not need:
✨ optimisation
✨ side quests
✨ vision boards
✨ Pilates

They need:
🌿 safety
🌿 food
🌿 movement
🌿 companionship
🌿 consistency
🌿 appropriate care
🌿 nervous systems around them that are not permanently vibrating at 900mph

And before somebody panics:
Obviously neglect is real.
This is not that.

Your horse still needs:
📋 healthcare
📋 hoof care
📋 welfare checks
📋 appropriate feeding
📋 enrichment
📋 handling
📋 observation

But I do think some horse owners carry enormous guilt for not constantly “doing”.

Sometimes your horse genuinely prefers:
🐴 a peaceful field
🐴 a slow groom
🐴 a wander together
🐴 a scratch under the mane
🐴 being allowed to behave like an actual horse

Over another intense session with a human chasing productivity because Instagram convinced us every horse needs a career path.

Anyway.

If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the field lovingly ignoring my horses while they ignore me back. 🌿

06/05/2026

The gorgeous Margo has been out and about doing her thing!

"Margo's second show saw us going to Forest Edge Arena. The East Anglian Horse Show were holding TGCA qualifing classes.
We entered the part bred youngstock class and were placed 2nd again the most gorgouse..huge black 3 year old. Qualified for the Go for Glory series held at TOYS later this summer.
Second class after a wait in the freezing cold saw an amazing result of 1st place in the open yearling any bred class! 2 members championship qualifications but it would have been a long wait so we decided to come away. From start to finish Margo was perfectly behaved i just cant belive shes only a yearling! We will return to Forest Edge for the TEARS May show then onto CHAPS qualifier ..an ovetnight stable at Royal Norfolk!"

Huge well done and congratulations to her owners .h74 and .ycartwright