Serenity Equine LLC

Serenity Equine LLC Allison Strauss, EEBW. Holistic, Hands-on Equine Bodywork & Massage | Supporting Mind-Body Connection, Overall Wellness, & Prevention. Various Modalities.

Whole Horse Approach.

This horse has made incredible progress in their monthly bodywork sessions with us, alongside their fully dedicated owne...
06/01/2026

This horse has made incredible progress in their monthly bodywork sessions with us, alongside their fully dedicated owner! Thank you for trusting in us and also taking these great candid photos during our most recent session Tammie 😃🐴!

It's truly uplifting to see a horse become more expressive during releases of tension (check out those silly faces!), while feeling better overall in their body! Progress and change takes time. This horse and their wonderful owner are now back to enjoying what they love with fun obstacle course challenges! We are happy to be a part of their journey.

Call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a Facebook message to book an appointment with us! 🗓️

Bodywork is extremely beneficial for senior horses too! We work with equines of ALL ages and walks of life - your equine...
05/31/2026

Bodywork is extremely beneficial for senior horses too! We work with equines of ALL ages and walks of life - your equine partner deserves to feel their best regardless of age, breed, size, discipline, etc.

This sweet older mare thoroughly appreciates her routine sessions! We always use a gentle, horse-led approach. Listening to the horse. 👂🏻

Hands-on bodywork and massage is a non-invasive, holistic modality proven to:
🔄Increase Circulation
🔁Stimulate & soften muscles, tissue, + fascia
↪️Release Endorphins
⤴️Improve Elasticity & Muscle Tone
⏹️Prevent Injury
▶️Identify Potential Issues
+ so much more!

As horses age they naturally experience a decline in muscle tone, changes in their joints, fascia, reduced circulation, compensatory patterns, and more. Furthermore past trauma, injuries, environment, lifestyle and other factors can affect the body. Everything is connected!

Call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a Facebook message for more info or to schedule an appt. 🗓️

Happy Factual Friday! In our previous post, we discussed the different types of muscles, but did you know the horse also...
05/29/2026

Happy Factual Friday! In our previous post, we discussed the different types of muscles, but did you know the horse also has 4 different layers of muscle? 💪🏻

🔹Cutaneous Layer🔹
▪️Thin muscles that are attached to the skin
▪️This layer helps twitch the skin (also known as the Panniculus reflex) for example when flies land on your horse and they 'twitch' them away! 🪰
▪️Provides sensory awareness to the body

🔹Superficial Layer🔹
▪️The most visible muscles, lying beneath the skin
▪️Responsible for major movement and locomotion
▪️Can feel any tension, heat, swelling, etc. upon palpation

🔹Middle Layer🔹
▪️Located beneath the superficial muscles
▪️Assists movement in joints and limbs, propulsion & extension
▪️Responsible for posture, coordinated motion and momentum

🔹Deep Layer🔹
▪️This layer of muscles connects to the skeleton
▪️Provides stabilization & support to the closeby joints, spine
▪️Aid in proprioception (awareness of the body)

Equine bodywork can help not only the muscles, but the entire body as a whole! Everything is connected. In our next post we will discuss the amazing fascia!

Connect with us to schedule an appt: Call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a Facebook message!

The benefits of equine bodywork extend far beyond the muscular system, but muscles play a huge role! Did you know that h...
05/25/2026

The benefits of equine bodywork extend far beyond the muscular system, but muscles play a huge role! Did you know that horses have more than 700 muscles in their body? Each muscle serves its own purpose. Everything is connected. 🐴 What types of muscles are there?

They have 3 distinct types of muscles:

1️⃣ Skeletal -
Assists with posture + joint stabilization
Produces movement, also protects internal organs
Attach to the bone via tendons (connective tissue)

2️⃣ Smooth/Visceral -
Aids in the digestive, circulatory, urinary, reproductive systems + more
Responds to the central & autonomic nervous systems
Found in the walls of blood vessels

3️⃣ Cardiac (Myocardium) -
Located in the heart
Circulates blood flow throughout the body
Contains pacemaker cells which send out electrical signals, setting the 'pace' for pumping blood & heartbeats

More posts to come regarding more muscles and their functions and muscle layers!

Is your horse-🔻Showing challenging behavior?🔻Girthy? Irritable? Nippy?🔻Anxious/stressed/antsy? 🔻Sore? Tense?Horses commu...
05/19/2026

Is your horse-
🔻Showing challenging behavior?
🔻Girthy? Irritable? Nippy?
🔻Anxious/stressed/antsy?
🔻Sore? Tense?

Horses communicate the ONLY way they know how...through body language & behavior!

They may be saying:
'My body feels sore, tight, and tense'
'I am stressed'
'I need more turnout'
'My tack no longer fits properly'
'I cannot physically do what you are asking'
'I have past trauma'
'I am confused, I don't understand' and so forth.
💡Instead of becoming frustrated or labeling - think about what could be going on to cause this behavior in my horse?

☝🏻 There is always a REASON.
Many behavioral issues are due to discomfort, pain, tense/tight muscles & overuse, restrictions, compensation patterns, lack of turnout, stress, ill-fitting tack, training methods, trust issues, and/or miscommunication/misunderstanding and more. Bodywork can help!

We can help identify potential issues (not diagnose), provide a safe space for untrusting/traumatized horses, release tension in the fascia, tissue & muscles, increase circulation, flexibility & range of motion, reduce inflammation, prevent injury, and more! We present another perspective to reconnecting, communicating, & strengthening the bond with your equine partner. Utilizing 100% hands-on various modalities, a gentle, horse-led approach. 🤲🏻

Call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a Facebook message for more info!

05/09/2026

Post-bodywork session feels! 🐴🤲🏻

Looking for an equine bodyworker? 🐴Serenity Equine is currently accepting new clients, booking into May & June! No gadge...
04/29/2026

Looking for an equine bodyworker? 🐴Serenity Equine is currently accepting new clients, booking into May & June!

No gadgets, no machines, no tools! Certified EEBW and insured. Completely hands-on manual bodywork, utilizing various modalities, considering the whole horse:

✅Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM)
✅Sports Massage
✅Craniosacral Therapy Techniques
✅Range of Motion & Positioning Exercises
✅Focal Point Work (Stress & Trigger Points)
✅Stretching
✅Energy Work & Connection

Spots fill quickly so please connect with us to schedule an appt - call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a Facebook message!

04/27/2026

Holding space and creating SERENITY. The importance of the pause during a bodywork session...we step back and give the horse time and space to process and release both physical + emotional tension, resulting in a more balanced and relaxed state. The power of touch is truly incredible! 🤲🏻 Our sessions are always horse-led.

🗓️ Interested in scheduling an appt with us? Call/text 302.415.0932 or send us a Facebook or Instagram message!

04/21/2026

The Pectoral muscles are often overlooked by many when it comes to dysfunction! But they should never be overlooked as they play an important role.

These muscles aid in the support & movement of the shoulder, adduct the forelimb, assisting nearby muscles too.
If there is dysfunction in these areas, it can limit the up/down shoulder movement, as well as make it more challenging for the horse to support their trunk (barrel), affecting the recoil/suspension and shock absorption. Dysfunction in this area can also affect the neck and other areas of the body - everything is connected!

The Pectorals are made up of 4 different muscles:

1️⃣ Transverse pectoral
2️⃣ Ascending pectoral
3️⃣ Descending pectoral
4️⃣ Subclavius

Signs of tightness, tension, and soreness in these muscles:
🔻Struggling to lift through the withers
🔻Girth sensitivity
🔻Trouble protracting (extending) the forelimbs
🔻Issues picking up correct leads
🔻Behavioral issues (irritability, nipping, etc.)
🔻Choppy, short strides
🔻Tension or stiffness in poll & neck
& more!

What can cause issues in these areas?
🔹Ill-fitting tack/saddle
🔹Training & poor use of training aids
🔹Compensatory issues/pain
🔹Unbalanced rider
🔹Hoof issues/discomfort
🔹Misuse or overuse of muscles
🔹Confirmation
🔹Past injury/trauma
🔹Being ridden or worked heavy on the forehand

Equine bodywork & massage can help help relieve tension, tightness & soreness in these areas, and also help identify the root cause of the issue. A holistic approach looks at the entire body!

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Elkton, MD

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