Starline Equine Bodywork

Judith Rathbone
  • 5.0 (7)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Our mission is to inspire and to motivate, and give you tools for a better life with horses. This podcast is intended to give you takeaways to apply to your own life- whether you're a horse owner seeking more, a bodywork practitioner, or even an aspiring one. In this podcast you will meet our host, Judith Rathbone. For most of the last decade she’s been a full time equine bodywork practitioner, a renowned sports specialist, an author and a bodywork educator. During the course of this podcast she will lead deep dive discussions into what she has learned from clients, top bodyworkers and vets in the industry, and unpack some of the most up to date and groundbreaking research into equine physiology, fitness and tissue training. Connect with us:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/starlineequinebodyworkWeb - starlinebodywork.com

  1. 5D AGO

    Is Your Horse Relaxed or De-stressing?

    In this episode, we dive into the subtle world of equine behaviour, exploring whether your horse is genuinely at ease or subtly working to calm itself amid lingering stress. As prey animals, horses are naturally primed for survival, often exhibiting self-soothing actions when they’re still in a heightened state of arousal. We break down the key differences between these de-stressing signals (rooted in the fight-or-flight response) and true relaxation, helping you better interpret your horse’s cues during training, bodywork sessions, new environments, or everyday interactions. Discover practical insights into body language and contextual clues that reveal your horse’s inner state, from tension-releasing behaviors like licking or yawning to signs of deep contentment such as a lowered head or cocked leg. Whether you’re a rider, trainer, or horse owner, this discussion equips you with tools to foster a safer, more harmonious bond, ensuring your horse isn’t just coping but truly thriving in a stress-free zone. LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Grab your FREE assessment guide for your horse’s back Join the FREE “Stick With It” private podcast series here and learn 3 ways to use kinesiology tape that nobody ever told you about! Equine Reaction Ponts Skill Accelerator Course Connect with us: Instagram - @starlineequinebodywork Pinterest - https://pin.it/7kvSCpt Website - starlinebodywork.com DISCLAIMER: The ideas expressed in this podcast are opinions only, and are not substitutes for proper veterinary care, veterinary medicine and other forms of bodywork. The opinions are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic in nature.

    12 min

  2. FEB 25

    Stretching Or Pandiculation?

    Have you ever seen a horse stretch its neck waaaay up during a bodywork session? Well, then you’ve witnessed a pandiculation! Pandiculation is very different from passive stretching. Join me for this fan favourite episode of the podcast where I examine the scientific differences between these two types of stretches. I examine what is happening in the body in each situation, and why it is extremely important to know the difference between the two! Hint: The body processes the sensory information completely differently!  LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Grab your FREE assessment guide for your horse’s backJoin the FREE “Stick With It” private podcast series here and learn 3 ways to use kinesiology tape that nobody ever told you about!Equine Reaction Points Skill Accelerator Course Connect with us: Instagram - @starlineequinebodywork Pinterest - https://pin.it/7kvSCpt Website - starlinebodywork.com DISCLAIMER: The ideas expressed in this podcast are opinions only, and are not substitutes for proper veterinary care, veterinary medicine and other forms of bodywork. The opinions are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic in nature.

    11 min

  3. FEB 18

    Rehabilitation With Dr Bri Henderson

    Join us on the Starline Equine Bodywork Podcast for an enlightening conversation with sports medicine veterinarian and rehabilitation specialist Dr. Bri Henderson, where we delve into the realities of equine recovery. Discover why rehabilitation is not always a straight path, exploring the biological factors (like inflammation, proliferation, and the lengthy remodeling phase) that sometimes lead to progress plateaus and setbacks. Dr. Henderson also discusses key objective markers for advancing rehab stages, from symmetry assessments and palpation, helping you understand when asymmetry signals a red flag versus normal recovery. In this episode, we shift focus to building resilience post-injury, unpacking the neuromuscular benefits of proprioceptive exercises like pole work to “wake up” core stability and prevent compensation patterns that could lead to re-injury. We emphasize the vital role of teamwork among vets, farriers, bodyworkers, and owners, addressing common communication pitfalls and ideal re-check schedules to ensure aligned care.  Whether you’re a dedicated horse owner or equine professional, this science-backed discussion offers practical takeaways for supporting your horse’s journey back to strength. LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services- Dr Bri Henderson Grab your FREE assessment guide for your horse’s back Join the FREE “Stick With It” private podcast series here and learn 3 ways to use kinesiology tape that nobody ever told you about! SHOW SPONSORS: IG: @equigate FB: @equigate https://www.equigate.com Connect with us: Instagram - @starlineequinebodywork Pinterest - https://pin.it/7kvSCpt Website - starlinebodywork.com DISCLAIMER: The ideas expressed in this podcast are opinions only, and are not substitutes for proper veterinary care, veterinary medicine and other forms of bodywork. The opinions are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic in nature.

    35 min

  4. FEB 11

    Galloping Is Therapeutic!

    Cantering and galloping can offer more therapeutic value than bodywork and stretches put together. Still, too many of us miss out on the opportunity to head out and let our horses really stretch their strides. Address gait rhythm issues, back hollowing, back stiffness, and one-sidedness through galloping. Come along as we dive into the advantages of galloping in this fan favourite podcast episode. LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Grab your FREE assessment guide for your horse’s back Join the FREE “Stick With It” private podcast series here and learn 3 ways to use kinesiology tape that nobody ever told you about! SHOW SPONSORS:  IG: @equigate FB: @equigate https://www.equigate.com Connect with us: Instagram - @starlineequinebodywork Pinterest - https://pin.it/7kvSCpt Website - starlinebodywork.com DISCLAIMER: The ideas expressed in this podcast are opinions only, and are not substitutes for proper veterinary care, veterinary medicine and other forms of bodywork. The opinions are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic in nature.

    8 min

  5. FEB 4

    Equine Dentistry With Dr. Christy Barnes

    Join me as we dive into the world of equine dentistry with our guest, Dr. Christy Barnes, a veterinarian with a special interest in dental care. As an equine bodywork practitioner, I’ve often uncovered hidden mouth issues during assessments that explain puzzling performance hurdles, and Dr. Barnes sheds light on how dentistry is a cornerstone of overall equine well-being. We’ll explore the fundamentals of jaw balance and TMJ function, uncovering how occlusal harmony influences everything. Whether you’re a fellow bodyworker spotting compensatory patterns or a dedicated horse owner attuned to subtle signs, this conversation invites you to connect the dots between dental health and your horse’s performance.  We’ll also cover routine floating procedures (debunking myths about tools and sedation), and collaborative strategies for bodyworkers and owners to partner with vets for preventive care. LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Bennett Equine Veterinary Services- Dr. Christy Barnes Grab your FREE assessment guide for your horse’s back Join the FREE “Stick With It” private podcast series here and learn 3 ways to use kinesiology tape that nobody ever told you about! SHOW SPONSORS: IG: @equigate FB: @equigate https://www.equigate.com Connect with us: Instagram - @starlineequinebodywork Pinterest - https://pin.it/7kvSCpt Website - starlinebodywork.com DISCLAIMER: The ideas expressed in this podcast are opinions only, and are not substitutes for proper veterinary care, veterinary medicine and other forms of bodywork. The opinions are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic in nature.

    52 min

  6. JAN 28

    Mobilizing The Ribcage

    Struggling with lead changes? Notice your saddle shifting to one side? The culprit could be your horse’s ribcage! It may seem unexpected, but the ribcage and its surrounding muscles play a massive role in your horse’s overall performance and well-being. Tune in to this fan favourite episode as I dive into the ribcage and share my top bodywork method for getting it mobilized! LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Grab your FREE assessment guide for your horse’s back Join the FREE “Stick With It” private podcast series here and learn 3 ways to use kinesiology tape that nobody ever told you about! SHOW SPONSORS:  IG: @equigate FB: @equigate https://www.equigate.com Connect with us: Instagram - @starlineequinebodywork Pinterest - https://pin.it/7kvSCpt Website - starlinebodywork.com DISCLAIMER: The ideas expressed in this podcast are opinions only, and are not substitutes for proper veterinary care, veterinary medicine and other forms of bodywork. The opinions are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic in nature.

    11 min

  7. JAN 21

    The Back Pain Episode

    In this episode, we explore spinal segmentation issues in horses, where the spine’s motion segments (comprising vertebrae, discs, facet joints, and ligaments) lose normal micro-mobility or neurological coordination, often before visible structural damage like arthritis appears.  Common types include hypomobility, hypermobility (unstable excessive movement), facet inflammation, and multifidus muscle inhibition leading to longissimus over-recruitment. This dysfunction causes pain through reduced shock absorption, abnormal mechanoreceptor signaling, muscle spasms, atrophy, shortened strides, and a vicious cycle of sympathetic upregulation, with specific spinal areas indicating causes like saddle fit problems or psoas referrals. We also detail several practical tests to spot back discomfort early, used by equine bodyworkers. These non-diagnostic hints help identify the overwhelming majority of functional issues before advanced imaging is needed. LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Grab your FREE assessment guide for your horse’s back Join the FREE “Stick With It” private podcast series here and learn 3 ways to use kinesiology tape that nobody ever told you about! SHOW SPONSORS: IG: @equigate FB: @equigate https://www.equigate.com Connect with us: Instagram - @starlineequinebodywork Pinterest - https://pin.it/7kvSCpt Website - starlinebodywork.com DISCLAIMER: The ideas expressed in this podcast are opinions only, and are not substitutes for proper veterinary care, veterinary medicine and other forms of bodywork. The opinions are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic in nature.

    23 min

  8. JAN 14

    Can K-Tape Strengthen Muscles?

    In this fan favourite episode, I talk about an article I read warning people to avoid practitioners who claim that taping can strengthen a muscle of a horse. The article had undertones of attempting to discredit other practitioners. That’s just unfair, especially because it used a very narrow definition of what is actually meant by “assisting a muscle” to strengthen it. In today’s episode I talk about why I feel this article is unfair, and dig into the broader science behind what it actually means to assist muscles to strengthen them. PLEASE CONSIDER RATING, REVIEWING AND FOLLOWING THIS SHOW. This will help us reach more people and more horses, to support their journey and relationship together. LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE: Grab your FREE assessment guide for your horse’s back Join the FREE “Stick With It” private podcast series here and learn 3 ways to use kinesiology tape that nobody ever told you about! SHOW SPONSORS: IG: @equigate FB: @equigate https://www.equigate.com Connect with us: Instagram - @starlineequinebodywork Pinterest - https://pin.it/7kvSCpt Website - starlinebodywork.com DISCLAIMER: The ideas expressed in this podcast are opinions only, and are not substitutes for proper veterinary care, veterinary medicine and other forms of bodywork. The opinions are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic in nature.

    11 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Our mission is to inspire and to motivate, and give you tools for a better life with horses. This podcast is intended to give you takeaways to apply to your own life- whether you're a horse owner seeking more, a bodywork practitioner, or even an aspiring one. In this podcast you will meet our host, Judith Rathbone. For most of the last decade she’s been a full time equine bodywork practitioner, a renowned sports specialist, an author and a bodywork educator. During the course of this podcast she will lead deep dive discussions into what she has learned from clients, top bodyworkers and vets in the industry, and unpack some of the most up to date and groundbreaking research into equine physiology, fitness and tissue training. Connect with us:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/starlineequinebodyworkWeb - starlinebodywork.com

Information

  • Creator
    Judith Rathbone
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    175
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Starline Equine Bodywork
  • Show Website
    Starline Equine Bodywork

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