Q&A With Rowan Edwards Of Rowan's Equine Sports Therapy
Tell us a little about yourself. How did horses first become such an important part of your life?
ROWAN: I grew up on a breeding and training farm, where horses have always been a part of my everyday life. As I became more involved in the industry, I developed a particular interest in biomechanics and rehabilitation, and I realized there was often a disconnect between what a horse was trying to communicate and what riders perceived. That passion ultimately led me into equine sports therapy. Today, my goal is to help owners better understand their horses by looking at the whole picture. Movement, posture, behaviour, and performance so they can build stronger partnerships both in and out of the saddle. I also own a young Westphalian mare that will be developed for the dressage ring, so I experience many of the same challenges and successes as my clients.
What inspired you to pursue equine sports therapy as a career rather than another path within the horse industry?
ROWAN: My mare was the catalyst for everything. As a young horse, she experienced physical challenges that required rehabilitation. Going through that process opened my eyes to how much there was to learn about equine movement, compensation patterns, and the body's incredible ability to adapt. Wanting to understand those processes on a deeper level led me to pursue professional education in equine bodywork. In 2022, I completed certifications in Equine Myo-Manipulative Functional Therapy, Equine Kinesiology Taping, Equine Craniosacral Therapy, and Animal Neuro-Myofascial Release Technique through Angel's Animals under Angelique Barbara, B.S., M.S. More recently, I expanded my education by completing Level 1 Fascial Stretch Therapy for humans, and I'm currently entering my final year of my Bachelor of Applied Science in Kinesiology.
For readers who may be unfamiliar with equine bodywork, how would you explain what you do and why it's beneficial?
ROWAN: Equine bodywork is a hands-on therapy that focuses on improving a horse's comfort, mobility, and quality of movement by addressing restrictions within the soft tissues and fascia. Every horse develops compensatory movement patterns throughout its life, whether from training, conformation, previous injuries, growth, or everyday wear and tear. Our role is to identify those restrictions and use appropriate manual therapy techniques to encourage better movement and improve overall comfort. Bodywork isn't a replacement for veterinary medicine, but it is an excellent complement to a horse's healthcare team. By supporting healthy movement and recognizing changes early, we can often help reduce compensation patterns before they become more significant problems while promoting longevity in the horse's career.
Every horse is unique. How do you determine which techniques are best suited for each individual horse?
ROWAN: Using basic palpation skills to assess the horse’s openness to the treatment is beneficial for everyone. Some horses prefer more of a craniosacral approach versus fascial manipulative options. I always begin treatment with an in hand assessment to take a look at the horses biomechanics and when given the chance, under saddle as well. Watching how the horse tracks, head position, lateral movements and how the horse communicates with their person. Then I have a better judgment on the horse's willingness, basic movement and mobility. This also allows me to catch onto little things that might get lost in translation, these are typically more assumptions for the horse owner but they are important to note.
What are some of the most common physical issues you see in horses, regardless of discipline?
ROWAN: Although this is broad, one of the frequent findings during my sessions is general back tension or pain. Although this back pain is typically a compensation for another factor, it is one of the most chronic problems in sport horses. Having the ability to palpate your own horse and know when to get a professional in is important in the role of prevention. Taking a break to bring back the basics to rehabilitate the back can break that streak and send your horse in a more positive direction. There is also a high prevalence of soft tissue injuries in the industry, although this is of course a job for the veterinarian, we must always ask why. Why was that limb being loaded more than the other? Or is there a history that could correspond to this weakness?
Are there certain signs horse owners should watch for that might indicate their horse could benefit from bodywork?
ROWAN: Horses are incredibly honest communicators, but their signs are often subtle. Owners should pay attention to sudden behavioural changes, resistance during grooming or saddling, difficulty picking up leads, reluctance to bend, shortened stride length, stiffness, inconsistent performance or simply a horse that doesn't feel quite like itself. The earlier those small changes are recognized, the easier they often are to address. Waiting until a horse is significantly uncomfortable usually means the body has already been compensating for some time.
How closely do you work alongside veterinarians, trainers, farriers, and other equine professionals to support a horse's overall wellness?
ROWAN: This is crucial. Working alongside the horse’s care team is so important for many reasons. Getting every side of the story allows us to have a well rounded approach to care and to communicate freely with each other. For example, there can be a case of broken telephone that may lead to information being left out, so speaking directly or having notes is always appreciated. Understanding a trainer’s methods and workloads can add lots of information to the picture. Certain things don’t always appear relevant to the owner, so working with other professionals allows us to get the important information much quicker and simpler.
What misconceptions do you commonly hear about equine massage or bodywork?
ROWAN: I think the big one is people calling bodywork a fix versus a preventative measure. Having this mindset can make the bodyworker’s job more stressful due to wanting to please the owner with progress. I don’t carry this stress as I always make this step clear to my clients but of course we want the owners happy. Progress isn’t linear and not every horse is the same. By taking a more preventative approach, you can catch these issues before they become chronic.
If you could give every horse owner one piece of advice about maintaining their horse's long-term soundness and comfort, what would it be?
ROWAN: Prevention is key to long-term equine management. Having an open mind to your horse’s communication will allow you to be able to pick up on the minor changes in routines/behaviours before they become louder. Sometimes less is more when it comes to horses. Overall, to support a sport horse's longevity, listening, prevention and patience even when it is not convenient sets you up for success.
Rowan Edwards
Rowan's Equine Sports Therapy
Rowan is a certified equine bodyworker specializing in equine myo-manipulative functional therapy, kinesiology taping, craniosacral therapy, and neuro-myofascial release techniques. After completing extensive hands-on training, examinations, and case studies in 2022, Rowan continues to expand their knowledge and skills as a Level 1 Fascial Stretching Therapist. With a passion for equine wellness and a commitment to ongoing education, Rowan strives to help horses feel and function at their best.
This article is from the October 2026 issue of Equine Business Magazine
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