Sarah trained for her BHSAI under Robert Pickles, at Wellington. After which she ran her own livery yard, breaking, schooling and teaching, whilst competing eventing and SJ every chance she got.

After 8 years, of running the livery, she married her husband Richard and decided to concentrate on being a full time mother to her boys Sam and Jamie. Sarah also retired from eventing & competitive jumping and began competing British Dressage and affiliated showing.

During the following years, Sarah became very interested in Horse Physio, chiro and everything to do with the muscular/skeletal system and its effect on the individual horse. She found her own competition horses/or indeed childrens ponies, could give outstanding performances, when they were relaxed/ comfortable muscularly OR could be absolute embarrassments (even dangerous) - if they had muscular discomfort of any sort.

For this reason, she began to study how the professionals were treating her horses/ponies and what advice they could give. She picked their brains and tried to absorb all the information they could give her. Over the years she began to successfully treat her own horses muscular discomfort, purely with her hands and would often do the same for her friends horses (free of charge) with lasting success.

It was then that she heard about the Equissage Europe course - run by Helen Woolley, who could teach the art of EQUISSAGE.

Having been accepted for the course - she began to study in earnest - as learning the theory - having left school many years earlier, was a daunting task. The hands on part - she felt would come naturally to her - having been working on her own horses for many years.

The course was a huge eye opener to Sarah, who realised this method offered a holistic approach to treating the horse's muscular system - which instead of concentrating on the area of pain - treats the WHOLE HORSE every time.

Helen Wooley - who trained Sarah, on the Equissage Europe course said:-

"Sarah was a fantastic student who did exceptionally well with both the theory content and practical side of the Equissage Europe Certification in Equine Sports Massage Therapy. She showed a true empathy with all the horses she came into contact with and she was able to adapt her massage techniques to all the animals, from those needing a sports massage to a more therapeutic treatment massage. Her obvious background knowledge in all matters equine give her a superior edge to many students and she is a delight to know."

Having completed the course and passed the massage and theory exams, Sarah is now a fully qualified and insured ESMT IAAAMT and available to give demonstrations, treatments & pre or post competition massage to your horse.

Email her here to arrange a treatment for your horse

A Deep Muscle Equine Massage:-

• Increases range of motion
• Increases flexibility / circulation
• Reduces resistance / tension / muscular pain
• Enhances muscle tone

And will help if your horse has problems with:-

Lateral bending (finds it hard to bend to one side or both)

• Tracking up
• Canter leads
• Forward impulsion
• "Cold” back or “sore” back
• Girth discomfort
• Tying up
• Neck, shoulder, hip, hock & stifle discomfort

Also for the COMPETION HORSE – a deep muscle massage will keep the ENTIRE body in TOP physical condition. Pre-Comp – it will loosen/prepare muscles & Post-Comp – will relieve pain/stiffness.

This Muscular Therapy is “Holistic” – meaning the whole horse is treated EVERYTIME not just the area of concern.

Sports Massage Therapy is not a substitute for veterinary care.
I am happy for clients to discuss suitability of ESMT with their vet.
No machinery of any kind is used.

A SPORTS massage helps to keep the entire body in better physical condition and removes muscular pain from the entire body.

A PRE-EVENT Sports massage loosens, warms and readies the muscles for an event.

A POST-EVENT Sports massage relieves muscle pain and stiffness by returning the muscles to a normal state, much faster than if they'd been allowed to go without a massage. After vigorous exercise, dehydration takes place in the horse and with the loss of fluids, it's harder for him to cool down.

Assessment and treatment per horse is £40 plus VAT. (£48 cash or cheques made payable to Rivermain Ltd.) Payment required in full on the day of treatment.

Email Sarah here to arrange a visit for your horse.

The Velvet Touch kindly requests, that all clients inform their vet, before booking an appointment.

After treatment Sarah recommends a poll guard to keep poll pain at bay. They can be purchased widely or on-line from this recommended supplier.

After you have booked an appointment with Sarah, please download and fill out the following questionnaire about your horse. This will help Sarah treat your horse as effectively and fully as possible. If you have any questions about the information needed, please call and Sarah will help.

Please download, print off and fill out the forms and bring to your appointment

Download the form here.

The form is in a PDF format. If you need a PDF document reader we recommend Foxit, which can be downloaded here.

Denise Hallion
International Grand Prix dressage rider said:

"2 weeks ago, Sarah Bray treated my horse Mika. She promised me I would be begging her to treat my horses all the time - but frankly I didn't believe her !

She was right! After one treatment, Mika went better than he ever had. Softer in my hand, bending on both reins evenly and with amazing energy, yet in a controlled and focussed manner. After two treatments I competed Mika at PSG and won the class, against very tough competition. After 3 treatments - I took him for training with Adam Kemp and again he performed beautifully, without resistance or tension.

Sarah also treated my 2nd horse Verve and he too responded amazingly, after just one treatment. I cannot recommend Sarah Bray's method of Equine Muscular Treatments strongly enough. She transforms horses from very talented, to outstanding!"

Helen Wooley
Equissage Europe said of Sarah on her course:

"Sarah was a fantastic student who did exceptionally well with both the theory content and practical side of the equissage Europe certification in equine sports Massage Therapy. She shows a true empathy with all the horses she came into contact with and she was able to adapt her massage techniques to all the animals, from those needing a sports massage to a more therapeutic treatment massage. Her obvious background knowledge in all matters equine give her a superior edge to many students and she is a delight to know."

S Cove
Owner said:

"Thank you so much for doing the Equissage ESMT treatment on my horse Prudence. I can honestly say the change is fab she is working better than she ever has ."

Alison Drain
Owner said:

"I have rarely seen a more comprehensive session performed on my horse! It was also great that you were able to explain why you were massaging certain parts, to understand better, why things go wrong”.

B Stacey
Owner said:

"It was such a lovely experience seeing Mini respond during the equissage session today – you clearly identified both the sound as well as the ‘problem’ areas which you worked to improve. I found your thorough explanation and commentary throughout to be really informative and will certainly help me to be more in tune with her in future. Thank you."

A Gray
Owner said:

"Sarah treated my 16 year old mare with a massage and pressure point technique which I had not come across before. I was very impressed and the horse was relaxed and submissive, enjoying every moment."

S Kidd
Owner

"Sarah worked on my 22 year old gelding for an hour and half. Two days later he was galloping and bucking across his field so fast we were worried he wouldn't stop in time for the gate! I rode him a few days after that and his stride was much longer and he was definitely more forward going. In an hour and half Sarah took 10 years off him!"

Joanne Preston
Owner said:

"Thank you so much Sarah for your expertise and healing hands today.

Alfie was priviliged to receive a top to toe Equissage treatment from Sarah which I can honestly say he loved. Some of the faces he pulled in enjoyment, were rather comical!!!

Alfie was sore in a several places and happy to have them sought out and treated.

I cannot recommend "The Velvet Touch" highly enough, a very thorough, professional and caring service."

M Preston
Rider said:

"Thank you for Alfies' message. I rode him round the farm today, with Jade on Sox. We were only meant to be walking and trotting, but he was so full of it, Jade decided to canter Sox past us. Alfie decided he was going with him in a full gallop! Alfie usually just will carry on doing what I ask him and just stays in trot but he felt amazing, just like a race horse!! Thank you so so so, much for making him happy and better"

Leanne Lacey
Owner said:

"I just wanted to e-mail to let you know how wonderful Maddie is feeling since you gave her the first massage treatment. I was overwhelmed with the difference in her whole attitude, her paces and her willingness to work and move forwards so freely and comfortably.

You have some serious ‘healing hands’ and I truly hope that many other people will get to experience your work and both see and feel the difference it will make to their horses. I am so looking forward to Maddies next session in a couple of weeks time."

Thank you so much,

Lauren Peters
Owner said:

"Would just like to say a MASSIVE thankyou to Sarah Bray for giving very skilled hands, and a hugely positive attitude towards helping fix my mare Lottie today! I rode her this evening with beautiful work even on both reins, with a much calmer attitude towards her upwards transitions! I knew from everyone elses reviews/comments that Sarah is something special, but didn’t quite realise just how much! Highly recommended, very happy horse, very happy owners! Look forwards to our second session in 2 weeks!"

Maxine Curtis
Owner said:

"Just wanted to say thanks so much for treating Murphy, he is now walking out well & he has chilled out amazingly!! I have been able to take him off his "calmer" supplement & it's the longest he's been without something for 2yrs!!

He will also now stand outside without the others around and doesn't cry! Plus he is being so much more of a gentleman in the stable!

You really did a great job !"

Gemma Grove
Owner said:

I thought you would like to know that Bling is a different horse! He's become so so settled when being schooled and extremely soft! I had a jumping lesson on tuesday and my God did he jump :-)

He still does some head shaking when I get on but I think it's just a bad habit now as after 5mins when he's listening and submissive it all stops :-D

Thanks x

The expression says it all "Happy horse - Happy owner!"

Sarah has always owned and loved horses. Here are some of her favourite photographs of them.