Testimonials
"Over 12 months ago my 17.1hh TB gelding started to quietly show mild signs of discomfort. It was just enough so that I could pick up on it and know something was wrong but not enough for a stranger and the naked eye would pick up on. So most people thought it was in my head!
He has always been good to shoe and he became fidgety for the farrier, he would show sensitivity to brushing, he would swish his tail whilst gearing up deliberately to get you in the face then stop when you moved away but still maintaining a quiet disposition whist doing this. The kicker was his training wasn't progressing and seemed to be holding back when you'd ask for more.
I tried different farriers, two different chiro's, had his teeth done and feed changes but nothing seemed to make a difference. I was becoming frustrated as it wasn't going away and I had exhausted most avenues.
I had a friend recommend Marina and Carousel Equine Services with her red light therapy and equine body work and how they had had great success with it. I had heard a little about the therapies and honestly didn't understand it much but I wanted answers for the behaviours my horse was trying to say to me. I found Marina to be extremely professional, friendly and approachable. She explained what she was doing and when and why she was doing. How it was helping him and showing me his signs of relief when he expressed them. After 3 or 4 sessions Chester was absolutely loving his treatment and was progressing by not showing the signs of the sensitivity and he is freer in his movements and happy to travel forward where he wasn't before. I now know with him where his problems lie and I know simple little things to relieve his tension until his next appointment. I am so happy with the results I've had with Chester and will definitely be a regular client of Carousel Equine Services from now on end." - Jenna Durnan, The Rock NSW
He has always been good to shoe and he became fidgety for the farrier, he would show sensitivity to brushing, he would swish his tail whilst gearing up deliberately to get you in the face then stop when you moved away but still maintaining a quiet disposition whist doing this. The kicker was his training wasn't progressing and seemed to be holding back when you'd ask for more.
I tried different farriers, two different chiro's, had his teeth done and feed changes but nothing seemed to make a difference. I was becoming frustrated as it wasn't going away and I had exhausted most avenues.
I had a friend recommend Marina and Carousel Equine Services with her red light therapy and equine body work and how they had had great success with it. I had heard a little about the therapies and honestly didn't understand it much but I wanted answers for the behaviours my horse was trying to say to me. I found Marina to be extremely professional, friendly and approachable. She explained what she was doing and when and why she was doing. How it was helping him and showing me his signs of relief when he expressed them. After 3 or 4 sessions Chester was absolutely loving his treatment and was progressing by not showing the signs of the sensitivity and he is freer in his movements and happy to travel forward where he wasn't before. I now know with him where his problems lie and I know simple little things to relieve his tension until his next appointment. I am so happy with the results I've had with Chester and will definitely be a regular client of Carousel Equine Services from now on end." - Jenna Durnan, The Rock NSW
"I have been using Marina Douglas of Carousel Equine Services as a bodyworker for my horses for approximately 2 years now. In that time she has worked with 4 off the trackers we have had. One of them was so sore in her shoulder she was noticeably lame at the walk, and is now jumping 1.10m. Others have come with various problems, including one that was so sore that just touching the pressure points had him with all 4 legs off the ground. All of these horses are now comfortable and performing to the best of their ability. I now get Marina to give them the ‘once over’ at regular intervals, to prevent niggling problems becoming issues, as well as before and after spelling.
Being a qualified saddle fitter as well as a qualified EA Dressage Instructor, Marina is able to pinpoint almost instantly whether a horse has training, saddle fitting or soreness problems. The 3 qualifications really do complement each other! She can even tell me what the ponies have been up to in the paddock when they injure themselves before I have a chance to tell her when I have seen them hurt themselves being silly.
Marina has coached my son in dressage, which is far from his favourite riding activity!! He did actually enjoy her lessons, and she structured the lesson in terms he could understand with activities that did not make it too unbearable for a teenage boy.
In all, I would recommend Marina as a bodyworker and a riding coach. She is approachable, has a great sense of humour, is honest in her assessments, and will not try to sell you something unless she feels you /your horse needs it – if there is an alternative that will save you money, she will suggest it." - Anne Norman, Wagga Wagga NSW
Being a qualified saddle fitter as well as a qualified EA Dressage Instructor, Marina is able to pinpoint almost instantly whether a horse has training, saddle fitting or soreness problems. The 3 qualifications really do complement each other! She can even tell me what the ponies have been up to in the paddock when they injure themselves before I have a chance to tell her when I have seen them hurt themselves being silly.
Marina has coached my son in dressage, which is far from his favourite riding activity!! He did actually enjoy her lessons, and she structured the lesson in terms he could understand with activities that did not make it too unbearable for a teenage boy.
In all, I would recommend Marina as a bodyworker and a riding coach. She is approachable, has a great sense of humour, is honest in her assessments, and will not try to sell you something unless she feels you /your horse needs it – if there is an alternative that will save you money, she will suggest it." - Anne Norman, Wagga Wagga NSW
"I had Marina to my gelding and after 6 weeks of treatment the changes are enormous. My boy was not acting sore or lame and he was not sore to touch but little things had me thinking he was in pain and was I right!
Marina found sore spots in him from head to toe and as the treatment progressed some very sore spots came to the surface but by the final treatment he was pain free, I can now lift his back feet and he is no longer plaiting the back feet and is tracking better through to the front.
During the first treatment the horse didn't want a thing to do with her as it hurt a lot BUT by the 6th and final treatment he was leaning into her for more pressure and more release - I had never seen him so relaxed.
My boy is now cantering around the paddock rather then just walking everywhere. He is back to moving pain free.
Even if your horse is NOT showing evidence of being sore, get Marina to have a look you just never know.
Marina is such a knowledgeable and experienced Body worker and I can not recommend her highly enough." - Jo Everett, Wagga Wagga NSW
Marina found sore spots in him from head to toe and as the treatment progressed some very sore spots came to the surface but by the final treatment he was pain free, I can now lift his back feet and he is no longer plaiting the back feet and is tracking better through to the front.
During the first treatment the horse didn't want a thing to do with her as it hurt a lot BUT by the 6th and final treatment he was leaning into her for more pressure and more release - I had never seen him so relaxed.
My boy is now cantering around the paddock rather then just walking everywhere. He is back to moving pain free.
Even if your horse is NOT showing evidence of being sore, get Marina to have a look you just never know.
Marina is such a knowledgeable and experienced Body worker and I can not recommend her highly enough." - Jo Everett, Wagga Wagga NSW
"Firstly, I want to say I’m a huge fan of Marina my horses love her! I have been using Marina for 12 months I highly recommend Marina for all horses of all ages and competition levels.
I Barrel Race and Campdraft all over NSW which puts a lot of strain on their muscles with then long distances in the float, week in and week out Marina keeps my horses on track making sure they stay sound and can perform to their very best ability.
Marina is proven to be exceptional with her work and has made many very big improvements in my horses, the results speak for themselves.
My advice would be to try the massage therapy first. It will cost you less money and there is zero chance of someone doing something to cause your horse injury. I'm a big believer in massage because it fixes the underlying muscle issues.
I organise my horses a massage with Marina at least once a month with very affordable rates." - Jenna King, Wagga Wagga NSW
I Barrel Race and Campdraft all over NSW which puts a lot of strain on their muscles with then long distances in the float, week in and week out Marina keeps my horses on track making sure they stay sound and can perform to their very best ability.
Marina is proven to be exceptional with her work and has made many very big improvements in my horses, the results speak for themselves.
My advice would be to try the massage therapy first. It will cost you less money and there is zero chance of someone doing something to cause your horse injury. I'm a big believer in massage because it fixes the underlying muscle issues.
I organise my horses a massage with Marina at least once a month with very affordable rates." - Jenna King, Wagga Wagga NSW
"I would not hesitate to recommend Marina and her equine services. She has worked on all my horses for many years now and I have always seen immediate positive responses to the treatments. The horses really love their massage and you can see the difference it makes in them. I always notice an improved suppleness when riding and a more relaxed attitude. Marina has a great way of explaining what she is doing, and letting you know where the problem areas are, so you can keep an eye on things. She is readily available when needed and provides a comprehensive feedback form that I find really useful to go back and reflect on. She has a great skill, and extensive knowledge of horses to back it up." - Kalindi Edgar, Wagga Wagga NSW
"I started using Marina on my gelding when he showed persistent 'cold-backed' behaviour, tightness and stiffness, and mental anxiety both on the ground and especially under saddle. He was never lame or visibly unsound, but his behaviour under saddle was always uneasy and nervous and it was hard to keep him consistent and comfortably forward and rhythmical. After getting Marina out, we uncovered many issues that were affecting him in deep muscle and tissue layers, and each treatment got easier and easier. He began to look more like a horse and was much happier and more relaxed in his work. Not to mention he LOVES Marina's massages! He always comes away licking, chewing and very very relaxed. He was always a bit roachy and camel-like, but that improved out of sight as well, now he is rounded and has more of a topline. Not only is Marina awesome at massage, but on top of that she is a qualified saddle fitter and helped me fit my saddle much more comfortably for my horse in light of his shape, body issues and way of going. Can't have massage and then ruin it with an average fitting saddle! He is much improved since Marina, mentally and physically! Highly recommend. Plus you'll have a great time chatting and laughing with Marina - win win!" - Rachel Croft, Goulburn NSW
"My horses love it when Marina visits, you can tell she makes them feel great. I like that Marina is able to explain what she is doing and why as part of the bodywork treatment. Marina is always professional and turns up on time." - Fiona Edwards, Wagga Wagga NSW
More coming soon...