Calendar of Events - New England Dressage Association

Dressage horses work hard, and as riders, you are often the first to notice when something just doesn’t feel quite right—maybe a stiffness, unevenness, or a change in attitude. This is the time we should take action to support our horses. In this talk, Dr. Fred Nostrant will explain how acupuncture and chiropractic therapies can help support comfort, soundness, and ease of movement in the dressage horse.

Using clear, real-world examples, Dr. Nostrant will break down how these therapies work, when they’re most useful, and how they fit alongside regular veterinary care, training, and farriery. The focus will be on helping riders recognize subtle signs of discomfort and understand how addressing small issues early can help keep horses feeling good and enjoying their work.

This session is designed to give riders a better understanding of what these therapies can (and can’t) do, and how they can be thoughtfully incorporated into a horse’s regular care to help keep them comfortable, happy, and performing at their best.

Speaker TBA, save the date!

The NEDA Know How webinar series runs every Thursday evening from 7:30pm-8:30pm in January, February, and March. NEDA members can access previously recorded sessions under the "multimedia" dropdown in their member portal.

Session facilitated by NEDA's Director of Competitions, Kari Cincotta.

The NEDA Know How webinar series runs every Thursday evening from 7:30pm-8:30pm in January, February, and March. NEDA members can access previously recorded sessions under the "multimedia" dropdown in their member portal.

Laurian Pope is an equine and human bodyworker specializing in Myofascial Release and Craniosacral Release. A lifetime horse enthusiast, Laurian has spent nearly three decades both in and out of the saddle, amassing horsemanship skills that lend themselves to success in her bodywork practice. Those skills, combined with numerous professional certifications and an innate calming energy, allow Laurian to excel in her field, where her paramount goal is to help horses and riders feel their absolute best.

Laurian serves horses and riders of all levels and disciplines, from the grassroots through upper level competitors. Laurian is comfortable working with all genders, breeds, personalities, and collaborates with clients to help them achieve their best through bodywork. 

Laurian believes that if we take the time to listen and treat our bodies, and that of our equine partners, the result is the ability to spend more time doing what we love and less time fighting with a restricted form.  
Laurian has competed through Preliminary level Eventing, and is a member of both Norfolk Hunt (MA) and Aiken Hounds (SC). Through her time eventing and foxhunting, Laurian learned how a flexible and balanced system can greatly improve the performance and quality of life of our equine partners. With this innate understanding of both human and equine kinesthetics, she decided to become a bodyworker for horses and riders.

Laurian’s transition from equestrian to bodyworker began when she met her mentor, Sharon Taylor, a renowned Equine Physical Therapist in the New England area. After two years of shadowing Sharon, Laurian became certified in Equine Manual Therapy. Additional accreditation was achieved at Cortiva Institute for Massage Therapy. Upon completion, Laurian became a licensed therapist for humans in both Massachusetts and South Carolina. In 2013, Laurian received her National Certification, after which she started her business, Freedom of Movement, which has grown exponentially ever since. Laurian has a tireless commitment to continuing education—she is constantly furthering her human and equine bodywork education through all available modalities. She most recently completed her expert level Myofascial Release certification in October of 2023.

The NEDA Know How webinar series runs every Thursday evening from 7:30pm-8:30pm in January, February, and March. NEDA members can access previously recorded sessions under the "multimedia" dropdown in their member portal.