Natasha Hayakawa
Qualified equine bodyworker and independent nutrition consultant
Based on the NSW Central Coast and servicing the Central Coast and Hunter regions, I’m Natasha Hayakawa, founder of Equine Hands.
My approach starts with looking at the whole horse. Movement, behaviour, workload, nutrition, environment and history can all contribute to how a horse feels and performs, and understanding how those pieces fit together is an important part of my work.
Through Equine Hands, I combine qualified equine bodywork with independent, evidence-based nutrition advice to provide practical support for horses across a wide range of ages, breeds and disciplines.
My bodywork approach combines functional movement assessment with hands-on soft tissue and myofascial techniques, joint mobilisation, stretching and other appropriate modalities to identify areas of tension and restriction and support comfortable, functional movement.
My nutrition consultations take a forage-first, whole-diet approach, considering pasture and forage alongside feeds, supplements, workload, life stage, body condition and individual requirements. As an independent consultant, my recommendations are based on the needs of the horse rather than affiliation with a particular feed or supplement company.
I hold a Bachelor of Equine Science from Charles Sturt University and am a qualified Equinology® Equine Body Worker (EEBW). I am fully insured and a member of the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT).
My Equine Science studies covered a broad range of areas, with those particularly relevant to my work including equine nutrition, pasture evaluation, anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, rehabilitation, welfare and behaviour. My research interests have included mycotoxins, laminitis and gastrointestinal health, and I continue to build on this foundation through ongoing professional development.
This has included:
Kinesio-taping (Vetkin)
Sharon May-Davis Equine Anatomy Clinic (2022)
At the heart of Equine Hands is a simple principle: listen to the horse, look at the whole picture, and use evidence and practical assessment to guide what comes next.
It’s all connected.
