Equine Massage
"Hands are not for hurting but should always be used to better our world." - Timothy Pina
massage therapy for horses
About 60% of your horse is made up of muscle. Horses have adapted over time to carry the weight of a rider on their backs, but they can become tired and worn out and their muscles can become sore. As horse owners, it is us who have the responsibility providing care, so they can perform their daily tasks and activities as comfortably as possible.
Proper alignment and balance means a heathy animal with lower rates of injury, lameness, or chronic problems. This isn’t just about relaxation. It’s about support for the body as a whole. Everything begins in the muscle.
It’s all about the muscles. If muscles are atrophied or have adhesions, they do not stabilize the vertebrae or allow for proper movement.
Therapeutic massage focuses on making sure the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia are without adhesions and knots, keeping them supple for proper stabilization, and preventing pulls and injuries. Muscles that are properly aligned and stabilized can then support the vertebrae properly, resulting in increased straightness, performance, and long-term wellness. No matter the life stage, workload or discipline; your horse will benefit from bodywork. Benefits Include: 1. Increased FlexibilityAs horses age or experience physical problems or injuries, their flexibility may be compromised. Equine massage is positive as it can reduce muscle fatigue, inflammation, or tightness. Through stretching and massage techniques, equine massage ensures correct muscle alignment and improves the elasticity of the muscles. As a result, the flexibility of your horse is improved.
2. Massage Helps Tackle Psychological IssuesIf your horse is timid, fearful, or aggressive, massage can help relieve these problems. Many timid horses are fearful of touch or human interaction. Equine massage can help relieve these problems by slowly teaching a horse trust and gentle touch. Massage is a great way to bond with a difficult horse and will often be recommended by vets.
3. Aids Muscle RecoveryEquine massage is a fantastic way to aid muscle recovery. Massage will free the body from fatigue and cramp, as well as improving the access of oxygen to rich blood cells to help replenish the depleted stores and help repair any torn fibres.
Equine massage therapy is one of the most effective methods to use when encouraging muscle repair, swelling and fluid reduction, and healing after injury or illness. It is effective because massage warms up the muscles and helps improve blood flow through the body, helping to speed up recovery.
4. Massage Can Find the ProblemEquine massage is an effective way of finding the identifying the problem areas in a horse’s body. A professional equine massage therapist can be an extreme help to a vet, by finding the issue and then agreeing an effective treatment plan with your vet.
5. Equine Massage Provides Pain ReliefAs we all know, massage encourages the release of endorphins and this rush of positive hormones can help relieve pain. However, this pain relief is only temporary, and a more long-term solution should be sought-after. Horses in the following categories also greatly benefit from massage:SeniorsCushingsLyme Disease - reduces swelling, pain, inflammation Arthritis - reduces inflammatory process, relieves painKissing Spine - relieves pain in areas (typically legs and hind end) compensating for back painNavicular DiseaseStall Rest - prevents stocking up, stiff and sore muscles from prolonged immobility (post surgical or illness)Newly rehomed horses - decreases the stress and tension a new move createsHorses that have been trailered over long distances Increased Benefits When Used In Conjunction With Chiropractic and/or AcupunctureEquine massage can have a profound effect on the nervous system of the horse. Some of the benefits of equine massage therapy, to name just a few, are pain relief, stimulation of the motor nerves, relief from restlessness and sleep disturbance, and improved proprioception. Massage is also thought to help calm nervous horses or horses in unfamiliar surroundings and/or stressful conditions.
From the moment the equine massage practitioner initiates touch, he/she is sending messages to the horses nervous system through the skin. The nervous system communicates using electrical signals, which travel throughout the body.
Equine massage can also be used to cause the body to release endorphins, which aide in pain relief and a sense of well-being. This can also have a direct effect on the hypothalmus, which controls the ANS (autonomic nervous system). Pain, stress and emotional experiences are all known to affect hypothalmic activity, and hence the ANS. Therefore, if pain is reduced, the body is under less stress, and this can lead to positive chemical changes within the body.
As well as the numerous physiological benefits to the nervous system listed above, equine massage can also improve circulation, hair coat and muscle tone; improve recovery time from workouts; increase flexibility; aide in the recovery from injury; reduce the chance for future injury; support the immune system; and not to mention that it just down right feels good!
It’s all about the muscles. If muscles are atrophied or have adhesions, they do not stabilize the vertebrae or allow for proper movement.
Therapeutic massage focuses on making sure the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia are without adhesions and knots, keeping them supple for proper stabilization, and preventing pulls and injuries. Muscles that are properly aligned and stabilized can then support the vertebrae properly, resulting in increased straightness, performance, and long-term wellness. No matter the life stage, workload or discipline; your horse will benefit from bodywork. Benefits Include: 1. Increased FlexibilityAs horses age or experience physical problems or injuries, their flexibility may be compromised. Equine massage is positive as it can reduce muscle fatigue, inflammation, or tightness. Through stretching and massage techniques, equine massage ensures correct muscle alignment and improves the elasticity of the muscles. As a result, the flexibility of your horse is improved.
2. Massage Helps Tackle Psychological IssuesIf your horse is timid, fearful, or aggressive, massage can help relieve these problems. Many timid horses are fearful of touch or human interaction. Equine massage can help relieve these problems by slowly teaching a horse trust and gentle touch. Massage is a great way to bond with a difficult horse and will often be recommended by vets.
3. Aids Muscle RecoveryEquine massage is a fantastic way to aid muscle recovery. Massage will free the body from fatigue and cramp, as well as improving the access of oxygen to rich blood cells to help replenish the depleted stores and help repair any torn fibres.
Equine massage therapy is one of the most effective methods to use when encouraging muscle repair, swelling and fluid reduction, and healing after injury or illness. It is effective because massage warms up the muscles and helps improve blood flow through the body, helping to speed up recovery.
4. Massage Can Find the ProblemEquine massage is an effective way of finding the identifying the problem areas in a horse’s body. A professional equine massage therapist can be an extreme help to a vet, by finding the issue and then agreeing an effective treatment plan with your vet.
5. Equine Massage Provides Pain ReliefAs we all know, massage encourages the release of endorphins and this rush of positive hormones can help relieve pain. However, this pain relief is only temporary, and a more long-term solution should be sought-after. Horses in the following categories also greatly benefit from massage:SeniorsCushingsLyme Disease - reduces swelling, pain, inflammation Arthritis - reduces inflammatory process, relieves painKissing Spine - relieves pain in areas (typically legs and hind end) compensating for back painNavicular DiseaseStall Rest - prevents stocking up, stiff and sore muscles from prolonged immobility (post surgical or illness)Newly rehomed horses - decreases the stress and tension a new move createsHorses that have been trailered over long distances Increased Benefits When Used In Conjunction With Chiropractic and/or AcupunctureEquine massage can have a profound effect on the nervous system of the horse. Some of the benefits of equine massage therapy, to name just a few, are pain relief, stimulation of the motor nerves, relief from restlessness and sleep disturbance, and improved proprioception. Massage is also thought to help calm nervous horses or horses in unfamiliar surroundings and/or stressful conditions.
From the moment the equine massage practitioner initiates touch, he/she is sending messages to the horses nervous system through the skin. The nervous system communicates using electrical signals, which travel throughout the body.
Equine massage can also be used to cause the body to release endorphins, which aide in pain relief and a sense of well-being. This can also have a direct effect on the hypothalmus, which controls the ANS (autonomic nervous system). Pain, stress and emotional experiences are all known to affect hypothalmic activity, and hence the ANS. Therefore, if pain is reduced, the body is under less stress, and this can lead to positive chemical changes within the body.
As well as the numerous physiological benefits to the nervous system listed above, equine massage can also improve circulation, hair coat and muscle tone; improve recovery time from workouts; increase flexibility; aide in the recovery from injury; reduce the chance for future injury; support the immune system; and not to mention that it just down right feels good!
Disclaimer: Equine massage is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you have a medical concern, please contact your veterinarian.