Equine Massage Therapy
Just like humans, horses enjoy and benefit from massage. Have you ever felt that relief when a muscle knot is released through massage? Well, horses can feel that too.
Equine massage therapy is specific massage, aimed at helping both performance and pleasure horses.
In an old, stiff veteran, equine massage can increase his range of motion and generally improve his quality of life. There is some evidence to say that regular massage can decrease arthritic pain.
In contrast a competition horse at the peak of their career can benefit from the calming effects of massage as well as the post-performance recovery that it offers.
Aside from providing comfort and enhancing performance ability, equine massage can also be used alongside veterinary treatment to compliment the recovery of certain injuries.
Keep reading for more information!
- Behavioural changes
- Aversion to being groomed and tacked up, sensitivity to being touched
- Hollowing their back and tensing when saddled, or becoming 'girthy'
- Reluctance to back up
- A shortened forelimb stride, or struggling to 'track up' from behind
- Trouble with straightness, lateral work, and working up/down hills
- Overall stiffness when being asked to bend and soften, a resistance to relax and lower their head into natural carriage
- Reluctance to pick up or maintain a canter, or inability to maintain a correct canter lead
- Refusal to jump, or knocking poles
- Excessive bucking under saddle
- Carrying their tail more to one side
The above can be signs of pain or discomfort, and should be addressed for the well-being of your horse.
Some of the benefits of equine massage therapy have already been mentioned, but here are some areas in which the practice has shown improvement.
When it comes to performance, certain massage techniques can improve the horses' ability to move freely which can increase stride length and confidence moving in different directions, quality of the movement and build overall balance.
A horse's body can become imbalanced due to various causes (age, injury, poor training, ill-fitting tack etc). Massage can help correct these imbalances in order for an effective training programme to be put into place for that needed rehabilitation and whole-horse health.
The overall muscular system can benefit in many ways from massage, including but not limited to, enhanced circulation of the blood and lymphatic system to clear toxins (for example lactic acid), improved overall flexibility, promote good joint health and reduce scarring in the event of injury.
Finally, important psychological and deep physiological effects can take place during a massage session. Some horses enter a state of relaxation. This decreases heart rate and stress hormones in the bloodstream. Studies show that these effects are increased further with relaxing music.
A contraindication is a circumstance in which, in this case, equine massage therapy is inadvisable due to potential risk.
In some cases Rebecca has a duty of care to request that the horse be referred to a vet. A vet will need to give permission for the horse to be massaged should Rebecca notice certain
Contraindications include but are not limited to:
- Discharge from eyes and/or nose. Massage can in fact encourage mucous production.
- Recent injuries. Blood clots can be prevented from forming correctly to close the wound and risks a development of scar tissue. There is also the risk of bacteria being present. If bacteria is present in the wound, a massage (which boosts circulation) can spread the infection round the body.
- Infectious disease. The risk of spreading infection round the body is as relevant to diseases such as strangles, equine influenza, equine herpes as it is to bacterial wound infections. This also applies to irritated skin conditions; which can be fungal, bacterial or viral.
- Neuralgia. Massage to a horse with a neural condition can in some cases be far too intense for them, and exacerbate the condition.
- Respiratory issues. Issues such as allergen based conditions (COPD, asthma) or infection (pnemonia, equine influenza) can be made worse by massage by increasing swelling or spasms within the airways. A horse with laboured breathing should always be investigated before a massage session is considered.
- Dehydration.
- Colic. Massage can interrupt the horses' natural muscle actions and increase spasmodic colic.
- Persistent undiagnosed pain. For obvious reasons, a horse that is in persistent pain without an investigated reason or treatment should be under veterinary consideration.
- Pregnancy. Mares are understandably very protective in some cases, of their babies. Not only this, but massage can redirect the body's circulation to areas which need repair/attention, and take away vital nutrients for the foal's development. For the safety of the mare, foal and massage therapist; massage should be saved for once the foal is born.
Therapies
Massage therapy is a generic term used to describe the physical manipulation of soft tissue in the body, from both the connective layers of fascia to the deeper muscle structures. There are different techniques and methods in order to be able to acheive the best results possible; Rebecca will use a variety of therapies and methods during the session and will continually adjust as needed, each session will be completely tailored to your horses' individual needs. Each technique is designed to find, resolve and aid in the healing of the affected area.
Hands-on Massage
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release
A hands-on massage consists of techniques directly manipulating the skin/fascia/muscles of the horses’ body, each technique being uniquely designed to find, resolve and aid the healing of problems within the muscle structures.
There are a variety of different ways in which this can be done, and while tools such as the Fascial Edge Tool can aid in deeper work, a hands-on approach gives a more direct and accurate feel to the tissue itself and how it responds. Horses will benefit right from the start of the session; from the initial laying on of hands during the palpation to investigate the muscles right through to the actual massage itself. Techniques will involve effleurage, picking-up, wringing, compressions, myofascial release, vibrations/shaking, friction and in sports massage sessions tapotement techniques to warm up muscles.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release
Fascia is a system of connective tissue which encloses and attaches to every part of the body and is extremely sensitive. In its normal, healthy state it appears like a web; relaxed and supple, but when stressed it can get restrictive and painful; creating pain, tension and pressure. Restrictions in the fascia can occur all over the body and at any depth.
Myofascial Release Therapy is a hands-on technique which targets the fascia gently to carefully work out the restrictions, restoring normal motion and function. Myofascial release is a very gentle therapy and best results are achieved through slow, gentle work. Horses will often display a variety of physical and emotional releases when these techniques are used.
Mobilisations
Myofascial Release
Mobilisations
Mobilisations are a repetitive technique that focus on gently increasing and restoring normal range of motion, stretching connective tissues and free the natural movement mostly in the joints. They are used first to assess range of motion and mobility and secondly to aid in the treatment of such areas.
These passive mobilisations are gentle and non-invasive, and will always be tailored to your horses’ individual flexibility and tension levels. Some mobilisations can be given out to be done between appointments, in order for owners to be able to help keep horses limber and flexible.
Trigger Point
Trigger Point
Mobilisations
Trigger points are origin areas of soreness or muscle knots which can, when pressured, cause a good deal of pain. They are often caused by overwork, lack of rest and muscle fatigue. They can also be caused by restlessness and boredom, particularly in a box-resting horse, which triggers the same muscular reaction.
Trigger point therapy is to be conducted after hands-on massage therapy to loosen muscles and warm the area. Gentle pressure is then applied at the origin point or muscle knot and held until there is a distinct relaxation of the muscle tissue. Chronic trigger points may require a little more time before the pressure is released.
Trigger point therapy is always used in tandem with other techniques.
Stretches
Trigger Point
COMING SOON
Have you ever seen a horse do a ‘downward dog’? Horses are very good at stretching themselves and will take care of their muscles in this way, usually in the field or the stable after getting up.
Common stretches include lateral/flexion/extension of the neck, extension/flexion/rotation of the shoulder, fetlock stretch, extension/flexion of the hip, hamstring stretch, and tail stretches.
If stretches are completed, they will always be done at the end of the session when the muscles are warm and prepared to handle stretches – to conduct them before muscles are properly warm can risk damage to tendons, ligaments and muscles. It is always advisable to use caution when performing stretches to avoid over-stretching and Rebecca advises against using food such as carrots as an incentive, as horses can and will push themselves past their limits to get that tasty treat!
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Trigger Point
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Craniosacral Therapy.
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Redlight Therapy.
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Heat Therapy.
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Kinesiology Taping.
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