What is Equine Massage?
Equine Massage Therapy uses a wide range of massage techniques and strokes to stimulate blood flow to different areas of the body, encouraging blood flow and bringing in oxygen and other nutrients. At the same time, removing lactic acid build up and eliminating other metabolic waste from the body. This encourages muscles to heal if injured and healthy muscles stay flexible and pain free.
During the massage, soft tissue is manipulated with the goal of loosening tight muscles, joints, tendons, scar tissue, increasing blood flow and lymphatic activity and reducing stress.
Equine Massage can be a one time treat for you horse, used as part of the rehabilitation after an injury or just as regular maintenance to keep your horse in the best shape possible.
Why does my Horse need a Massage?
Many owners like to treat their horse to a regular massage or a one off massage.
There can also be a number of reasons a horse may need a massage and they are pretty good at telling us when they are sore, with signs of discomfort such as:
- Bucking, rearing, napping, bolting
- Behaviour problems
- Girthing issues, reluctance to be tacked up
- Performance issues
- Trouble getting the correct canter lead
- Head tossing
- Difficulty catching a normally well behaved horse
All of the above may be signs of restrictions in your horse’s muscles and fascia that are causing discomfort and pain. This can make them use their body differently and over compensate in some cases which may even present as lameness.
Massage therapy does not replace correct exercise, management and veterinary care but is a valuable complementary treatment.
