Do You And / Or Your Horse Need a Massage?

Why sports massage?

Horses are over 60% muscle compared to us at just 28-58%. We then ask the horse to complete unnatural movements. This can leave the horse with a lot of muscle tension and cause ‘problem’ areas or behavioural issues.

Equine sports massage looks at the horse as a whole not just as ‘problem areas’. This is because no muscle works independently but in chains called the Dorsal (extensors) and Ventral (flexors). During the massage the focus will be on not only relieving pain, but also locating and treating spasms or restrictions. By treating these it will not only relieve pain but will also help prevent future injuries.

If your horse is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, sports massage could be the key:

• Bucking/ rearing/ napping
• Refusals or hitting jumps
• Change in behaviour
• Stiffness
• Preference on one rein
• Difficulty picking up correct canter lead
• Grumpy when tacked up
• Loss of performance
• Loss of muscle tone
• Reluctance to engage the hind end

Before treatment:

Before the treatment I require veterinary permission, so either download the form vet-consent or I can send you a form for completion to be returned to myself.

Please have your horse clean and dry, preferably in a dry area ready for treatment. Please also do not cover your horse in coat shine as makes it very difficult to massage!

The first treatment will include an initial consultation, taking a brief history of lifestyle and diet. Along with a postural assessment.

When should I have a massage?
Like exercise itself, your benefits are cumulative, meaning the more regularly you receive a massage, the more you’ll reap their advantages.  Think of it as preventative maintenance.  That being said, know that the benefits are often short-lived and part of the reason why it is a cumulative action.  It is suggested when in a high level of exercise or have a specific issue, massage should be sought at least every two weeks.