Whether your horse is just getting started, a high performance athlete, a weekend warrior, care and maintenance of your horse’s most important asset—their well functioning body—is paramount. After all, if we’re asking a horse to perform athletic feats, the least we can do is ensure his body is in peak physical condition.
Traditional veterinary medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating medical conditions using medications, procedures and surgeries.
Bodywork complements traditional veterinary medicine through modalities like massage therapy, myofascial release, chiropractics, and acupuncture. The primary goal is often to prevent injury, enhance training and performance, or reduce healing time post-injury. The focus is on improving the structure, muscle function, and overall well-being of the horse’s body.
Body soreness, muscle tension, restricted myofascia, laterality and lack of optimal joint function are very common conditions, suffered by many horses. Chiropractic work can address misaligned joints, while massage with myofascial release can have a profound effect on the muscles and soft tissues around the spine and throughout the body. Research has shown that combining these two therapies together will achieve optimal results.
Since they are so complementary, which should you get first – a Massage or a Chiropractic treatment?
Chiropractors typically advise scheduling a massage a day or so before a chiropractic appointment. This practice eases tight muscles, facilitating smoother and less painful joint adjustments. Relying solely on chiropractic adjustments can be difficult for the horse and can lead to inflammation and soreness, especially if the horse is exceptionally tight or has been misaligned for an extended period. A soothing, muscle-relaxing massage prior to chiropractic work can ease the adjustment process for the horse, lessening the pain and stress of the treatment while aiding in healthy tissue repair. It can also reduce the likelihood of tight muscles returning to bones back to where they were pre-Chiropractic adjustment.
Interestingly, for many horses, a massage can be so effective that they self-adjust post-session, eliminating the need for manual manipulation.
If scheduling a massage before your horse’s chiropractic appointment isn’t possible, arranging for one afterward will still enhance the benefits of the chiropractic adjustments. Massage soothes and supples sore, tight fascia, relaxes muscles, speeds healing, reduces body pain, and promotes longer-lasting adjustments—all of which foster positive transformations in your horse’s physique and training.
What if you can only afford choose to one therapy?
Remember that it’s the muscles that create tensile strength and hold the bones and organs in place. Supple, well balanced muscles are far less likely to pull bones and joints out of optimal alignment.
*It should be noted that training levels for somebody to be able to call themselves an Equine Massage Therapist can differ enormously, from weekend courses(!) through in-depth accredited qualifications from reputable training providers. Please choose yours carefully.
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