Equine Massage
-
Massage Can Reduce the Risk of Tendon Injuries
Tendons are the less supple and elastic extension of the muscle that anchors the muscle to the bone. Tight, tense or fatigued muscles add stress to the tendon, greatly raising the risk of injury. Massage can improve the health and function…
-
Trust: One of the Main Guidelines During Massage and Bodywork
“Trying to earn the horse’s trust must always be one of the main training guidelines.” – Alois Podhajsky, the director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria as well as an Olympic medal-winner in dressage. Trying to earn the horse’s…
-
Understanding Ulcers: How Massage Can Play a Role in Post Ulcer Performance
Equine gastric ulcers are fairly common in horses. According to studies, up to 90% of racehorses and up to 60% of other performance horses may develop gastric ulcers at some point in their lives. They can affect any horse at any…
-
Supporting EPM Recovery with Massage
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, known as EPM, attacks the horse’s central nervous system and causes inflammation and damage to the brain and/or spinal cord. This damage can cause abnormal gaits, lameness, incordination, stiff or stilted movements, weakness, muscle atrophy, paralysis, loss of…
-
Understanding Massage and Fascia
Fascia is the biological fabric that holds us, and our horses, together. It’s a thin, tough connective tissue found between layers of muscle fibers, around and between muscles, around organs, joints, tendons and bones. It’s all connected in a giant web…
-
The Benefits Of Massage For Your Older Horses
Modern care has improved so much that many horses are now able to enjoy a productive career well into their late teens and 20s and then to go on to a long and happy retirement. I even know of an OTTB…
-
The Benefits of a Warm Up that Includes Massage
The easier it is for your horse to move freely and in good balance, the more capable it will be of doing what you ask it to do, and of doing it well. Exercise and the physical activity of the horse…
-
Enhancing Equine Wellness: Weight Management and Massage
Weight management is an important part of caring for your horse. An overweight horse is at risk for a number of heath issues, including but not limited to; Your vet can help you come up with a healthy weight management plan…
-
Fasciculations/Muscle Twitches
A fasciculation, or muscle twitch, is a spontaneous, involuntary muscle contraction and relaxation, involving fine muscle fibers. You may be able to feel a fasciculation that is too subtle or deep to see. Active trigger points can create a local twitch…
-
Regular Massage Can Prevent Injury
Regular massage therapy can help to prevent injury by identifying and addressing areas of muscle tension or imbalance before they become a problem. Here’s how: A massage therapist may observe your horse’s posture, gait, and movement, looking for weakness, tension or…