Equine Sports Massage Application
     
Benefits and Application of Equine Sports Massage
     
Preventative Maintenance
   		 Lessened risk of injury due to fatigue or strain.        
Guidance before, during and after training or competing.
Rehabilitation Following Injury Soft tissues compensating for injuries are addressed.
     
  • Improved gait quality, range of motion and flexibility
  • Improved disposition and stamina
  • Muscles associated with an orthopaedic issue are kept flexible and free of pain
  • Improved circulation
  • Relief of tension
  • Stimulation of waste and toxin elimination
  • Lengthening of connective tissue
  • Improved muscle tone
  • Through passive stretching: allowing for greatest range of movement, reducing strain on tendons and ligaments, maximizing tendon and muscle elasticity, developing a longer stride as shoulders move with greater freedom, improving range of motion in hips and shoulders allowing for easier lateral work, improving flexibility in upper arms thus reducing risk of injury during stressful demands, causing less fatigue as muscles and joints are more flexible, improving circulation to all tissues this requiring less effort during warm-up so energy is conserved for athletic exertion
     
Signs of Muscular Pain
     
Tactile defensiveness:  to the touch or whilst being tacked up, unwilling to move forward, refusing jumps or dropping poles, unable to back up, not tracking up, working with quarters in or out, unable to execute lateral work, changing canter leads behind, not striking off in correct canter lead, unwilling/unable to work up or down inclines or hills, change in disposition, change in eating or sleeping habits...

PLEASE NOTE THAT SPORTS MASSAGE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR VETERINARY ATTENTION: VETERINARY OPINION MUST BE SOUGHT WHEN IN ANY DOUBT.

 
    

 
A Typical Sports Massage Session

The session commences with a full evaluation of the horse to determine how its confirmation might affect its work as well as taking note of any muscular asymmetry.  A basic check of dental health and shoeing progress is carried out as well as an examination of the horse's own saddle.  The horse is then walked and trotted, both along straight lines and on both sides on a circle whilst being lunged.

During the session the horse is massaged from region to region using various palpation and massage techniques.  Passive stretches are applied once the muscle groups have been isolated and softened.
Where areas of sensitivity are noted Stress Point Therapy is applied - this is followed by a cross-fibre friction technique to take out points of muscle spasm.  The whole area is then once again softened before stretching is carried out.
At the end of the session the owner or handler of the horse will be introduced to safe stretching techniques and recommended follow-up exercises which should be carried out on a daily basis.
An individual working programme will be discussed with the owner, detailing specific exercises which will benefit muscle development.  Where necessary it may be recommended that the horse's saddle fit, teeth or shoeing progress are checked by respective specialists.
The session will last anywhere between 60 and 90 minutes, normally hugely enjoyed by the horse who will often reply with a satisfied lick and a sigh!

As veterinary liaison is essential, it is often preferred for the veterinarian to be present when the body worker and owner discuss the progress of the horse. 

By law, Equinology Equine Body Workers have to obtain veterinary permission and/or referral before working on a horse.