Why Does Your Horse Require Equine Sports Massage Right Now?

Why Does Your Horse Require Equine Sports Massage Right Now?

Horses are amazing runners, but they are also prone to injury. Your horse requires equestrian sports massage right away to avoid injury, minimize stiffness, and help in recuperation.

Horses are composed of 60% muscle. They just utilize 16 muscles to move their ears. We have the distinct advantage of being able to work intimately with and ride these incredible creatures, providing us with a unique insight into whether there is stiffness, reluctance, or imbalance. Unfortunately, by the time you notice this, your horse is in desperate need of muscular relaxation. Behavioral issues are sometimes caused by your horse alerting you to pain or discomfort before the signs manifest physically. Regular sports massage treatments are the best thing any horse owner can do to prevent these behavioral and physical issues.

The areas of tension in your horse can be caused by a variety of reasons, including breed, shape, muscular tone, and discipline. Both show jumpers and hunters, in my opinion, have the highest stress on their forehead, neck, shoulder, and hind legs. Tension in the polls, anterior pectorals, obliques, and gluteus muscles is more common in dressage horses.

Another thing to consider is that some horses are inherently highly stressed. Their muscular tension frequently manifests itself in behavioral issues or seemingly random spooking. Stress in horses is never good and can result in significant harm. The key is to be proactive.

Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapists (ESMT), have worked on a range of high-level performance horses in a variety of disciplines, including Olympic show jumpers, eventers, barrel racers, and Triple Crown race winners. Sports massage can provide a horse a competitive advantage by boosting flexibility and muscular tone, but massage treatment is beneficial to all horses regardless of discipline or training schedule.

Equine sports massage employs the therapist’s hands, fingers, and elbows to target muscle tension and tapping points in the horse. We sense the strain in our bodies and respond appropriately. Touch is the most vital and powerful aspect. We use soft tissue manipulation to release muscles, joints, and tendons, enhance blood flow and lymphatic function, and alleviate tension. Sports massage is utilized in all aspects of activity, including warm-up and cool-down, general maintenance, pre- and post-competition, and injury or rehabilitation of both working athletes and pets.

The Advantages of Equine Sports Massage

Massage Can Help With Behavioral and Physical Issues

Slight Responses:

Strong Reactions:

Nickers, sneezing, coughing, whinnying, and walking away. Passing urine, feces, striking kneeling (Yoga Stretch), shaking, or body shake.

Initial Assessment:

Some horses are tougher and can readily conceal their suffering. Other horses are more sensitive and require a gentler touch. When massage therapists introduce themselves and do their initial examination, they will know exactly what is required. They frequently find that when a horse first receives a massage, they are quite stiff, prone to wandering away and attempting to bite or kick. Horses are starting a new relationship, and they’re letting them know where they’re uncomfortable. By the end of the session, the therapist wants to have received few to no reactions. The horse frequently finds the next session much easier. Therapists are getting to know them better and building on the last massage.

How Long Do Equine Sports Massage Sessions Last?

Initial examinations typically last between an hour and an hour and a half. It is beneficial to have your horse in a somewhat clean stall. To understand more about the horse, therapists first chat with the owner or trainer. This allows them to concentrate on the session. This also allows them to take their time introducing themselves to the pet.

When massage therapist works with a horse on a regular basis, they notice that they require less time to relieve stress. However, this is dependent on the horse and its personality. Some of the horses require 45 minutes to relieve all of their stress.

Following the Massage

Unlike chiropractic work, there is no recovery time. After a lesson, a therapist recommends hand walking, turnout, or even moderate riding to allow the muscles to stretch and release tension. Massage provides instant advantages that, when utilized on a daily basis, can help to avoid a variety of ailments and aid in self-healing. To create a comprehensive health program, a therapist frequently collaborates with veterinarians, chiropractors, and acupuncturists.

When Should My Horse Be Massaged?

We tailor our treatments to the customer since each of our horses has a unique muscular tone as well as personality. The following are some broad strokes

Personality:

 Every horse, as you are aware, is unique. Some seem serene and unflappable, while others appear tense and eerie. Anxiety can create muscular tension, but in many cases, muscle tension is the source of anxiety.

Exercise Plan:

Horses who are ridden more than three times per week or compete on a regular basis will benefit from a massage every two weeks. Pleasure horses, on the other hand, may be seen once every four weeks on average.

Health:

To avoid difficulties, horses on stall rest or recuperating from injury should be massaged 1-2 times each week. Some issues that sports massage might help avoid include colic, anxiousness, and stocking up.

Veterinary treatment is supplemented by their work as equestrian sports massage therapists. Massage therapists do not diagnose or treat sickness; if you have any concerns about your horse’s health, please consult your veterinarian first. Please keep in mind that there are presently no guidelines for horse massage providers. Find a massage therapist that is both trained and insured to care for your horse. Your horse will appreciate it, and the advantages are unrivaled.