Equine Sports Massage Therapy

Massage is the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system - the muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia. These soft tissues are what contract or stretch to initiate or allow movement of the skeleton. Problems in these tissues can lead to reduced movement and reduced function.

Massage sessions

Massage sessions incorporate a range of techniques which aim to relax the tissue, aid the passage of blood and lymph (to allow nutrients to enter and toxins to be eliminated), restore and maintain mobility and treat problems such as muscular tension, soreness and spasms.

Would my horse benefit from a massage?

Every horse is an athlete and every horse is being asked to do something on a daily basis that it was never designed to do - wear tack and carry a rider. Just like us, horses can experience musculoskeletal problems for a variety of reasons, including posture, conformation, injury, training schedule... plus the additional complications of coping with tack and rider. This can lead to pain, stiffness, tension and discomfort which in turn can cause unwanted behaviours, reduced performance, compensatory movement or a decreased range of motion. Just like us, discomfort in one part of the body can lead to the horse adjusting its posture or gait to compensate or protect itself from pain. This can indirectly lead to further muscular tension and discomfort in other areas of the body.

Signs that a horse may benefit from massage therapy include:

  • A sudden change in behaviour
  • Dislikes/objects to being groomed, tacked up, mounted or ridden
  • Bucks, rears or naps when asked to perform a particular task
  • Head tilting
  • Hollowing
  • Struggles to work on a particular rein
  • Difficulty picking up correct canter lead
  • Difficulty in transitions
  • 'Cold-backed'
  • Uneven wear of shoes
  • Muscle asymmetry
  • Short strides
  • Finds lateral work, collection or jumping difficult
  • Unwilling to move forward
  • Stumbling

All horses are doing a job. Just as we would expect our employer to ensure we have suitable tools, training and conditions in which to carry out our work comfortably and effectively, so our horses deserve the same. Regular Equine Sports Massage treatments can help to assess and maintain the physical condition of your horse and ensure they are comfortable and willing in their work. It can help to identify problems at an early stage and to maintain and optimise performance. Many owners also consider massage to be a way to give something back to their hard-working horses as most seem to find it very relaxing.

The benefits of massage include:

  • Increased range of motion
  • Improved stamina
  • Improved behaviour/disposition
  • Increased comfort
  • Enhanced performance
  • Enhanced gait quality
  • Improved circulation and lymphatic drainage
  • Improved muscle tone
  • Reduced muscular spasms, pain, stiffness and discomfort
  • Decreased tactile defensiveness
  • Useful as a routine part of your horse's management to monitor any changes in their musculoskeletal condition and to identify any potential problems at an early stage.
  • Enjoyment! Most horses enjoy a massage treatment and find it relaxing. It is very common for horses to relax their head and neck, close their eyes, yawn and lick and chew during a massage session. Many will lean into the massage movement and move to show the practitioner where they would like to be massaged!

FAQs

How long does a session last?
In order to ensure a thorough and comprehensive assessment and massage treatment I always conduct a consultation, assess the horse's gait and give a full body massage including stretches (as appropriate). At a first visit this will normally take around 2.5 hours. Follow-up sessions usually last for around 2 hours. Ideally sessions should be conducted in a calm and quiet atmosphere free from interruptions.

Can I ride my horse before and after massage?
In most cases, a short period of light exercise immediately after massage is thought to be beneficial in optimising the effects of the massage session. A horse that has already been worked should be allowed time to cool down, drink and graze before any massage treatment.

What about feeding?
Opinions are divided on this issue. Massage is thought to increase blood flow to the skeletal muscles (and therefore away from other parts of the body) and also to activate the part of the nervous system which controls processes such as digestion. Unlike humans, horses have evolved to trickle feed - they eat on the move. However horses did not evolve to eat large meals in one sitting or to eat hard feeds. Therefore, as a precaution I recommend no hard feed either one hour before or after massage. The horse should be allowed access to hay and forage and to water.

One very important point is to avoid feed time - a horse that knows it is always fed at 4pm (or sees the other horses on the yard being fed) is less likely to settle and focus for a massage session at that time.

How long should I leave before a competition?
For an initial session 1 week should be allowed between massage and the next competition. If a massage treatment alleviates muscular tension or soreness this could alter the horse's range of motion and 'way of going'. Both you and your horse will need time to adapt to this - the showground is not the ideal place!

Massage at the showground is not recommended if the horse is not known to the practitioner. Remember acute pain is protective - it tells the body that something is damaged or could be damaged. Massage immediately prior to competing could act as a natural 'painkiller' or analgesic (due to the endogenous opioids released) and lead to the horse injuring himself.

When can't a horse have a massage?
Massage is contra-indicated if the horse is suffering from weight-bearing lameness, acute azoturia, an acute injury less than 7 days old, any undiagnosed condition, any unexplained heat or swelling, elevated vital signs, is lethargic or not eating, is dehydrated or is suffering from a skin condition. If your horse is lame or appears to be ill, call your vet!

Massage should only ever be done with the permission of the horse's vet (this is a legal requirement). Like all physical and complementary therapies, massage is never a substitute for veterinary treatment, it is complementary too it.

*PLEASE NOTE The field of physical therapy (including massage, chiropractic, osteopathy, physiotherapy etc) for horses is unfortunately poorly regulated and terms such as 'veterinary physiotherapist' are not subject to any legal protection or definition. As such, not all practitioners have undergone appropriate training or work with proper insurance. Always ask your practitioner where they trained so that you may check for yourself the rigour and requirements of their course. A properly qualified and insured practitioner will always conduct a thorough consultation and watch your horse move (gait analysis or dynamic observations) prior to every session and will always view your horse's tack at the initial visit. They will only ever work with veterinary permission (a legal requirement). *

Prices

Initial massage session is £40 (approx. 2.5 hours)
Follow-up massage sessions are £32 (approx. 2 hours).

A nominal mileage fee will be applied for locations more than 10 miles from Walmer.

Member of the International Equine Body Worker's Association.