Equine Massage Therapy is the application of specific kneading and locating techniques in order to promote increased circulation, ease muscle tension, release spasms, and increase range of motion in horses.

Sixty percent of a horse’s total body weight is muscle, to say the least. Every aspect of the horse is significantly affected by this muscular system.

A muscle may become damaged due to overuse, overstretch, overload, or a direct blow. The result is, at first, tightening,

followed by the development of a spasm (a group of muscle fibers held in contraction). Because muscle is a soft tissue, the problem will not show up on x-rays and may be difficult to pin point and locate. Without being able to locate a problem, it is hard to diagnose and treat. If the problem goes untreated the spasm will become aggravated and will begin to add more fibers to itself, causing pressure and pain. As a result, it cannot accommodate the movement placed upon it and may pull or tear.

A small bit of knotted muscle tissue (spasm), no bigger than the end of your finger, can cause a particular muscle and it’s connecting joint to function improperly. At this stage one may not see any visible signs of a problem but gone untreated, it could be detrimental to the entire muscular system.

Each individual muscle has a particular task. When a muscle is damaged it cannot perform its proper function. Other muscles must compromise their own function to compensate for the damaged area.

Massage addresses the problems caused by these spasms by breaking up the individual fibers, allowing the muscle to perform its original function taking the stress off the compensating muscles. As a result, pain is relieved and motion is restored.

•Increased circulation promoting more rapid healing of injuries •Assists in balancing the body by treating it as a whole •Reduces swelling and inflammation in the joints, alleviating pain •Increases metabolism and the flow of nutrients while eliminating toxins and wastes •Releasing of Endorphins - natural painkillers •Helps maintain the WHOLE body in better physical condition •Prevents the formation of scarred tissue •Generally improves the horse’s disposition Massage should only be performed by a trained and certified massage therapist. When performed correctly, it can never do harm, only good.

• Changes in gait fluidity • Hollow back/ resistance to collection • Unexplained lameness • Body/skin soreness while brushing and tacking up • Problems picking up the correct lead • Irritability • Head tossing • “Over-reaching” • Flipping the tongue over the bit • Unexplained behavioral changes And much more…