Equine massage can transform a horse and should be done regularly to keep the muscles and fascia supple, healthy and functioning correctly and keep your horse comfortable in their own skin.
Regular massage helps horses to work in a happy, healthy and balanced way by:
- Releasing tension
- Reducing pain/discomfort
- Increasing range of movement
- Improving gait
- Reducing asymmetry
- Improving posture
- Improving circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Relaxation
- Improving stamina
- Reducing tactile defence
- Improving general wellbeing
- Improving general performance
Tension within the mind and body can have many causes but if it is not acknowledged or treated will lead to physical compensations for example taking more weight on one shoulder, swinging one hind leg further forwards than the other, raising their head when asked for a certain movement etc and over time these compensations will become habitual and cause asymmetries in the body and movement which over time will ultimately result in some degree of lameness.
Some undesirable behaviours can be improved or even eliminated with massage (it is not a substitute for correct training or riding and any undiagnosed or persistent lameness should receive veterinary advice).
Some ridden behaviours which can be improved with massage include:
- Gait abnormalities
- Lead strike off and change problems
- Cantering on three tracks
- Poor collection
- Balance problems
- Tracking up
- Lateral work
Each treatment will include a full body massage specific to your horse, pressure used will be horse led as some like it soft while others like it a little firmer. Stretches will be performed as appropriate (provided there are no contraindications) and mobilisation exercises (carrot stretches) can also be demonstrated.
Photizo Vetcare is a non-invasive treatment tool for numerous acute and chronic conditions using red and infrared light and can now be incorporated into massage treatments as required. Photizo has a huge range of benefits including speeding up the healing of wounds and injuries and drug-free pain relief.
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hayesequinesportsmassage.co.uk 