What is Equine Sports Massage Therapy?
Equine Sports Massage is the practical application of "muscle integration therapy" a hands on, non invasive, theraputic technique that is used with great success on horses.
There are several circumstances where Equine Sports Massage Therapy can really make a difference.
* Pre-event
* Post-event
* Recovery from illness/injury
* Maintenance
Over 60% of a horses body weight is muscle. The elastic properties of a tendon are around 10%. Therefore, 90% of elasticity must come from the associated muscle.
A muscle is a band of fibres that stretch and contract. Every time a muscle is worked it is subjected to "knotting up" that will affect the range of movement of the muscle.
Muscle tightening does not remain in an isolated area. If one group of muscles tighten the next group will be affected and so on..............
Knots cause the entire muscle to spasm and feel tight. This can cause the horse to feel anything from mild discomfort to real pain.
As horses cannot speak they use other ways to show they may be in discomfort or pain. Resistance may be used in various forms such as stiffness, lack of bend, going hollow, short, choppy or uneven strides, changing leads in canter, bucking, rearing, pulling, rushing at fences, stumbling, cold backed, dislike of being saddled / girthed and increased agitation.
Through massage, knots and adhesions are broken up by using various strokes to allow oxygen and blood flow to return to the muscles in greater volume. Stress is relieved and the horse is able to utilise its muscle function to full extent.
Remember - if a muscle isn't working for you, its working against you!
Equine Sports Massage Therapy can benefit all types of horses and ponies from top competition to happy hackers, veterans, youngstock and those recovering from illness/injury
* Veterinary permission must be obtained before massage.
* Please note that Equine Sports Massage Therapy is not a substitute for Veterinary care.
Tel: 01323 843903
Mob: 07984 182332