Equine Massage

Massage is a wonderful tool to help improve your horse’s gait, performance, flexibility and range of motion…

I am a fully qualified Equine Body Worker and in the full body Equine Massage session your horse will receive around 1.5 hours of therapeutic massage, including trigger point work and stretches. Included is:

An initial consultation and assessment
Approximately 90 minutes of equine massage and stretches
Aftercare advice and followup recommendations

I also offer a shorter 30 minute massage session that is included as part of the Equine Chiropractic Treatment.

Areas covered in UK: Worcestershire and surrounding counties.

Signs Your Horse May Need an Equine Massage Session

Horses cannot say to you if they are in pain or discomfort so if your horse shows any of these signs massage can be beneficial:

Better on one rein than the other
Reduced performance
Struggles to find the correct canter lead
Started bucking or rearing
Cold backed when tacking up or mounting
Irritability when being groomed
Head tilt or lack of poll flexion
Holds tail to one side
Uneven stride length
High head carriage and/or head shaking

Choosing an Equine Massage Practitioner

I am insured and fully qualified to treat your horse with a Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Manipulation and also completed an equine sports massage course, certified by the EEBWA and am a fully qualified Equine Body Worker.

Benefits of Equine Sports Massage

Relaxation
Assessing physical condition
Improving gait, performance, flexibility and range of motion
Improve muscle tone and relieve muscle spasm
Improves circulation
Prevents and relieves adhesions and scar tissue
Improved elasticity of tissues

All Equine Massage Appointments Start with an Evaluation

Review of Your Horse’s Health History

As a fully insured and qualified Equine Body Worker, I always work with veterinary permission. Either you as the owner or your vet will have filled out my Veterinary Permission Form. This includes any relevant medical history for your horse.

You can also explain to me the problems your horse has been having, their symptoms, and any other relevant information.

Professional Evaluation Including Gait Analysis

I will assess your horse visually looking at their conformation, physical condition and how they move. I will ask you to walk and trot your horse on a level surface so I can observe their gait.I may also ask you to turn your horse in some tight circles on both reins. I’m also happy for you to ride or lunge your horse if this is where they are exhibiting abnormal behaviour or gait.

Thorough Physical Examination

After the gait analysis I will feel along their spine, pelvis, joints, and musculoskeletal structure. I am looking for any abnormalities such as stiffness, spasms, muscle pain or tension, and any asymmetries.

Included in the Equine Massage Session

90 Minute Massage Session

A regular session with me includes approximately 90 minutes of massage and stretching. I will check each muscle and work on any areas of tension found. I will also perform trigger point work and guide your horse through a series of stretches.

Follow-Up Recommendations and Aftercare

Each case is unique, so I develop individualised programs of treatments that are most beneficial for your horse. Typically, there is a series of treatments until your horse has fully recovered and then a maintenance program will be devised and your horse should receive regular massage sessions.

I will give you some aftercare to do with your horse. This may include management advice, exercises, specific massage and stretches. Please try your best to follow the aftercare I give you as it will ensure your horse gets the most out of their session and that they will improve more quickly.

What to Expect After the Massage Session

Your horse may drink more water after a massage. This is because toxins such as lactic acid are released in the blood and need flushing out.

Your horse will feel relaxed and sleepy. They should be worked gently the next day.

Long term improvements can sometimes take several sessions to achieve.

The effectiveness of massage varies due to the nature of the problem, how long your horse has had the issue, any underlying conditions and the age of your horse. Aftercare should be followed to gain maximum benefit and a program of treatments will be devised with you so keep your horse in top condition.

Prevention is better than a cure and animals should continue to have treatments even if there are no outward signs of discomfort.

Book an Equine Sports Massage