Equine Sports Massage Therapy
Approximately 60 - 90 minutes.
All massage services consist of a full body massage performed at your
location.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
- Enhances muscle tone
- Reduces inflammation and swelling in joints,
thereby alleviating pain
- Increases the flow of nutrients to the muscles
- Stimulates circulation and releases endorphins
- Helps to maintain the whole body in better physical condition
- Eases muscle spasms
- Increases synovial fluid in joints
- Lengthens connective tissue
- Generally improves the disposition of the animal
Why Massage?
The moving parts of the equine body were designed to
move freely and without pain. All too often the loss of this free motion is
the result of muscle tightening which has developed from repeated strains
and exertions. The other contributing factors of age, nervousness, overuse
and residual effects of injury further compound the issue.
60% of your horse’s body weight is muscle. The muscle system is the system
responsible for motion. A problem in the muscle system will therefore restrict
motion. Maximum function and comfort in the muscle system will result in the
greatest motion possible. The increase in circulation that is achieved with
massage is invaluable to the motion of the horse.
We all want the maximum effort from our horse. If a muscle is not
functioning to it’s maximum, then neither will the horse. Further, the
muscle that is not working for you then will actively work against you. What
began as a small issue, with continued stress, can become a significant
injury. A muscle that cannot function properly because of this tightening
will pull or tear. Massage will find these tightening muscles and work to
restore them to full function. Regular massage will help to prevent the
initial muscle tension.
Muscle soreness can be the result of injury, structural imbalance, over
stretching or over use/misuse. Muscle problems are cumulative. If a problem
exists in one area, the horse will have to compensate by tensing up and/or
using other muscle to protect the injured muscle. Any number of secondary
problems can then occur which will in turn compromise movement.
Other issues in the joints and feet may cause secondary muscle problems.
If these problems are not addressed, they will remain a factor even after
the other issues are resolved. Again, massage is beneficial throughout the
healing process.
Regular massage can aid in the prevention of these issues. Once a problem
exists, massage helps to break up the tight knots of adhering muscle fibers
which restrict full muscle extension. Massage will find any damaged or
potentially compromised area of muscle and restore it to improved function.
