Why massage

Indications: which horses can benefit

With over 60% of a horse’s body weight being muscle, I believe every horse can benefit from some sort of massage and bodywork. Just by the very nature of being a horse, they all have a history of kicks, bites, falls and accidents. As small as these everyday occurrences might seem, they do have an effect on the overall well being and performance of the horse. A swift kick from another horse can be enough to cause an adhesion as the muscle repairs and heals itself. The adhesions limit the smooth movement of the muscles as they glide over one another, causing muscle imbalance and tension.

If there is a history of more traumatic injury, the horse will not only have physical limitations as a result, but very well may have emotional memories associated with the trauma as well. They may remain sensitive in that area long after the trauma has healed.

No matter what the muscle injury may be, a compensation pattern develops as the horse begins to use its body in a new way in order to avoid the pain and protect the injured area. This is when flexibility is lost, bucking begins, leads become difficult and personalities shift. The horse who has suddenly become cranky is a prime candidate for bodywork.

We all have an innate ability to heal, sometimes we just need a little help to open channels and facilitate that healing flow. Acupressure and other energy modalities will often help in getting these channels flowing freely again, as well as addressing any emotional residual. By using different strokes and techniques, massage addresses any adhesions and soft tissue restrictions, creating a chemical reaction within the tissues to soften and lengthen them. With the channels open, the muscles lengthened and softened, the horse’s muscular system is able to begin rebalancing. This is the time to begin working the horse, helping them to restore proper muscle use and work out of any compensation pattern.