Equine Sports Massage
When humans feel pain in their muscles or tightness in certain areas of their bodies they will often visit a massage therapist, who will work to loosen the muscle and to assist in its healing. Horses are also have a variety of muscles, but cannot tell us when they are experiencing some discomfort, therefore injured muscles are only noticed when horses start to display a change in demeanor, are afflicted by constant lameness or perform poorly. Equine sports massage treatment can assist horsemen in keeping their horses in the best possible shape and prevent muscle injuries before they become more serious.
Equine sports massage treatment can be used on any horse, may it be a pony, family horse, competition horse or racing horse. It can only help them. Many establishments are now offering courses to trainers, owners and everyone involved in the equestrian industry, to give them the added skill of being able to massage their horses and improve their wellbeing. The treatment can be used before and after competition, during training or on regular bases, depending on the horse’s needs. Horses that have been placed on a restricted working schedule or rest due to injury can benefit greatly from equine sports massage treatment.
If horses have wasted muscles, the treatment can help them to build up those muscles again. It also strengthens muscles, prevents the onset of atrophy and helps to prevent tissue damage and stiffness after a strenuous workout. Other positive attributes to the treatment is that it improves circulation and movement, relaxes any muscle spasms, enhances a horse’s muscle tone and can help to restore muscles and even joints to their full capacity. A full evaluation and massage therapy session takes approximately sixty to ninety minutes to complete, and according to a horse’s response, a follow up session might be needed. Physical stress and fatigue can also lead to muscle injuries and horses should be watched closely for signs of pain and discomfort, such as change in behavior, eating patterns, difficulty when tacking up, unwillingness to work, disunited movement and being stiff to one reign.
Equine sport massage courses are informative and educational, helping many professionals such as equine chiropractors, veterinarians, trainers and physiotherapists to enhance their work and provide them with additional skills to aid their horses. It not only builds a healthy and strong horse, but also strengthens the bond between humans and horses.
