About Equine Sports Massage
Equine sports massage requires veterinary consent prior to initial session, and Rachel can work along side your vet to support musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation, as well as working as part of a multi-skilled team such as your farrier, saddler, dentist, trainer, chiropractor etc.
Equine sports massage is based on Swedish massage techniques but also includes, where appropriate: passive and active stretches, joint mobilizations, hot or cold therapy, assessment of core muscle recruitment and strength.
Equine sports massage can be used: to assess and improve / maintain a horse's musculoskeletal system; relieve musculoskeletal conditions; prepare for competition; recover from competition; during / following injury (where appropriate).
Examples when equine sports massage can be beneficial:
Back pain or cold backs
Changes in behaviour or performance
Ridden problems such as bucking, preference to one rein, difficulty in transitions or maintaining gait, stiffness, shoulders falling in, difficulty with self carriage, difficulty warming up
Mental or physical tension
Musculoskeletal injury or chronic condition, such as kissing spine, sacroilliac disease, lameness
Box rest or restricted exercise
Conformation fault
Recovery following competition
Rider has an injury or physical limitation which may affect the horse
Back pain or cold backs
Changes in behaviour or performance
Ridden problems such as bucking, preference to one rein, difficulty in transitions or maintaining gait, stiffness, shoulders falling in, difficulty with self carriage, difficulty warming up
Mental or physical tension
Musculoskeletal injury or chronic condition, such as kissing spine, sacroilliac disease, lameness
Box rest or restricted exercise
Conformation fault
Recovery following competition
Rider has an injury or physical limitation which may affect the horse
Benefits of equine sports massage:
Assesses and relieves musculoskeletal conditions such as: tension, pain, back pain, spasm, strain, over use injury, restricted range of movement etc
Assesses and mobilizes joints
Assesses and activates core strength and posture
Reduces the risk of soft tissue injuries
Promotes relaxation of mind and body
Removes lactic acid from muscles which causes fatigue
Promotes drainage of lymph and its waste products, from the muscle
Boosts the blood circulation
Increases the horse’s range of movement
Improves co-ordination and balance
Resolves muscle imbalances, improving strength and suppleness
Improves jumping ability
Reduces crookedness / asymmetry / onesidedness and promotes straightness
Supports healing of soft tissue injuries, reduces healing time, aids recovery
Removes lactic acid from the muscles
Prevents complications following injury, such as muscle wastage, compensatory tension, excessive scar tissue
Supports recovery following competition
Assesses and relieves musculoskeletal conditions such as: tension, pain, back pain, spasm, strain, over use injury, restricted range of movement etc
Assesses and mobilizes joints
Assesses and activates core strength and posture
Reduces the risk of soft tissue injuries
Promotes relaxation of mind and body
Removes lactic acid from muscles which causes fatigue
Promotes drainage of lymph and its waste products, from the muscle
Boosts the blood circulation
Increases the horse’s range of movement
Improves co-ordination and balance
Resolves muscle imbalances, improving strength and suppleness
Improves jumping ability
Reduces crookedness / asymmetry / onesidedness and promotes straightness
Supports healing of soft tissue injuries, reduces healing time, aids recovery
Removes lactic acid from the muscles
Prevents complications following injury, such as muscle wastage, compensatory tension, excessive scar tissue
Supports recovery following competition
