"Your horse doesn't care how much you know, until he knows how much you care.
Put your your hand on your horse and your heart in your hand."
- Pat Parelli -
Equine Therapies
The quote above from Pat Parelli also helps describe the intellectual art of equine manual therapies or bodywork. Bodywork is as much about feel, intuition and care for the horse as it is about knowledge of the horse. Using palpation and watching the reactions of your horse, I am able to determine where issues lie and then rectify with the use of various techniques and tools.
Equine Sports & Rehabilitation Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a complementary treatment focussing on the fascia, and the superficial and deep muscle layers to alleviate stiffness and soreness and promote healing.
Massage therapy is a great prevention tool as well as aiding in recovery from injury. The benefits of regular massage include:
- improved circulation and respiration
- improved range of movement, flexibility and fitness
- removal of waste and toxins from the body
- increased muscle tone and condition
- loosening of stiff and aching joints
- creation of energy or relaxation depending on the technique used
- rehabilitation after injury
- release of knots, stress points and tension from muscles, tissue and fascia allowing the skeletal frame to settle into it’s natural state
- improvements in the overall health and wellbeing of your horse!
- support for the immune system
- improved proprioception
- reduced activity of nociceptive pain receptors
I have witnessed the effects of massage on a range of horses from nasal drainage in an asthmatic horse to a favoured limb standing square. It never ceases to amaze me. Your horse will soon settle into the treatment, I generally find that horses appreciate the relief of muscular release and some will work with me leaning into the pressure or adjusting their stance to gain the full benefit of the work.
Your horse's emotional, lifestyle, nutritional, exercise and health routines need to be working correctly to help your horse's body heal, repair and maintain itself. Massage therapy complements these basic requirements and prompts the body to reset itself so it can regain the health and stability of its internal and external systems.
Research shows that massage therapy has a huge benefit for all horses whether retired, leisure or competing.*
*Mike Scott LMT, CSF & Lee Ann Swenson MSc, BSc
Evaluating the Benefits of Equine Massage Therapy: A Review of Evidence & Current Practices
published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Vol 29, Issue 9, September 2009, pages 687-697.
To read the full paper click
here.
"Every horse deserves to live a happy & comfortable life.
It is our responsibility to do our best for them."
- Sarah Wood -
Photobiomodulation
Also known as red light therapy, low level laser therapy or phototherapy. This is good for injuries or stiffness including arthritic joints. It is safe for humans and animals and cannot be overdosed. Just one contraindication, it must never be used if there is any suspicion of a tumour.
Treatment with red light at specific wavelengths increases and strengthens cell renewal by increasing circulation and the formation of new capillaries. These new capillaries speed up the healing process as they can carry more oxygen and nutrients to the injured area and transport waste and toxins away quicker.
Red light therapy activates the release of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is the largest carrier of energy to cells increasing chemical reactions to allow the cells to use nutrients faster and remove waste more efficiently. It also stimulates the production of collagen which can have a positive impact on scar reduction.
Some horses will experience the benefits in one treatment, while others may take up to 3 weeks. It does depend on the injury or the issue, for example, arthritis will require ongoing treatment while a stress point in a muscle can react immediately.
If you are interested in longer term use, please contact me to discuss.
Myofascial Release & Kinetic Chain Therapy
Myofascial Release & Kinetic Chain Therapy is a gentle, hands-on approach that helps release tension and restrictions in the horse’s fascia - the connective tissue that surrounds muscles and joints. By working with the whole body, this therapy improves movement, posture, and performance, while reducing pain or discomfort.
Using Kinetic Chain Therapy, I assess how one area of the body affects others - identifying imbalances and compensations that may lead to stiffness or injury. Together, these techniques support better function, faster recovery, and a happier, more comfortable horse.
Ideal for horses in work, recovering from injury, or just needing a tune-up!
