Why Massage?

v     Increase flexibility & joint movement, add fluidity
v     Increase circulation, preventing stress build up & injury
v     Reduce post exercise soreness & quicken muscular recovery
v     Improve coordination & stride length
v     Release muscular tension & contained contractions
v     Heal and help prevent muscular pain & discomfort
v     Improve mental attitude, awareness and focus
v     Relax the nervous, anxious horse
 v     Create a bond between horse & rider

You can’t always protect your horse from muscular pain or discomfort, but you can minimize occurrences.

However, by closely monitoring your horse you can lessen the degree of discomfort and hopefully avoid the pain leading to behavioral/training issues.

Signs & Symptoms Of Muscular Pain & Discomfort

 v     Tail swishing
v     Ear pinning
v     Foot stamping/raising a leg in defiance
v     Head shaking
v     Teeth grinding
v     Nipping or biting (or threatening to do so)
v     Kicking out
v     Muscle twitching when touched
v     Extreme temperature fluctuations along the muscle
v     Resisting in work – such as refusal to go forward or difficulty to bend in both directions.
v     Bucking,  rearing or striking out

Every horse could use a massage, but every horse needs proper  veterinary care.  If you suspect something serious - please contact your trusted vet for advice first.

Questions Regarding Your Horse

v     Has your horse ever resisted bridling, saddling or girthing?
v     Has your horse ever become sour to grooming?
v     Has your horse ever been reluctant to pick up the trot, or canter?
v     Has your horse ever had difficulty bending in either direction?
v     Has your horse ever had difficulty standing on 3 legs for the farrier/trimmer?

Before you answer NO to any one of these questions, think back about any sort of clue your horse may have been giving you that perhaps you didn’t pick up on.

For instance, did your horse ever pin his ears when you were grooming/saddling/bridling/girthing?

Did your horse turn his head and give you ‘that’ look of annoyance?

Did your horse shake his head and swish his tail during the ride when you asked for a different direction or gait?

Our horses are constantly talking to us without words; we just need to be more prepared with how to listen to them. Far too often these clues go unnoticed, and then the issues become behavioral because the horse has refused to go forward, or refused to be caught or has bitten/kicked or struck out at someone.