EQUINE SPORTS
MASSAGE THERAPY
I am obsessed with all things horse ( and rider) and my passion for the body and how it works has grown to me now offering Equine Sports Massage.
I am a fully qualified, and insured Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT) as well as a full member of the International Association of Animal Therapists available to treat your horse. Working with the goal of ‘supporting the horse and rider’.
So what is Equine Sports Massage?
Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of soft body tissues, muscle, connective tissue, fascia, tendons, and ligaments to enhance health and well-being. It involves manually working on the horse’s body with pressure, structured or unstructured, stationary, moving, tension, motion, or vibration.
As a massage therapist I work to reduce pain, improve movement or as part of a maintenance fitness/general health programme - massage is of benefit to horses at a very stage from top competitors, happy hackers and retired golden oldies.
In competitive or working animals, massage may be used as an intrinsic part of the development of your horse. Helping to minimise the risk of injury and optimise performance and potential.
Some key benefits are;
- Reduces stiffness
- Aids relaxation physically and mentally
- Increases circulation
- Increases flexibility
- Increases suppleness
- Reduces tension / spasms
- Increases range of motion
- Helps improve muscle tone
- Naturally releases opiates into the system
- Stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest state)
- Increase blood flow to muscles
- Reducing the formation of scare tissue
By analysing and assessing posture, movement, and skeletal function, Equine Massage Therapists can help develop holistic treatment plans alongside veterinary treatment. These can often be accompanied by exercise and rehabilitation programs.
FAQ
How often can my horse have a sports massage?
As often as you like - but it’s most commonly 2-8 weekly. A massage at any time will make your horse feel much better.
Should my horse still see other body work professionals?
It’s your choice, but all professionals should work together for the wider benefit of the equine, so sports massage can be added alongside other body work such as Osteopathy, Chiropractic & Physiotherapy.
Do I need veterinary consent ?
No - for routine maintenance visits.
Yes - if the horse is under veterinary care for any specific conditions, or sports massage has been recommended as a wider holistic treatment for a veterinary condition.
What should I expect before and during the treatment?
Before - I will take down a range of information, including information on your vet, saddler, coach, farrier along with some information about the horses general health and lifestyle. If veterinary consent is needed I will obtain this then.
Before I arrive to you - Just double check your horse is generality in good health and prepared for treatment.
During the visit - each visit / treatment the duration can vary, but ranges between 45 mins and 90 mins. You should be prepared to walk and trot up your horse and ensure they are clean and dry and a suitable area available to treat the horse, stables, a suitable area on the yard/ filed are fine’ Think about yourself going for a nice massage and what you’d like, your horse will probably benefit from the same, calm relaxed environment. While performing the treatment, I generally focus on the horse, so forgive me if I chat to them more than you. Treatment will largely be hands on using a variation of techniques that suite your horse, light touch can be hugely impactful, on some occasions a heat pad and massage tools can be used to assist the treatment, every therapist works differently and each massage could be very different from the previous.
At the end of the visit- on some occasions I may make suggestions on after care, follow up treatments and may even some leave you some stretches to work on with your horse.
Can my pregnant mare be massaged ?
No - sorry I can not massage pregnant mares or those with foals at foot.
My horse has just been out on a sponsored ride or at an event where they have worked very hard, when can they have a treatment ?
Generally 72 hours after high levels of exertion - to let the body reset before the massage then delivers its additional support for the body.
My horses is currently suffering from long term lameness can they be treated?
Only with veterinary consent, unfortunately I can’t not treat horses that appear lame.
My horse suffers from EMS, Cushings, or another metabolic issue or CPL, chorionic progressive lymphoedema, can they be massaged?
Only with veterinary consent.
Equine massage services in the West Midlands, discounts available for 3 or more horses at the same location.
Treatment Price is £45, this includes travel of up to 15 miles from my based location (Stourbridge). To book or confirm if any additional travel is required please email at derryvm.equestrian@gmail.com or telephone me on 07971599909