Horse Massage

Rachel Eve hormasgonewild

ajmassagemanual 099

Back exercises

	Horse Massage
	Horse massage focuses on helping the horse obtain optimum performance. Rachel provides quality treatment that pinpoints a horse's weakness, areas of discomfort and then works to bring the body back to balance. The techniques used are: massage, manipulation, stretching, TENS machine, red and infrared light treatment, pain point scanner, saddle fitting, nutritional and shoeing advice. Every horse suffers varying degrees of pain and discomfort at some stage and horse massage can help. When a horse is sore, some horse's become difficult to ride or handle, some develop temperament change and others do not reach their potential. Sometimes people are not in tune with the horse enough to know something is painful and needs massage. Often people interpret the horse's behavior as being down right naughty and in a lot of cases they work the horse even harder to try and over come the problem. There fore extra stress causes trauma to the injured area, further vertebrae locking and more compensation patterns. Most horses will suffer from a sore back in their life time, some more often than others. Riders must become more aware of the horses body and learn to identify a potential problem, before it leads to injury. Horses are willing by nature and generally do not misbehave unless man has interfered with them. When a horse is naughty or refuses what you ask, stop and think. Is he in pain or is there a problem with my training system.

Benefits of Horse Massage

Increases performance, gait quality, flexibility and range of movement

Breaking down of adhesions and muscle knots can restore movement to the area. If a horse is protecting a sore muscle, his movement will change. The horse will begin to move uneven. Anytime a part of a muscle in a group is not functioning correctly, the other muscles around the area will have to work harder. These muscles start to fatigue and put some of the work load onto other muscles. After a while the muscles cannot take the extra work load. The area will injure further or shut down completely. Massage will identify these problems.

Increases circulation

When a spasm has formed there may be little or no circulation running through it. Lack of movement in the affected area will slow down the blood flow through the area which can increase the congestion and add to the problem. The stroking techniques of massage and range of movement exercises have a pumping effect which stimulates the circulation of blood.

Elimination of toxins and debris

Range of movement exercises flush out debris and toxins from the tissues into the blood stream. This is then carried away for elimination via the urine, skin or respiration.

Relieves muscle tension and stiffness

Speeds up the recovery time from injury or hard training sessions. If the horse is feeling fit and well, we will achieve more progress and strength gains. The number of difficult training days will reduce. Every day your horse is stiff and sore, is not a productive day. Without horse massage it may take longer to warm up and produce good quality work.

Encourages relaxation

This is the main aim of the horse massage

Identifies over use problems and prevents injury

Over use problems develop in parts of the system that are put under greater strain or repetitive use compared to the rest of the system. For example - tight shoulders can lead to tight tendons.

As riders and owners there are times when you may ask yourself,

"Does My Horse Have a Problem or Experiencing Discomfort?"

If in doubt get your horse checked out. If there is nothing wrong with your horse, there is no charge.

Times When I Should get My Horse Checked Out

after the winter months when there is lots of mud. Due to mud, horses walk in a different way which puts strain on there body, especially the back and shoulder muscles.
after a period of lameness due to a stone bruise or joint pain/strain.
after an accident, even if the horse appears normal. In some cases it can take a few weeks before symptoms surface.
under a badly fitting saddle.
at the end of the season before you turn the horse out. Insures that the horse is pain free and can have a good holiday.
when the ground is hard a horse can jar up and become sore in the muscles.

VISUAL SIGNS

nervous look in the eye, or a look of pain.
unusual behaviour.
suddenley difficult to catch.

rub marks from the saddle
cannot put on weight, (pain or digestion problem)
loss of condition, (pain).
temperment change.
weight loss - this may be a restriction in the poll or jaw.
swelling on the back and withers after riding.
rub marks on the hair at the back of the saddle, especially in the winter,(saddle may be too wide and rocking around on the back).

STANDING
resting the same leg all the time.
does your horse snarl and lay back his ears when he sees you coming with your favourite saddle ?
standing with the feet out the front and out the back.
when urinating, one back leg when stretching out behind or weight on the toe not the heel.
biting when the girth is done up - (check the saddle fit)
difficulty doing a belly lift, (thoracic lift, run pen under the tummy to see if the back will lift up.
muscle tying up problems.
difficulty picking up a back leg - (also check selenium levels)

Uneven hindquarters, high on the right hand side

IN MOTION
starts out stiff and frees up with movement.
difficulty walking up and down hills, (Check saddle fit and that gullet place is secure).
shaking the withers - (check the saddle and cover fit)
bucking, (spring grass or pain).
rearing or doing half rears and spinning in a circle.
coming behind and above the bit.
feeling like you are not sitting straight in the saddle.
stumbling in front and behind.
reluctant to back up or cannot back up, (check for stifle pain)
head tilting - (check the teeth).
difficulty bending in one direction or at all.
changing leads behind in canter especially on a circle,(pelvis or inside hindleg pain, shoeing levels out).
not wanting to pick up the correct canter lead.
wanting to go with a low head carriage most of the time.
going on the forehand.
hollowing the back when riding or a cold back.
not going forward, especially on one rein.
lameness.
uneven gait or shortened stride.
problem lengthening and shortening of stride.
falling in on a circle, (tight inside back muscles).
falling outwards on a circle.
jaw tension, munching on the bit - (check the teeth).
not rolling in the paddock or not rolling all the way over.
have a high head carriage or an over developed ewe neck. The head raises in order to hollow his sore back.
over reach or strike the heels with his hind shoes.
starts his ride calmly but becomes agitated as ride proceeds.
resists flexion to one or both sides, as the saddle panels are too close to his spine.
cold backed, back sinks when mounting.
does not want to pick up canter leads both ways.
stretching front legs out in front when saddled or girthed.

JUMPING
jumping flat.
refusing or running out.
jumping with the head up.
chipping in at the jumps.