Equine Massage
Equestrian Massage
(Equestrian Sports Massage) Massage can improve the physical and mental health of humans in a variety of different ways. Evidence supports the fact that massage treatments have been utilized for at least 3000 years. Through many medical models, massage techniques have evolved and become quite varied today. Thankfully, humans have generously extended their treatments to their animal friends. For those animals involved in sports and in work forces, mainly the horses, massage can be a very valuable experience and effective aid in preventing injury and assisting the healing process. Horses engage in a variety of very strenuous activities. Even a horse that is not competing or working can be subject to injuries as a result of their very nature. Horses love to run and play and actively do so socially. As an equestrian and a horse trainer, I have witnessed horses injure themselves by rolling into walls, running down hills and playing with one another. One day a horse may be perfectly fine, the next day the horse may have an injury that will keep them from being worked for weeks. Typically, when one is getting ready to use a horse they go through a ‘grooming’ process. Grooming involves palpating the horse for any sore spots, sensitive areas or obvious injuries. Next, the horse is brushed down and cleaned to prepare the horse for riding. In the event that any injury is detected, the injury will be treated and the horse won’t be ridden. Most riders go through the grooming process and leave it at that. Some riders don’t groom at all. The importance of this simple stage alone cannot be overemphasized, as the horse is incapable of communicating any injuries other than to limp. Equestrian Massage starts where grooming left off. From that point, a person performing a massage on a horse will proceed with a series of strokes that greatly resembles the strokes used in a general massage. The difference being that the pressure is slightly
(Equestrian Sports Massage) Massage can improve the physical and mental health of humans in a variety of different ways. Evidence supports the fact that massage treatments have been utilized for at least 3000 years. Through many medical models, massage techniques have evolved and become quite varied today. Thankfully, humans have generously extended their treatments to their animal friends. For those animals involved in sports and in work forces, mainly the horses, massage can be a very valuable experience and effective aid in preventing injury and assisting the healing process. Horses engage in a variety of very strenuous activities. Even a horse that is not competing or working can be subject to injuries as a result of their very nature. Horses love to run and play and actively do so socially. As an equestrian and a horse trainer, I have witnessed horses injure themselves by rolling into walls, running down hills and playing with one another. One day a horse may be perfectly fine, the next day the horse may have an injury that will keep them from being worked for weeks. Typically, when one is getting ready to use a horse they go through a ‘grooming’ process. Grooming involves palpating the horse for any sore spots, sensitive areas or obvious injuries. Next, the horse is brushed down and cleaned to prepare the horse for riding. In the event that any injury is detected, the injury will be treated and the horse won’t be ridden. Most riders go through the grooming process and leave it at that. Some riders don’t groom at all. The importance of this simple stage alone cannot be overemphasized, as the horse is incapable of communicating any injuries other than to limp. Equestrian Massage starts where grooming left off. From that point, a person performing a massage on a horse will proceed with a series of strokes that greatly resembles the strokes used in a general massage. The difference being that the pressure is slightly
Cited: "Benefits Of Equine Massage Therapy." Benefits Of Equine Massage Therapy Natural Horse Care Equine Bodywork Exercises Natural Remedies For Horses How To Use Essential Oils For Horses Healing Your Horse Naturally Equine Massage Tips WordPress Services For The Horse Business Equine Web Design With WordPress RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2013. "Contraindication For Equine Massage Therapy." Contraindication For Equine Massage Therapy. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2013. "Equine Massage Therapy Basic Movements." Equine Massage Therapy Basic Movements. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 July 2013. "Welcome to Equine Sports Massage." Welcome to Equine Sports Massage. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2013.