Massage Therapy and Its Benefits
By: H. Lynette Partridge-Schneider

During a recent seminar taught at Trinity Hill Farms in Jerseyville, Illinois, many asked about the benefits of massage therapy and how can I see it is working on my horse. Other questions included benefits of stretches and how can I help my horse in between massages. Knowing many may have some of the same questions, it is my hope to answer the questions and concerns here.

What Is Equine Sports Massage Therapy?

Recent reports discuss that the most common cause of poor performance in any athlete, human or equine, is due to problems with the musculoskeletal system (muscles and skeleton). As with human athletes, the horse is an athlete with a large portion of its body, over 60% that is the musculoskeletal system. Movement is controlled by this system, yet the musculoskeletal system is the most overlooked when issues come up. The muscles do not show up on radiograph or on many other tests.

It does not matter how much your horse is worth. If the horse is not moving as it should or showing behavior problems, the horse's value is greatly decreased.
Equine Sports Massage Therapy is the only therapy specifically designed to prepare the muscles for exercise. Massage aids in warming up the muscles and increasing circulation to the muscles and joints. By doing massage and stretching routines, freedom of motion is increased.

Don't assume that muscle problems will take care of themselves. They don't. Most injuries that are a direct result of muscle strain are the result of cumulative strains. Muscle issues build up for weeks before a trauma will occur. When the trauma occurs, it limits the horse in mind, body or both.

Does your horse do or show signs of the following?

• Dislikes being groomed
• Prefer one rein
• Show lateral stiffness
• Reluctant to canter on one lead
• Hollow backed
• High headed
• Head shaking
• Bucking
• Cold backed with tacked up
• Lack of poll flexion and bend
• Head tilting
• Have an uneven stride length
• Holding the tail to one side
• Excessive rolling
• Girthing problems
• Stumbling
• Poor Disposition
• Loss of Performance Ability
  

These are all signs of pain and discomfort and should be investigated further by a practioner.

The problems are seen and a massage is recommended. As a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, I incorporate many non-invasive modalities into each treatment. These modalities include by not limited to neuromuscular deep tissue massage, trigger point, acupressure, reiki as well as other modalities that fit an individual case. Each horse is assessed for posture and gait imbalances. Notations are made on the patient sheet to establish a baseline to measure results. Treatments are kept in the owner's/horse's file so progress can be studied. The whole horse is taken into account, not just bits and pieces of the horse.

Massage Benefits include:

Injury Treatment:

Equine Massage is particularly effective in treatment of injuries. Properly and consistently applied, it reduces the time required for soft tissue injury. Massages can aide in rehabilitation as well as help in support muscles and tissues surrounding a fracture.

Equine Massage and therapies can be effective in treating swelling, muscle spasms, scar tissue, strains, sprains, and general trauma.

Additionally, massages can improve an equine's circulation and muscle tone. It is helpful in relieving pain in animals with osteoarthritis and other areas of inflammation because the massage stimulates the brain to release proteins that are natural pain-killers. Massages can help lessen inflammation, swelling and pain in joints.

Equine Massage has many other benefits including:

• Relaxes muscle spasms
• Improves muscle tone
• Reduces congestion within blood and lymph vessels
• Stimulates and relaxes the nervous system
• Increases excretion of fluids
• Increases the exchange of substance between cells
• Encourages tissue repair
• Helps maintain flexibility
• Reduces inflammation of tissue in joints as well as enhances nutritional aspects
• Prevents the formation of adhesions and fibrous bands in the muscles, tendons and ligaments
• Increases intestinal movement
• Stimulates glands
• Helps clean pores
  

If your horse has shown any of the above problems or you want to add good health maintenance routines to your horses care, you can give you horse an Equine Massage. If your horse has chronic, long term muscular problems, one massage will help. A series of massage treatments may be required to address all of the problems. Usually, positive results are seen after the first massage with increased flexibility and movement. Performance and over all disposition should also improve with the treatment schedule. The second and additional follow-up treatments will be in one to two week intervals. Eventually, the horse will be on a maintenance plan that is every 6-8 weeks or as needed. The schedule is dependent on the performance level of the horse and what athletic performance is being asked.

How long does the massage last and what is a general schedule of treatment:

• Optimally, at least one hour is required to address the full body. An hour and a half (or longer) is ideal if there is a chronic condition or acute injury.
• For pre-show or event, schedule one to two days before the actual event.
• For recovery, schedule one to two days after a hard workout or event.
• For injury, consider at least 2-3 sessions no more than a week apart, depending on severity and acuity.
• For prevention & maintenance, at least once per 6 weeks
• One can't have too many massages, you can determine with your equine massage therapist the appropriate interval for your horse's individual needs and your pocketbook.
  

A common question by owners is "What can I do in between treatments to help my horse?"

After exertion, no matter if it is a weekend trail ride or performance classes, massages can minimize stiffness and speeds repair of tissue damaged by physical stress and fatigue. Passive stretches can help to restore joints and muscles to full working order.

Passive stretches are performed off the horse with a hands-on approach. The owner moves the horse's limbs through its entire range of movement. Stretches can cause injury if not done properly. Lunge the horse as part of the warm-up before stretching with a walk, trot and canter for at least 10-15 minutes. If using stretches as part of a cool-down, do the stretches within 30 minutes of the completion of the ride or performance exercise.

In my booklet, "Stretching Your Horse, A guide for the horse owner", are listed the general rules for doing stretches with your horse.

General Instructions:

• When lifting the horses legs, use your entire body, not just your back
• Hold the horse's leg throughout the full extension or flexing exercise. Do not bounce the leg.
• If the horse holds the leg in position where it is placed, the stretch is well within the horse's capabilities and flexibility
• If the horse moves his leg backward or away from the stretch. The horse is uncomfortable and the horse is letting you know this stretch is beyond his capabilities and flexibility. (This can be improved on as the routine is continued and repeated before each workout program).
• Hold all exercises for a count of five (5)Basic Stretches include:
  • Carrot stretches for the poll, neck and shoulder areas
  • Stretching the front legs to open up the shoulder and girth areas
  • Lifting the back to open the spine
  • Stretching the back legs to open up the croup and rear areas
    

A stretching routine as part of the overall maintenance program can also benefit your horse in many ways. Benefits include reduced tension and stiffness, increased elasticity and flexibility as well as improved coordination and stride length. The biggest benefit is the connection the owner and horse gain from working together through the stretching routine.

Over time, massages can help resolve behavioral problems. Massages are beneficial as part of the bonding process, especially for young horses or previously abused horses, allowing the horse to accept handling more readily. When a horse feels comfortable within their own body, spending more time with their owners is a more positive experience.

To learn more about equine stretches and the benefits of equine massage and treatments, contact Lynette at (618)979-3192, email questions to QREquineUnltd@aol.com and check out her website www.quailridgequine.com