What to Expect

When I arrive at your yard, I will take a full history (workload and clinical) and carry out both a static and a dynamic assessment of your horse.  The static assessment is a visual assessment during which I will be looking at your horse’s conformation and posture.  I will also be looking for any signs of tension, muscle atrophy (wastage) or hypertrophy (over-use) together with uneven hoof/shoe wear.  During the dynamic assessment (I will need to see your horse walking in hand and, if safe to do so, trotted too) I will be looking at your horse’s gait, muscle symmetry and muscle usage.  If your  horse/pony is in work, I will also undertake a ridden assessment.

The assessments will be followed by a run through, during which I will be feeling for any areas of tightness, trigger or stress points, inflammation or spasms.  I will also be observing your horse’s reactions, as these will give me invaluable feedback and will help me to identify areas of discomfort.

Provided I’m able to continue (please refer to the "Contraindications" section), the assessment and run through will be followed by a massage and, if appropriate, passive and active stretches.   

During the massage I will use some, or all, of the following techniques:

Effleurage: this is a smooth, continuous slow stroke which is used at the start of the massage, during the massage and at the end of the massage.  Effleurage warms up the horse’s muscles, enhances lymphatic drainage, relaxes the horse and initiates a natural opiate release which provides some pain relief.   It also increases the blood supply, stimulates nerves, facilitates cleansing of the skin, relaxes muscle fibres, reduces muscle tension, promotes the flow of blood and lymph to and from the area being worked, and stimulates sebaceous glands softening the skin.  Effleurage is great for helping to calm a nervous horse, and if your horse hasn’t been introduced to massage before, the first session may consist only of effleurage which will help your horse become accustomed to massage.

Petrissage: this is a compression technique which is used to lift tissue from or press tissue against supporting structures, at the same time as compressing the tissue through squeezing or rubbing.  This technique constricts and then releases the blood vessels which supply the tissue, which in turn washes the area with fresh arterial blood.  Petrissage increases circulation (which leads to an increased supply of nutrients and oxygen to the muscle), softens superficial fascia, decreases muscle tension, restores mobility by decreasing adhesions, promotes the flow of tissue fluids, reduces swelling and resolves inflammation.  

Tapotement: this is a percussion technique which is used to stimulate tissue and help maintain muscle tone. It increases local blood circulation, warms and softens underlying tissues, stimulates nerve endings (which produces tiny muscular contractions) which increases overall muscle tone.  It also helps to reduce fatty deposits.

Friction: this is used to break down adhesions and scar tissue, mobilise adhered tissue and stimulate repair to chronic recurring injury.  In this technique tissues are pressed against a supporting surface by way of a repeated rubbing action.  The aim of friction is to irritate the target tissue to initiate the healing response.  It also helps to break down fatty deposits and eliminate accumulated waste products.

In addition to the above techniques, an Equine Sports Massage Therapist may also use direct pressure on stress points or trigger points.  Stress points are an area where muscle tissue has been replaced by fibrous scar tissue, and trigger points are fibrous bands of tissue, an area lacking in blood, a small area of spasm or a build-up of toxins.  

Sessions may also include red light therapy, myofascial release techniques (to include cranial techniques), positional releases, muscle energy techniques, mobilisations and kinesiology taping.  I am also a first degree Reiki practitioner and I may, if required, utilise energy work during the session.   PLEASE NOTE: I may make an additional charge for kinesiology taping due to the cost of the tape (I use Equi-Tape and VetKin tape).

Once I have completed the massage I may finish off with passive and active stretches. However, this will depend upon the horse’s physical condition and whether it has any mobility issues which may be contraindicated for stretches.  

I may leave you with some stretches and/or mobilisations to do with your horse between sessions (I will show you how to do these and I will ensure that both you and your horse are comfortable with them), and I will also leave you with homework / a plan and any recommendations which I may have.

PLEASE NOTE:  The appointment will take between 2 and 2.5 hours and this is reflected in the price.