Equine Massage

Equine massage is wonderful for any type of horse whether it is your recreational companion or your competition teammate. Performance horses in particular are going to have muscular pain after a strenuous workout or in preparation for an event. Even your trail horse will experience soreness after a long ride. Regardless of their job, horses are athletes and like any other athlete, horses need proper maintenance so they may perform optimally.

Horses are prey animals. In the wild, horses must hide injury to survive. Because of this, it could be several months before you realize your horse is injured. When a muscle becomes overworked or strained, it causes general stiffness. If left untreated, it can lead to strain on adjacent muscle tissue, fascia, ligaments, tendons, and can even pull the skeleton out of alignment. Muscles that are tight or contracted put pressure on surrounding tissues, causing a decrease in blood circulation, restricted movement, nerve impingement and pain. As a mild injury becomes more irritated, your horse will begin to "guard" the injured area and compensate for the weakness with other muscles, which in turn throws the entire body out of balance.

Muscular tension and pain are the main cause of most equine behavioral problems and performance issues. Causes of muscular problems are overwork, improper conditioning, rider imbalance and ill-fitting tack. It is unrealistic to expect peak performance from a horse that is experiencing pain.

Common muscular problems include:

Resisting or refusing leads
Head and neck discomfort
Shortened strides
Hind leg scuffing
Hip and shoulder lameness
Improper tracking
Girthing problems
Stumbling
Head tossing
Poor disposition
Difficulty with lateral movement
Loss of performance ability

There are so many healthcare treatments available to horse owners today for their equine companion. Each science, from conventional veterinary medicine, farrier science, saddle fitting, chiropractic care, acupuncture, aromatherapy and massage all offer their own unique benefit, yet no single one can address every issue. Massage can bridge the gap between the various healthcare treatments. There are many massage modalities that can be utilized to enhance performance or reduce potential for injury, and those same massage modalities can also help the horse reduce stress, adjust to new living/training situations and to live a more comfortable life.

Benefits of Massage:

Relieves muscle spasm, tension and stiffness
Aides in reduction of pain
Improves disposition
Decreases soft tissue inflammation
Increased range of motion, flexibility and overall gait quality
Improved circulation, aides in healing and repair of injuries
Enhanced performance
Increased stamina and endurance
Enhanced muscle tone and coat
Lessens risk of injury
Removes toxins and metabolic waste
Improved recovery time from workouts and injury


EquiLibrium Therapeutic Massage considers it a professional responsibility to work with your veterinarian and other complementary healthcare providers and understands the importance of working together as a healthcare "team." Massage is never meant to take the place of veterinary care. ETM cannot diagnose nor treat any illness or lameness. If you feel there is a problem with your horse, always consult your veterinarian. Massage should not be a substitution for proper veterinary care, but rather complementary. 

Please have your horse brushed and ready to receive massage prior to my arrival at your facility.