Because horses can't talk look to behavior where medical ailment or injury has been ruled out, but may be due to muscle tension or soreness.   Resistance during work such as stiffness to one side; throwing the head; girthiness; touch shyness; a sense of overall tightness in the way of going; or even balking, bucking, or rearing may be signs of muscular tension or soreness which may be relieved by massage.  If in doubt, your Vet can help you decide if massage may benefit your horse. 

Evaluate your horse's workload and consider your expectations.  No matter what sshedule you chose. massage on a schedule is beneficial to your horse and helps you keep on top of any changes in muscle tone or reactivity.  While every horse is different, the following is a guideline for optimal muscular benefit from massage.

Horses in specialized training and/or elite competition are elite athletes:  Equine massage lets you keep on top of any slight tightness, reactivity, or change in their muscular tone as you promote faster recovery for your horse.  Horses that are ridden 5 - 6 days a week on a heavy training schedule or compete or participate in high level activities such as clinics twice a month in any discipline will benefit from massage to aid in quicker recovery from exertion and to keep on top of any muscular tension or reactivity before it becomes a problem.  Equine massage two - four times a month and during competitions is not unusual for these horses.

Horses in moderate training and/or competition are athletes:  Horses that are ridden four to five days a week 30 - 40 minutes or compete or participate in clinics once a month will benefit from massage 1 - 2 times a month  and after  a competition.

Pleasure horses or horses ridden intermittently:  Horses ridden lightly 2 - 4 days a week. These horses benefit from an initial massage and  then massage every 1 -2 months or after a particularly rigorous workout or event. 

Horses coming back from a lay-up or time off:  With your Veterinarian's approval massage can be a benefit to horses coming back from a lay up. These horses benefit from a massage during layup to promote circulation.  About two weeks into work massage is useful to see how they are responding; continue massage  every week or two for two -  three months helps assess the increasing workload.  Once your horse is in a work routine, massage based on need and workload.

Horses on medical lay-up, stall rest, or in rehab:   With your Veterinarian's approval massage is a benefit to  horses in rehab or on layup because it stimulates circulation which helps reduce fluid retention, aids the lymph system in removing toxins, and gets nutrients to tissues.    I will be glad to follow your Vet's instructions for massage during a medical lay-up.

Horses that are very reactive with muscle tension, spasms, and soreness found during massage: A horse's muscles can get very reactive and tight for a variety of reasons which can include  a medical ailment.  I will recommend you touch base with your Veterinarian before proceeding with additional massages if this is the case.  

Most horses respond positively to a full body massage.  It won't surprise me if areas of reactivity and tension correspond with areas where your horse does not like grooming.  Owners often tell me during a massage, "I can't touch my horse there. "  On rare occasions a horse's reaction let's us know it's necessary to take it very slowly so the horse can become accustomed to massage over time.     

When your horse has a fever, an acute injury, is on lay-up for an injury, or coming back from injury or has a cancer...please contact your Vet before requesting a massage.  Your Vet will decide if massage is in the best interest of your horse.

As a certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist I am not qualified to diagnose or treat injuries or illness.  Your Veterinarian is the lead of your medical team and will work with you to diagnose your horse.  There are rare times when I will feel heat, swelling, or a reaction beyond what is generally expected during a massage and will recommend that you contact your VET.  

Yes, you can ride after a massage.  A longer walk warm up is helpful.  Some horses get very sluggish and a very light school may be better than a difficult workout.  In any case, handwalking your horse DIRECTLY AFTER massage is very helpful in maintaining the elasticity in the musclles as they cool.

Winter is a great time to initiate a massage program.  Equine massage is great for warming muscles,  increasing circulation, and maintaining and increasing range of motion in the joints by increasing circulation which aids in the removal of toxins as well as reducing swelling or stocking up.  It also helps to maintain muscle elasticity.   Much like us, horses can become a little stiffer in the colder months.  Equine massage is one element in a successful cold weather training program.

During equine massage it will become apparent which muscles are toned, tight, reactive, or flabby.  This  information guides both under saddle work and a good ground exercise program.  Your trainer is your guide to warm-up, schooling, and cooldown.  Ground exercises  are beneficial to your horse in developing the muscular elasticity, tone, and strength needed to master the under saddle exercises required in your discipline.  Like any athlete, your horse's muscles must remain elastic while building strength and your horse must be able to use the full range of motion in the joints.  Ground exercises allow you to develop your horse's optimal movement and act as cross training exercises for your horse.  Most horses really come to enjoy the exercises.  Check with your Vet before initiating any exercise program for your horse.

Yes!  But if your horse has any joint management issues always check with your Vet first to ensure there are no exercises that your horse shouldn't do.  Once you have the OK, it can be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your horse.  Start very slowly and choose a program with exercises that do not require you to physically manipulate your horse's joints.   An equine massage can provide a baseline to help you understand your horse's muscle tone and tension. 

I use only my hands in a systematic manner designed to promote relaxation and circulation by finding and releasing tension in the muscle's where your horse is tight, exhibits trigger points, or is reactive.

It is always best to begin a massage program before  competition and get an idea of  how the horse responds.  However, there are times when doing the first  massage during competition can make the difference for your horses comfort and performance.