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| What's Involved In a massage session I will work around the horse from head to toe working over the muscles, locating and isolating areas of restriction and discomfort. Pain indicators can be found in forms such as muscle tension, spasms and a sensitivity to touch.
Combining sports massage and myofascial release, along with stretches enables me to achieve optimum results!
A massage session usually involves:
- Horses full case history is taken.
- Static evaluation of the horse followed by palpative evaluation to locate any areas of sensitivity, heat, swelling, atrophy, tension.
- Dynamic evaluation of the horse to view the horses movement and changes of gait. Checking for lameness and to observe the level of lameness if present.
- During the massage I work around the horse from head to toe working over the muscles, locating and isolating areas of restriction and discomfort. Problem areas can be found in forms such as; muscle tension, spasms, lesions and a sensitivity to touch. I release these discomforts using the sports massage and myofascial release, depending on what is found these can be used either together or separately. Most pain indicators can be reduced and removed with just the myofascial release - it produces fantastic results!
- Appropriate stretches are applied to achieve optimum results.
- Dynamic evaluation is done again after the massage to review the horses movement; to evaluate if there are changes.
- I will discuss through the findings of the session and explain the work done and techniques used. The horses work regime can be discussed, advise given if needed and exercises if relevant. Stretches that would benefit the horses can be shown to the owner to do as follow up care as well.
It is recommended that horses have at least 1 day of rest after a massage.
Prior to treating any horse I will always liaise with the owners veterinary practice to notify them that I will treating the horse and discuss any medical history that is deemed relevant prior to treating the horse.
Available For Demos!
Kate can also be booked to hold informative demonstrations.
A typical demo would involve the following:
- Showing a painted horse; this is when I draw the muscles onto the horse with chalk (see photo at top of page.) This is a really good way to give people an insight of how the horse is put together.
- Using the painted horse I would talk through the main muscles, what they do etc. How the rider can affect the horse, pain indicators, main muscles that are affected by ridden work. Highlight common problems area's dependent on the horses discipline.
- Then show the horse in motion and see the muscles working and then ideally we would see the horse ridden to show the difference of when a rider is on board.
- Background to sports massage, why and how horses benefit from it, the improvements that it can give.
- Importance of properly fitted tack, correct shoeing and regular dentistry and how these can all affect the horses movement and comfort.
- Q & A at the end.
If you are interested in hosting a demo with me or finding out more about it, then please call me on 07808 329 812.
Kate Campbell, EBW - 07808 329 812 Email: | |
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