2. Can I ride or work my horse before the massage?
No. It is best for the horse's muscles to be "cold". In other words, give at least 2-3 hours (preferably 3-4) after a workout before you schedule your massage therapist to arrive. We simply cannot do the same job with a horse when you have scheduled a workout just previously to the massage.
3. Can I ride my horse after the massage?
Yes! Riding or working after a massage is acceptable and perfectly fine. It will all depend on the individual horse and the level of reactivity that is found; a light workout maybe suggested. On occasion, it is best to leave the horse rest.
4. I had a therapist come out one time and give my horse a massage. Boy! She just didn't seem to enjoy it at all. I don't think I will have a massage given again. My mare just hated it.
The first massage can be one of very mixed reactions. Basing the value of massage on just the first encounter is not really fair to therapist or horse. Some horses really get into at the get-go. Others, the therapist must move slowly and carefully, judging each reaction as they go along.
Therapists are trained to get into areas of the muscle which may, indeed, be very reactive. The horse generally exhibits quite openly how they feel - good or bad. When a horse is that reactive, it clearly shows how seriously he was in need of massage. Long term muscle problems cannot be addressed all in one massage.
5. How often does my horse need to have massage therapy?
Many horses do well with once per month. Race horses and others that are highly competitive in full training, may benefit from a more aggressive schedule. Much depends on how the horse is used, how often he is ridden, other physical problems he may have that contribute to muscle tension and, of course, your own personal budget. Initially, the horse may need massage more frequently to work out a long term problem. This may range from twice per week to twice per month, for instance, and will then return to a longer time frame between massages. One should always wait at least 1 day between massages.
6. A friend of mine had her horse massaged and it came up lame afterwards. She claimed it was the massage that did that to the horse as it was perfectly alright before the massage. Is this true?
It is very possible that the horse came up lame after the massage. Did the massage make the horse lame?
NO! The horse was already having problems and it wasn't all that noticeable to the owner even though there may have been small indications all along. Horses are masters at compensation. They can easily mask a problem. When a therapist begins to clear the muscle tension that develops from the compensation, you will begin to see where the problems are. A vet check is advisable to discover the cause. Addressing compensation problems is one of the positive benefits of massage.
7. Should I have my veterinarian check over my horse before I have massage work done?
This is an excellent question. By all means, yes, please do. It is always a good idea. Any time there is injury, lameness issues, health issues or anything that you are in doubt about, a vet check is always advisable and preferred. Also, do not be surprised if I also advise a vet check depending on the information I have gathered on your horse. I may even refuse to work on the horse until you do. The rule of thumb is when in doubt, call your vet. Massage is an adjunctive therapy. It is not to replace veterinary care or to be considered as a cure all. It does, however, work very well with most types of therapies and treatments and aids the healing process.
8. What exactly does a massage therapist do to my horse? What is massage?
Massage is a hands-on therapy. It literally dates back to ancient times and has long been valued as a viable modality. We literally work from the head to the tail, using our hands to perform various techniques on the muscle, fascia, tendons and ligaments. Generally, this is accomplished with fingers, thumbs, elbows and hands. There are some massage tools that can be used, but these limit the sensitivity a therapist has regarding the "feel" of the horse and his reaction level. Hands-on is generally best.
Stretching and Warm Up
1. Why stretch?
Stretching is very important. Stretching improves the tone of muscle fibers & elasticity of the tendons, ligaments and joint capsules. It helps to reduce muscle tension and therefore helps to prevent muscle injuries. It makes the body feel more relaxed, helps to relieve chronic muscle tension and pain, reduces post exercise soreness, increases flexibility and range of motion and helps to reduce muscle adhesions and scar tissue- to name a few.
NOTE: If your horse has had any recent physical problems that affect joints and muscles, such as falls, injuries, traumas, kicks, surgery or others, or any other reason you may have concern about, consult your veterinarian before you start a stretching program. Stretching should never be forced. Muscle injury can arise from forcing the horse to go further than he's able.
2. When do I need to stretch my horse?
The best time is as part of the cool down process.
ALWAYS STRETCH WHEN THE HORSE IS WARM. You risk damage of muscles, ligaments and tendons if stretched when muscles have not been warmed up. Stretching is very beneficial as part of the cool down process as it helps to put the muscle fibers back to place and also to help remove toxins, such as lactic acid which causes muscle soreness and stiffness. Before competition: Warm up the horse for 10-15 minutes and then stretch.
NEVER FORCE THE HORSE. It may take months to get to a full extension. You risk muscle damage when you make him go further than he is capable. Irregular stretching is of no real benefit. One must incorporate it on a regular basis and make it part of the routine. Also, stretching must be done properly. Otherwise, you risk more damage than not. If you are not confident in your skills, don't do it. Do not bounce and hold for only 10-15 seconds or less. Work up gradually. If you feel you must stretch cold muscles, do so carefully
1. Why warm up? What is the importance?
Proper warm up is essential to keeping your horse fit and muscle tone elastic. Warming up and cooling down will help to minimize muscle stiffness and loss of range of motion, this will also help to prevent tendon or muscle injury. Warming up usually takes about 10 minutes. In cold weather, older horses and other factors, it may take as long as 30 minutes. |
