Sports Massage
A session will take me 1 hour to complete per horse. 45 minutes hands on 15 minutes for muscle taping and taking session notes.
For a first time session, I will do a general evaluation of the saddle to see if it’s causing pressure points.
Advice and recommendations may be made in regards to diet, exercise, stretching, farrier work and environment if needed or asked, so that the best results possible can be achieved. It is up to each individual owner should they choose to implement them. Owners will be given stretching suggestions and shown how to do them.
A maintenance sports massage is considered one that takes place at least once every 30 day period. Horses that receive regular and consistent sessions show great improvement and each session tends to build off the previous one. The benefits of massage alone are great, especially when received on a regular basis. I’ve never met a horse that wasn’t sore somewhere.
What to Expect
Before & After a Session
You may choose to schedule a massage around shows or competitions specifically, monthly or quarterly!
Session Checklist!
While I appreciate your trust of me, owners are required and always have been required to be at appointments in case of an emergency so I am not alone. There are very few exceptions to this. Like you do for your farrier or chiropractor or vet, you will need to plan your schedule around a massage as well to be present. A regular massage takes anywhere from 35 minutes to 1 full hour for me to complete. A stall, barn aisle or small pen is an ideal place for me to massage your horse away from distractions. Tying or cross tying is not often necessary. Loose lead rope is best to allow the horse movement and stretching. An additional handler is not necessary, if I need you to hold your horse I will let you know. It will not be necessary to touch or pet your horse during massage, even if you are asked to hold the horse. It is important that I be able to read the horse’s body language as clearly as possible, and this can be a distraction. Once I start the massage you are welcome to watch or attend to other business as long as you are in calling distance should I need assistance.
A massage is like a workout for the horse, it is recommended that you walk your horse for 5 minutes following a massage. Provide plenty of water, as toxins will continue flushing out of the horse’s body following the session. It is common for your horse to urinate within 15 minutes after a massage and drink water shortly after. Soreness following massage can be normal and last a couple days. However, this is not common. This will vary from horse to horse.
Remember! *One time massage is not a cure! Prevention is key, and so is consistency. Although many clients see an immediate difference in their horse emotionally and physically, it’s long term massaging and consistent massaging that is really beneficial!
Benefits of Massage
Sign me up!
- Maintains healthy muscles
- Prevents muscle atrophy
- Minimizes stiffness by relieving tension
- Enhances tissue repair and circulation
- Improves muscle tone
- Prevents and relives adhesion
- Improves performance and range of motion
- Assists in balancing the body as a whole
- Reduces inflammation and swelling in joints
- Promotes healing by increasing nutrient flow to muscles and carrying away excessive fluids and toxins
- Stimulates digestion and defecation
- Speeds up healing of fractures
- Increases skin temperature and improves skin condition
- Rids the lungs of excess fluid
- Promotes excretion of metabolic waste
- Increases dopamine and serotonin levels; linked to decrease stress levels and reduced depression
