| As with most complementary health care, equine | | | | you are also helping to stimulate the elimination of |
| massage, by itself, does not attempt to cure | | | | toxins and waste. As well, you are releasing |
| anything. It is used, however, along with | | | | endorphins - the body's natural painkillers. |
| conventional health care (veterinarians, trainers, | | | | As well, some of the proponents of Natural Horse |
| etc) to enable the horse to perform at an | | | | Training encourage massage therapy, especially |
| optimum level. | | | | for those horses that don't want to be touched. |
| So what are some of the Benefits Of Massage? | | | | These horses are not used to human contact and |
| By increasing the animal's range of motion through | | | | are very defensive. These horses need a little |
| massage therapy, the horse is once again working | | | | time and communication via touch as the starting |
| efficiently, with improved stamina, gait, and | | | | point of their training. |
| performance. There is less wear and tear on | | | | Equine massage is sometimes the only way to |
| joints, ligaments and tendons. This equates to a | | | | assess the physical condition of your horse. When |
| longer performance life. | | | | you stroke your horse and discover a hot spot, |
| As humans, when we have overextended our | | | | or your horse backing away from your touch, or |
| muscles in playing a sport or doing a new | | | | a spot where he flinches. |
| exercise, we hurt. We tend to be a little "cranky". | | | | So, is equine massage worth it? |
| Irritable. On edge. | | | | It is worth it on a maintenance level, you and |
| It is the same with horses. Their muscles have | | | | your horse bonding, and as a part of the exercise |
| been overextended, and they hurt. And, they are | | | | program to keep the muscles in tune and to |
| usually unable to let you know where it hurts. | | | | prevent injury. |
| Equine massage therapy has been found to | | | | It is worth it on a pre-event level, loosening and |
| improve the disposition of an animal in these | | | | warming muscles prior to a competition. |
| types of situations. | | | | It is worth it on a post event level, when the |
| Equine massage has also been used as part of a | | | | animal needs to cool down and avoid stiffening up |
| rehab process after an actual muscle injury. After | | | | and getting muscle fatigue. |
| the veterinarian has stated the appropriate time | | | | It is worth it on a rehabilitation level, to encourage |
| for healing has occurred, and to help the healing | | | | faster healing and recovery through increased |
| process, equine massage can be implemented. | | | | blood circulation. |
| The stretching and proper exercise can help the | | | | As we utilize our horses more and more |
| healing process, reducing scar tissue. | | | | rigorously, equine massage is proving to be more |
| Massage stimulates and improves blood circulation. | | | | and more beneficial for both horse and horse |
| When you've got the blood circulating properly, | | | | owner. |