Equine Sports Massage Therapy is a non-invasive hands-on therapeutic full body massage.This direct pressure technique is geared to the prevention and cure of muscle spasms, tensions and strains that cause shortening of stride, stiffness and even lameness.
Is your horse experiencing any of the following symptons? If so, it could be related to muscular soreness and/or trauma somewhere.
Coordination Difficulties
Stumbling
Stiffness or Refusing to bend laterally
Tossing of head
Kicking
Tension in head and neck area
Muscular or “cold back”
Shortening of strides Just to name a few symptoms.
Did you know that 60% of your horses total body weight is skeletal muscle?
A muscle is a band of fibers which stretch and contract.Muscles can be overused, overstretched, and overloaded – any one condition resulting in tissue lesions can cause pain and restrict motion. The task of the massage therapist is to accurately locate these lesions and to break them up through a selection of therapeutic movements.Once the lesion is reduced and broken up, the pain is eliminated and muscle motions is restored to healthy extension.
Why massage works….
Elastic Properties of the tendon is about 10%, so 90% of elasticity must come from the associate muscles.If one group tightens, the next group of muscles compensates for the loss of elasticity.For instance, tightening in the shoulders may pass to the muscles of the upper arm and eventually to the tendons of the lower leg.Thru massage, tightening and adhesions in muscles are broken up by using different strokes that allow oxygen and blood flow to return in a greater capacity.
Benefits of Equine Massage Therapy:
Improves Circulation
Improves disposition of the horse
Increases range of motion and enhances muscle tone
Relaxes muscle spasms and relieves tension
Relieves congestion
Helps to prevent buildup of harmful products resulting from strenuous exercise by increasing blood supply and nutrition to the muscles
Hastens the elimination of wastes and toxic debris such as lactic acid
Stimulates the lymphatic system These are only a FEW benefits of Massage Therapy. Top equine athletes on the race circuit, dressage, and other diciplines benefit and stay on top of their dicipline. You may/may not compete but don't you want to increase the overall well-being and quality of your horses life?
Tammy Hermann, ESMT
Certified by: EQUISSAGE
4979 Mitchell Bridge Rd NE Dalton Ga. 30721
(706) 281.2179
Equine Sports Massage Therapy is NOT a substitute for Veterinary medicine.