Equine Therapy

Rachel massaging
Eve

Mr AJ

EQUINE THERAPY

Equine Therapy is like physio for horses. It focuses on helping the horse obtain optimum performance. It provides quality treatment that pinpoints a horse's weakness, areas of discomfort and then works to bring the body back to balance. The techniques used are: massage, manipulation, bioptron light treatment, saddle fitting, nutritional and shoeing advice.

Every horse suffers varying degrees of pain and discomfort at some stage. It depends on the horse, how they choose to get the message across. Some horse's become difficult to ride or handle, some develop temperament change and others do not reach their potential. Sometimes people are not in tune with the horse enough to know something is painful. Often people interpret the horse's behavior as being down right naughty and in a lot of cases they work the horse even harder to try and over come the problem. There fore extra stress causes trauma to the injured area, further vertebrae locking and more compensation patterns.

Through courses and education from Equine Therapy riders and instructors are made more aware of the horse's body. Also they will learn to identify physical problems before developing further injury and pain. Horses are willing by nature and generally do not misbehave unless humans have mistreated them. When a horse is naughty or refuses what you ask stop and think is he experiencing pain or is there a problem with the training system or saddle.

Riders must become more aware of the horses body and learn to identify a potential problem, before it leads to injury. Horses are willing by nature and generally do not misbehave unless man has interfered with them. When a horse is naughty or refuses what you ask, stop and think. Is he in pain or is there a problem with my training system.

Massage Therapy

In todays world of sport, athletes would not be without their massage therapists, osteopaths, physios and chiropractors. Athletes are constantly striving for success. This takes a very strict training programme, and most important prevention of injuries. Injuries slow down fitness levels.

The horse must be treated like an athlete. Remember a horse can not talk. If we have a muscular/vertebrae problem we can make an appointment with a professional therapist. Horses are disadvantaged. They must try to give us signals when ridden. They think if they become naughty enough and have a personality change that they just might get our attention. They are only trying to communicate with us the only way they know how. How else can they tell us that something is painful or not right with their body. Sometimes people are not in tune with the horse enough to know that something is painful. Often people interpret the horses behaviour as being down right naughty, and in a lot of cases they work the horse even harder to try and over come the problem. There fore the extra stress causes more trauma to the injured area, further vertebrae lockings and more compensation problems.

Riders must become more aware of the horses body and learn to identify a potential problem, before it leads to injury. Horses are willing by nature and generally do not misbehave unless man has interfered with them. When a horse is naughty or refuses what you ask, stop and think. Is he in pain or is there a problem with my training system.

Benefits of Massage therapy

Increases performance, gait quality, flexibility and range of movement

Breaking down of adhesions and knots can restore movement to the area. If a horse is protecting a sore muscle, his movement will change. The horse will begin to move uneven. Anytime a part of a muscle in a group is not functioning correctly, the other muscles around the area will have to work harder. These muscles start to fatigue and put some of the work load onto other muscles. After a while the muscles cannot take the extra work load. The area will injure further or shut down completely. Massage will identify these problems.

Increases circulation

When a spasm has formed there may be little or no circulation running through it. Lack of movement in the affected area will slow down the blood flow through the area which can increase the congestion and add to the problem. The stroking techniques of massage and range of movement exercises have a pumping effect which stimulates the circulation of blood.

Elimination of toxins and debris

Range of movement exercises flush out debris and toxins from the tissues into the blood stream. This is then carried away for elimination via the urine, skin or respiration.

Relieves muscle tension and stiffness

Speeds up the recovery time from injury or hard training sessions. If the horse is feeling fit and well, we will achieve more progress and strength gains. The number of difficult training days will reduce. Every day your horse is stiff and sore, is not a productive day. Without massage it may take longer to warm up and produce good quality work.

Encourages relaxation

This is the main aim of the therapy

Identifies over use problems and prevents injury

Over use problems develop in parts of the system that are put under greater strain or repetitive use compared to the rest of the system. For example - tight shoulders can lead to tight tendons.