F.A.Q

All horses whatever their job will benefit from a sports/therapeutic massage but some of signs that your horse is experiencing muscular pain or tension include:

Reduced performance
Shortened stride length/not tracking up
Bad behaviour
Stiffness/Not bending correctly
Unable to strike off on correct lead
Changing leg behind when on a small circle or in front of a jump
Knocking/refusing fences
Not working in an outline, hollow back
Tossing head and swishing tail during transitions
Turning away when sees tack

Relaxing effect on tight muscles.
Helps muscles to work at maximum efficiency.
Improves muscle tone.
Helps to relieve fatigue and decrease recovery time after a strenuous event.
Helps mobilize joints.
Helps to painful sore joints, keeping them supple and mobile.
Increases blood supply which helps increase cell renewal.
Helps detoxify by increasing lymphatic drainage.
Improves skin circulation, coat appears glossier.
Calming and soothing effect on tense nervous pathways.
Promotes endorphin release which is the body's natural painkiller.

Kinesiology tape is applied with varying amounts of stretch depending on the application and lifts the outer layer of the skin increasing the space in the layer underneath, allowing blood and lymphatic fluid to flow more easily.   Waste products will be washed out and new blood with nutrients and oxygen can flow in, improving circulation.

K taping can be used for both dogs and horses to help with:

Muscular Issues
Swelling
Joint Instability
Trigger Points
Scar Tissue
Tendon Injuries
Fascial Tension
Pain
Muscle Training

This is one of the most common questions and can be one of the hardest to answer!    All ridden horses are athletes regardless of the level they are ridden at and should be treated as such, they are also all individuals, and some will require more regular sessions than others.

Regular maintenance therapy will help to ensure that your horse's muscles are working at optimum efficiency by reducing tension, ensuring there are no adhesions and that joints are functioning correctly. Ideally all ridden horses should receive a sports massage at least every 3-6 months.

Other reasons to give your therapist a call include:

Loss of performance
Unwanted behaviour such as bucking/napping/rearing
Returning to work after injury
An increase to the intensity of work
Change of body shape
Signs of pain

Canine Physical Therapy uses specially adapted massage techniques to increase function and mobility of joints and muscles in dogs. Canine rehabilitation can reduce pain and enhance recovery from injury, surgery, degenerative diseases, age-related diseases, and obesity.

Canine Massage will have a:

Relaxing effect on tight muscles following injury.
Helps muscles to work at maximum efficiency.
Improves muscle tone, may be necessary post op.
Helps to improve poor posture caused by injury or medical condition.
Helps to relieve fatigue (helps decrease recovery time after strenuous activity).
Helps mobilize joints, especially helpful in older arthritic dogs.
Increases blood supply which helps increase cell renewal.
Improves skin circulation, coat appears glossier.
Helps detoxify the body removing lactic acid and preventing constipation.
Calming and soothing effect on tense nerve pathways.
Promotes endorphin release (body’s natural painkiller).

Yes, reasons not to massage are called contraindications and include:

If an animal has just eaten, wait a minimum of one hour and preferably two until food is fully digested.
If an animal has recently exercised, the body should be allowed to return to homeostasis which is its resting state and all vital signs should be normal.
If an animal is exhausted or in shock.
If there is an acute injury, while massage can help when used at the correct time during the injury cycle it should not be introduced during the acute phase (48/72 hours post injury).
If an animal has a fever, massage will increase blood circulation and make the situation worse.
If there are skin conditions that may spread.
If the animal is suffering from an infectious disease.
If there is a substantial open wound.
If the animal is suffering with cancer.
Early/late stages of pregnancy.
If there are neurological issues.
If there is a bacterial infection.
If an animal is very lame and has not been seen by a vet.

As a therapist I will always ask about a horse's/dog's recent and past medical history and is important to include as much information as possible.