Equine Sports Physical Therapy.
Equine Sports Physical Therapy is the therapeutic application of professional massage techniques used on the horse. The benefits & effects are shown to have profound outcomes on these great athletes, keeping the muscles soft, supple and working correctly. A thorough understanding of anatomy and the interactions of bones, joints and muscles are the basis of this proven physical & mental therapy that is the art of massage. A masseur looks at the horse as a whole & attempts to consider all the possible effects of any tension, while interpreting a horse’s reactions & expressions.
Physical Therapy is the application of a variety of massage techniques in order to increase health of the horse and performance, endurance, fitness, well-being & prevention/ recovery of injury.
What happens during a Physical Therapy Session?
An initial consultation will last around 1 hour 30 minutes, during this time we will discuss any concerns you may have about your horse, & will carry out an initial assessment of the horse (this will include watching them being walked/trotted up/ridden/lunged as appropriate) noting any abnormalities, tension, stiffness, or tenderness & making a detailed profile.
We will then massage the entire horse concentrating on the identified problem areas, using a variety of appropriate techniques.
After attending to the horse in a quiet calm atmosphere, you will then be provided with comprehensive feedback of aftercare & exercise advice.
Follow up visits usually last approximately 1 hour.
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Avoid riding immediately after therapy as the horse's muscles may be in a vulnerable condition immediately afterwards. We will advise the type & amount of work in the days following massage but this is dependent on findings on the current day.
Therapy Benefits
During a therapy session, we use a variety of types of massage strokes, dependent on your horse's needs. We also incorporate trigger point release techniques, myofascial release where appropriate.
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Some of the benefits of physical therapy
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Increased flexibility & joint movement.
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Improved co-ordination & stride length.
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Increased circulation & blood flow
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Enhances Range of Movement
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Helps prevent muscle strain & injury
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Reduces Fatigue
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Relieves Muscle Tension & Spasms
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Boosts Immune System
Signs your horse may benefit from therapy
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Sudden dislike of being groomed or girthiness
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Preference to work on one rein
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Lateral Stiffness
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Reluctant to canter on one lead
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High head carriage and/or dipped back
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Head tilting or unusual tail carriage
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Unusual behaviour changes
Where veterinary treatment is required we are more than happy to work with your vet to find the best approach for your horse. We are not vetanarian's and can not diagnose medical conditions. However, we are able to confidently assess and evaluate your horse’s muscular system.
