Massage For Horses ????

WHAT! That is a thing?! I know it sounds ridiculous, but there is such a thing as horse massage. I am here to tell you it has great results for your horse. In the next couple of posts I will share some of the techniques that are used so you can use them on your own horse. But In this post I will talk about some of the benefits it gives your horse.

1. Pain relief: It is well known that massage therapy reduces and relieves muscle tension in humans, and it can do the same for horses. And with muscle tension relief comes pain relief. Areas of scar tissue can also benefit from massage. Massage loosens scar tissue gradually, helping the horse move more freely and reducing the associated pain.

2. Improved locomotor function: Massage can be a valuable addition to a rehabilitation program. By loosening tightened connective tissue, massage helps improve a horse’s overall locomotor function. The results are easy to see and are often visible immediately after a session.

3. Improved circulation: The compression and release pattern of equine massage can help promote circulation in the superficial areas of the limbs.

4. Relaxation: Many horses visibly relax during a massage session by dropping their head, licking or chewing, cocking a hind leg, swaying with the massage therapist’s movements, and even going to sleep.

5. Trust: A massage session also offers important trust-building elements. Owners who learn basic massage techniques can use massage to help a horse associate their touch with a pleasant experience.

I want to give credit to the American Veterinarian where I found all these tips.