Equine Body Work and Massage Therapy
What is Equine Body Work and Massage Therapy?
> A therapeutic solution for all horses and ponies... because the horse should be able to move freely in any direction without stiffness, tension and pain.
Put simply, it is about soft tissue injury prevention and treatment for the horse.
> A safe, hands on holistic therapy that helps maintain equilibrium of mind and body.
> Beneficial for all equines, in helping to reduce pain, improve movement and restore normal muscle control for quality of life.
> Incorporates a range of techniques which help to alleviate muscle dysfunction, stiffness and tension.
> Helps calm the nervous horses, prepare the horse for strenuous work, and enhance athletic performance – bringing out the best in your horse.
> Can be used to complement veterinary treatment during recovery time and assists to promote healing.
> Used as part of the horse's regular health care, such as shoeing, Equine Body work and Massage are a valuable and a highly regarded "tool in the box".
Serina Rolph Grange Equine Therapy Unlocking the Gait
International Equine Body Worker
M 07779 445474 E info@grange-equinetherapy.co.uk
Is Equine Body Work and Massage Therapy safe and suitable for all horses?
> Suitable and safe for ALL horses and ponies, from retired family pets to top equine athletes.
> Often used as a regular, important preventative care treatment to keep the healthy horse in top condition and helps avoid injury.
> Prevention should always be considered better than cure and I promote using regular Equine Body Work and Massage as a means of maintaining a happy, healthy horse free from pain.
> Effective for helping horses overcome stress and tension.
> Beneficial for any horse starting back in work following injury and or lay off.
> Very helpful for horses that have suffered mistreatment and are in need of kind human comfort that can help to regain the horse's trust and bring about a relaxed acceptance of human contact.
Equine Body Work and massage Therapy are acknowledged in Equine Veterinary Science and the equine industry worldwide. Recognised and approved by the McTimoney Chiropractic Association and the Society of Osteopaths in Animal Practice in the UK.
How much is each session?
Until 01 April 2012, my charges for Equine Body Work and Massage Therapy sessions are £25 per horse (£40 for the first visit), plus travel charges from Harrogate. A programme of sessions brings most benefits and is recommended.
Please note that all treatment fees are free or substantially reduced for non-profit organisations such as horse and pony rescue centres, equine assisted learning and therapy programmes including local RDA groups.
Why does my horse need Equine Body Work and Massage Therapy?
Regular attention to the equine muscular system will help maintain an active, healthy horse.
Where muscular problems exist in the horse Equine Body Work and Massage Therapy combined with beneficial stretching exercises can diminish pain, facilitate the breakdown of any adhesions, increase the range of motion, improve circulation, encourage the speed of repair and restore and maintain consistent performance and behaviour of the horse.
Prevention, Prevention, Prevention - Initially physical problems are often evident as behavioural problems which later manifest as altered movement and or soft tissue injury. Having Serina occasionally check a horse can keep him or her in first-class, top-class condition.
Subtle changes in a horse’s behaviour and or altered movement are symptoms of pain. Continuous chronic pain for a horse will drastically reduce his ability to perform well and will often cause discomfort for the horse that may well have been avoided.
Providing the primary cause of pain and discomfort is dealt with early and that combined with regular Equine Body Work and Massage Therapy will in most cases assist in preventing future musculoskeletal damage and secondary issues occurring in the horse.
Causes of pain and discomfort for the horse vary widely. An initial physical examination of the horse from nose to tail can often highlight areas of tension that are often overlooked by other practitioners.
Muscular tension in the horse can cause long term physical and behavioural problems - be a responsible caring owner.
Take home message
Prevention, Prevention, Prevention
It is important to act on even the smallest variation in your horse’s performance and / or behaviour to quickly identify the cause. Quite often it is not what he did yesterday that has caused a problem but something that happened days or even weeks ago. Subtle changes in a horse's performance and behaviour are a signal that something is not quite right e.g. change in character, gait, stance, head carriage, coordination, etc.
New and persistence concerns, e.g. leaning, refusals, resistance, unable to fully rest, girthing problems, saddle slipping, tripping, stumbling, uneven wear of shoes and / or just “not himself” are all signs that something is not quite right. This is how the horse can tell you he’s in trouble – listen, do you hear him or does he have to scream?
About Massage
Therapeutic Massage works to aid the recuperating horse back to full fitness.
Sports Massage prepares the body for physical exertion and is suitable for horses in work requiring high energy and stamina.
Relaxing Massage helps to soothe tired muscles following hard work or to calm anxious horses. Nervous or tense horses respond very well to this type of massage.
Please be aware of the following
When injury occurs it can be distressing and sometimes frustrating especially if secondary injury manifests. Treating musculoskeletal conditions that cause pain and discomfort for the horse often requires patience and a broad based investigation plan to find the source of the problem in order to treat it successfully. Often there are no quick and magical results patience and an open mind is important in cases where a cause of pain or distress is not obvious.
Disorders that affect the neuromuscular junction and myopathy of the muscle membrane require conformation of a specific diagnosis via laboratory testing. Should you have any health concerns about your horse, Grange Equine Therapy recommends that you consult an Equine Veterinary Surgeon in the first instance.
Whilst the primary goal of Grange Equine Therapy’s specialty is to improve musculature to enhance and support the range of movement, you cannot always treat one symptom on its own. Many individual programmes often depend on diagnosis from vets and input from the team. The 'team' often involves the veterinary surgeon, rider / owner, dentist, farrier, other therapists, nutritionist and of course the Equine Body Worker.
Horses under the care of a Veterinary Surgeon must first be cleared with the attending vet to ensure Equine Body Work and Massage Therapy is appropriate (Veterinary Act 1966).
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