All horses can benefit from an equine sports massage treatment. The various massage and stretching techniques enable the horse to perform to his full potential by:

• Increasing and improving circulation;
• Enhancing muscle tone;
• Relaxing muscle spasm;
• Preventing and relieving adhesions; and
• Increasing the range of movement.

Massage also helps to prevent injury and can benefit the well being of the horse, release tension and aid mental relaxation. In the event of an injury, massage is of great benefit to aid recovery and prevent atrophy (wasting) of muscles.

More than 60% of the horse's body weight is muscle. Small muscle injuries can take up to 90 days to become apparent - by a change in attitude, decreased performance or lameness - by which time they may have caused more serious injury. Prompt attention to these 'minor' muscle injuries not only enhances a horse's performance but may prevent future problems. Muscle tightening is transmitted from one muscle group to another so, for example, shoulder tension may be transmitted to the muscles of the forearm, resulting in extra stress being placed on the tendons. Muscles may also over-enlarge with tension.

Used during training and pre and posrt competition, massage keeps muscles healthy, builds up those thay may have wasted, maintains strength and suppleness and prevents atrophy even during a period of box rest or restricted work. After exertion massage minimises stiffness and speeds repair to tissue damaged as an inevitable result of physical stress and fatigue. Passive stretches help to keep or restore joints and muscles to full working capacity.

Does your horse do or show signs of any of the following?

Dislikes being groomed, prefers one rein, shows lateral stiffness, reluctant to canter on one lead, hollow backed, high headed, head shaking, bucking, cold backed when tacked up, lack of poll flexion and bend, head tilting, uneven stride length, holding tail to one side, excessive rolling.

These can all be signs of pain or discomfort and should be investigated. Lindsey will look at your horse as a whole and consider possible causes and effects of any tension while interpreting your horse’s reactions and expressions.

Full permission from the owner's vet is required before any treatment is undertaken as all practitioners are required to work within the rules of the Veterinary Act.

Clive Hamblin MRVCS, qualified in 1976, is the Honorory President of the Equine Sports Massage Association and specialises in equine injury and orthopaedics. He says "there is a serious role for the Equine Sports Therapist in conjunction with conventional Veterinary therapies under the guidance of the attending veterinarian. Massage can have a positive role in the prevention of athletic injury in the normal training process".