What is Equine Bodywork?

Like most people I always thought massages were just for people who wanted to relax or pamper themselves after a long week. Boy did I realize how wrong I was once I got my first real massage. My amazing masseuse did a great job at really working deep into my muscles and releasing them. Boy was I sore after though! I got this first massage right after I finished my Equinology certification and it really made me think more about how I would be helping horses.

So what really is equine bodywork?

Equine Bodywork is a hands-on the horse approach that helps to relieve stiff muscles, loosen up tension, and help your horse feel its best. By doing this horses could have increased flexibility and range of motion, increased circulation that can help with healing, and overall help them feel more comfortable. Just like human athletes, horses need help maintaining their bodies to perform at their best.

What horses benefit from Equine Bodywork?

Any and all! Whether your horse is a high level eventer, ranch horse, or pasture pet they can benefit from bodywork in some way. Each one of these horses rely on their bodies to keep them going. A performance horse needs to be in peak shape to perform at their highest level. Bodywork helps to keep those muscles loose and free from soreness so they can perform at their highest potential. Working horse used on ranches or farms are relied on to be healthy so they can perform the tasks that are being asked of them. Bodywork helps to keep their bodies feeling good so they can effectively do their jobs. Pasture pets may have much simpler lives free from work, yet they still need their bodies feeling good to keep living their best lives.

When should I get my horse worked on?

There really isn’t a bad time to get bodywork done on your horse. We’re slowly starting to wrap up the show season at this point in time and winter is sadly right around the corner. This is a great time to start bodywork on horses that are transitioning out of showing and into a slower winter season. They may be tighter and more sore as the show season starts to wear on their bodies. Bodywork would help to loosen them up a bit and get the muscles feeling good before it starts to get cold and harder for them to heal. Bodywork is also great in the winter to help horses muscles stay relaxed during the cold weather.

Bodywork can also be used to help support horses through an injury. Always consult your vet after and injury occurs and throughout the healing process. I happily work with vets to discuss the best course of action and what areas they believe should be worked on and what should be left alone. The healing process for horses can often be harder than the actual injury themselves especially if their movement has to be restricted. Bodywork helps to work the muscles that the horse may not be otherwise working while on stall rest. It also can help increase circulation which in turn helps areas to heal quicker. Horses also often have compensatory issues due to trying to “protect” their injury. Bodywork helps to relieve the tension in the muscles that may be used more and help them relax through the healing process.

Still skeptical if bodywork is right for your horse?

I offer a complementary 15-minute phone call to answer any and all of your questions.

Call or text anytime at (603)-491-0133 and I’ll be happy to connect!