
Equine Sports Massage Therapy

Rehabilitation, Prehabilitation and Maintenance Plans

Kinesiology Taping

What is Equine Sports Massage Therapy?
Equine Sports Massage Therapy involves the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. These include, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia. Like humans, horses can suffer from musculoskeletal pain and discomfort which can negatively affect their performance and welfare and potentially lead to, or be a sign of, injury.
Massage therapists are trained to use their hands to identify any areas of muscle tension, swelling, adhesions, spasms, trigger points, uneven muscle tone, and more. They are then able to utilise a range of techniques to relieve any discomfort, improve muscle function and help your horse reach their full potential and feel great.
Examples of treatment techniques include:
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A variety of massage techniques
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Passive and active stretching
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Myofascial release
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Dynamic mobilisation exercises
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Kinesiology taping
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Customised rehabilitation, prehabilitation and maintenance plans
Each treatment is personalised to the horses individual needs and requirements.
What are the benefits?
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Decreased muscle tension
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Improved circulation
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Improved lymphatic drainage
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Reduced swelling and inflammation
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Pain relief
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Prevention of muscle adhesions
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Improved range of motion
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Prevention of muscle adhesions
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Optimised alignment of scar tissue
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Reduced stress
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Increased muscle strength
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Decreased muscle fatigue
How do I know if my horse requires a treatment?
Massage therapy not only aims to improve performance, but also helps to increase comfort and prevent injuries, making it suitable for all horses and ponies. However, some common indicators of musculoskeletal discomfort include:
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Changes in behaviour
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Changes in performance
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Reduced flexibility
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Evasive behaviours (such as bucking, napping, head-shaking, ‘cold backed’)

Rehabilitation, Prehabilitation and Maintenance Plans
Rehabilitation involves the application of physical therapy treatments to aid injury recovery, by improving healing times and helping the body to return to optimal physical function.
Prehabilitation aims to minimise the risk of injury development by identifying areas of weakness and then targetting their improvement through a range of exercises and treatments.
Maintenance plans are designed to keep your horse performing and feeling their best.
Each plan is customised to the individual horses needs and can include a wide range of exercises, such as:
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A variety of pole configurations, each designed to activate different muscles and joint range of motions.
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The inclusion of different exercise methods, i.e. ground work, ridden, lunging, long-reining, hacking etc.
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Possible use of a variety of training aids.
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A variety of targeted stretches.
After each massage session a report will be sent to you. Depending on what is identified during the treatment and your goals with your horse an exercise plan may be included for you to carry out. Discussions with other paraprofessionals, such as veterinarians and instructors, will also be carried out when creating these plans to ensure that you and your horse will achieve the very best results.

Kinesiology Taping
The idea behind kinesiology tape is that it gently lifts the skin from the structures below, improving circulation to the area. This leads to increased oxygen and nutrient delivery, along with increased removal of waste products through the lymphatic system. These functions are highly beneficial for injured muscles and can help to optimise recovery and improve healing times. Additionally, taping can be used to help support injured muscles or joints whilst not restricting their range of motion.
In summary
Benefits of kinesiology taping include:
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Increased circulation
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Increased proprioceptive feedback
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Support and stability
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Pain reduction
It can therefore be used to help with:
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Swelling and bruising
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Muscle strains and tension
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Prolonged effects of myofascial release
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Support for injured muscles and joints
