What is Equine Massage?
There are different forms of Equine Massage and they offer different benefits. Supple Passage focuses more on sports massage and helping to aide and relieve the athletic horse. Myo-manipulative Functional Therapist (EMFT) is a certification of equine massage that not only helps in preparing the muscles for the rigorous sports owners can put them through, but also help release tension and allow the muscles and horse to preform optimally.
What horse needs Equine Massage?
Benefits of equine massage can be seen in any horse. The athletic horse needs assistance with their muscles before and after events and for maintaining their form between training. While a less athletic horse or one that has limited mobility, either from lameness or age can still greatly benefit from equine massage. Waking up and providing blood flow for these horses can aide in rehabilitating and help flush out stagnate toxins, all while clearing their lymphatic system.
Benefits of Myo-Manipulative Functional Therapy
Equine Massage has multiple benefits that each horse can enjoy. Just the act of massage stimulates the muscles and increases blood flow to the area. The added blood flow can aide in healing worked muscles, while also helping to flush out toxins. Just like humans who can have tightening and "knots" so can horses. Ashlee takes the time to locate these "stress points" and will focus on trying to get a release. Sometimes these releases will take multiple sessions depending on how sensitive the horse is.
Equine Massage can also aid in a horses mobility. If stress points are causing pain or tightness, for example in their hind quarters. The horses full range of motion may be limited to the stiff and painful areas. This would mean your horse is not preforming at its ultimate best, and may be compensating to ease the pain.
Equine Massage can finally just give the horse relief. The stimulation of the muscle receptors give the horse a "good feeling" and their bodies release serotonin, which in turn lowers theirs cortisol or stress hormone levels. Horses may begin licking, head may drop, among other signals that show, what they are receiving feels good. If anything else, who wouldn't want to provide a relaxing, serotonin loving good time for their horse?
Equine Massage & Veterinary Care
Equine Massage does not take the place of Veterinary care. All horses should be given the OK by their Vet for massage to be preformed. It is important to have open communication with Supple Passage about any health or injuries your horse may have. Some injuries will prevent equine massage from being preformed and it is in the best interest of your horse to wait until you have Veterinary approval.