What are benefits of massage? I’m going to get some massage for my horse but I’m curious what other people learned about this.
Really depends on the practitioner.
A good one has some diagnostic ability and can pick up gait irregularities, saddle fit issues, back.problems etc
Massage is mostly about working with tight muscles. If your horse has problems in this area you may see increased freedom of movement.
If your horse has no problems there are fewer benefits obviously. And if you work the horse in a way that contributes to the problem then the problem will come back
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Disclaimer: I’m a professional animal bodyworker. Scribbler’s first sentence, above, is spot on. What benefits you get will depend on the practitioner, her/his education, continuing training, modalities practiced, etc.
At its most basic, massage helps to relax tight muscles. In training terms, this helps to minimize (NOT eliminate!) sidedness and stiffness due to weaker areas being worked. It helps ease the way for horses developing strength and fitness.
I hope your massage experience goes well. If you’d like to PM for additional information, I’m always happy to answer questions.
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After the professional horsie masseuse would come, the late Madame would expect the same skill and attention from me, as was received from the person who knew what they were doing. Madame would very graciously position her body in a way that indicated that I was to attend unto her and massage this part or that part. I could never do it the way she wanted, and she would eventually give up, obviously feeling that I had failed her. The professional, however, was greeted with gently glowing eyes, and hearts and flowers emanating from horse’s softly perked ears. Horse would then stand in aisle, getting massaged, head low, eyes glazed over, lip hanging.
New fella probably never had a massage before coming to me, and after only one massage, doesn’t get it yet. He thinks he should be moving away from pressure, and does not understand what the massage therapist is doing. He seems to feel that if the saddle doesn’t show up in 10 minutes, there is no point to standing in the aisle being kept from his hay/turnout. However, I like talking with the massage therapist, so fella will have to learn to enjoy these little luxuries.
LL, just in case you were looking for a massage therapist, we use Kristen Logan, of Bodyworks Muscular Therapy. I think she travels pretty much everywhere in eastern/central MA.
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I can only attest to how I feel after my massages. Which is amazing!
Of course my spoiled horses deserve this too. Even if it is just for relaxation and pampering:)
We have a very good massage therapist that comes out to our barn on a monthly basis. Aside from the benefit the horse receives from these treatments (and all the horses I have had done have been willing participants) I find the report she provides to be incredibly helpful in understanding the physical state of my horse. For example, she will say that she is happy with the development of the pectoral muscles but is concerned with the overall topline tone. She then gives a variety of exercises/stretches that will help your horse with whatever issues they have. She will also recommend other treatments like Chiro if she feels that would be beneficial as well.
I have a great massage therapist come out for mine once a month. She also does electrostim on areas that need it. I find her feedback very helpful. She also refer me to the chiro when she feels it is necessary. My horses love her and look forward to her visits as do I, as I am always learning something new!
Well, I can tell you a negative: I dropped several spots on my horse’s list of favorite humans! He loooooves his monthly massages. Agree with above: the practitioner makes all the difference! Mine is excellent; I get a written report after every session and it’s a great assessment if he’s working straight or becoming one-sided. I find it most helpful when we’re introducing harder movements (FEI Dressage Horse) and he’s working muscles differently.
My horse also loves her massage therapist who, coincidentally, also braids for me. My mare gets soooo mad when she shows up and braids her instead of massaging her!
My massage therapist is great and like commenters above, gives me a good idea of what is going on with my horse physically. My mare slipped and fell in the paddock a couple of months ago when it was icy and my massage therapist came out, put her hands on the horse, turned around and asked me “did this horse fall?” --I hadn’t told her anything about it because it had slipped my mind. She knows my horse’s body so well.
My mare always feels looser and less stiff after a massage as well. And she enjoys them, so its a win-win!
Great thanks! My trainer is having one out and asked if my horse could be included and I said of course!
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I also find human massage invaluable. I have a tendency to muscle spasms in my back that can get quite painful and debilitating once they grab hold. Massage therapy along with stretches, posture, and attention to ergonomics keeps me mobile and massage will absolutely knock out a bout of spasms.
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Its essential to any program if you ask me… Weekly if possible!
OP, if you possibly can, be present for the massage. I have learned so much from watching equine bodyworkers and asking them questions.
That would be very interesting.
I think chiropractors are quacks but a good massage therapist can be transformative. Human or equine. It’s criminal that insurance will pay for “subluxation” adjustment (not a thing according to science) but not massage therapy, because of the historical conflation with hand jobs.
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My extended insurance covers massage therapy.
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A good massage therapist will be able to tell you things about you, maybe positional problems, saddle problems, your body weaknesses. They will be able to address whatever these shortcomings might be doing to your horse. Your horse will feel great during the massage and will be better to ride for a bit after that.
A good massage therapist will be able to give you small tips (don’t expect them to become a human physical therapist or saddle fitter or nutritionist) on ways you can improve your horse’s well being.
A good massage therapist is worth their weight in gold. If you can find a good one, you stick with them. You will see the difference right away.
Ours has done clinics to help owners learn ways to work with their individual horse. She gives us stretches to do with them and shows us ways to massage specific spots.
FWIW, Mare definitely has her massage therapist toward the top of her list of favorite people. Her releases are, um, epic!
