Equine Sports Massage TherapistCert. ESMT - Fully Insured - IAAT - UKRS - IAAMB Member

Equine massage therapy is a hands-on technique that involves manipulating a horse's soft tissues and muscles to improve their overall well-being.

Signs that your horse may require a massage can include: reluctance when aids are applied, bucking, rearing, saddle shyness, "girthy", stepping short both in front or behind, difficulty with lateral movements, high head carriage. These are just some of the possible signs of an issue being present.

By law, if your horse is currently under Veterinary care & massage therapy is part of their rehabilitation, then Veterinary permission is required before any hands-on treatment can commence.

You will be ask to confirm with your horse’s Veterinarian that they are happy for the horse to be treated. I will also require a signature from yourself on the day of treatment acknowledging permission has been granted.

Should you wish, I can contact the Veterinarian directly on your behalf to obtain the necessary permissions. I am also happy to send a report & to discuss any treatment plans recommended by myself.

If your horse is in good health & the treatment offered is to assist in maintaining their good health or to enhance their performance, Veterinary permission is not required. I will however still require you to confirm the Veterinarian practice your horse is registered with.

I am also obliged by my duty of care to notify your Veterinarian if any pathologies are identified during assessment & treatment.

With any horse's first treatment I will need to take full background & clinical history. I will also ask if you have any concerns. Once this is complete I will do a full static assessment followed by a dynamic assessment, which includes: walk, trot, rein back and turning.

I will then do a full body palpation to identify any areas that may hold tension, heat, swelling or pain. Any areas identified will be warmed up to encourage a plentiful supply of blood to the area. I will then treat accordingly using a variety of techniques dependent on what is required & the horse's acceptance. Throughout the whole treatment process I will monitor your horse's physical & psychological state to ensure the treatment is both effective & enjoyable.

If it's your horse's inital visit from myself the visit usually takes up to 90 minutes. Repeat or follow-up visits are around 60 minutes, but could vary slightly.

Post treatment I do advise allowing your horse to rest so they can process everything that has happened. Massage therapy can continue to work up to 48 hours. Your horse may wish to drink or urinate after treatment, this is the bodies way of expelling any toxins released during the massage.

Throughout this whole process I will be taking notes, a copy of which can be sent via email to yourself, should you require it. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you wish.

Your horse may exhibit a variety of signs during a massage to indicate they are relaxed and enjoying the experience, including:

• Softening of their eyes.
• Lowering of the head.
• Yawning.
• Becoming sleepy.
• Stretching.
• Having a shake.
• Urinating.
• Resting a leg.
• Licking & chewing.
• Blinking.
• Loose or trembling lower lip.
• Changes within their breathing.

Some of these signs can be very subtle.

There are several types of muscle injuries including:

• Trigger Points.
• Stress Points.
• Lactic Acid Build-Up.
• Tension.
• Spasms.
• Adhesions.
• Scar Tissue.
  
  

When a muscle shows signs of injury it becomes unable to contract & relax correctly. This inability to contract & relax correctly together with a disruption of blood supply to the muscle/s, will lead to pain & place a burden on the surrounding muscles . This can lead to compensatory movement patterns developing in an effort to support the injured muscle/s. This may then lead to further issues.

I hold a level 4 diploma in Equine Sports & Rehabilitation Massage (Cert.ESMT), completed with Wolds Equine. This course has been externally accredited by UKRural Skills as an approved UKRural Skills training provider. This ensures students receive the highest quality education & training.

Wolds Equine is also a member of The International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork / Association of Canine Water Therapy (IAAMB/ACWT) as an approved education provider. They are also recognised by the International Association of Animal Therapists (IAAT) & Balens Insurance.

This course together with continuing CPD has provided me with firm & comprehensive knowledge of:

• The Horse's Musculoskeletal System.
• Conformation Analysis.
• Gait Analysis.
• Contraindications to Massage Therapy.
• Comprehensive Knowledge of Equine Massage Therapy Techniques & How & When to Apply Them.
• Muscular Stress Points.
• Equine Locomotion.
• Relieving Tension & Stress
• Improving Muscle Tone & Range of Motion.
• Enhancing Performance.
• Rehabilitating after injury or Surgery.
• Therapeutic Ultrasound Therapy.
• Heat Therapy.
• Phototonic Red Light Therapy.
• Myofascial Release Therapy.
  
  

As well as a comprehensive knowledge of equine massage therapy techniques and how and when to apply them.

I am also a full member of:

• IAAMB/ACWT.
• IAAT.
• Fully Insured With Balens.

There are several options available for making an appointment:

• Mobile: 07715301521.
• Whatsapp: 07715301521
• Text Message: 07715301521.
• By Email: phil@equinesolutions.uk
• Online Booking Form: Book Here