ECLECTICBODYWORKS

EQUINE SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY

Equine Anatomy is comprised of 60% muscle, so it is no surprise that horses, like humans, can exhibit signs and symptoms arising from problems originating within the muscular system. There are times when a horse may appear to be off or experiencing discomfort, but no sign of injury or illness is present. it is in these situations where the muscular system can be the entire cause of the problem.

horses work all of their body at once, thus tightening of the muscles does not remain localized. if one muscle group tightens up, then others must compensate and receive the additional stress. the safety of one part depends upon the efficiency of neighboring parts. for example, a horse with tight shoulders that is constantly being used, will pass the tightening down to muscles of the upper arm and eventually to the digital flexors and tendons. the length of the long flexor tendons in the foreleg combined with the horse's weight, make the flexors the most susceptible to strain. they are also the most severe cause for a debilitating breakdown in the horse. the elastic properties of the tendon, meaning its ability to stretch, is approximately ten percent. ninety percent of the elasticity, thus the safety mechanism, comes from the associated muscle. therefore, the greatest stress falls upon the digital flexor tendon of the foreleg, and the action point of the horse rolling forward onto the hoof and the flexor muscle coming into play.

repetitive actions, heavy training, injury and overstreching are just some examples of what can cause strained muscle fibers leading to the vicious cycle of muscle tension, pain and stiffness. The end result is a reduction in circulation, loss of movement and the formation of stress points. If left untreated, these areas will eventually develop into full muscle spasms. With continued use, the spasm will become aggravated and enlarged. This enlargement process causes pressure, which therefore leads to discomfort and pain in the horse. If the problem is not addressed, the horse will be placed at high risk for a pulled or torn muscle due to the muscle's inability to accommodate the movement placed upon it.

remember, there is a thin line between safety and disaster, and when a horse leaves a competition with a muscular problem, he entered with potential. the most basic physiological requirement of a muscle is freedom and its ease of motion. Equine sports Massage therapy can break the cycle to relieve the pain and help prevent injuries.

uses for esmt

some of the most common problems that massage therapy is extremely beneficial for include;

~ hip and shoulder lameness ~
~ hind leg scuffing ~
~ tying up ~
~ girthing problems ~
~ uneven movement-saddle slipping off to one side ~
~ resisting or refusing leads ~
~ 'cold back'/sore back ~
~ Shortened strides ~
~ head and neck discomfort ~
~ improper tracking ~
~ loss of motion, power and/or coordination ~
~ restricting or resisting lateral movement ~
~ touch sensitivity at the poll and/or withers ~
~ restricted motion in the stifle or Hock ~

your horse will benefit greatly from a massage therapy plan that is designed with their sport, activity or discipline in mind. the following is a list of some stress areas that are specific to each one;

western performance ~ these Competitions include reining, cutting, barrel racing, team roping and several others. Each of these sports require the horse to possess great coordination, excellent reflexes and stamina. stress Points may develop in the hindquarters, back, shoulders, chest and neck. The tendons, ligaments and hocks are especially affected and have a tendency to show high levels of stress due to the quick starts, stops and changes in direction.

hunter/jumper ~ in this discipline, it is important that the horse be agile and have plenty of balance, strength and stamina. depending upon the rider's style, the croup and back muscles may be tense. strain is placed upon the flexors, extensor muscles, tendons and ligaments of the hindquarters during take-off at the jump. upon landing, strain is placed upon the flexor muscles, tendons and ligaments of the foreleg, as well as the shoulders and chest. stress points may be found in the neck due to impact of the landing.

dressage ~ this discipline places great demands on the entire body of the horse, especially the hindquarters. horses must demonstrate control, accuracy, flexibility and be extremely sensitive to the rider's aids. the nature of the work requires great muscle control and coordination on the horse's part. stress points may occur in the back, hips, stifles and hocks. lateral work may contribute to stress in the chest and shoulders. collection may cause tension in the jaw area and neck.

flat racing ~ this popular sport is dominated by the thoroughbred and quarter horse due to its demand for exceptional speed and stamina. lactic acid build up and occasional inflammation may be found in overworked muscles. hindquarters will show the most tension and stress due to the quick starts, and stress points may develop in the neck, chest, back and tendons.

endurance racing ~ in this competitive sport, the endurance and stamina of the horse is tested. exhaustion, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, tying up and inflammation tend to be the main problems. tension can develop over the entire body of the horse, however, the muscles of the back are especially prone to stress.

polo ~ during this exciting game, the horse is required to execute quick starts, abrupt stops, and sharp180-degree turns. horses must be well balanced, fast and able to turn on a dime, perform flying lead changes and sliding stops. strains and bowed tendons are common in this sport, as the ligaments and muscles of the leg are under constant stress. stress points may be found in the hindquarters, back and the upper and lower parts of the neck. the chest, ribcage and abdominal muscles may show stress as well. lactic acid build up and inflammation can be considerable.

school and pleasure horses ~ school horses may spend several hours a day dealing with inexperienced riders, and will often show neck and back problems and inflammation along the spine in response to this. shoulders and hindquarters might be stressed as well for horses involved in jumping. Older horses may show signs of arthritic pain in the joints. For pleasure horses, the problems are similar in nature due to an irregular training schedule and the number and type of activities they are involved in.

benefits of esmt

~ improves circulation ~
~ decreases inflammation and swelling in the joints ~
~ increases flexibility and range of motion ~
~ relaxes muscle spasms ~
~ relieves tension, muscle tightness and alleviates pain ~
~ speeds up recovery time after an injury ~
~ helps prevent the occurrence and re occurrence of injuries ~
~ generally improves the disposition of the horse ~
~ extends the health and overall life of the horse's athletic "career" ~

there are many talented horses performing below their true capabilities because they have lost the flow of motion required for athletic performance. these horses may require nothing more but releasing a restricted muscle area. the best protection you can give your horse is prevention. because the majority of strain injuries are cumulative, they are therefore preventable!

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