++ Equine Therapy ++

Benefits of Massage Therapy for horses

Massaging enhances blood circulation and speeds up the healing process.
It increases the blood flow, and aids in the expulsion of excess fluids and toxins, reducing congestion in the blood and lymph
vessels. A further benefit is the increase of intestinal movement, which stimulates glands, helps clean the pores, and aids the
removal of toxins thereby improving circulation.

More than 60% of a horse's body weight is muscle, so it stands to reason that muscular trouble may be a source of a variety of
troubles.

Stamina and well being is improved.

Tight and contracted muscles put pressure on surrounding
tissue, resulting in pain, decreased blood circulation, and
restricted movement. This in turn can cause a number of
training problems, and may end up seriously affecting
your equine, be it a competition, western, under harness or
race horse, with your equine becoming lame,
causing further injury and loss of training for lengthy periods
of time if the issues are not addressed immediately. In turn this
will prevent your horse achieving ultimate fitness and those
goals expected of him.

Like any athlete, the horse needs the correct nutrition, training,
massage and stretching! Massaging reduces the inflammation
of tissue in the joints and prevents the formation of adhesions
and fibrous bands in the tendons, ligaments and muscles.

By relaxing muscle spasms and easing tense muscles
movement is improved, performance is boosted and muscle
groups restored.

This regime, combined with a healthy working physique and
resulting joint flexibility, prevents injury which is the objective
we all want.

Benefits of Massage at a glance

• Improvement in stamina
• Notable improvement in disposition
• Easing of muscle injuries
• Speeding-up of healing and reduction of scar tissue
• Enhancement of performance and gait quality
• Enhancement of stride length and flexibility
• Increased range of motion.
• Less wear and tear on joints, ligaments and tendons.
• Improvement in overall general condition of your horse.

Conditions helped by therapy:

• Soft tissue injury
• Spinal pain/stiffness
• Strains, tightness, imbalances.
• Performance and schooling problems.
• Saddle-related problems
• Post-surgical rehabilitation (only with the Vet's permission)
• Re-conditioning program - rehabilitation
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Massage
• Range of motion
• Muscle stimulation
• Exercise therapy, muscle and gait re-education.

NB
Please note that therapy is not an alternative to conventional
veterinary medicine. On obtaining the veterinarian's telephone
number, I then request permission from him/her, before I work
on your equine, This is the law in South Africa, USA and Europe.

Again, I am doing what is right for your equine and you, the client.

Doing the right thing from the start… your equine's friend.
Kim Hamilton-Young