Equine Massage 

Hello!

Thank you for agreeing to the conditions of access to this guide. I hope the information offered here will be of great benefit to you and your horse.

I have taken pains to make this equine massage guide as comprehensive as possible. Please read everything thoroughly. Depending on your level of experience, much of what you read may seem obvious, however please resist the urge to skim through as important points may be overlooked.

Thank you.

I would also like to remind everyone that this type of interaction with horses is deeply enjoyable and should never be seen as a chore.

It is a joy to show a horse that we care, that we respect him and that we can show him something new and fun. It is not only about increasing performance, although it has this benefit too, but primarily should be undertaken as a gift to our horse, an expression of thanks and care for all that he is and all he does for us. It is with this intent in our hearts, that we obtain the absolute best out of massage.

Primum Non Nocere - The first thing is do no harm.

Wishing you peace and many blessings,

Sascha Day  

Massage Techniques for The Horse

I educate and instruct people on how to maintain great health in their horses by using natural therapies such as massage and correct stretching.

The techniques described here are to be easy to apply and understand, and require no special training. It is a basic but very effective generalised massage sequence adapted for the average horseperson.

Please Take Note

The Deep Tissue Sports Massage I use in my treatments, has been adapted for the specific physiology of horses.

Due to the sometimes intense nature of Equine Massage, only suitably qualified therapists should practice any form of deep tissue treatment. It takes a very sound knowledge of horse anatomy and massage techniques to be able to effectively treat a horse with any intensive therapy.

Serious damage can be done to muscles and supporting structures by the use of direct pressure therapy, or manipulation of any kind - by persons who do not have the essential extensive training and experience required. This is very dangerous for your horse!

Never allow anyone to use therapy that seems invasive or manipulative on your horse unless you are sure that they are suitable qualified. It would be highly unethical for anyone to apply direct pressure therapy or invasive techniques without the proper training.

Research on Touch and How Differences in Pressure Affects an Equine Subject

Most people are aware of the positive benefits and health enhancing effects that touch has.

Research has been done on the effect of differences in pressure has on the horse's nervous system.

It has been shown that a light feathery touch has a stimulating effect on the nervous system and can increase nervousness in a nervous horse.

On the other hand, firm steady confident strokes that take a predictable pattern and rythym will calm and slow the heart rate of massage recipients, including horses.

The Purpose of Massage

The purpose of the techniques described here are:

• To increase circulation and blood flow
• To relax and relieve tension in the muscles
• To warm up the muscles before riding or applying the stretching sequence
• To release endorphins and enhance the feeling of wellbeing in a horse 
• To rid the body of toxins and waste poducts
• To aid in the gentle relief of pain in a horse suffering from arthritis or old injury
• Strengthen the bond between horse and man through trust and touch

When Not to Massage

Just as important as knowing how to massage is knowing when NOT to massage.

 Never massage an animal when:

• There is any heat, swelling or inflammation of any kind
• The horse is weightbearing lame
• The horse presents with any colicy behaviour
• Has a serious condition/injury that has not been treated by a Vet
• Is obviously in pain 
• Is pregnant

Safety Tips for You and Your Horse

Before beginning to massage, make sure your surroundings are safe, secure, calm and familiar to your horse and ensure it is a place where he is safe to shift around without being tied up.

Please wear decent footwear.

Any small animals or distractions should be kept out of the way until your massage is complete.

Make sure there is room for you to get out of the way should your horse react suddenly or unexpectedly.

A Word on Massage Oils, Lotions, Rubs or other Massage Mediums

I personally do not recommend using any sort of oil or rub on your horse for massage. I believe that massage on horses is more effective without them. The act of massage itself stimulates natural oil production in the skin and improves the gleam and health of the coat. However, if using your favourite natural massage oil is agreeable to both you AND your horse, then by all means go ahead and use it. Please be sure that it is non-toxic, non-heating (do not use Dencorub or similar on horses) and is as natural as you can get it. 

One or two different essential oils in a carrier oil is probably the best for use on horses. Pick your essential oils carefully as it has been my experience that horses are very sensitive to the properties of essential oils and can react strongly to their effects. Lavender is probably the safest one to use with horses.

Fly repellents

Flies and other insects are very disturbing and distracting to both you and your horse during massage. This is a time for relaxation and quietness - not for getting irritated by flies!

Remember anything you spray on the horses coat is going to be rubbed into the horse's skin and YOUR HANDS. Please ensure it is a non-toxic, naturally based repellent. Please resist the urge to use insect surface spray on your horse- you can't get much more poisonous than that stuff.

Recipe for Natural Fly and Insect Repellent

Here's a cheap, effective repellent that is good for everyday use or for when you are doing your massage. A good tip is to invest well in a quality spray bottle- poorly made ones will only make you frustrated.

You may need to reapply this often, especially in very hot weather and in areas where there are a high density of insects. You can spray it or wipe it over your horses body with a damp cloth - whichever your horse prefers.

Ingredients:

Carrier oil (baby oil is probably the cheapest and easiest to get hold of, olive oil is ok -  a bit heavy, almond oil, other essential carrier oil)

Lavender essential oil

Tea tree oil

Method:  pour the carrier oil into a plastic or glass spray bottle. Do not make more than 2-3 cups at a time as it loses is effectiveness fairly quickly (a few days). Add in a fair splash of tea tree oil and at least 10-20 drops of lavender oil.

Shake the bottle well before and during, spraying your horse. Store your repellent out of the sun or away from heat.

Do not spray near eyes or open wounds.  

Massage Sequence for The Horseowner

by Sascha Day EBW

BEFORE PROCEEDING ANY FURTHER:

Please remember massage is a time for relaxation and helping your horse -

not for disciplining him. 

Kindness, respect to your horses tolerance levels and extreme sensitivity are essential attributes for a human to display when administering any equine massage or treatment.

You must ensure that the horse can trust you - he can only give trust in a situation where you are respectful, heeding to his needs and he has no fear.

Use your very best manners when applying any massage and be aware of your horse's limitations and perspective at all times.

Beginning The Sequence

Firstly, your horse should feel calm and be in a safe environment. A yard away from other horses but where he can still see his pasture mates is ideal. Use a place your horse is familiar with and where there are no hidden dangers (dogs, sharp metal etc).  

Do not tie your horse! Either have a trusted friend whom your horse appreciates to hold him very loosely, offering only quiet support or if you are alone, simply drape the lead rope over his neck. Your horse should be able to move without reprimand, and flex his head and neck without inhibition. You will need to watch your horse carefully for clues as to reasons for his movements/behaviour. Never assume the horse is acting naughty if he moves away from your touch or forward away from you. Take this as a clear sign of communication from your horse and do your best to interpret his meaning. Is there pain? Is your touch too ticklish? Is he not trusting you? Has he had enough? Hungry? Thirsty? Is he try to stretch out a spasm you've been working on? There are many possibilities for behaviour and it is never because a horse is naughty. Your horse should know that he has a voice when it comes to his body - remember to respect it.

If you do have someone holding your horse, ask them to not to fiddle with or distract your horse- you want him to focus on your touch.

Be sure to remove your watch and any rings or bracelets.

You will be working on only one side of the horse at a time. So you will complete the entire sequence on ONE side of the horse before proceeding to the other side. 

The First Pass - The Sweep

This technique signals the beginning of the massage to the horse.  Always watch for reactions in your horse when you pass over any area - and mentally record those reactions.

The Sweep is an essential part of the sequence - as you apply the technique you are checking for any pain, heat, swelling, wounds or cuts.

Start by applying large sweeping strokes to the horse's neck and body. Beginning at just behind the ears, using confident firm strokes with both hands - overlapping each other as you go.

Remember to use firm strokes - Light feathery strokes tend to disturb horses, especially nervous ones.

You are aiming to cover the entire body of the horse with strokes from your flat hands. Try to imagine that you are painting your horse and wish to leave no area or hair unpainted.

You can count a 1-2 beat in time with each sweep to keep from rushing.This also relaxes the horse as horses enjoy a predicatable rythym while being worked with.

Always move in the direction the hair lays and don't forget to sweep down the horse's legs to the coronet band. Please be aware in sensitive areas ie; flank, inner hind leg.

Once you have covered the entire one side - from neck to tail - repeat the same on the other side. This is the only technique that you apply to both sides of your horse- the rest of the massage is completed on one side of the horse before proceeding to the other side.

The Second Pass - Palpitate The Spine

When you are satisfied you have completely covered your horse with your hand strokes it is time to alpitate the spine.  

There are three stages to this move - Light - Medium - Firm.

How to determine Light - Medium - Firm Pressure

• Light pressure - 1 kilo of pressure - the skin moves with your touch and you can feel the muscle and underlying tissue but not moving them too much. It is NOT a light feathery touch - it has a purposeful action but it is not too firm. Imagine you are touching a bruise on your horse, you want to determine the painful area but not cause excessive pain.
• Medium pressure - 1.5-2 kilos of pressure - here you move the skin and top layers of superficial muscles together. You will depress the skin approximately 2 - 4mm on a well muscled area such as the hindquarters or shoulder (this will also depend on the fatness of the horse). This is a good level of pressure when applying compression techniques to broad and large areas such as the hindquarters, shoulder and back. Stay off bony areas in Medium Pressure. Most of the massage will be applied in Medium Pressure for effectiveness.
• Firm pressure - 2-3 kilos of pressure - you will depress the skin and many layers of tissue to the deep muscles in Firm Pressure. You should not remain in one area but keep moving such as when you palpitate the spine. Some large heavily muscled and particularly tense areas on a horse such as the hindquarters can be compressed for SHORT PERIODS OF TIME in Firm Pressure but this should be done with absolute awareness and a constant observation of the horse's reactions.

With Firm Pressure, your touch may depress the skin approximately 3 - 10mm (of course, this depends on the type, condition and size of horse and the area of massage ie; the depth of 10mm will not possible on the back of a horse).

With Light Pressure - Start at the top of the head, just behind the ears - have 2 fingers on one side and a thumb on the same side of the neck that you are standing on keeping them approximately an inch each side of the mane. You must keep off any bony processes during this move. Aim to keep your fingers evenly spaced either side of the neck and back and not pushing on any part of the spine at all.

The spine palpitation starts just behind the ears of the horse and ends at the tail.

Slowly move down the neck watching your horse for reactions, however slight. Do not rush this move as it will often be the first to alert you to a problem in the horse.

After you have completed one palpitation using Light Pressure proceed to Medium and then Hard Pressure. Be careful over the horse's kidneys - if the horse dips here you are pressing too hard.

Doing 3 passes consequetively harder enables the horse to prepare for the next pass. Watch for any changes in tension levels, flickering of the skin or sinking of the back. Be particularly gentle over the kidney area and back off the pressure there.

Watch for these common pain readings:

• A pain reading directly behind the wither on the back indicates saddling problems.
• A reading or sinking of the back just before the kidney area indicates muscular back pain, often caused from rough riding, a hard saddle, lack of conditioning or strengthening exercises.
• Reading at the top of the rump usually on the med - firm pressure palpitation indicates muscular soreness in the hindquarters (excessive jumping, poor hoof balance). 
• Watch for tension at the last point of the palpitation, at the top of the tail. This may indicate excessive tension in the hamstring (this is both common and dangerous in horses).
• Very obvious pain or discomfort at any point on the horse's neck or spine may be indications of a subluxation (vertebrae out of alignment). If you have any doubts call an equine chiropractor or Vet immediately. Subluxations do not respond to muscle therapy - they must be readjusted by a suitably qualified therapist. Your massage will certainly help with rehabilitation after the spine has been treated however.

The Third Pass - Compression

If your horse has no pain readings or subluxations of the spine or neck, now is the time to start working on the muscles using compression. 

Compression is the motion that releases contractions, breaks up adhesions and helps blood to flow into the muscle to deliver oxygen and nutrients.

Finger Friction

Start at the horse's face. We use a compression technique called Finger Friction. Curl your fingers toward the centre of your palms, then using the pads of your fingers to make small circular motions on the horse, with just enough pressure to move the skin and first few layers of tissue beneath.

Stand facing the same direction as your horse place your fingers on both sides of your horse's face - on the cheeks. Using light pressure draw small gentle circles on your horse's mandibles. Tension is accumulated here very often in horses - just as it is in humans, even more so in the bitted horse. If your horse has recently become bitless pay very special attention here, releasing the tension and tightness. This is particularly important in ex-racehorses and ex-competition horses. Keep circling your fingers as you slowly move up toward the ears and back again a few times. When your horse starts to lower his head a little or loosen his jaw or allow his lips to flop you can then proceed to the next area.

Move your Finger Friction circles to behind the ears and poll area. Keep the circles moving, backing off the pressure if the horse is bothered and increasing the pressure slightly if the horse is obviously enjoying it. Your circles can get quite small and then open up to large ones on big muscle areas such as the shoulder and rump.

Stay on the muscular parts of the neck - from the mane hair to the jugular groove. Do not compress the throat area.

Do not forget to do quite firm FF over the chest and sternum of the horse. This is a muscular and fibrous area that may require extra attention . You should maintain FF until you feel all signs of tension and lumpiness disappear.

Move down the neck drawing circles all the way down to the shoulder. Overlap if you have to making sure you have covered the entire one side of his neck. Proceed with moderate to hard pressure over big muscular areas such as the shoulder. Keep the circles moving.

Thumb Fan

When you reach the top of the forelimb at about the point of the elbow cease Finger Friction and gently place both hands around the top of the leg. The fingers on both hands are behind the leg and your thumbs are pointing toward each other on the outside of the leg. With med to light pressure "fan" your thumbs up against the leg. Press with your thumbs and as you push do a half circle upward. Imagine you have a thick book in your hands and you are opening the pages half way through with your thumbs.   This action spreads the muscles and fibers on the outside of the limb. After each semi circle drop your hands further down the limb about 3-4cm and repeat the move. When you reach the fetlock you will  have overlapped numerous times to ensure a good massage. At the fetlock, gently cup the feathered area for a moment and then smooth down the remaining hairs to the coronet band.

Compressing the Saddle Area

Stand back up and start with your Finger friction circles again starting at the point just just behind the wither. Proceed doing FF circles about the size of a saucer down the length of the back to start of the rump. Stay off the spine. Repeat this line of FF at least three times, increasing in pressure each time. This area supports the saddle and is subject to a lot of stress and pressure. The length of muscle should be well compressed and had a good amount of time spent here. Really try and feel the muscles beneath your fingers warming up and relaxing. You cannot overdo the time spent on this area in a ridden horse.

When complete, proceed down the girth area to right underneath the horse. Adhesions can cause "girthiness" in horses so if your horse doesn't like the girth being done up, check this area regularly and spend good time here during your massage. When you reach the midpoint on the girth line change to a FLAT PALM compression. Use large circles to relax and smooth the abdominal region. Try to always go with the hair growth for comfort. Always be sensitive in areas like the flank or underbelly. Likewise you should use less pressure and be understanding with a horse that is in poor condition as their bones are closer to the surface and some areas maybe very uncomfortable for them to be massaged.

Safety in Hindquarter Region

Always keep one hand rested against the horse to transmit to you any indication that he may kick or strike out. At the rear of the horse, one hand works while the other rests at all times against the animal.

I keep my loosely clenched fist against the flank of the horse when I am working on the hindquarters - it is the first place to tell you if a kick is coming.  

Heel Compression

The hindquarters are a powerful mass of large muscles. To adequately massage them you will need a couple of different compression techniques to be effective and to prevent your hands from tiring too much.

One technique is called Heel Compression, by using the heel of your hand you very simply "knead" the muscle. The technique requires your to push against the horse with the meaty part of your hand while your fingers remain relaxed and slightly flexed. As you push against the horse you slightly rotate your hand. It is basically a little twist right at the end of the move. Think "1-2-twist, 1-2-twist". Always twist toward the little finger of your hand and in the direction of hair growth.

Start at the top of the rump and above the point of the hip, slowly work your compressions down the length of the muscle towards the tail.

The first pass will be from top of the rump at approx 5cm away from the spine all the way to the top of the tail. When complete, go back to your start point and drop down the side of the horse approx 5cm again and proceed down the length of the muscle to the rear of the horse. Aim to be "kneading" lines parallel to the spine. Repeat 3-4 times until you reach the top of the thigh. Stay off any bony areas ie; hip bones, spine. Compression techniques are for muscles and are never be used over bony areas.

At the top of the thigh you will return back to FF. Apply FF to the inner and outer thigh being aware on sensitive horses and mares. When the horse is relaxed and comfortable with your touch here start to apply FF to the hamstring area. Start at the tail, draw all four fingers from just inside the horse's rump-just under the tail to the area often called the "poverty line". Of course, this line is more prominent on some horses than others so on the rounder ones just estimate where the line would be. You are using moderate to hard pressure here. Draw out from under the tail and then dropping the hand down 2-3 cm and repeating the move. Your aim is to relax and soften the area.

When you reach the thigh, stop FF and move your hands down to the start of the hock. Gently cup the hock for a moment, warming it with the palm of your hand. Then drop your hands down to the leg just below the hock. Here you will do the thumb fan compression slowly down the outer part of the leg.

Finally, move to the tail. Your horse should be sufficiently relaxed and content by this stage and should allow you to gently lift the tail. Raise it slightly and gently compress the entire length of the dock with gentle squeezing pressure. Repeat a couple of times if your horse allows. End your massage with a final sweep of the horse, nice big reassuring strokes using the flat of your hand.

Take a moment, have a drink of water and allow your horse to adjust his position if he needs to. When you are both ready proceed to the other side of the horse and start the sequence again from The Sweep.

Congratulations! you have just completed the hardest massage- the first one! You may have felt unsure or strange at some points however be assured that with practise and time you will see the amazing benefits it brings to your horse. You will quickly learn what feels normal on your particular horse and what does not. This can alert you to stress, tension or changes in your animal which can potentionally save your horse from serious injury if addressed early enough.

The completion of massage is your best opportunity to do the stretching sequence.  

POINTS TO REMEMBER

• Your aim is to soften, relax, lengthen and warm the muscles and surrounding tissues. Feeling a hard, tense muscle soften and relax beneath your touch is one of the most rewarding feelings.
• Massage is a time to relax and enjoy closeness with your horse - don't be picky about behaviour. Remember the lines of communication must be open between you and your horse - he must be able to tell you if something hurts.
• Never massage if there is any heat, swelling, lameness or colicky behaviour present. Do not massage a horse that has had an injury less than 7 days.
• At anytime, you have concerns you should contact your Vet/Equine Massage Therapist/Equine Chiropractor.
• A weekly massage of the above sequence is absolutely ideal to obtain and maintain peak condition in your horse.

KEEPING YOUR HORSES MUSCLES IN GREAT SHAPE   

Whenever possible, let your horse out into the paddock. Ideally horses should be kept outside 24-7 and with company. Free movement is essential for good health in horses. Horses should always have somewhere safe to roll.  

Make sure your saddle fits! This is the big one- the biggest cause of damage to horses. If you are not sure about your saddle, ask a qualified saddle fitter to check it. It is not easy for me to tell clients that their saddle doesn't fit as it is usually a big investment and people don't like losing money on gear. However, this is the time to cut your losses and invest in a saddle that gives your horse an excellent fit - it will cost you (and your horse!) alot less in the long run. A cheap unfitted saddle is the pinnacle of false economy.

Consider buying a good quality treeless saddle. There are many treeless designs - free to contact me for guidance if you are confused or concerned about the choices available.

A VERY IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT SADDLE FIT-  

If your saddle does not fit your horse, there is simply no amount of padding that will make it fit!

Please do not ever be tempted to add extra rugs or padding to a poorly fitting saddle in the hope that it will make it more comfortable to your horse- because it won't. It will only make the saddle a tighter fit, increasing damaging pressure points and causing pain to your horse. Wedge pads, raisers, excessively thick pads are all ways to make the saddle appear to fit without addressing the real problems such as too narrow or broad a tree, wrong shape or even poor quality construction. If you can't find a great fit today then why not ride bareback!

Assess your horse's hoof balance and health. If you haven't done it already, consider making your horses "barefoot". There is alot of information on barefoot hoof trimming and how to obtain proper hoof balance, on the internet. Check out our links page for some great places to start looking. If your horse is suffering from navicular disease, founder, poor horn quality or any other pathological issues then finding a qualified natural hoof trimmer may be the best place to start. It never ceases to amaze me how the naturally trimmed barefoot horses I work on so often have significantly less muscular problems and always seem to rehabilitate quicker from injury than shod horses.

In my line of work, there are four major factors (all preventable!) which are without a doubt, the most significant cause of muscular and behavioural problems in horses. These are:

1. Poor Saddle Fit

2. Riding

3. Forced Collection by use of bit and bridle

4. Shoes

It takes honesty and courage to assess your horse's health, the equipment you use and your horse's living conditions. It takes even more courage to activate the changes that may need occur. As horsepeople we seem to be always subject to another horseperson's advice or opinion, particularly when it is concerning something that challenges old belief systems. I believe that if we are honest with ourselves about the choices that we make concerning the welfare of our horses, then we will usually make the best choice.

Feel free to contact me if you having any concerns or questions about the information given here. Contact me for more information about my massage treatments for horses, availability and pricing.

Sascha Day EBW (cert 1997)