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Equine Sports Massage  Equine sports massage concentrates purely on muscles, which cannot secure their own release from tension. Muscle tension can be seen as a symptom related to an underlying cause. However, a direct muscle injury, caused by overstretching or overuse, can be the initiating factor. This can cause the muscle to shorten, influencing the range of movement, and inevitably the horse’s performance. These muscle knots do not release by themselves, they need help.
Below are signs for muscle related problems, go through them and check if you recognise any of them, in relation to your animal:
- sensitivity over muscle groups
- any change in attitude to work
(moving forward, refusing jumps or dropping poles, unable to back up or not tracking up) - problems with lateral work
- not striking off in correct canter lead/ changing leads
- unwilling/unable to work up or down inclines or hills
- a change in disposition - a change in habits or behaviour
Equine sports massage is also an excellent way to detect early warning signs of stress and injury to the musculo-skeletal structure, as it assesses the horse's physical condition, it has also been proven to be a useful tool in establishing a baseline. When massage is used as a preventative maintenance tool, it will:
- improve circulation
- aid in the removal of muscle waist products accumulated after excessive exercise
- improve posture and gait quality
- enhance athletic performance and stamina
- reduce the risk of injury as joints and muscles become more flexible  Massage can be seen as preparation to exercise, improving circulation to all tissues, thus requiring less effort during warm-up so energy is conserved for athletic exertion.
Therapists can provide guidance before, during and after training or competition.
Massage is also very useful for rehabilitation following injury, as it will:
- decrease muscle pain and tension
- keep affected muscle groups flexible and free of pain
- lengthen connective tissue
- improved muscle tone
An added stretching regime will:
- allow for greatest range of movement
- reduce strain on tendons and ligaments
- maximize tendon and muscle elasticity
- improve lateral work and flexibility
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