Equine massage is a topic of increasing importance as a natural approach to horse care

Horse care

There are many aspects to horse care. Horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and other domesticated equids require attention from humans for optimal health and long life.-Living environment:...

. Professional and recreational horse owners use it to improve performance, increase mobility and range of motion, and free up the horse's poll, neck, shoulders and back

Back (horse)

The back describes the area of horse anatomy where the saddle goes, and in popular usage extends to include the loin or lumbar region behind the thoracic vertebrae that also is crucial to a horse's weight-carrying ability. These two sections of the vertebral column beginning at the withers, the...

 to improve jumping, bending, turning, and stopping. It is used in treatment of specific maladies such as Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

Equine exertional rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome that damages the muscle tissue in horses...

.

Massage causes the muscle

Muscle

Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...

s to fill with rich oxygen

Oxygen

Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...

ated blood flow

Blood flow

Blood flow is the continuous running of blood in the cardiovascular system.The human body is made up of several processes all carrying out various functions. We have the gastrointestinal system which aids the digestion and the absorption of food...

 and increases circulation

Circulatory system

The circulatory system is an organ system that passes nutrients , gases, hormones, blood cells, etc...

; which hastens the elimination of wastes and toxic buildup from fatigued muscles. Alleviation of muscle tension and spasms can naturally increase the horse's efficiency. Removing harmful toxins from muscles and joints increases the flexibility, muscle tone, range of motion and enhances competitive performance. By using a consistent massage therapy regime, you can improve your horse's performance, confidence and over all quality of life. There are several mechanical high quality products designed and tailored specifically to the horse industry which provide beneficial massage through non-invasive deep tissue response ancillary therapy.

Not only does massage improve its performance and health it can also be used to help the horse relax. If a horse is very stressed out or jumpy, massage normally will help relax the stressed horse and it helps improve the confidence of a jumpy one. Massage can help the horse and handler bond.

Massaging a horse before competition can result in as much as 20% increase in the animal's efficiency.

Massage practices

Equine massage practitioners should first check the horses health, by checking vital signs

Vital signs

Vital signs are measures of various physiological statistics, often taken by health professionals, in order to assess the most basic body functions. Vital signs are an essential part of a case presentation. The act of taking vital signs normally entails recording body temperature, pulse rate ,...

, and checking for injuries

Injury

-By cause:*Traumatic injury, a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident*Other injuries from external physical causes, such as radiation injury, burn injury or frostbite*Injury from infection...

.

• Hydrotherapy
  Hydrotherapy
  Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy, involves the use of water for pain-relief and treating illness. The term hydrotherapy itself is synonymous with the term water cure as it was originally marketed by practitioners and promoters in the 19th century...
  
   - Basic water treatments which helps to relieve pain that is either acute or chronic, and also in inflammatory disorders in both humans and animals

• When using Cold - This helps to stop bleeding when used right after the trauma
  Physical trauma
  Trauma refers to "a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident." It can also be described as "a physical wound or injury, such as a fracture or blow." Major trauma can result in secondary complications such as circulatory shock, respiratory failure and death...
  
   has happened. You can also use this method when there is inflammation
  Inflammation
  Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
  
   in the legs or you could apply to an old injury that’s acting up. When using cold, it first chills the skin, which makes the blood vessel
  Blood vessel
  The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and...
  
  s constrict. This also helps to reduce swelling and helps by decreasing pain by numbing the sensory nerve endings.

• Using Heat - Heat is used at every level in medical practice, so it is used with heat lamps, ultrasound
  Ultrasound
  Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is thus not separated from "normal" sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is...
  
  , laser
  Laser
  A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
  
  s etc.… When using heat it helps to sooth the sensory nerve endings. With this it dilates the blood vessels and helps by bringing in more oxygen and nutrients to the tissues. Using heat helps to loosen muscle fibers, tendon
  Tendon
  A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Tendons are similar to ligaments and fasciae as they are all made of collagen except that ligaments join one bone to another bone, and fasciae connect muscles to other...
  
  s, and ligament
  Ligament
  In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...
  
  s. This helps to dislodge toxins that have built up and helps prepare the muscle for the massaging. It also helps with the relaxation and with it, it lowers blood pressure, while it raises the bodies temperature, and increases metabolism.

• Kinesiology is basically the study of how different structures are able to move. Kinesiology is important to understanding how the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and the joints all work together. As everyone should know the front legs move totally different from the hind legs.

Regulation

In the United States, The legal requirements vary by state and are determined by each state's veterinary board. Presently, some states require vetrinary supervision while others do not. Many schools offer certification programs in the areas of animal and companion massage. Some of these schools are approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). The International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork (IAAMB) is working towards creating a Nationally accepted job description and uniform scope of practice.

Schools

United States

Schools offering certification training courses in the United States include:

• Meredith Manor in West Virginia just out side of Parkersburg.
• Equissage in Northern Virginia.
• Equitouch in Cheyenne, Wyoming

Australia

• Natural College of Traditional Medicine
• Australian College of Animal Tactile Therapy

External links

• Equine Massage Practice