Wicklow Equine Massage Therapy

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Part 2Now let's look at the features of the movement of horses that live in a stable, where they have a quite limited sp...
26/01/2024

Part 2
Now let's look at the features of the movement of horses that live in a stable, where they have a quite limited space to move.
Fortunately, keeping an animal only in a stall is becoming a relic of the past and is rarely practiced in the modern world.
Even if horse walking is organized in the stable, the horses remain practically motionless for up to 14 hours a day, with the horse’s head raised most of the time.

From 60 to 120 minutes a day, there are (of course, exceptions when even more) the horse moves at a faster gait than at a walk. At the same time, the horse, that lives always in limited spaces, is forced to move at a fast gait - trot, gallop, constantly turning.
Even at a walk, her head is higher than the level it would be if the horse was grazing in the pasture.

You can notice, that domestic horses’ have exactly the opposite in wild and “unnatural” living conditions.

to be continued….

Why do horses need massage? They manage without it in the wild...Part 1.Since the domestication of the horse, its breedi...
19/01/2024

Why do horses need massage? They manage without it in the wild...

Part 1.
Since the domestication of the horse, its breeding has been aimed at acquiring the horses' users qualities, and not at their actual ability to adapt to new unnatural living conditions. In fact, since selection, evolution has been stopped. After all, it is through evolution that animals adapt to their environment, and the horse was evolutionarily adapted precisely to wild natural life, and not to domestic keeping in stables.

In order to identify the problems of the biomechanics of a domestic horse, we need to compare the movement characteristics of a wild horse living in its natural conditions and a horse living in a stable.

Features of the movement of a wild horse:
Sleeps up to 4 hours a day, and sleeps in short bursts of 30-40 minutes several times a day. A horse can doze while standing, but healthy, full sleep is only possible in a lying position.
Under natural conditions, a horse grazing up to 17 hours a day. The horse, as a species, developed in grassland conditions with very sparse grass, and therefore was constantly on the move in the pastures. The scarcer the pasture, the longer the horse walked with its head low during the day.
At the same time, no more than 30-60 minutes a day the horse moves at faster gaits: trot, gallop.

At fast gaits, it raises its head, arches its back, lifts or lifts its tail. The horse is not a weaving animal, that is, it primarily runs in a straight line. However, if it needs to make a sharp turn, it usually slows down to a walk, turns and accelerates again.
When a horse has obstacles in its path, when it is, for example, running away from a predator, if these obstacles are destructible, the horse will often pass through them; if these obstacles are indestructible, but surmountable, the horse will try to jump over them. And only if the obstacle is both indestructible and insurmountable, the horse will go around them, turning at a fast gait.

Horses remain motionless for rest for no more than 2 hours a day.
To be continue...

How much time will it take to noticeable improvement in my horse from massage?Sometimes there is an immediate improveme...
16/11/2023

How much time will it take to noticeable improvement in my horse from massage?

Sometimes there is an immediate improvement and other times it may take a few sessions. Most soft tissue issues are cumulative and did not happen overnight.

How to prepare your horse for a massage therapy session?First of all, make sure your horse is clean and dry before a ses...
16/11/2023

How to prepare your horse for a massage therapy session?

First of all, make sure your horse is clean and dry before a session. Removing dirt and water allows the therapist to work on the skin unimpeded, making the massage more comfortable for your horse. We don't want to injure its skin by rubbing dust and dirt into it. Please refrain from using fly spray or coat polishes or conditioners before their massage.
Your horse should be fed on time without changing the schedule to avoid additional stress during a session. Typically you do not want your horse getting treats or eating during the bodywork session. This allows the horse to “connect” with the therapist and focus on the massage.
Do not plan any hard work for your horse on the day of the massage and 3 days after as the body needs some time to its calibration (IMPORTANT! this rule does not apply to sports horses that are being prepared for competitions). Light exercise/ long walks after your horse's session is great for the re-education of muscle fibers to be in correct alignment.

14/11/2023

You can be very surprised how light the pressure we can use. A human has a different perception than a horse. The horse has great sensitivity; it feels very light touches (even a fly). Be softer, gentler and slower: this will in most cases give you better results because the horse will not resist.

Contraindications of Equine Massage Therapy Some contraindications to massage may include:• Open or unhealed wounds• Un...
14/11/2023

Contraindications of Equine Massage Therapy

Some contraindications to massage may include:
• Open or unhealed wounds
• Undiagnosed lumps or bumps
• A horse suffering a fever
• Mare's pregnancy
• Areas of acute inflammation (e.g. insect bites or sunburn)
• Hot inflamed joints (including hot arthritic joints)
• Areas of acute trauma (heavy bruising)
• Areas of bacterial infection (e.g. an abscess)
• Areas where a hernia is present
• A horse suffering from shock
• A horse diagnosed with low blood pressure
• Extreme exhaustion
• Areas where tumours, sarcoids or cysts are present

About usAn Equine massage therapist is a professional who specializes in providing massage therapy and muscle manipulati...
14/11/2023

About us

An Equine massage therapist is a professional who specializes in providing massage therapy and muscle manipulation techniques for horses. Their primary goal is to enhance the physical well-being and performance of horses by addressing muscle tension, soreness, and stiffness.

Therapists work closely with owners, sportsmen, trainers, veterinarians to create tailored rehabilitation programs for individual horses, helping to promote relaxation, alleviate pain, and improve overall mobility and flexibility. This can be especially beneficial for horses involved in various equestrian disciplines, such as racing, show jumping, or dressage, as it can contribute to their overall health and athletic performance.

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Wicklow

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Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm

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+353894235547

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You can be very surprised how light the pressure we can use. A human has a different perception than a horse. The horse has great sensitivity; it feels very light touches (even a fly). Be softer, gentler and slower: this will in most cases give you better results because the horse will not resist.

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