I’m often asked, “What is the most common horse you treat with massage?” My answer, “ALL HORSES!!” 🤗 Every horse can benefit from massage! The young horse, the retiree, the sport horse to the weekend trail horse. Massage aids in circulation, muscle tone and elasticity, lymph drainage, and so much more!!
Being a competitive senior in the dressage arena, Josè looks forward to our sessions, as do I! Who wouldn’t love a Josè snooter smooch!!
Through massage, I’m able to help keep his muscles toned, free from tension, and encourage healthy blood flow. In turn preventing any strains or possible sports related injuries. But most importantly, keeping him ready for a day of dancing with his friend Christine! ❤️ #equinemassagetherapist #equinemassage #equinebodywork #equestriansport #dressage #rhodeislandequestrians #devineequineri
Have you ever noticed your horse exhibiting this odd behavior? Have you wondered why they do it? Do you notice this at very specific times/things?
This behavior is called Bruxism, a grinding of the teeth/rolling of the tongue/crinkling of the nose. This behavior is a reaction to mental, emotional, and/or physical discomfort. Many of my clients exhibit this behavior just before a big release of tension.
In this video, my friend Micha shows an excellent example of Bruxism while I help release fascia with gentle tapotement. Tapotement can stimulate the nervous and circulatory systems. This can promote restorative healing and stress relief to effected areas.
When we started our sessions, Micha was wiggly and evasive, holding a lot of tension in his body. Partly in due to past stressors of bug allergies, dietary needs, and travel. Which all have been addressed and resolved by his loving owner. Micha now falls asleep during his sessions and is making incredible progress in his training and posture!
If you notice your horse exhibiting this behavior have a look around! Is there a neighbor your horse doesn’t co-exist with? A change in the environment? Or, are they experiencing tension in the body? It may be time to have body work done!!
✦ If this occurs during grooming, tacking/training and feed time, a call to your attending veterinarian to discuss possible medical concerns may be suggested.✦
Titan living his best life post body clip. ❤️
😌 During a massage session horses will experience an influx of change within the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system. When the parasympathetic system is triggered, the nervous system begins to relax, in turn allowing the body to release feel good hormones like oxytocin, endorphins, dopamine and serotonin.
Here you can see my old friend Spirit, a 30yo quarter horse who enjoys a weekly massage every Friday night. (His momma is so good to him 💞) reaching parasympathetic state and reverting back to sympathetic state (the nerve function in the body that drives the “fight or flight” response) when he feels the deeper treatments of my myofascial release therapy vs my Masterson method bladder meridian technique.
I introduce, and start, all of my sessions with the bladder meridian work to allow the horses nervous system to relax and reach a parasympathetic state, allowing me to manipulate the fascia and muscle fibers easier and more comfortably.
Shown in this video I am beginning to work towards my myofasical therapy once the bladder meridian has been addressed. Spirit very politely asks me to go back to a previously treated spot for more bladder meridian tension release. And gives me the sweetest “thank you.”
This is why I love what I do. For the love of the horse 🥰
