The techniques I use include Swedish massage, TMJ massage, Shiatsu, myofascial release, stretches, and more. I am also certified as an equine kinesiology taping practitioner and I’m working toward certification as an equine craniosacral therapy practitioner.
1) pain and muscle tension relief
2) poll tension relief
3) improves mobility
4) improves locomotor function
5) improves circulation
6) improves suppleness
7) improves muscle conditioning
8) increases flexibility
9) aids muscle recovery
10) detoxification
11) relaxation
12) builds trust
1) Relieves pain from acute and chronic injuries, inflammatory health conditions or post-surgery.
2) Increases lymphatic drainage, reducing swelling and inflammation.
3) Supports injured muscles and joints without restricting range of motion.
4) Delays onset of fatigue during prolonged exercise.
5) Increases blood flow to working muscles.
6) Improves neuromuscular efficiency.
7) Accelerates removal of lactic acid.
8) Improves endurance, strength and power.
9) Cues form and posture.
Craniosacral Therapy ~ what it is & how it helps
Craniosacral therapy aims to use light manual touch to restore this cranial rhythm and affect the nervous system at its core in the brain and nerves. There are 12 nerves in total and help control everything from sensory organs to facial muscles to the digestive tract. The uses for craniosacral therapy are limitless. Owners can see great benefits in using it on healthy, working horses to keep them feeling their best. It is also beneficial to horses who have performance issues, behavior problems, chronic pain, chronic medical conditions, and many other conditions.
Some of the conditions that benefit from CT:
1) Facial nerve paralysis
2) Head injuries and traumas
3) Head shaking
4) Headaches
5) Grinding teeth or difficulty chewing food
6) Difficulty breathing
7) TMJ/TMD-related issues
8) Blocked tear ducts
9) Lumbar or sacroiliac problems
10) Difficulty with transitions and flatwork
11) Lameness
12) Castration recovery
13) Cribbing
14) Unexplained behaviors ~ bucking, refusing, rearing, shying, spookiness
How do you know if your horse needs bodywork?
The following is a short list of behaviors that communicate a need for bodywork:
1) reluctance to be caught
2) pinning the ears back, biting or kicking while being tacked up or ridden
3) girthy/cinchy when being saddled
4) reluctance to move forward during exercise
5) weakness in the legs, dragging of toes
6) head tossing while being worked
7) difficulty bending to one or both sides
8) difficulty picking up the correct lead
9) the saddle slips off to one side
10) uncharacteristic bucking or rearing under saddle
11) being more reactive, spooking more than usual
12) your horse is in an uncharacteristic bad mood
sources: https://www.americanveterinarian.com/news/the-benefits-of-equine-massage-therapy; https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/benefits-of-equine-massage-628846; https://www.holisticanimalstudies.org/blog/can-your-horse-benefit-from-massage-therapy
