Understanding Bodywork

Equine sports massage plays an important role in strengthening your horse's muscles and aiding in recovery from strenuous use. In order to strengthen, muscles must be able to contract and release completely; and for this to happen properly, those muscles need to be loose. Since a tight muscle cannot release completely, a tight muscle is a weak muscle. Massage enables muscles to strengthen by keeping them loose.  

Like humans, horses are composed of fascia, a web of connective tissue that runs throughout the body, surrounding muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, organs, and nerves. This fascia can become restricted through injury, stress, or trauma and can result in loss of motion, flexibility, and strength. This fascia will continue to tighten over time if left untreated. The use of myofascial techniques can restore movement and freedom to the fascia and improve a horses movement. 

Structural Balancing is a crucial part of bodywork. Through the use of passive stretches, trigger point therapy, and mobilization techniques, a horses' posture can be improved. Many perceived conformation faults can actually be caused by poor posture and may be improved with proper structural balancing techniques.  A balanced posture will result in increased comfort and performance.