Dancing Horse Equine Sports Massage


	DANCING HORSE
	Equine Sports Massage Therapy

Equine Massage Relieves Pain and Improves Attitude

In many horses, physical pain is at the root of behavior and performance problems, and, since sixty percent of a horse's body weight is muscle, chances are good that at least some of that pain is muscular. Equine sports massage is not just a nice rubdown. It is a scientific method of locating and treating muscle tension and spasms.

It is a survival instinct in horses and many other animals to hide any sign of weakness from potential predators. A horse might live with pain or discomfort for a long time without ever showing it. Rather, when the pain becomes unbearable, a horse is likely to demonstrate it in the form of a behavior or "attitude" problem. Bucking, balking, being "cold-backed," becoming rigid or disobedient may all be signs of muscular pain, signs our equine friends are apt to show us long before we ever see pronounced lameness or lethargy.

Even one massage can yield important information and, often, remarkable results. Your horse will definitely feel better. A customized program of sports massage therapy, executed over time (whether weeks or months) will improve your horse's performance and your partnership with your horse so that your success as a team is enhanced.

Benefits of Equine Sports Massage

Improves circulation, thereby speeding healing of injuries.
Improves range of motion and enhances muscle tone and flexibility.
Relieves tension and chronic stress-related pain.
Increases production of synovial fluid and reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints.
Stimulates circulation in the lymphatic system and hastens the elimination of toxins.
Lengthens connective tissue and so breaks down/prevents the formation of adhesions and reduces the danger of fibrosis.
Improves disposition.

Post-massage Observations

"Unloadable" horses calmly load onto a trailer.
"Needle-shy" horses accept being vaccinated.
"Uncatchable" horses come trotting up to the handler.
Horses from whom trainers "just want a good ride" for their beginner riders win blue ribbons.
Grumpy horses soften.
Nervous horses learn to trust.

Massage is not a substitute for veterinary care!

Rates

For a full-body massage, which typically takes a little over an hour, the fee is $60.

Harriet Ling, LMBT
NC License #6843

(919)215-2116