Restorative and Preventative
Massage assists in restoring functions lost due to strain or injury so the horse can function optimally while also helping to develop and maintain the physical health of the horse to prevent future injuries from occurring.
Specifically, it produces these effects in the following ways:
Pain Reduction
The physical manipulation of muscle tissue reduces pain and tension, allowing the horse to move with greater ease and fluidity. Massage also stimulates the release of endorphins which reduce the perception of pain. Since massage helps to keep muscles relaxed and supple, it lowers the risk of injury significantly.
Range of Motion
This results in an expanded range of motion—longer strides, faster speeds and increased endurance, all of which enhance the athletic capability of a horse. Massage also helps to prevent muscle atrophy during long periods of inactivity resulting from illness.
Speedier Healing
By increasing the flow of nutrient-rich blood to muscles, massage helps to speed up the healing process after an injury, reduces recovery time after competition or strenuous exercise, and flushes out toxins as well as excess fluids that accumulate in the body.
Impactful
The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM) notes physiologic effects of massage therapy that impact not only the muscular system but also numerous other body systems, including the skeletal system, digestive system, and nervous system.
