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SWEDISH MASSAGE

Swedish massage, is a relatively gentle massage form focused on the superficial layers of the horse’s. It is provided to promote general relaxation and well-being and sometimes for pain relief.

KINESIO TAPING

Kinesio Taping is a technique which helps minimize pain, can extend the benefits of a massage and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. This lifting affect forms convolutions in the skin increasing interstitial space and allowing for decreased inflammation in affected areas.

IASTM

IASTM stands for Instrument Aided Soft Tissue Manipulation Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)  is a skilled myofascial intervention used for soft-tissue treatment. Instruments effectively break down fascial restrictions and scar tissue. IASTM affects the vascular response to the injured soft tissue, through increasing the blood flow.  IASTM showing improvements in range of motion, strength and pain perception

  • Improved soft tissue mobility
  • Elimination of restrictions in tight fascia
  • Improved flexibility
  • Decreased pain
  • Decreased muscle spasm
  • Increased circulation and blood flow to tissues

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

This technique is designed to release restrictions such a trigger points, muscle tightness, and dysfunctions in soft tissue that may cause pain and limit motion in all parts of the body. It has shown success in decreasing pain and increasing mobility.

SPORTS MASSAGE

I often use this combination of techniques for pre and post event sessions (dressage test, cross country jumping, team penning). Before the event  I use short swift strokes to loosen and wake up the muscles. This helps to prevent injury. After the event by increasing circulation. After the event I use long slow gentle strokes to help reduce the risk of muscle spasms and to relax the horse.

Teeth and all that!

The role of the equine massage therapist and equine teeth…is that such a thing?? Recently, I reached out to my veterinarian @Equidoc, and I was fortunate to have Dr. Liz Forbes come out to treat my American Saddlebred, Forest. The…

Offering Free Kinesiology Taping

CALL FOR HORSE PARTICIPANTS: KINESIOLOGY TAPING CASE STUDIES I am excited to invite you and your horses to participate in a Free Kinesiology Taping Case Study! I am in the final stages of becoming certified as a kinesiology taping practitioner…

Day 1 with Forest

The traditional picture Each time I have the privilege of getting a new horse I have made it a rule to get a photo of us together the day/night that they come home. Forest is no exception! He showed up after dark on Wednesday December 6,…

How can massage and tail pulls help your horse stop rubbing its tail? 

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I am sort of a nerd when massaging horses, I tend to spend a good 10-15 minutes massaging the tail and surrounding muscles, performing range of motion exercises and doing tail pulls. I have found that this routine has helped some of…

Massage Guns- Do they help or hurt?

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By Lisa Turcotte, CEMT Our clients want to do the best for their animals, otherwise they wouldn’t be our clients. Often this leads to those same owners trying products they've heard about or seen on the internet or at other barns.…

Are you using your horse’s brain?

Currently I am reading a book entitled “Horse Brain Human Brain The Neuroscience of Horsemanship” by Janet L. Jones, Ph.D. Jones has taught the neuroscience of perception, language memory and thought. Additionally, she has a successful…

It’s Hot! How to cool off our horses

Working our horses this time of year is very hard on their body. The things we can do to minimize the effects of hot weather include limiting our time in the saddle, training in the early morning or late evening, restructuring our sessions…

Undiagnosed Pain in Horses

As individuals gifted with their presence and given the responsibility of their care, it is important that we recognize times when pain happens in our horses. Horses are very subtle in their interactions within the herd and humans; thus, it makes it very difficult to recognize signs of pain. Luckily all of Dr. Dysons research makes it easier for us to determine the severity of pain horses feel.