Equine Therassage

Equine Sports Massage Therapy

 

Becky Bailey - ITEC Dip Equine, ITEC Dip Human, MESMA, MCThA

 

Areas covered include—Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, West Midlands

 

Telephone: 07739 018476                email

Techniques

Effleurage

 

Effleurage is applied using one or both hands, either singly or together, in rhythmic strokes, to relax the horse and prepare his body for massage.  When relaxed, pressure can be increased to work deeper into the musculature.  Effleurage can be performed over the neck, shoulders, pectorals, back, loins and hind quarters.

Effleurage should be performed at both the beginning and end of all massage sessions to relax the equine subject.

 

Compression

Replicates muscle movement and helps encourage blood flow to tissue for cleansing, venous flow and waste removal.  Using a lightly clenched fist, press down on the muscle tissue, then when at the desired depth, rotate the wrist and lift to release the muscle, before moving onto an adjacent area.  Care should be taken not to over work an area, bruising the tissue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friction

 

If when massaging, the therapist locates evidence of previous injury, friction on the affected area can break down scar tissue/adhesions.  Using one finger, with another on top for support/strength, small, circular, cross fibre movements ‘irritate’ the affected area to activate the natural healing process of inflammation, proliferation and remodelling.            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tapotement

 

Cupping (a form of tapotement) creates heat and encourages blood flow to the skins surface.  It is a stimulatory technique and can be used to great effect before competition to warm the muscles.  Care should be taken to ensure the hand is cupped correctly and not flat, to prevent the affect of slapping the body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hacking (also tapotement) achieves the same effects by creating heat and encouraging blood flow.  The wrist must be free to ensure the rapid action of the ulnar surface of the hands so they do not ‘chop’ the body of the equine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skin Rolling

 

Skin rolling will stimulate neural receptors within the fascial layer, which is intrinsically linked throughout the equine body.  As such, this technique does not just affect the local area, but has wide reaching benefits across the entire body.

 

Taking a section of skin between the fingers and thumb, the fold of skin is lifted by the thumb and moved along and down like a wave by the fingers, towards the masseur. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passive Movements/stretches

 

To conclude all massages, passive movements and stretches are performed to assist mobility and flexibility of joints, stretch ligaments, tendons and muscles.  There isn’t any active muscle contraction during these movements.  Care must be taken to keep within the natural range of movements of the horse.