MASSAGE CAN BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH CONVENTIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH CARE TO GIVE OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE

MASSAGE IS NEVER A REPLACEMENT FOR APPROPRIATE VETERINARY CARE

What is massage?

Massage is one of the oldest and most effective forms of therapy and involves using the hands to apply and release pressure directly over muscles to help relieve spasm or tension and improve circulation to allow for optimum muscle function. A massage session usually involves treating all the muscles in the body not just those affected by pain or stiffness.

What are the benefits of massage?

• Enhances the performance and gait quality.

• Provides comfort to muscle injuries.

• Regular maintenance massage can provide early detection of soft tissue injuries.

• Increases range of movement.

• Improves circulation to muscles and skin.

• Assesses physical condition.

• Can improve disposition.

When will I notice an improvement?

Sometimes there is an immediate notable improvement. In other cases it may take a few sessions. Soft tissue injuries are often cumulative, occurring over a period of time and may therefore take time to improve.

My horse is off work. Can you look at him without veterinary approval?

Veterinary permission for treatment is always required, but it is not essential for your vet to examine your horse prior to massage.

How often should a horse be massaged?

This all depends on the horse’s level of work, his health, the extent of an injury, the footing, his tack fit, etc. Horses in hard, demanding work may benefit from a massage session twice a month in order to maintain maximum performance. For those horses working at a moderate level of fitness and without specific problems a once monthly massage session will help maintain performance, assess training impact and help detect injuries in the early stages.

How long do I have to wait until I can ride my horse after a session?

Follow-up work exercise is a component of sports massage. Healthy, sound horses can be ridden straight after a session. It is recommended that schooling after the massage session is not too demanding using large circles and figures of eight. If hacking out keep it relaxed and avoid fast work.

If you would like more information please contact us on Tel: 017684 83789, or by email: townhead @paragonvet.com.