Nobility Ranch

Why Sports Massage?

A muscle is a band of fibers that stretch and contract. Anytime a muscle is worked, it is subjected to "knotting up," which effects the movement of the muscle. Even a miniscule knot can cause the entire muscle to spasm and feel tight. A human can often "make do" with the pain, seek medical help, exercise, or medication. A horse is dependent on its human counterpart to provide relief.

To tell us they are in pain, horses turn to non-verbal communication. Resistance, in the form of bucking, rearing, pulling, hollowing their back, and increased agitation are all often an attempt to express pain and/or discomfort. These conditions often result in poor performance. There is generally a fine line between the horse's expression of "stubbornness" and "pain," and more often than not these qualities are inextricably linked.

This conundrum leaves the rider in the old pitfall, "Do I push him/her through it, or do I back off and risk losing valuable training/riding time?"

Equine Sports Massage Therapy is a means to relieve muscle knots, which lead to spasms and discomfort. It can benefit the backyard horse, trail horses, race horses, hunters, jumpers, dressage horses, eventers, buggy horses, barrel horses, ranch & farm horses, etc... Other benefits of massage therapy include increased circulation, enhancement of muscle tone and range of motion, relief of tension, and general improvement in the horse's general disposition.

Remember that, while Equine Sports Massage Therapy may be beneficial to your horse, it is NOT a substitute for regular veterinary care.

Conditions that may be the result of tight muscles and/or muscle spasms:

• Head tossing
• "Off" for no apparent reason
• Resisting neck motion to the opposite side
• Coordination difficulties
• Short extensions
• Improper leads
• Switching leads
• Sore back
• Bending/Lateral problems
• Girthiness
• Lacks forward impulsion

ESMT has also shown to provide relief to horses who:

• Have in the past or are currently colicing (Massage performed in the midst of a colic while awaiting veterinary care, has shown to be helpful).
• Have in the past or are currently Tying up. (Massage performed while a horse is tied up, has shown to help the horse recover more quickly).