How do I know my horse is enjoying the massage?
Horses use body language to communicate. During the massage you will notice many signs of release and relaxation such as dropping their head, heavy blinking, sighing, playing with their mouth(licking and chewing) or even yawning. Horses will also communicate any areas of discomfort and apprehension through their body language some examples are pinning of their ears, giving a wide eyed look or moving away from pain and muscle contractions. Throughout the massage I will continuously monitor your horses responses and adjust my massage pressure and techniques to best suit your horse.
How quickly can I expect results?
You can expect to see results after the first session however lasting results may take multiple sessions depending on your horses condition. Your horses health and comfort are of utmost importance to me during each session but each horse has its own needs.
How often does my horse need a massage?
Frequency of sessions will depend on the age, underlying conditions, fitness level and work load of your horse as well as your goals. If your horse is in light to medium work I would suggest every 6 to 8 weeks and with horses in medium to high work such as endurance horses, race horses or horses who compete regularly I would suggest every 4 to 6 weeks, if your horse has any conditions then depending on the condition your horse may need more frequent sessions. During my initial assessment we will discuss the condition of your horse and your goals to make a tailored schedule to work by.
When should massage not be used?
It is crutial to remember that massage is NOT a substitute for veterinary attention but works in tandem to ensure the muscular health and performance of your horse. Your regular veterinarian should always be consulted first if you have any concerns. Massage should not be carried out in the following situations:
- presence of cancer, infection or fever
- if your horse has a skin infection
- your horse has infectious diseases or ailments
- acute trauma that occurred less than 72 hours before treatment
- if your horse has colic, is on antibiotics or is in shock.
How long is a session?
A massage session length will vary for each horse, a general rule of thumb is about an hour to an hour and a half.
Where will the session take place?
Massage sessions will take place at the livery yard where the horse is kept and preferable in the horses stable. The session should be in an environment where the horse feels safe and comfortable.
Does the owner/guardian need to be present during the session?
It is essential for the owner or guardian with knowledge of the horses history to be present during the initial assessment to discuss the goals and history of the horse however you will not need to be there for the massage itself. I can send you the client report post massage through your preferred medium and contact you to discuss the horses history before hand if you are unable to be there on the day. However I do advise that a groom or handler who knows the horse be present.
Does my horse need to be clipped before applying kinesiology tape?
How long should kinesiology tape be left on for?
Can I ride with the kinesiology tape on?
Yes, however be aware that depending on where the tape is. It may feel strange to the horse during certain movements so I always advise maybe lunging the horse before hand.
How do I remove kinesiology tape?
Always remove the tape by gently peeling it off in the direction of the hair growth, never against it or it will have a waxing effect. If you are finding the tape is still very sticky it is best to thoroughly wet the tape before removing it
