Benefits of Sports Massage

Horses have ways of telling us if they are in discomfort. Some of the common signs of back pain in horses include:

• Resistances: bucking, rearing, napping or bolting

• Unlevelness, particularly behind

• Reduced quality of paces, inability to extend / collect the stride,

• Loss of impulsion, difficulty in engaging the hindquarter or an inability to track up

• Deterioration in performance

• Uneven muscle development or loss of muscle tone

• Temperamental changes, such as loss of interest in work, lethargy, or grumpiness

• Change in behaviour when being groomed, saddled or mounted

• Inability to stand square

• Tight, sore painful areas around the back, neck and quarters

• Refusal to jump, running out, ‘cat leaping’, rushing jumps or bucking on landing

• Hollowing of the back and inability or refusal to work on the bit

• Asymmetry: Disunited  in canter,  difficulty getting correct canter lead, stiffness on one rein, reluctance to bend, tilting the head

• Falling out through the shoulders or quarters when ridden or lunged

• Inability to carry out lateral work correctly

• Uneven shoe wear caused by toe dragging, unlevel loading or scuffing

• Lameness after a fall or accident, where alternative causes have been eliminated by vet

• Shifting of weight when standing

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These issues can be caused by a one-off event (acute injury) or something which has built up over a period of time.

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Acute injuries may be caused by:

• Trips, falls or slips

• Accidents

• Getting cast in the stable

• Fighting with other horses

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Chronic injuries may be due to:

• Conformational faults, such as a long, weak back

• Ill-fitting tack

• Dental problems

• Poor shoeing, or problems with the feet

• Excess weight, or an unbalanced rider

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Sports massage can help to:

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• Reduce pain

• Increase muscle function

• Increase range of motion

• Increase circulation

• Improve behaviour

• Enhance performance