Trained by world renowned Mary Bromiley F.C.S.P, S.R.P.,R.P.T.(USA)
What is sports massage?
Sports massage is recommended by vets and trainers throughout the world.
It is the transposition of human massage techniques adapted for horses. Working with the bodies natural healing process, massage increases circulation, relieves tension, assists recovery and enhances mobility. It is renowned for its physiological and psychological benefits.
Why might my horse need a massage?
Muscle strain can be caused by over use, fatigue or injury.
A slip, a fall, a change in discipline, ill fitting tack, schooling, and travel, are only a few of the causes to muscle strain.
Any horse whatever age, breed or work can benefit. It is not just for sports horses or professionals.
How can massage help my horse?
Massage can aid detect and alleviate muscle strain or tension, and enable the muscle to
perform as before.
Has your horse recently suffered a loss in performance or change in behaviour?
Could they be trying to tell you something?
Why do I practice equine massage?
I have been with horses for the past forty years. Both as an amateur and professional.
Practicing equine sports massage for the past seven years. Prior to training I had not realised the value sports massage plays in the performance of the horse and its well being...
Horses communicate to us in many ways. Years ago a badly behaved horse was just that and no more, but the majority of those 'badly behaved' horses were just trying to communicate their discomfort.
Consider how you feel when feeling stiff, sore or achy, having performed an activity you were not used or training too hard or having had an accident. Did you still move the same way, were you physically hampered, could you tell someone how you felt and ask for advise to help you feel better?
My human clients can and so do my equine.
I have experience with many disciplines:
•Show jumpers
•Young blood stock
•Driving ponies
•Race horses
•Icelandic ponies
•Show ponies
•Dressage
•Veterans
•Happy hackers
•Riding school
•Hunters
•Post injury (tendons, ligaments, etc)
•Physiology
The skeleton is the bodies frame it protects the vital organs, produces blood cells and antibodies and provides its structure and support.
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To make any part of the body move involves the work of muscles. Smooth muscle work our internal organs, the cardiac muscle works the heart. The skeletal muscles move our frame, the skeleton.
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The skeletal muscles work in pairs to create movement making bones work as levers. If the muscles are not performing as they should they can effect the frame work and this can result in impairment elsewhere in the body.
Massage works with the skeletal muscles assisting the circulatory system (blood and lymph). It increases the removal of damaged worn cells and lactic acid, a by product used by the muscle when movement is required that the muscle may not be used to or fit for.
The lactic acid irritates the cellular structure of the muscle and creates discomfort i.e. (the discomfort you may feel when sprinting suddenly when not accustomed to).
A strained, tired muscle will shorten in length, this shortening effects movement. Massage helps the muscle to return to its normal state so allowing its full range of movement.
