Equine Massage

Equine massage is a specialized form of bodywork that focuses on the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of horses. This therapeutic practice, rooted in both ancient techniques and modern science, aims to improve the overall well-being and performance of horses. By using a combination of hands-on techniques such as kneading, stroking, and compression, equine massage therapists work to relieve tension, enhance circulation, and promote relaxation in the horse's body.

One of the primary benefits of equine massage is the enhancement of blood flow and lymphatic circulation. Improved circulation helps deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to muscle tissues while aiding in the removal of metabolic waste products. This not only accelerates recovery from strenuous activities or injuries but also keeps the horse's muscles in optimal condition, reducing the risk of future injuries. Additionally, by alleviating muscle stiffness and soreness, equine massage can contribute to increased flexibility and range of motion, which are crucial for peak athletic performance. Within the Body Mind Treatment a variety of techniques are utilized with massage throughout for optimal benefit.

Myofascial tissues surround and support the muscles throughout your body. If pain or imbalance is present it often originates from specific points within your myofascial tissues called “trigger points.”

Myofascial release focuses on reducing pain by easing the tension and tightness in the trigger points. It’s not always easy to understand what trigger point is responsible for the pain. Localizing pain to a specific trigger point is very difficult. For that reason, myofascial release is often used over a broad area of muscle and tissue rather than at single points.

Structural Integration & Joint Mobilizations

When performing a joint mobilization on a body region, the practitioner typically stabilizes one segment of a joint while applying a compression to the adjoining body region. This pressure is usually applied in the direction of the tightness and can be more gentle and oscillating or more direct and sudden, depending on the type of technique being performed. Joint mobilizations are often used to address stiffness or pain in the body’s joints/structure.

This treatment has been found to have a positive impact on the pain levels associated with many musculoskeletal conditions. Mobilizations have also been associated with temporary increases in joint range of motion and improved overall balance.

Stretching

During exercise, the horse’s muscles undergo contraction and relaxation cycles to facilitate movement. However, sometimes a horse’s muscles can be overused if the horse’s exercise program does not match their level of conditioning or strained do to a injury or certain irregular movement.

Muscles often respond by tightening or stiffening the muscle fibers, resulting in a shorter muscle length. Shortened and stiff muscles have a higher risk of injury and restrict the normal range of motion of their associated joints.

Stretching counteracts the tightening or stiffening that results from overuse of a muscle. By restoring the muscle’s normal length and flexibility, stretching may reduce discomfort, restore normal range of motion, and improve your horse’s performance.

Equine Somatics

Horses like humans develop postures, movements and behaviours that repeat from stresses that are intertwined into the neuromuscular system as trauma. Injuries, being ridden ineffectively or forcibly, abusive horse human relationship, medical procedures, poorly fitted tack, inactivity, improper foot care, etc.

Equine Somatics aims to target the voluntary motor cortex, which is the only part of the nervous system that can actively relax muscles and cultivate body mind connection and the natural self-corrective mechanism within the animal through guided movement and light touch points in cooperation and invitation of the horse with the practitioner. Equine Somatics is based on the principle of the body’s natural ability to self-correct, to heal, and to maintain the somatic state of health. Through guiding the body through theses natural movements it reminds the the body of the capability “rewiring" the nervous system and allowing for the movements to be repeated again by the horse naturally.

Additional Modalities

In a BMT session you also may see other modalities included in the treatment such as cupping, red light therapy, kinesiology taping, vagal toning, tapping, cranial sacral therapy, relational horsemanship, saddle fitting, rehabilitation exercises and coaching. All modalities are designed to work with each other to provide the highest standard of care and progression for your animals health and wellbeing, and sometimes if being honest the wellbeing of the owner too 😉

Body Mind Therapeutics Sessions are designed with the intention of leaving a postive impact on the body as well as a profound psychological benefit. Horses and humans experience stress and anxiety, which can manifest in various physical and behavioral issues. Regular sessions can help to soothe and calm the horse, fostering a sense of trust and comfort between the animal and its owner. This therapeutic bond can lead to improved behavior, better training outcomes, and a more harmonious relationship overall. In essence, BMT bodywork & coaching is not just a tool for physical rehabilitation but also a holistic approach to enhancing the quality of life for these majestic animals.