Horse massage therapy

Horses get aches and pains, just as humans do, but they can't use words to make their complaints known. Instead, they choose non-verbal ways to let us know they aren't feeling in top shape, and some of those ways can be most unpleasant for their human companions -- and misinterpreted as bad behavior, obstinance, or rudeness.

Especially if your horse develops a bad habit suddenly (biting, kicking, flattening ears) or shows a general grumpy mood that's uncharacteristic, check first of all for subtle physical discomforts. Hooves in good shape? Teeth okay? (A dental vet can tell for sure; some oral discomfort comes on slowly, isn't obvious at first glance, and can manifest as an urge to bite.) No new scrapes or bruises from paddock companions or from running into fences or other structures? Have you changed the diet lately? Are there new horses nearby?

Plus, it deepens the bond between the horse and the owner; they will love you for doing something for them that feels so good.

NOTE: This information is not intended to replace professional equine massage as provided by a trained therapist. These tips are for use by a caring horse owner or rider, to be applied with common sense and the usual safety procedures any person should use around a horse. If you don't know what those are, you should not be around a horse unless accompanied by someone who does know.

Normal, routine brushing and combing is a form of massage in itself--the steady, rhythmic stroking of hide and hair. The grooming time is an excellent opportunity to add some additional "massage" work, especially if your horse has been working extra hard lately, or is being ridden after some down time.

After brushing, begin by working along the backbone, from withers (shoulders) toward the rump. The general procedure is to begin with light pressure, gradually increase the working depth, and then lighten up again. Remember, the more intense the pressure, the smaller the area to be worked.

Using all your fingertips together, begin to make small circles along your horse's spine. Work with steady pressure the full length of one side of the spine, then do the other side. Talk softly while you work, and watch for reactions that indicate either pleasure or discomfort. She may turn and look at you quizzically, but if her eyes are soft, speak to her softly and keep working. Watch for skin quivers, which indicate a tender spot. Lighten your touch a bit when that happens.

If she takes deliberate steps away from you, attempt to continue the massage in a different place, and make a mental note that she may have some stress or tension (or ticklishness) on that particular place. It's best to not stop the massage on a negative note, so try to give her some positive physical contact (maybe just rubbing her nose) even if you decide not to continue with the massage.

After the spine, if your horse seems receptive to more work, continue down the body. Remember that a horse's hide is much thicker and tougher than a human's, but don't apply so much pressure that you wear yourself out. A focused effort to "think deeply" will have as much impact as working harder than is comfortable.

Continue to make circles with your fingertips all over your horse's body. If you watch her body language closely, you will know how she's taking to it. Soft eyes, a drooping head, relaxation happening under your fingertips all indicate that she's loving it. On the other hand, really active ears, jerking of the head or feet, stomping, snorting, are indications that she's experiencing some discomfort, or that she doesn't like it much. If that's the case, use the flat of your palm and go over her body gently to assure her that you have no intention of causing pain, and to "close" the massage.

Don't spend more than about five minutes on one side before you go to the other; try to maintain a balanced feeling in your work rather than doing all of one side before you begin to work on the other side.

Massage with the same small circular movement down the outside of each leg. As you reach the narrower areas, encircle them with your hands and keep your fingers in motion.

As you are working on the lower areas of the horse's body, you may unexpectedly come across some tenderness, and the horse may react with a kick. To keep yourself safe, stay on your toes (literally) while you work; watch closely for signs that indicate preparation to kick, and be prepared to spring back and away if you need to get yourself out of kicking distance quickly. This can happen even with a horse you are very comfortable with, and who knows you well, if you surprise her by working on a tender place you didn't know was there.

When you have finished your session, which, if all goes well, has taken perhaps thirty to forty-five minutes, use either the palm of your hand or a soft grooming brush and go over her entire body lightly.

It's possible that the massage has been more relaxing than you anticipated, and she may appear to be a bit groggy. Walk her around a bit, and let her drink.

If massaging your horse is something you would like to do on a continuing basis, I'd suggest two things. The first is to purchase a book with good illustrations of equine anatomy, so that you can learn to follow the muscle fiber direction as you work, and secondly, spend as much time as you can watching horses groom each other. What they do for each other is what they would like for themselves, and they tend to nuzzle each other's mane, neck, and tail areas--the places that a horse cannot reach on it's own body.

For additional techniques and advice about giving your horse a massage (or equine therapy) check into the schools across the nation that teach it. Some offer the training only to veterinarians or vet techs, to qualified body workers in the human realm, or to people with a background in physical therapy or medicine. Others accept any student who wants to offer this work to horses. Some schools consist of weekend workshops, and some last more than a year. There are also several usenet groups devoted to the subject.