Caroline Bennetts Equine Performance and Rehabilitation Therapy
ESMT  MMCp IAAT Quad X Equine Rehab Advance Dip FEI PET

ALL horses can benefit from an equine bodywork / massage treatment. This can range from the treasured family pony, to a top quality competition horse reguarlly competing.

 

Used during training, the pre and post competition massage keeps muscles healthy, maintains strength and suppleness and prevents atrophy even during a period of box rest or restricted work. After exertion, massage minimises stiffness and speeds repair to tissue damaged as an inevitable result of physical stress and fatigue. Maintenance massages will keep your horse in top condition and enable me to identify any potential problem areas before they affect your performance.  A relaxation massage can help with behavioral problems which in turn will help build a trusting relationship between the horse and rider.  Passive stretches help to keep or restore joints and muscles to full working capacity and improve flexibility and co-ordination.

 

Does your horse do or show signs of any of the following?

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• Dislikes being groomed

• Unexplained resistances, such as napping, rearing, refusing, bucking, etc.

• Uneven muscle development or atrophy

• Asymmetry, such as stiffness on one rein, or a disunited canter

• Hollow backed

• High headed

• Head shaking

• Bucking

• Cold backed when tacked up

• Lack of poll flexion and bend

• Head tilting

• Have an uneven stride length

• Holding the tail to one side

• Uncharacteristic changes in behaviour, performance or temperament

• Lameness after a fall or accident where alternative causes have been ruled out

• Excessive rolling

• Rehabilitation after acute trauma following referral from veterinary treatment 

 

In the horse, the various massage and stretching techniques enable the horse to perform to its full potential by

 

• Increasing and improving circulation and reducing congestion within blood and lymph vessels

• Increasing performance and flexibility

• Improve proprioception

• Help to prevent injury

• Improve recovery time

• Enhance muscle tone

• Relaxing muscle spasm

• Preventing and relieveing adhesions and fibrous bands in muscles, tendons and ligaments

• Increasing the range of movement and helps maintain flexibility

• Promoting general well-being

• Stimulates or relaxes the nervous system

• Increases excretion of fluids

• Increases the exchange of substances between cells

• Encourages tissue repair

• Stretches connective tissue

• Increases intestinal movement

• Stimulates glands

• Helps clean pores

Massage can benefit the well being of the animal, release tension and aid mental relaxation. In the event of an Injury, massage is of great benefit to aid recovery and prevent atrophy (wasting) of muscles.

 

Following your horses treatment I like to leave you with some simple exercises and/or techniques which you can perform between visits to ensure your horse gains the most benefit.

  Equine massage can also help:

·         Movement

·         Topline

·         Lameness

·         Stiffness

·         Relaxation & sleeping

·         Longer stride required

·         Inflammation of soft tissues

·         Keeping older horses active

·         Jumping

·         Rehabilitation after injury