Horse Articles

Performance horses, like human athletes, work very hard to reach top results.  Unfortunately, such demanding training often results in soreness, stiffness and sometimes in injuries and pain. The right combination of massage therapy, stretching and hydrotherapy modalities can help you prevent a lot of these problems and maximize your training by keeping your horse flexible […]

You know how good you feel after a massage. Believe it or not, your horse might enjoy, and benefit from one too. In this article, learn all about the benefits of equine massage to sooth your animal’s aches, or just spend enjoyable time together. Massage is one of the oldest forms of healing and has […]

The atmosphere in which you work will directly influence the efficacy of the massage. What follows are some suggestions for making massage treatment safe for both you and your horse. Do’s Do evaluate the horse’s health by checking his vital signs (pulse, temperature, eyes, breathing, etc.). Be sure there are no contraindications. Do work in […]

During the massage of your horse, you can easily assess if your animal shows signs of dehydration or not. Though the quality of your touch, you can tell. Usually a general loss of skin elasticity and an increase in muscle tone are the two most common forerunner signs of dehydration. As you apply some gentle […]

Being able in a short period to assist the blood circulation with a simple short massage routine is an advantage that most professional athletes put on their side.  You horse benefits of the same advantage just after a ride or exercising regardless of his discipline. To help you with the cool-down of the muscular structure […]

The term contra-indication is used to describe specific situations in which you should not massage a horse and in which you should seek the advice of your veterinarian. General Contra-Indications Do not massage when the horse’s temperature is over 102° Fahrenheit (F) or 39° Celsius (C). A horse’s normal temperature is 100°F, 38°C. A mild fever is present at […]

The term Cold-Back refers to an inflammatory condition of the muscles of the back. Most of us have seen horses with cold backs ranging from mild to severely tender, with the horse flitching down as soon as you touch his back. The main muscles affected in this condition are the longissimus dorsi, the iliocostalis and […]

The pain and stiffness associated with arthritis affect horses in the same way that they affect humans. Fortunately, the percentage in animals is not as high as with humans. A recent study sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health showed that approximately 20% of adult horses might be affected by arthritis. Regular massage combined with gentle stretching […]

No one can stop the wheel of time. But if you are like me, then you love your horse so much that you want him to live forever! You can play an important role in keeping your horse healthy longer. A home care health program with regular application of light massage, gentle stretching and some […]