The benefits of equine sports massage are extensive and include psychological, physiological and physical. Massage by a fully qualified Equine Body Worker improves performance, quickens recovery and helps maintain athletic capability, but what actual physical effects does equine sports massage have on your horses body.
The Physical Benefits of Equine Sports Massage
Breakdown scar tissue
When a muscle has been previously injured or strained, scar tissue and adhesions can form which are less flexible than healthy muscle tissue. A professional equine sports massage helps release these allowing the muscles to regain their full range of flexibility. This, in turn, increases the quality of your horse’s gait by improving symmetry, increasing stride length and improving flexibility. All of these are important for success in your chosen competitive field.
Stretching
The manual motion of massage stretches the muscle tissue. This improves the flexibility of the muscles. Massage can also stretch the muscle length ways as well as sideways resulting in a better stretch. The sheath of the muscle and the fascia can also be stretched in this way.
The fascia is a sheet of tissue that covers muscle and runs under your horse’s skin. it should glide fluidly when your horse moves but adhesions here can restrict movement. Releasing the fascia and removing these restrictions make your horses muscles move against each other easily again.
Increases permeability of membranes
Massage can open pores in tissue membranes that then allow more oxygen and nutrients to flow into the muscle. This same process also allows waste products such as lactic acid to move into the blood stream aiding recovery.
Book an Equine Sports Massage
Areas covered in UK: Worcestershire and surrounding counties.
Book an Equine Sports Massage or Call Emily Walters on 07983 565 438
