Massage & Bodywork
The benefits for your horse
Healing is not an event, it's a process.
Equine Body Work
An Equine Bodywork session involves treating the entire horse, not just problem areas! The hands on therapy influences improvement in the horse’s body and gait/movement via soft tissue release, photonic light, myofascial release and covers approximately 160 anatomically referenced points, with the close of session followed with stretching.
Most sessions will take between an hour to an hour and a half with most of that time being ‘hands-on’ your horse. The initial session will entail static (posture, environmental, and behavioral) and dynamic (movement and gait) observations as well discussing with the horse owner or handler concerns, performance issues or goals, reasons for the session, and desired outcomes. A full bodywork session is then applied utilizing various modalities to suit your horse’s requirements followed by stretching and application of kinesio taping where appropriate to compliment the session.
My preference is to close the session for your horse with stretches and offer an exercise or rehabilitation regime developed to gain the most amout of benefit from the session application. Follow up sessions, if required will be discussed upon completion and depend on the level & nature of work your horse is performing, health, extent of an injury, conformation etc.
Kinesio Taping
Kinesio taping allows muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints to work freely and completely and depending on the individual application can support function or as an aide to recovery and rehabilitation. Taping is an excellent addition to any training or competition program as it can be safely applied under tack!
Taping is currently applied as a complimentary process of the bodywork session and will generally remain intact on your horse for up to 5 days. Essentially this is additional therapy time! If you would like to continue to re-tape I am happy to show you how and where to apply the tape; rolls of tape are available to purchase @ $20 for a 5m roll.
Slow Motion Footage
We also offer a Slow Motion Footage service for a real in-depth understanding of how your equine friend is moving (please request at time of booking).
Deep muscle layer
Middle muscle layer
Chilli the painted horse by Naomi O’Brien.
Superficial muscle layer
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions regarding bodywork:
Q. What horses can be massaged?
A. All horses will benefit from a bodywork session; be it a paddock companion, pleasure horse or pony clubber, race horse, endurance athlete to western performer and barrel racer, or an elite high level competitor.
Q. How many sessions will your horse need?
A. All horses are different and the number of visits will entirely depend on the individual situation. Sometimes a single session is all that is required to make enough of a difference to your horse, while other times a series of work will be more beneficial. Many horses competing at a high level and or very frequently will benefit from receiving regular 4 to 6 weekly session, as this assists in keeping them in top form and can often prevent performance issues from arising.
Q. How does massage help?
A. By reducing the tactile defenses, enhancing quality of gait and performance, improving stamina and disposition, increase the range of motion, improve circulation and maintaining healthy muscle tone.
Q. How soon after can you ride your horse?
A. For many horses, follow-up exercise is continuing component of the massage session. Most healthy, sound horses can be ridden lightly following a bodywork session.
Prices
Session prices are as follows and include travel direct to you.
Follow-up sessions within 4 weeks are discounted and for 2 or more bookings I offer a cheaper rate.
Mackay
(Bloomsbury – Sarina to Eungella) $85
Sarina South
(Koumala) $100
Whitsundays
(Midge Point, Proserpine, Airlie Beach) $100
Central Highlands
(Nebo, Glendon & Moranbah) $100
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