I am obsessed with all things horse ( and rider) and my passion for the body and how it works has grown to me now offering Equine Sports Massage.
I am a fully qualified, and insured Equine Sports Massage Therapist (ESMT) as well as a full member of the International Association of Animal Therapists available to treat your horse. Working with the goal of ‘supporting the horse and rider’.
So what is Equine Sports Massage? Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of soft body tissues, muscle, connective tissue, fascia, tendons, and ligaments to enhance health and well-being. It involves manually working on the horse’s body with pressure, structured or unstructured, stationary, moving, tension, motion, or vibration. As a massage therapist I work to reduce pain, improve movement or as part of a maintenance fitness/general health programme - massage is of benefit to horses at a very stage from top competitors, happy hackers and retired golden oldies. In competitive or working animals, massage may be used as an intrinsic part of the development of your horse. Helping to minimise the risk of injury and optimise performance and potential.
Some key benefits are;
- Reduces stiffness - Aids relaxation physically and mentally - Increases circulation - Increases flexibility - Increases suppleness - Reduces tension / spasms - Increases range of motion - Helps improve muscle tone - Naturally releases opiates into the system - Stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest state) - Increase blood flow to muscles - Reducing the formation of scar tissue
By analysing and assessing posture, movement, and skeletal function, Equine Massage Therapists can help develop holistic treatment plans alongside veterinary treatment. These can often be accompanied by exercise and rehabilitation programs.
Some Questions I am commonly asked ... How often can my horse have a sports massage? As often as you like - but it’s most commonly 2-8 weekly. A massage at any time will make your horse feel much better. Should my horse still see other body work professionals? It’s your choice, but all professionals should work together for the wider benefit of the equine, so sports massage can be added alongside other body work such as Osteopathy, Chiropractic & Physiotherapy. - My horses regularly see a range of body workers using different modalities including me treating them as a massage therapist. Do I need veterinary consent ? No - for routine maintenance visits. Yes - if the horse is under veterinary care for any specific conditions, or sports massage has been recommended as a wider holistic treatment for a veterinary condition.
More information on Equine Sports Massage Therapy can be found by clicking HERE.
To book a treatment for your horse with me, contact me on 07971599909 or derryvm.equestrain@gmail.com
I look forward to working with you and your horse, supporting the horse and rider as one.
Enjoy your horses..
Derry