Equine Sports Massage Therapy - Pamela Bryanqualified "gifted" therapist

Holistic Horse Help

What is massage?

The most ancient references to the use of massage come from China (around 2700 BC) and India (around 1500-120 BC). Massage is soft tissue manipulation using the hands or a mechanical device. At its most basic, massage is a simple way of easing pain, while at the same time aiding relaxation and promoting a feeling of well-being and a sense of receiving good care.

How does it work?

Soft-tissue massage is thought to induce local biochemical changes that modulate local blood flow and oxygenation in muscle, potentially influencing neural activity and hence mood and pain perception. The release of endorphines may be responsible for the increase in pain threshold. Massage may also increase local blood circualtion, improve muscle flexibility, aid removal of toxins, and lossen adherent connective tissue.

Evidence for equine massage

In the human field, massage has been shown many times to be effective, especially when combined with exercise and advice. In 2008 a study was published in the Equine Veterinary Journal and reported in the Horse and Hound demonstrating the effectiveness of equine massage for decreasing

cont.....
pain. A pressure algometer (a device validated in the human field for measuring pain thresholds) was used to objectively assess the level of pressure a horse would accept before an 'avoidance reaction' was shown. The horses were then divided into treatment groups (chiropractic, massage, bute, field rest, ridden work) and treated, before being assessed again using the pressure algometer over the next few days.Massage and chiropractic were clearly shown to be superior to the other treatment options, with massage being the only treatment to consistantly lead to an improvement right from day one.