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Equine sports massage

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Presentation

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Sports massage is a particular form of massage that is generally used before, during and after sporting events.
It is a mixture of dynamic and deep maneuvers on the muscles: palpations, compressions, vibrations, friction, ...

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His purpose is to ensure the horse's optimal performance, to evacuate fatigue and stress, to reduce swelling and muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries. It provides healthy muscles, better body tone and better joint strength.

 

It is essential to prepare the body before a major physical effort.

This type of massage avoids the muscular and ligament problems that the horse will tend to compensate with other muscles or ligaments and aggravate the problem.

With this massage, these risks are reduced because it takes the problem at the base.

If the massage becomes regular, the horse will learn to use his body properly. He will ask again because he knows what suits him and will warn us in case of problems.

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This method works with results for the athlete, semi pro or leisure horse.

If the massage becomes regular, the horse will learn to use his body properly. He will ask again because he knows what suits him and will warn us in case of problems.

 

Origins of problems

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      - Various trauma; falls, slips, fights, ...      

      - A warm-up too short,

      - Cooling too short after training or competition,

      - A not well adapted saddle to the horse's back

      - laminitis

      - etc ...

 

Benefits of sports massage

      - Strengthens blood circulation and metabolism
      - Energizes the lymphatic system
      - Accelerates the elimination of toxins and promotes post-exercise recovery
      - Helps to reduce swelling, relaxes muscles, tones,
      - Improved muscle function, with greater movement
      - Works on muscles that have lost their tone
      - Activates the nervous system
      - Calm the horse by reducing stress
      - Soothes the pains
      - etc ...

 

How is a treatment done?

Each treatment will include a complete massage taking 52 zones spread over the whole body of the horse.
The massage will take place either in a box, or in a quiet and comfortable place for the halter horse.

The first session will be the most 'sportive one' for the horse. He will discover what massage is and it is in this first session that the blood system will be the most detoxified.
Deep pressure can be painful, and the horse may have a strong reaction depending on the degree of pain during handling.
The following massages will generally be more comfortable for the horse as the blood circulation will be more fluid.

For the best result, I recommand three massages within a few weeks. The experience shows me that the horse with big muscle problems will need more sessions.
It is quite possible to do a regular sports massage if the horse has a sustained career, with high performance requirements, stress and others.