Karen Gorrell
First of all, before beginning any massage, there are some safety considerations to take into account.
· Try to do it in a relaxing area, such as the horse’s stall or where ever the horse is most comfortable. It’s best if the horse is not distracted so that both you and the horse will be able to focus on the massage. It’s ok to give a flake of hay on the ground if necessary in order to provide a “good” distraction.
· Try to have someone available to hold the horse for you or tie the horse with something that will give if the horse should pull away hard.
· Never shut yourself in the stall with the horse in case you need to make a quick exit.
· Always keep two hands on the horse so you will be aware of any quick movements that might be made.
· Never stand on anything in case you need to get away quickly – and to avoid any possible injury to the horse.
When massaging a horse, you need to learn to use your own body weight and leverage. You will have more control and won’t tire as easily. If you get painful hands, fingers and arms, you are doing it wrong. Being sore when first starting to do full massages is normal; however, being painful is another story. Plus, this tension will be transferred to the horse and he won’t be able to relax – which is exactly what you want the horse to do!
Don’t expect the horse to stand still for the whole massage – which usually takes an hour, but it can take up to two hours if the horse is really sore and you are doing deep tissue work. However, we will not be going into any deep tissue work here – that takes time to learn and lots of practice to be able to locate knots and trigger spots. Keeping both hands on the horse will help to reassure and calm them, too.
The Evaluation
This process does not take long at all and will show you where the horse is sore. (See diagram below.)
1. First, using moderate pressure (that which you use to curry your horse) palpate the top line. Start at the poll and go all the way to the tail with your thumb and fingers on each side of the spine. Note where the horse reacts to your pressure.
2. Palpate over the cervical spine, starting at the shoulder and going all the way up to the poll.
3. Now palpate in front of the shoulder. Start at the bottom and go up towards the withers.
4. Palpate on the shoulder itself – between the deltoid and triceps muscles. Start at the bottom and go up towards the top of the shoulder.
5. Palpate 2 or 3 times through the rib cage, using your thumb. Start near the spine and follow down between the ribs.
6. Palpate over the top and behind the point of hip
7. Then palpate up the middle of the hindquarter muscles, between the quadriceps and biceps femoris.
8. Lastly, palpate up the hamstrings.
Repeat these steps on the other side, taking note of where the horse is sore. These are the places you need to concentrate on more. This is also something you can do every day, looking for any heat, soreness, swelling, open sores, lumps, etc.
Basic Massage Strokes
When doing a massage, each type of stroke in done in threes. First, do light pressure on the muscle area. This pressure would be like brushing your horse. Then do moderate pressure, which would be like currying your horse. Lastly, do the area in heavy pressure, which is like deep currying your horse.
Always use long, smooth, flowing strokes and maintain an even tempo, avoiding any quick jabbing motions – especially when using the percussion strokes. Doing the massage in this manner will help the horse relax more and do the most good. Massage can also be stimulating if done at a faster speed with heavier pressure.
Always remember to avoid any areas with new scars, open wounds, rashes, swellings, infections or bruises. If the horse is sick, be sure to check with a vet first and if massage is approved, use a gentle massage. Pregnant mares can also be massaged if you use very gentle strokes, remembering never to percuss in the fetal area.
Compression
Compression strokes are used to produce friction and are done with the entire palm. Or you can use backhand compression, making a fist and using the flat part of your fist (across your fingers). This stroke is best used to start and finish a muscle area. Compression will spread the muscle fibers apart, freeing the fibers that are stuck together. This will increase the blood supply, taking oxygen and other nutrients to the muscle and carry away the toxins.
Using the palm of your hand, push and twist at the same time. When using your right hand, twist to the right and if using your left hand, twist to the left. Twist only once in each spot, covering the entire muscle area 3 times – light, moderate and heavy pressure.
Broad Cross Fiber Strokes
This is very similar to compression, but the hand slides over the skin as it twists. Be careful of using this stroke all the time though – it can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Percussion Strokes
Percussion is rhythmical and used in rapid succession. Using different hand positions can vary the quality and intensity of the stroke. Percussion has a stimulating effect on the body. However, prolonged heavy percussion seems to have an anesthetic effect due to fatigue of the nerve endings. This can be very useful in relieving pain and chronic muscular tension. You must remember not to percuss over any bony prominences or in the lumbar area over the kidneys, the lower neck region, below the knee and hocks or in the abdominal area. Three of the percussion strokes are:
Cupping – this is done with a hollow formed in the palm of the hand – the fingers are close together and the thumb is next to and just under the index finger. This particular stroke is especially handy in the hindquarter muscles and is the most penetrating of the percussion strokes and produces vibrations all the way down to the deepest tissues.
Pounding – this is done with a loose fist and a “floppy wrist” so as not to be hitting the horse. Most horses love this stroke and can be used for a more directed impact in creating the anesthetic effect.
Hacking – this stroke is done with the side of a relaxed hand (making sure you keep it as relaxed as possible). You can curve the hand to get around the bony prominences such as the withers and point of hip. If you use this stroke above the knee or hock, be sure to hold your hand parallel to the bone. Never hack across the bone as this can cause unnecessary pain and may damage the soft tissue.
Massaging around the coronary bands will help stimulate circulation in the foot and then massage up towards the knee or hock in a circular motion. Once you have finished your massage, go over the horse with a stroke called effleurage. This is done with light pressure and flat, open hands, stroking the horse all over. Keep your strokes flowing and smooth, with no sharp breaks in the movement. This is also a good one to start a massage with – and you get the bonus of finding any problem areas that might be there.
Massage has many benefits, but the best one is that it will help bring you and your horse closer together.
