Where should a massage happen? (barn aisle, stall, tied to a fence rail?)

Massage for your horse can happen wherever they are comfortable. I have worked outdoors, in wash stall type areas, or tied to a fence. Indoors in a stall, either held or tied, or loose if that’s how the horse feels most comfortable. Cross ties in the aisle work just as well as anything, so long as the horse can relax and be happy. If the barn is very busy, a more secluded area is better, to minimize distraction and concern the horse has about what is going on around them.

Do I need to stand with my horse?

No, unless your horse is very concerned about contact with strangers. Often a better connection is formed between the therapist and the horse if the owner is not in direct contact during the session. Conversation between the therapist and the owner can also be distracting for both the horse and the therapist and the calm, connected environment that allows for maximum benefit to your equine might not be possible. Feeding of treats is also discouraged for the same reason, it can be distracting and the horse is more excited about the treats than calmly allowing relaxation to happen in his body.

Will massage fix my horse’s lameness?

Massage is not a substitute for veterinary care. If your horse is lame or injured a veterinarian must be consulted. If not contraindicated by the veterinarian, massage can be an essential part of the healing process. This is achieved by the movement of lymph throughout the system, allowing for better drainage, for releasing tight knotted areas present due to compensation for the injury, and through release of endorphins, those feel good chemicals that help to relieve pain.

My horse is retired, can massage benefit them?

Yes! Massage is for all equines. Our retired senior partners can have arthritis, or just suffer from too much standing around, not using the muscles that way they did when they were working. Massage is beneficial to release compensatory tightness, as well as moving lymphatic fluids around, helping with issues of “stocking up”. It is also good for their mental wellbeing, getting special care and attention, and those feel good endorphins flowing.

My horse is '“not well behaved” or has experienced trauma and does not like being touched, can you massage them?

Potentially, yes. The energy and intention of massage therapy is one of the most important parts. My goal is always to bring calm, quiet energy to the horse. My intention is to be helpful and I believe that horses can feel that. In cases where the horse really objects to being worked on there is still work that can be done. Working with very light touch and bringing healing intentions, while monitoring the animal’s response, often elicits a relaxation response. Perhaps in the next session the horse will allow more manipulation of the muscles. Sometimes it takes time to form a connection, but, in those cases I feel that the connection to the horse is extremely important. If I can help them learn to trust and learn to deeply relax during a massage session, then that trust can transfer to other situations.