How to Perform Equine Massage

Equine massage is way to strengthen the bond between horse and handler. By giving your horse a regular massage, your horse will learn to trust you, and will be more willing to do as you ask. In the wild, horses often massage and groom one another with their teeth as a sign of affection.

Massage is also a healing method for horses with aching muscles or trust issues. Regular massage improves a horse's performance and behavior.

Instructions

  1. Home Techniques

    • 1

      Curl your fingers into the shape of a claw. Use your fingertips to massage in a circular motion along the side of the horse's jaw. Using the flats of the fingertips, press gently against the poll---the area behind the horse's ears, where the band for halters and bridles often sit---and apply slight pressure against this spot to relieve any headaches the halter might have caused.

    • 2

      Place your hands on the crest of the horse's neck. Using your thumbs, roll the flesh on neck towards you. This movement is called "jostling." Work up from the withers---the bump where a horse's neck meets his back---to the poll and back again. Start with light pressure, and increase the pressure on every rotation.

    • 3

      Place your hand flat on the horse's shoulder area. This encompasses the space where the neck joins the body, the withers and where the girth runs. Compress your hand by twisting it against the shoulder. Move your hand from the 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock position. This alleviates any muscle spasms under the skin.

    • 4

      To alleviate pain from a tight girth, place the palm of your hand over the area behind the horse's elbow. Leave your hand there and allow your palm to get warm. This is called "sweating a horse."

    • 5

      Use the palm of your hand to stroke the horse's back. Stroke from the withers backwards towards the tail. Start with light pressure, then move on to heavy pressure as the muscles warm up.

    • 6

      Massage your horse's rump (a muscle group called the gluteals) by forming a soft fist with your hand and gently pounding the area. Vary the pressure from light to heavy, and make sure your hand stays relaxed. Be careful not to pound over bones.