What Is Equine Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy, an ancient healing method, combines muscle manipulation techniques with concentrated observation to release a client from debilitating physical and emotional blocks. Equine massage therapy applies human massage principles to horses. Equine massage therapists compress, stroke, knead and tap tension from horses who exhibit pain, restricted movement or behavioral problems. This growing modality garners praise from horse trainers and owners who seek effective, noninvasive alternatives to drug therapies.

  1. Features

    • No individual claims credit for equine therapy's inception, though practitioners often cite Jack Meagher's influential work with thoroughbreds in the 1970s. Massage therapists continue to expand equine massage's possibilities, creating specialized disciplines and routines for different breeds and ailments. Equine Sports Massage Therapy caters specifically to equine athletes, like racehorses. Sessions focus on enhancing performance, without addressing pre-existing medical conditions. Other therapists may use energy healing practices to calm skittish horses, or attempt to correct muscular deformities and misalignment.

    Benefits

    • Though reasons for massage vary, equine therapists uniformly strive to ease pain, increase range of motion and restore a horse's inherent grace. Massage benefits skeletal, muscular, immune, nervous, lymphatic, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, digestive and circulatory systems. It releases accumulated stress-producing toxins, and speeds recovery time from exertion or illness. Horses who display common signs of discomfort--head tilting and shaking, aversion to touch, aggression, bucking, uneven stride, resistance to grooming--may benefit from massage.

    Training

    • Interested students learn the art at designated equine massage therapy schools, which typically offer week-long courses in horse anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology. Students learn to effectively communicate with a horse, gain its trust, properly fit saddles, clean hooves and design individualized treatment plans.

    Technique

    • A standard equine massage begins with an introduction. The therapist approaches with gentle respect, waiting for the animal to affirmatively lower its head or nuzzle. The massage starts with facial strokes and soothing words; as the massage proceeds, superficial pressure gradually deepens to therapeutic muscle kneading. Practitioners use traditional Swedish massage strokes, including effleurage (long, light strokes designed to warm tissue); petrissage (deeper kneading of a particularly tense area); tapotement (gentle tapping) and compression (long holds with firm pressure). An equine therapist may also draw from Eastern therapies, like acupressure. The massage continues for approximately one hour. If the horse signals distress by twitching its ears, closing its eyes or stamping, the therapist may pause or adjust his or her methods.

    Legality

    • The United States does not regulate equine massage therapy, or require equine therapists to obtain a certificate in human or animal massage. State laws regarding equine massage therapy vary; some ban the practice or allow sessions to proceed under a veterinary professional's guidance. Equine therapists believe these laws unfairly favor the lucrative prescription medication business; individuals occasionally appeal, with mixed results. Others find ways to legally practice around jurisdiction.