Horses like us can carry tighness and tension in their bodies for many reasons and it can affect horses in various ways including a reduction in their performance, changes in temperament, stffness affetcing their range of movement and sometimes it may be subtle changes to their moods such as when you're grooming or tacking up which can indicate some degree of tension. 

Massage therapy sessions using a combination of hands on techniques, focus on releasing muscle tightness and tension, improving circulation and lymphatic drainage, promoting relaxation and improving posture. Benefits include enhanced performance, helping towards injury prevention, and increases flexibility and range of movement in your horse. Releasing tension in your horse during the session and seeing him/her dropping their heads, blinking, yawning and chewing, signifies the release in the tension which then in turn has a big say in helping your horse to relax emotionally aswell as physically. 

Massage treatments for rehabiliation and horses recovering from injury work well alongside veterinary treatment and can aid in boosing the immune system, reducing inflammation and promotes healing.

All treatments are tailored for the individual and carried out quietly, with great care being taken to give your horse a really enjoyable experience both mentally and physically.

Kinesiology

Kinesiology iwas developed by a Japanese chiropractor in the 1970s. Kinesiology comes from the Greek words kinesis and logia meaning the study of movement Originally it was designed for humans but over the years it has found to be an excellent treatment for animals. Kinesiology tapes are a stretchable elastic material that adhere to the horse's body. With the stretch in the material it allows the body to work without restriction and depending on how it is applied, it can be used to stimulate or relax muscles,  It has also been called a second skin and can be left in place for a number of days,and a horse can be worked as usual. When tapes are in place it has a lifting effect on the top layer of the skin, this then gives space and decompresses the tissues, lifts and loosens the fascia allowing for the blood and lymphatic vessels to widen for waste products to be removed and fresh blood to travel through freely which in turn improves circulation 

The lifting effect of the tapes have a positive effect on reducing inflammation and pressure on the sensory receptors and is known to give pain relief.  With tension, we all think of the muscles but tightness or congestion and sticking is often experienced in the superficial fascia and can be relieved with taping.  It can be a valuable complementary therapy alongside massage therapies. 

Kinesiology tapes purchased from Equine K Taping UK