Equine Massage: A Practical Guide (43 page)

In subacute situations (24 to 72 hours), the treatment can last from 30 to 45 minutes. In chronic situations (over 72 hours), an hour-long treatment is not uncommon. Keep in mind the degree of inflammation in the tissues, the number of stress points and trigger points present, and the overall state of the structures you are working on. Proceed cautiously. Remember to use hydrotherapy (chapter 4) to enhance the effect of your massage work, as well as stretching exercises (chapter 8). If no severe inflammation or bad spasms are present among the structures you are working, follow your massage session with a mild, unsaddled exercise period (such as walking or light trotting on a longe) to complete the treatment, but avoid a strenuous workout.

Back Treatment

Most of us have seen horses with cold backs ranging from mildly to severely tender, sometimes accompanied by inflammation of the muscle fibers. (Pages 206–215 describe the different structures and muscle groups and related stress points of the back.) The back muscles affected by this condition are the longissimus dorsi (SP 20), the iliocostalis dorsi (SP 21), and occasionally the spinalis dorsi (SP 5). Cold back is a common problem that is usually associated with ill-fitting saddles, incorrect shoeing, and incorrectly balanced riders. A simple and efficient way to help your horse with this painful condition is to apply a light massage treatment before and after riding. Place more emphasis on the massage given after riding, because warm back muscles can take a more vigorous massage that will soothe any stiffness and prevent the formation of trigger points.

After you apply the relaxation routine (short version) for a few minutes to calm and prepare your horse, begin your massage treatment with the SEW approach (chapter 5) along the entire back, from the withers to the rump, on both sides of the spine. Follow with effleurages 3 to 5 times, progressively increasing your pressure from 3 or 5 pounds to 10 or 12 pounds. Then proceed to wringings across the entire back, 2 or 3 times, to increase circulation.Your pressure should be around 10 pounds. Use effleurages in between each sequence.You might consider using some light hacking moves (10 to 12 pounds of pressure) along the entire back to reach deep in the muscle structure. Complete with some effleurages. Then proceed to check each of the associated stress
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points (SP 5, 20, 21, 27) and treat them when necessary, using the stress point technique (chapter 5). If the animal appears very tender, also check SP 6, 7, 8, and 25, which are sometimes affected when severe symptoms of tension are present in the back. Apply the trigger point technique (chapter 5) to treat any trigger point that appears inflamed. Use lots of effleurages to thoroughly drain the entire back. Once you have checked and relieved the associated stress and trigger points, gently apply finger frictions along the course of the longissimus dorsi and the iliocostalis dorsi muscles to further loosen and relax the muscle fibers. Intersperse with lots of effleurages and finish your treatment with the WES

approach (chapter 5) over the entire back. To enhance the effect of the massage therapy, consider hydrotherapy (chapter 4) before and after your treatment as well as some stretching exercises (chapter 8) when your massage work is done.

Neck Treatment

Because the horse’s head acts as a counterweight to keep the animal in balance, the neck plays a key role in locomotion.You will notice that his head goes down as the rear leg is brought forward.

This counterweight action is more animated at the canter, but it can also be seen at the walk. The neck must be strong and flexible; this counterweight action is fundamental to the horse as he executes smooth transitions and maintains a regular gait. Neck stiffness can restrict the lateral flexion of the neck, which in turn restricts the gait. A simple and efficient way to help your horse with this condition is to use gentle massage moves over the entire neck before and after riding. Emphasize the post-riding massage to prevent muscle stiffness. It is more beneficial to massage when the animal is warm, since the muscles can take more vigorous massage to clear away lactic acid buildup that may have developed during the workout. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the neck in order to improve your massage treatments.

After applying the relaxation massage routine (short version) for a few minutes to calm and prepare your horse, begin your treatment with the SEW approach by stroking the entire neck on both sides.Then apply 10 to 15 light effleurages (3 to 5 pounds of pressure) from the poll to the withers. Follow with some gentle wringings (5 pounds of pressure) across the side of the neck 2 or 3 times to stimulate circulation. Intersperse with lots of effleurages to drain circulation in the neck toward the heart. Then perform muscle squeezings along the crest of the neck, beginning at the poll and working down to the withers. Repeat this sequence 2 or 3 times, working into a medium pressure (8 to 10 pounds) and gradually increasing your pressure to about 15 to 20 pounds by
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the last repetition of the move.The thickly muscled, strong necks of ponies, Morgans, and draft horses can take more pressure. Once this work is completed, use some effleurages to drain from the poll to the shoulders.Then using thumb or finger kneadings, check the related stress points of the neck (SP 1 to 4 and occasionally 7 to 9 if the symptoms of stiffness are strong). Apply the stress point technique (chapter 5) to treat any point that appears inflamed.

Apply the trigger point technique (chapter 5) to treat any trigger point that appears inflamed. Then use lots of effleurages to thoroughly drain the entire neck. Finish with some light strokings to soothe the horse. Repeat the whole procedure on the other side.

If after this treatment the horse’s neck seems to be tight, apply some neck rocking movements. With one hand on the crest and the other on the bottom of the neck, gently rock the top and bottom of the neck back and forth. Do this along the entire length of the neck. Finish with the WES approach with plenty of effleurages. Consider using hydrotherapy (chapter 4) before and after your treatment to further the effects of the massage.

After massaging both sides, stretch the neck (chapter 8) to the sides; stretching up and stretching down will relax the muscle groups of the neck further. Remember that neck tension is more often than not an indication of a hind or back problem.

The Forequarters Treatment

The forequarters are considered to be the horse’s “power steering.” High levels of training put great physical demands on the muscles of the shoulders, chest, and forelegs. Also, a horse experiencing tension or discomfort in his hindquarters will shift more of his weight to the forequarters in order to relieve the pain in the hindquarters. If not attended to quickly, the tension in the forelegs might develop into a more serious problem, such as inflammation of the muscle fibers, or worse, the tendons or ligaments. If your horse shows signs of stiffness or discomfort in the front when asked to turn one way or the other, this is a sure indication of tension buildup.

To help prevent tension buildup, apply a light massage treatment before and after riding, with emphasis on the post-ride massage, to keep the muscles from becoming stiff and sore. Once the horse has exercised, his muscles are warmed up and are able to take a more vigorous massage to relieve stiffness and clear lactic acid buildup.

After you apply the relaxation routine for a few minutes, begin your treatment with the SEW approach covering the entire area of the shoulder, chest, and forelegs. Follow with some effleurages,
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moving from the withers to the point of shoulder and then around the chest.Your pressure should start at 3 to 5 pounds, gradually building with 2 or 3 passes to 8 or 10 pounds. Keeping your rhythm smooth and consistent, weave your moves into wringings, using 8 to 10 pounds of pressure, across the muscle group of the shoulder and chest 2 to 3 times to stimulate deep circulation.

Intersperse with effleurages every second pass. Compressions and muscle squeezings (8 to 10 pounds of pressure) can be performed over the large triceps muscle as well as the pectoral muscles.

Repeat 4 to 6 times and finish with effleurages. When working the chest, do not forget the “armpit” area where the leg and chest meet.This site may show signs of tension because the muscles are involved in the adduction (inward motion) and abduction (outward motion) of the foreleg. Loosen the muscles with muscle squeezing and thumb kneading (5 to 8 pounds of pressure), finishing with effleurages.

Once the shoulder and chest areas are well warmed up, move to the legs. Start at the elbow using alternating upward effleurages with 3 to 5 pounds of pressure, slowly working your way down the knee and eventually to the pastern. Use a fairly light pressure (3 pounds) on the structures below the knee since there is no muscle tissue there. Once you have worked your way down the leg, use long gliding effleurages going upward from the fetlock to the shoulder, repeating 2 or 3 times.

If your horse shows signs of tenderness or inflammation, keep your pressure light and your treatment time short. Otherwise, the muscles are now ready for deeper work. Check each of the associated stress points, from SP 5 to SP 19, and treat them when necessary, using the stress point technique (chapter 5). If the animal appears very tender and strong symptoms of tension are present, also check the stress points of the neck, back, and hindquarters, which are sometimes affected by compensation. Apply the trigger point technique (chapter 5) to treat any trigger point that appears inflamed. Use lots of effleurages to thoroughly drain the points treated. Once this work is completed, gently apply finger frictions along the course of the affected muscles to loosen and relax their muscle fibers. Intersperse with lots of effleurages. Finish your treatment with the WES approach over the entire forequarters.

Duplicate this whole treatment on the other leg of the horse.

If inflammation symptoms are present, consider using hydrotherapy (chapter 4) before and after your treatment to enhance the effect of the massage. Stretching (chapter 8) the forequarters at the end of your treatment will also contribute greatly to the positive effect of your massage therapy work.

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The Hindquarters Treatment

The hindquarters are considered to be the “engine” of the horse.

High levels of training put great physical demands on the hindquarters. This chapter outlines the different structures and muscle groups and the related stress points of the hindquarters.To help your horse with the demands made on his hindquarters, apply a light massage treatment before and after riding, with more emphasis on the post-ride massage, to prevent the muscles from becoming stiff and sore. Once the exercise has warmed the horse’s muscles, they are able to take a more vigorous massage that will soothe any stiffness and will clear lactic acid buildup.

After you apply the relaxation massage routine for a few minutes, begin your treatment with the SEW approach covering the entire hindquarters.Then drain with some effleurages, starting on the back, moving across the rump to the croup; then go across the hip and move down toward the stifle.Your pressure should start at 3 to 5 pounds gradually building to 8 or 10 pounds within 2 or 3

passes. Follow with some muscle wringings (10 pounds of pressure) across the muscle. Intersperse with effleurages every second movement. Repeat 6 to 8 times. Use fist compressions over the hamstring muscle group to stir deep circulation, finishing with effleurages. Then work the upper leg thoroughly, both on the inside and outside, from the stifle to the hock. Use wringings, picking ups, and thumb kneadings, interspersed every second move with effleurages draining toward the heart.

To drain the hind leg thoroughly, start at the stifle, using alternating upward effleurages (3 to 5 pounds of pressure), slowly working your way down to the hock and eventually to the pasterns. Use a fairly light pressure on the structures below the hock, since there is no muscle tissue there—only tendons, vessels, ligaments, and bones. Once you have worked your way down the leg, use long gliding effleurages, going upward from the fetlock to the stifle. Repeat 3 to 5 times to cover all parts of the leg. To soothe the horse, finish with strokings along the entire hind leg.

If your horse shows signs of tenderness, keep your pressure light and your treatment time short. Otherwise, the muscles are now ready for stronger work. Use muscle compressions (fist or palm of the hand) along the course of the larger muscle groups.

Intersperse with effleurages every 20 to 30 seconds. Then apply some finger or thumb kneadings on the muscle attachments along the vertebral column, femur, stifle, and hock. Intersperse with effleurages every 20 seconds.

Check each of the associated stress points, from SP 27 to SP 40, and treat them if necessary, using the stress point technique (chapter 5). If the horse appears very tender and shows strong symptoms
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of tension, also check the stress points of the back, abdomen, and neck, which are sometimes affected by compensation. Apply the trigger point technique (chapter 5) to treat any trigger point that appears inflamed. Use lots of effleurages to thoroughly drain these points after you have worked them. Next, gently apply finger frictions along the course of the gluteus muscles, the hamstring group of muscle, the tensor fasciae latae, and the iliacus muscle to loosen and relax their muscle fibers. Intersperse with lots of effleurages every 30 seconds and finish your treatment using the WES

approach over the entire back.

If inflammation is present, consider using hydrotherapy (chapter 4) before and after your massage treatment to enhance the effect of the massage therapy. Stretching (chapter 8) the hindquarters at the end of your treatment will also contribute greatly to the positive effect of your massage therapy work.

With practice you will become familiar with each treatment and routine, and will discover what works best for your horse.