EQUINE SPORTS MASSAGE

LEVEL I

UTILIZING PRESSURE POINTS FOR MUSCLE BALANCING

HELPING TO RELEASE STRESS AND NEGATIVE ENERGY

Equine Massage does not take the place of proper veterinarian care.  Whenever you suspect your horse has a problem, it’s always best to discuss your horse’s health with your veterinarian

This equine sports massage sequence is designed to benefit any horse of any age and in whatever discipline they may be involved.  Be prepared to practice on as many different kinds of horses as possible. Each horse will have its unique problems.   I do not call “problems” lameness in a horse unless your veterinarian has diagnosed it as such.  Horses are athletes.   Massage, when combined with proper conditioning and good nutrition will result in your horse enjoying better health and showing more willingness to work.

 Pay particular attention to the whole body and the horse’s way of going as well as the willingness to perform the task you are asking of him. Any indication of resistance to moving forward when asked, tail swishing, head tossing or biting, may be a sign that the horse has a tight muscle that would benefit from massage.

It is important to remember this is a basic level massage program and that this program is designed and presented in sections. I would suggest that you practice each section at least 12 times before moving to the next section. If you get in a hurry to complete this program you will be doing a disservice to your horse and to yourself as well as possibly missing the subtle changes in your horse that are clues to his present health.

 

EQUINE SPORTS MASSAGE - BASIC LEVEL I

WRITTEN BY SUE DAVIS, CESMT

Copyright © August 2002

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         1.       Introduction to Equine Massage

Muscles and Functions

                    Equine Charts

                   Common Terms Used in Equine Massage

2.                 Lesson I

Yintang Point

Location of Pressure Points

Names of Strokes used in Equine Massage   

3.       Lesson II  

Neck and Shoulder Area

4,       Lesson III

Shoulder Area

Ting Point Chart (for reference only)

5.       Lesson IV

Back Area

6.       Lesson V

Continuation of Back Area

7,       Lesson VI

Hind Area

8.       Lesson VII

Stretching Suggestions and Explanations

 

INTRODUCTION TO EQUINE MASSAGE

Equine massage has been around for thousands of years and was used by the Chinese and Romans during the early year wars to keep their horses fit for battle. Over the years equine massage has evolved to what we know today as “sports massage for horses”. A gentleman who was a human massage therapist introduced sports massage for horses to the equine industry in the U.S. around the mid 80’s.

Jack Meagher is considered to be the father of sports massage and had many jockeys as his clients.  In the 1980’s he felt that the horses at the racetrack as well as the jockeys would benefit from massage and went to work writing a program for horses.  It is from his work that most equine massage programs are derived today.    There are many different programs available in this country today and all can be beneficial in some way.  

This program is based on sports massage and will incorporate some things from many different styles of massage programs for humans.  

Normally, equine massage can be performed on any horse, however there are exceptions to the rule. A horse that is pregnant should not be massaged unless approved by your vet.  A horse that has had a recent injury and/or has a disease should not be massaged at any time until the injury has healed or the disease is under control.  This situation should always be discussed with your veterinarian.

Massage may be beneficial in the healing process when there is a joint disorder or overworked muscles.  When there is muscle tear or strain, you should wait until the tear and /or strain is in the last stages of healing before utilizing massage.

Equine massage will help keep your horse’s muscles more flexible, increase oxygen flow to the muscle cells and therefore help with improved muscle function.

Equine massage will keep the fibers from becoming “glued together” whenever there is a tear, but should not be performed until the muscle is free of heat.  If there is the presence of inflammation and heat, ‘do not massage’.  Massage has been shown to benefit a working horse, regardless of what kind of work they do or what discipline they are working in!    This is a program you can do yourself, but will not take the place of good veterinary care.  We encourage you to discuss with your veterinarian the application of massage for your horse and how you can combine it with his or her recommendations and treatment.  

Equine massage will benefit the performance of any horse up to 12 hours prior to a performance and 3 – 5 hours after a performance, regardless of the discipline you may be involved in.

Equine Massage, when performed by your hands, is the most beneficial to the horse. Your hands will be able to detect any imbalance in the superficial muscle system as well as keep you informed as to how your horse is feeling.  Equine massage is also a great way to build a relationship with your horse.

Please study the anatomy of the horse before starting the sequence.  It does help to know your horse and his structure.  Not all horses are alike, but basically they all have the same muscles and bones.  They just use muscles differently depending upon their discipline.

A working horse is just like a human athlete and must be kept in good condition to perform the task you are asking him to do.  Equine massage is a good way to help keep your horse healthy and happy. Equine massage will also give you the opportunity to do ‘early detection’ of any situations that may arise.

 

 

MUSCLES AND FUNCTIONS

Below are listed the superficial muscles and their functions that are included in this sequence.  Starting with the poll and moving towards the tail there are 28 superficial muscles you should become familiar with.  The skeletal layout is for your information only. Having an understanding of how the muscles and bones fit together is always a plus when working on your horse.

 

EQUINE MASSAGE CHART I

 

EQUINE MUSCLES

EQUINE MUSCLE FUNCTIONS

 

1

RECTUS CAPITIS LATERALIS

Lets head flex and move from side to side

 

2

SPLENIUS

Elevate the head and neck

 

3

RHOMBOIDS

Draws the scapula upwards, backwards and forward.

 

4

MULTIFIDUS CERVICUS (DEEP)

Extends the neck rotates head to opposite side

 

5

TRAPEZIUS

Elevates the shoulder.

 

6

BRACHIOCEPHALICUS

Moves shoulder forward and flexes the neck.

 

7

SUPRASPINATUS

Extend the shoulder.

 

8

INFRASPINATUS

Abducts the arm & rotates leg outward.

 

9

BICEP & ANTERIOR PECTORAL

Extends foreleg.

 

10

DELTOID

Permits shoulder joint to extend.

 

11

TRICEP

Flexes shoulder joint and extends the elbow.

 

12

EXTENSOR CARPI RADIALIS

Extends the carpus and flexes the elbow.

 

13

SERRATUS THORACIC

Draws trunk to proper level (sling) when leg is planted.

 

14

POSTERIOR PECTORAL

Draws foreleg backward.

 

15

LATISSIMUS DORSI

Lateral flexion of the back.

 

16

LONGISSIMUS DORSI

Extends the back, aids lateral flexion, assists in expiration.

 

17

INTERCOSTALS

Supports rib cage, aids in respiration.

 

18

OBLIQUE

Draws hind leg under, flexes the trunk.

 

19

RECTUS ABDOMINUS

Supports the back, compress the abdomen, flex the spine.

 

20

ILIO-PSOAS / ILIACUS

Flexes the hip joint.

 

21

TENSOR FASCIAE LATAE

Extends the stifle, flexes the hip and tense fasciae latae.

 

22

GLUTEUS

Forward propulsion, hind end action.

 

23

BICEP FEMORIS

Extends hind limb, hip and hock.

 

24

SEMIMEMBRANOSUS

Extends the hip and adducts the limb.

 

25

SEMITENDINOSUS

Permits the hip and the hock to extend and flexes the stifle.

 

26

FASCIA LATAE

Extends the stifle, flexes the hip.

 

27

GASTROCNEMIUS

Extends hock, if fixed, flexes the stifle.

 

28

LONG DIGITAL EXTENSOR

Permits the hind leg to flex.

 

 

 

EQUINE MASSAGE CHART II

                            

Location of the Equine Superficial Muscles (Numbering corresponds to Muscle/Function Numbering from chart on preceding page.)

 

 

EQUINE MASSAGE Chart III

Drawing from the IAHA

 

 

COMMON TERMS USED IN EQUINE MASSAGE

Finger and/or thumb pressure:  pressure applied with your thumb on spasms

Remove negative energy:  the flat of your hand removing negative ions

Increase blood flow:  bring blood to the muscle and cells

Reduce stress:  the use of strokes to reduce the tightness in the muscle

Rocking:  moving a muscle back and forth

Side of hand:  using the side of hand to perform a task

Circles, counter and clockwise:  making circles on the body as the clock works

Kneading neck:  pretend you are kneading bread

Finger comb shoulder:  the placing of your finger tips on the muscle and combing

Palpate with (Z) Zigzag movement:  move across the fibers of the muscles and/or the equine body in a zigzag fashion

Spasms:  small knots held in the muscle fibers

Umbrella Rub:  holding the hand shaped as an umbrella and performing circles to increase circulation

Friction Rub:  flat hand rub across the muscle to increase blood flow

Click here to begin Lesson I