"Whenever an animal is forced into the service of men, every one of us must be concerned for any suffering it bears on that account. No one of us may permit any preventable pain to be inflicted, even though the responsibility for that pain is not ours. No one may appease his conscience by thinking that he would be interfering in something that does not concern him. No one may shut his eyes and think the pain, which is therefore not visible to him, is nonexistent". ..... Albert Schweitzer

Many of our horses work hard to reach the results we expect of them. Whether being ridden for trail, pleasure or top performance, horses striving to perform to our expectations can experience injury and/or pain as a result.

Massage plays an important role in prevention and relief of stress, and recovery of injury by evaluating the "whole" horse, not just targeting one area or symptom.

 

Massage techniques will relax an excited horse,producing a calming effect for trailerloading, and handling by the vet or farrier. It also aids in the release of toxin build-up, and increases oxygen which in turn increases metabolism and shortens recuperation time. From stall-bound horses to top performers, all horses benefit from massage.

Please note, horses exhibiting signs of serious illness or injury should be examined by a veterinarian prior to massage to rule out any contraindications

In memory of Rudy

Muscle tissue can be overused, overstretched, and overloaded, resulting in tissue lesions that cause pain and restrict motion. Symptoms include head and neck discomfort, shortened stride, sore or "cold back", hip or shoulder lameness.

I apply massage techniques which spread muscle fibers, freeing restrictions and adhesions, increasing blood and oxygen, and removing metabolic waste, relieving tension and improving overall performance.

• Sixty percent of the horse's body weight is muscle.
• Muscles respond to stress or injury by hyper-contraction. This results in unnecessary stress on an opposing muscle or joint.
• Muscle soreness can be the result of injury, cooling down too fast, structural or systemic imbalance, overstretching or overuse/misuse.
• Muscles, damaged or not, do not show up on X-Rays.
• Muscle problems are cumulative in nature. If one set of muscles is tight, the horse, like us, will have to compensate by tensing up and employing other muscles.
• Like us, horses anticipate pain. Their way of going becomes short and choppy, resulting in an uneven gait

Benefits of Equine Massage Therapy:

• Improves circulation
• Enhances muscle tone
• Relaxes muscle spasms
• Relieves tension
  
  

• Improves disposition
• Improves performance
• Restores free-flowing motion

  Major is an aged Quarter Horse gelding that has had colic surgery in the past, and has recently been exhibiting signs of mild colic such as lying down, rolling, nipping at his side:

“Major is doing great. I haven’t seen him showing any signs of colic for the past several days since his massage. In fact, he’s ready for a trail ride”.

"This morning, when I brought (my horse) out of his pen, his walk was really nice!
It was even and the toes weren't dragging; he had his old walk back.

I massaged (per instruction) and walked and stretched him then turned him out
in the front field with the old gelding to graze and walk. I am so pleased! I am so excited!"

"Delighted to tell you my dressage score improved 2.5 points. My horse felt wonderful all weekend and I am certain the massage made a huge difference. We finished 3rd in a field of 19 at our first novice event!! "

"Hey Kathy!! Great news!! (My horse) was sound today!!! I actually worked him for the first time today since you massaged him last and he was sound on that back right leg! I am thrilled. I thought that a few days off might be good for him. He was quite full of himself. I lunged him first and he was sound. He was still dropping that right hip just a little bit on a circle BUT way better than he has been going!! When I got on his back we did a nice brisk walk on the buckle for about 10 minutes - trying to get him to stretch down a bit. I asked him for a trot just once around the ring and he picked it up nicely with no problem! - No kicking out at my leg!! So, hopefully, we are over the hump!!

I can not help but think that your massaging has done wonders for him!!
Thank you SO much!!"

Full Body Deep Muscle Massage:

Also offered as pre-purchase massage, pre and post event massage.

Sessions last approximately one hour or longer at $65 per horse.

Two horse discount available for same-day visit.

Inquire about upcoming clinic dates and locations. Gift certificates available.

Visit me on facebook for some great discussion topics!

Holsteiner Dressage Prospect

QH Barrell Racer

If you are interested in hosting a clinic at your facility in or around the Fayetteville area, please contact me for information. Clinics/workshops include hands-on demonstration of massage strokes and discussions, which include:

• Defining Sports Massage
• Effects of massage on Colic, Laminitis, Stress
• When TO massage and when NOT to massage
• How and why massage benefits every horse from foal, to performance, to geriatric
• What the experts say

Inquire about upcoming clinic dates and locations.

Equissage® - Equine sports massage certification. www.equissage.com

Georgia Equine Rescue League. www.gerlltd.org

International Association of Animal Massage Therapists www.iaamt.com

www.animalchiropractic.org

Kathy Hales, CESMT
Fayetteville, Georgia
770.719.8200

Email: equinemassage@comcast.net

Cell: 770.713.0684