Can't catch their breath.....? How can Equine Massage Help?

Do you know the normal breathing rate for your horse 🐎

👉🏼At rest it is ‪around 12-16‬ breaths per minute
👉🏼During heavy exercise, the rate can increase to between 120 and 180 breaths per minute

The respiratory system is made up of:
🔸the nose
🔸the mouth
🔸the pharynx
🔸the windpipe
🔸the bronchial tubes
🔸the lungs
🔸the diaphragm (a large flat muscular organ) which aids inhalation, expiration, and defecation

In the lungs, the blood takes on oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide (or waste), this process is necessary for the body to remain vital and healthy ✅

The oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange rate depends on a few key factors:

🔹how clean the lung tissues are
🔹the depth of respiration
🔹the horse’s body temperature (and therefore the dilation of blood vessels in tissues)
🔹the rate of respiration.

⚠️This is why a cool-down period after strenuous exercise is essential to allow more time for the lungs to exchange gases, release toxins, and take in fresh oxygen⚠️

⏬Depth of respiration is very important and proper breathing is essential for a healthy, functional metabolism.

➡️A healthy respiratory system also plays an important role in regulating your horse’s body temperature 🤒

Did you know the following can also affect the expansion of the horse’s rib cage and therefore limit lung capacity:

▪️a girth that is too tight and therefore restrictive
▪️an improperly fitted saddle
▪️a rider with tense, gripping legs

❓How can massage help:

During Equine Massage Therapy muscular problems such as stress and trigger points (knots in the muscles) will be identified and treated 😌

These areas if left untreated can restrict the action of the muscles required to expand and contract the rib cage 😱

Massage also:

✔️ increases circulation throughout the body - therefore assisting in the oxygenation of tissues
✔️relaxes the nervous system – allowing for deeper, steadier breathing

If you think equine massage therapy could benefit your horse - please do get in touch 📲