Equine Massage Therapy - The Perfect Compliment to Hydrotherapy

🔸Some of you may know the story of my horse Harvey?

🔸I have owned him since he was born, having worked at the stud he was bred at and he turned out to be much more horse than I ever hoped for - thinking he would reach 14.2hh and ending up reaching full height as an 8 year old at just shy of 16hh 😱

🔸Harvey has been in light work on and off since he was 5 but following recent veterinary investigations we are now upping his work level and hoping he might be able to give half brother Tiger Tim a run for his money 🙈 #nothingwrongwithdreamingbig #dressagesupercob

🔸As part of Harvey’s new fitness and strength training he has started water treadmill sessions at Claire Dyson Equine Water Treadmill & Rehabilitation Centre

Today was day one, he was so brave and the team at the yard were so lovely with him 🤗

🔸Often, when re-training or re-habilitating a horse we need to look at creating a programme for our horses based on their own individual situation, and more than one type of therapy may be required to compliment the other therapies your horse may be receiving.

🔸Harvey is receiving regular Massage Therapy and Heat Therapy as well as performing daily Passive and Active Physio (which I can luckily do myself for him)

🔸 He has also had visits from an Equine Osteopath (I highly recommend Abby Oliver Equine and Rider Osteopathy if your horse requires Osteopathy)

🔸And is also cross training in order to prevent overtraining and fatigue of the targeted muscle groups on consecutive days.

🔸So his training programme currently includes a variety of groundwork, hacking on a variety of terrain and schooling. We will look at adding more polework and jumping in the weeks to come.

🔸In addition to this I decided water treadmill sessions would compliment his programme well 💦

❓But what are the benefits of water treadmill sessions❓ Benefits include:

▪️Improves performance

▪️Encourages soft tissue mobilisation

▪️Develops core strength

▪️Reduces recovery time from some injuries

▪️Improves muscle tone and strength

▪️Improves length of stride

▪️Improves fitness and stamina

▪️Improves flexibility and suppleness

▪️Promotes muscle development

▪️Encourages lateral flexion of the back

🔸I can’t wait to see the changes in Harvey’s fitness, strength and posture with regular sessions over the coming weeks 🤩

🔸And at the same time I know that being able to treat him with Equine Massage Therapy will help keep his musculoskeletal system as healthy and free from restrictions as possible whilst his body is going through so many changes.

🔸If your horse is currently having water treadmill sessions, why not consider Equine Massage Therapy to compliment their hydrotherapy❓

🔸I will keep you all posted on Harvey’s progress in the coming weeks 👍🏻

Jess | Jessica Limpkin Equine Massage Therapy