Massage Techniques Part 3
Hello and welcome to part 3 of my mini blog series on Equine Massage Techniques.
During this mini blog series I have been discussing some of the hands-on equine massage techniques you will see me use when treating your horse.
Hands-on equine massage forms the very basis of what I do, hence it was what I have wanted to discuss in this first blog series.
If you have missed parts 1 & 2 of this series they can be found here.
This week I will be talking about 3 more of the hands-on equine massage techniques.
These are:
Picking up
Skin rolling
Vibration
Picking up - this technique contributes mostly to toning the muscle as well as increasing circulation, is used mostly on the upper forelegs and hind legs; it is good on the stifle but also on the crest of the neck as well.
When applying picking up the muscle is gently lifted away from the bony structure. I like to use this technique to gauge the elasticity of the fibres. and use it in most of my equine massage treatments.
Horses find this technique very relaxing when applied gently but it is also a useful technique to use in warm up routines.
Massaging the upper leg pre-exercise can assist in giving you those extra few inches in your horse’s stride that might just win you the competition that day!
Skin Rolling - this technique is a very soothing manipulation that is used mostly to maintain a healthy and shining coat, prevent the formation of excess adhesions and maintain elasticity of the skin.
To apply this technique the skin is pinched between the fingers (picking it up) and pulled away from the underlying structures. This is then repeated moving along the surface of the skin continuously picking the skin up to stretch the subcutaneous fascia, break cross links, and make the tissue more mobile.
The skin rolling technique is very efficient in keeping the skin and underlying fascia loose. Horses find it very relaxing and I like to use this technique towards the end of the session once the area I am working on is sufficiently warm and ready to receive the technique.
Vibration - this technique is used to affect muscles and joints below the superficial tissue. Vibration in a superficial way will stimulate and soothe your horse, or used more deeply will help to break up restrictions and adhesions within the tissue.
Vibration is applied with the palm of the hand is also very efficient in eliciting the parasympathetic nervous response in your horse, reaching the central nervous system (brain) quickly and causing the horse to have a feeling of calm and well being :)
Vibrations are also ideal for treating inflamed rheumatism or arthritis where regular massage techniques are contraindicated.
I also like to apply Vibration therapy using mechanical massage and The Thumper® Equine Pro , I will be talking more about this in a future blog series.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog, if you have any questions or would like to book an appointment for horse massage therapy in Worcester and the surrounding areas please do get in contact , I would love to hear from you.
Next week will be the final part of this 4 part mini blog series, and I will be discussing the final 3 of my hands-on equine massage techniques including Shaking, Deep Fibre Friction and Tapotements.
Thanks so much
Jess x