HOW YOUR HORSE BENEFITS FROM EQUINE BODY WORK

1) Body Work increases the range of motion:

Tight or contracted muscles put a strain on tendons and ligaments too, therefore restricting the normal range of motion of the joints. A horse that moves without restriction is more efficient in his stride; there is less wear and tear on the joints, ligaments and tendons, equating to a longer working life.

By returning tight muscles back to their optimal functioning length, Body Work increases the existing range of motion, which usually leads to a longer and more expressive stride. This can be particularly beneficial to dressage horses.

A longer and more efficient stride in a race horse can make the difference between winning and coming second at the finishing line.

A jumper uses a vast number of muscles during his take off, flight and landing. If his musculature is flexible and agile with the muscles synchronized properly, he will be less likely to suffer strain and injury. A restriction-free muscular system also optimises the horse's capacity for power, which can add inches to the height he can clear.

2) Body Work improves disposition:

Has your horse started napping or bucking? Does he not allow you to touch him on certain areas? Has he started fussing when saddled? Does he lack impulsion or 'put the handbrake on' when ridden? Does your horse simply 'not feel right'

These are just some of the typical symptoms that a horse in discomfort may present. Usually the horse is not trying to be difficult, he is trying to tell you that something hurts.That something may be an injured muscle, a strained ligament, skeletal pain or a badly fitting saddle, just to name a few. Equine Body Work assesses the entire horse, his living environment and workload. Once the issue has been identified and treated your horse will be happier and behave better for you.






Equine Body Work includes ground work too!

3) Body Work improves stamina:
When we talk about a tight muscle, what we usually mean is a muscle that is not able to release back into its optimal functioning length after contraction.

A muscle that is in a permanent state of contraction, even a mild one, has to rely on other muscles as well as ligaments and tendons to compensate for it. This burns excess energy and forces the horse to work against itself. Allowing the muscles to return back into their optimal length equates to less fatigue and more stamina. This is especially relevant to endurance and hunting horses.

4) Body Work rehabilitates after injury, illness or surgery:
A box-rested horse loses muscle tone and mobility surprisingly quickly. It is therefore vital to maintain those aspects through massage and range of motion exercises. A muscle which has suffered a trauma usually builds scar tissue, which when left untreated can cause long term problems. Body Work during recovery helps to both prevent scar tissue from forming by keeping the area flexible as well as helps to break up and re-align existing scar tissue.

Massage also relieves boredom and reduces stress in the stable-bound horse.

5) Body Work improves circulation:
Have you noticed how filled legs usually go down after exercise? By improving flexibility and range of motion, blood and lymph fluids circulate more freely.

6) Body Work reduces defensiveness:
A young or nervous horse does not automatically assume that grooming and stroking is pleasant, we must teach him to accept and enjoy this. Punishing a horse for defending itself against being touched is rarely useful in the long term. (and don't forget that your horse may be acting out of pain too!) Gradually introduced Body Work helps your horse to relax to the touch and builds trust between horse and human.