Massage 101

What is sports massage?
Sports massage is unique in that it uses techniques designed to apply pressure to muscles in order to release tension, break up muscle adhesions, and improve blood flow for faster recovery and removal of toxins. It is meant to benefit the athlete, restoring muscles to their maximum potential and freedom of movement. The massage sequence is designed to increase the horse’s flexibility, improve suppleness, and release tension.

What will you do during a session?
Each massage is completed according to the methods taught and practiced by Mary Schreiber, founder of Equissage, an internationally-accredited program for animal massage. The entire horse is assessed and treated, poll to tail. Sessions begin with a quick assessment of commonly sore areas (poll, neck, topline, shoulder, back, hip, hindquarters) and proceeds to carefully assess and treat soreness in 25 major muscle groups. Initial strokes are geared towards warming up the muscles, then locating areas of tension, finally treating with targeted pressure.

What types of horses can benefit?
Sports massage is ideal for horses in all stages of life and all levels of work. The performance horse will benefit from faster recovery from workouts, increase in muscle hypertrophy, and relief from the aches and strains that can arise from training. It is ideal for young horses, who may develop tension as their muscles adjust to the work. Similarly, it is incredibly beneficial for older horses who may suffer from soreness due to past injuries, arthritis and general stiffness, or have developed muscular imbalances over the years. It is also therapeutic for horses under stress due to illness, frequent traveling and showing, and even mares in foal due to its effective removal of toxins from the muscle cells and the healing increases in circulation throughout the body.

Even horses on stall rest or in recovery?
Absolutely. Massage provides an anaerobic workout to the muscles so it’s an ideal way to maintain muscle tone while a horse is recovering from injury. It can also speed the healing process by tackling muscle soreness and tension that can arise in the non-injured areas due to compensation. Massage is also known to increase the production of synovial fluid in the joints, keeping the horse sound for longer periods of time.

How soon can I ride after the massage?
It depends… this will vary largely based on the horse, how many sore or tense areas are treated during the massage, and how regularly he is treated. For first  time clients, it is recommended to plan an easy day riding until you see how your horse adjusts (i.e., avoid strenuous work such as jumping or collected work). Once he receives massage regularly, he will be able to perform his regular work, and even compete, on the same day.

How often should a horse be massaged?
Again… it depends. Horses with long-standing muscle tightness may take several sessions before the areas are fully restored to normal range of motion. Similarly, horses with chronic conditions such as arthritis or with conformation that causes some imbalance or muscle soreness may benefit from more regular massage. It can also be helpful on an as needed basis to make sure your horse feels 100% before the next event or to help aid recovery after training or competition. We are happy to talk with you about horse’s individual needs and make a plan that suits him.

What are the prices?
Each session is $80, but there may be a $5-10 travel fee depending on distance from the Pittsburgh area. Be sure to follow us on Facebook @optimumequinellc for special promotions and upcoming events!

How do I learn more?
You can contact me anytime to ask questions, and the Facebook page is updated regularly with events and interesting information.

Massage for the Dressage Horse

Massage helps restore balance, power, and flexibility in the dressage horse, plays a role in injury prevention and is an excellent maintenance therapy for the sport horse

When to schedule a massage for your equine athlete

• Plan for a day that you can focus on a stretching or an easy session post-massage
• A tune up session a week or so before a goal event, show, or clinic will ensure that your horse can feel his best and give his maximum performance
• Massage is excellent preventative care–alleviating tension and treating muscle soreness can play a large role in preventing joint injuries that may arise from compensation or fatigue
• Massage can also help to alleviate tight muscles that lead to imbalances and resulting compensation that impairs a horse’s rhythm, throughness, and connection
• Dressage horses work hard, and healthy muscles are essential for longevity and soundness in these athletes. Repetitive motions strain the major motion joints such as hips and shoulders, but with regular massages, these joints continue to work fluidly

Top 10 muscle groups to treat for the dressage horse

1. Poll, (rectus capitus lateralis)–flexion at the poll and atlas joint
2. Neck, (upper muscle, splenius)–allows for connection over the back into the bit & (lower muscle, brachiocephalicus)–allows lateral flexion and freedom in the shoulder
3. Withers, (trapezius/rhomboids)–raise shoulder/scapula for uphill movement
4. Shoulder (supraspinatus & infraspinatus) –extend shoulder joint, rotate foreleg
5. Back, (latissimus dorsi & longissimus dorsi)–lateral flexion and lift over the back
6. Belly, (obliques)– draw hind leg under
7. Hindquarters, (upper muscle, glutes)–source of power, push and impulsion
8. Hamstring, (semimembranosus & semitendinosus)–extend hip and hock for engagement
9. Hindquarters, (lower muscle, bicep femoris)–extends hip, hock, and hind leg, bends stifle for collected movements
10. Hindquarters, (central and deep muscles, tensor fascia latae)– flex hip, extend stifle

Massage for Stall Rest & Injury

It’s the situation no horse owner wants to be in–stall rest, hand walking, and injury treatments. But when it happens, you want to do everything you can to ensure a full recovery. Sports massage is an ideal adjunctive treatment for traditional veterinary interventions for tendon and ligament injuries, wound healing, and recovery from surgery.

Reasons to schedule a massage for recovery.

• Massage provides an anaerobic workout for the horse, which can help to maintain muscle tone allow the horse to return to work faster post-injury.
• Massage also increases circulation, helping the body to remove toxins more efficiently and speed healing
• The relaxing benefits of massage can help decrease some of the stress and mental tension of a horse on stall rest
• Various de-swelling techniques can be used to diffuse large areas of edema
• Once the horse returns to work, massage can help treat soreness that arises in muscles that may have atrophied and lost strength during the recovery period
• Massage is excellent preventative care–alleviating tension and treating muscle soreness can play a large role in preventing re-injury that may arise from compensation or fatigue
• Healthy muscles are essential for shock absorption and offsetting the concussion that training places on joints, tendons, and ligaments

When to schedule a massage

• For full stall rest, weekly or bi-weekly massages are recommended. Packages are able and will be tailored to each horse’s needs
• Schedule a session once the horse returns to under saddle work
• Schedule monthly or as needed for routine maintenance. Using massage as a regular maintenance treatment can keep your horse sound and happy when he returns to regular work

Massage for Hunters & Jumpers

Massage helps restore balance, power, and range of motion in the jumping horse, plays a role in injury prevention and is an excellent maintenance therapy for the sport horse

When to schedule a massage for your hunter or jumper

• Plan for a day that you can focus on a flatwork session post-massage
• A tune up session a week or so before a goal event, show, or clinic will ensure that your horse can feel his best and give his maximum effort
• Massage is excellent preventative care–alleviating tension and treating muscle soreness can play a large role in preventing joint injuries that may arise from compensation or fatigue
• Jumping horses work hard, and healthy muscles are essential for shock absorption and offsetting the concussion that jumping places on joints, tendons, and ligaments. Using massage as a regular maintenance treatment can keep your horse sound and happy while he is in regular work

Top 10 muscle groups to treat for the jumper

1. Poll, (rectus capitus lateralis)–flexion at the poll and atlas joint
2. Neck, (upper muscle, splenius)–allows for bascule over fences & (lower muscle, brachiocephalicus)–allows shoulder joint to move forward
3. Withers, (trapezius/rhomboids)–raise shoulder/scapula
4. Shoulder, (tricep)–shoulder joint flexion
5. Back, (latissimus dorsi & longissimus dorsi)–flex and extend back
6. Belly, (obliques)– draw hind leg under
7. Hindquarters, (upper muscle, glutes)–source of power, push and impulsion
8. Hamstring, (semimembranosus & semitendinosus)–extend hip and hock over fences
9. Hindquarters, (lower muscle, bicep femoris)–extends hip, hock, and hind leg, bends stifle
10. Hindquarters, (central and deep muscles, tensor fascia latae)– flex hip, extend stifle

Light Therapy

What is light therapy?
Low-level light therapy works at the cellular level where light is absorbed and produces a chemical change. Light therapy has been studied for over two decades and has produced positive results in conditions such as arthritis, muscle fatigue, tendinopathies, wound healing, nerve damage, and reduction of edema. The light is absorbed by underlying tissues when it is applied directly to the skin, converting it to cellular energy. It quickly increases blood flow in the area being treated, speeding healing and minimizing pain.

Research suggests that these powerful and widespread benefits are due to the ability of certain wavelengths of light (600 nm to 1100 nm) to increase ATP production and cellular energy, gene transcription, and protein synthesis, which is critical for healing damaged cells. It can also increase oxygen binding in the cells. In mammals, two types of light are optimal: red light which primarily acts on tissue near the treated surface (i.e., muscles, skin, soft tissue) and near infrared light which penetrates more deeply to treat joints.

What will you do during a session?
Ideally, the light therapy will be used in conjunction with massage to treat the whole body. The light therapy can aid the healing process in areas where your horse is sore such as his neck, back, hips, SI joint, stifle or other large areas. During the massage, the flexible light therapy pads will be placed over the treatment area for approximately
15 minutes. Alternately, the light therapy can be used to treat known chronic issues such as arthritis, leg injuries, or even conditions such as navicular and can aid wound healing.

Is it safe?
That’s the best part–absolutely. Unlike traditional laser therapies which heat the tissues, light therapy uses diffuse light-emitting technologies and produces no thermal or tissue ablating effects. Light therapy has been well-studied and these LED and near-infrared devices are engineered for safe administration of optimal tissue-penetrating light wavelengths. Light therapy is even permitted to use before a competition per USEF guidelines.

What types of horses can benefit?
Light therapy is an excellent adjunctive treatment for horses in regular work, as the light therapy enhances manual massage techniques by producing faster recovery effects in muscles. It helps to promote healing from within the body, which can delay the onset of soreness and help your horse’s massage treatment effects last even longer. Plus, light therapy can act on legs and joints to reduce pain and inflammation, allowing your horse to feel and perform his best–from head to hoof.

How often should light therapy be administered?
Each horse is unique, and we can work together to design a program that works best for yours. Horses with long-standing muscle tightness may take several sessions before the areas are fully healed. Similarly, horses with chronic conditions or horses who regularly compete and train at a high level may benefit from more regular treatments. It can also be helpful on an as-needed basis to make sure your horse feels 100% before the next event or to help aid recovery after any intense exercise.

What are the prices?
Each Enhanced Session (hands-on bodywork) plus light therapy session is $100. In some cases requiring light therapy only, each treatment is $50. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @optimumequine for special promotions and the occasional contest.

Can you treat dogs, too?
Finally, the answer is yes! These devices are designed for both canine and equine use. Although I’m not yet doing canine massage, I am offering pain-relieving light therapy sessions for pets, $50/session.

How do I learn more?
You can Contact Me anytime to ask questions.

Pre-Appointment Information

Thank you for scheduling an appointment with Optimum Equine!
It is a pleasure to work with you and your horse.

Before we get started, here are some helpful tips:

• Each session lasts at least one hour, but it can take longer depending how many areas we need to treat during the massage
• Feel free to ask questions as we go. Knowing how your horse is feeling is valuable information for you
• Post-massage, your horse will need to walk briskly for 5-10 minutes to maximize the benefits of the massage and help the muscles recover
• Your horse does not need to be groomed for the session, but removing any dried mud can be helpful
• After massage, you can ride, but if this is your horse’s first massage or if he has a lot of muscle tightness it’s best to take it easy the first day
• Your feedback is encouraged! Feel free to get in touch about how your horse is feeling in the days following treatment–these notes will get added to your horse’s file and can be helpful for future sessions
• Payment is appreciated the day of your appointment. Options for payment include cash, check, PayPal, Venmo, Google Wallet or Popmoney
• Your next massage can be pre-scheduled or set up on as needed basis–most horses benefit from monthly maintenance sessions.