How often does your horse see a masseuse, etc?

I think 6 weeks is a bit too much! Mine does 8 to 9 and she works hard pulling heavy loads in the carriage, sometimes at speed as well. Have you asked why the 6 weeks has been suggested? My lady is very good, she has vet permission and wont come without it, always gives me a report, and talks through what shes doing and why. We discuss the appointment and agree on the next visit based on work load and planned outings etc.

I think all the people who are dead against it should probably go and have a sports massage themselves. Its a world away from spa day massages, and for me at least has been significantly more effective than even huge amounts of physio.

I would bring onboard a physio if we had an actual injury we were rehabbing from. For routine maintenance, I find my sports therapy lady to be better.
 
yeah I don't have any particular injuries myself but when I've been to see my physio friend she always finds plenty to work on! I definitely think it is beneficial particularly as working horses are doing things that are totally against what they are physically designed for.

I always feel guilty booking the physio for another and not booking Kira in particularly when she's in full work at a level far, far higher than she should be physically capable of, but she never needs any work so I am starting to trust my own feel. But it's definitely always there as an option should things change.
 
I find this whole conversation (a regular occurrence on here) really strange.

I also really struggle to understand the insistence on ACAPT physios. Having used a highly recommend high profile ACAPT physio and veterinary physios the vet. physios have been head and shoulders above her. I don't insist that my vet has a degree in human medicine so I'm not sure why some people think that having the human qualification makes a physio better. I also know a couple of human physios and one osteo who didn't rate the animal course at all and went on to qualify in different ways to treat horses (McT-C and EBW).

I've been do saddle checks on horses and found really sore backs but been shot down when recommending a visit from a therapist of some description yet had the same people tell me how they get sports massages and what a difference it makes to them!

Back in the day (through my rose tinted glasses) horses got a "proper" groom and through doing that not only were you massaging/stimulating the muscles and easy knots in fascia but you became aware of how the horse was reacting, the tone of the muscles etc. In my 15yrs of being on yards I don't think I've ever seen anyone regularly give their horse a proper groom or even run their hands all over to develop a feel. I guess if you're time poor or that doesn't interest you then you should be paying for massage/physio etc to release tensions etc.

There is a good picture of someone pushing a wheelbarrow with a boulder in it. It then shows what happens when the boulder moves to a side and how crooked it makes the wheelbarrow and the pusher. We are that boulder when we are on a horse. There is no way that you can be riding a horse and not impacting on it unless you a prime specimen of human fitness and strength...and if you were you'd probably only maintain that by visiting a therapist yourself.

Meekly stepping down from my mobile soap box and getting back on topic...

how often you "need" to see someone varies hugely. There are so many factors to consider. When the current ex-racer came to us 6wks after his last race he was a wreck. He got two weeks to let down and then started physio and shoes were pulled. How he managed to run with those feet is beyond me; one high and boxy the other flat and splayed. In turn that affected his shoulders and the rest of him. His back was rigid it was so sore and tight. He got physio weekly and wore a massage pad in between. It then went to three weeks, then monthly, 6wks and then 3mths.

It might be that your therapist is working to a programme to help your horse regain muscle tone and strength and doesn't realise that you are happy as things are and aren't looking to change the situation or bring horse into full work. THe easiest thing to do is discuss any concerns with them directly as they can tell you exactly what their reasoning is.
 
I use an ACPAT physio partly because I have confidence in the training they have received. A friend of mine went down that route and i trust her judgement and her description of the various requirements so I just stick with that because there is a big choice in my area, and the ACPAT ones all have a good reputation (I have used 3 and know 2 others I would call if I was closer to their area). I have had others in the past, including mctimoney chiro etc and tbh the physios have been better for my horses. Also in my area are all kinds of sports massage, normal massage, back quack, normal chiro.. i can think of 10 or 15 names that pop up frequently in my FB groups, some I would use at a push and some I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.

I understand your point about vets not having human medicine qualifications but I also like to work with a physio who can treat me, as you say often the rider can be adding to the horse's issues so having a one-stop shop especially if that person is an experienced rider themselves ticks all of my boxes.
 
I’ve used an equine sports massage therapist (ESMT). She’s accredited by Equissage Europe. I knew her before she started on the massage route and she’s a very knowledgable horse person in her own right. She is insured and always works with vet approval.

This is wonky Tammy enjoying a massage a couple of years ago. T is enjoying it and is nearly nodding off to sleep. The sessions last a full 45 mins. Since then I have been taught by an ACPAT physio how to do a basic massage, so I do my own horses now, though my version is not as thorough as this one.

 
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