Massaging your horse?

Pigeon

Pigeon

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Does anyone else do this?

Mine really enjoys having his poll and neck massaged (quite hard!!) and will drift off to sleep. We do carrot stretches too.

Do you think it makes a difference to ridden work, and has anyone got any tips for massage techniques/stretches? :)
 
Yes I do when I have time, my horse loves it :)

No tips or techniques, but I'm pretty sure that massaging releases oxygen into the muscles to help them relax and repair.

My old horse had back problems and the back person told me to get a hand held massager which I used on him, it helped him loads
 
I quite often massage my share horse - he has a very expressive face so I just watch closely and massage where he seems to like it most. it might be worth looking up the Masterson method as that is slightly different to massage - it is easy to do and I have tried it a bit with some interesting responses. Also if you are on Horsehero the Sarah Fisher videos have some interesting easy techniques for example holding the hair of the mane near the base and making little circles with it gradually working your way from wither to poll (my share horse usually really enjoys that one). I like to think it makes some sort of difference but usually do it after ridden work and then don't get to ride him again for a few days.
 
Bit of a cheat but on physios recommendation I have started to use equissage massage pad on bonkers black ponies back before exercise or doing his stretches. Helps improve blood flow to the area so he finds it easier to relax and lift his back apparently. Early days so will see if it helps.
 
We tend to give her back a massage after she has been ridden , like literally as soon as the saddle has been taken off a racehorse trainer mum used to work for swore by It and it's just a tradition that has been carried on.
 
The trainer I work for has a massage pad and one of those handheld massagers (cue lots of jokes about that one) - we don't use them all the time but they've come in really handy when the horses have shown any sign of stiffness in their backs/necks.
 
yes, mine loves a massage.

He likes his ears and pole done the most, he will drop his head and lean on me. Also do his back and shoulders when i have time; the backman showed me how to do some massages.

The mare also loves a good scratch/ massage.
 
daydreamer said:
I quite often massage my share horse - he has a very expressive face so I just watch closely and massage where he seems to like it most. it might be worth looking up the Masterson method as that is slightly different to massage - it is easy to do and I have tried it a bit with some interesting responses. Also if you are on Horsehero the Sarah Fisher videos have some interesting easy techniques for example holding the hair of the mane near the base and making little circles with it gradually working your way from wither to poll (my share horse usually really enjoys that one). I like to think it makes some sort of difference but usually do it after ridden work and then don't get to ride him again for a few days.
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Me massaging Asbo cob when he had back problems led to me doing a Masterson method training weekend :) I was massaging his back and shoulders and started to get some big responses and wanted to understand what was happening and then discovered Jim Masterson on YouTube ..booked the course straight away. I tend to use it all the time as it's great for getting horses to relax and it seems to somehow tune in to them. Highly recommend looking it up as anyone can do it and it's really rewarding.
 
I use the back of an appropriate grooming brush to do Arnie (am an exphysio so good with the pressure). My advice is to try an go with the muscle fibres (going against has potential to cause damage and is used to 'aggravate' muscle into healing)
 
I have an Equlibrium massager, and all my boys have loved it. I also have an equissage, but am going to sell as they do not seem to know it is more expensive and supposedly better!
 
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