Myofascial release for horses

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marlyclay

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Equine massage practitioners seems to be on the increase and jolly good most of them are too!I am interested in the possible benefits of myofascial realease for horses . Myo’ refers to muscle and ‘fascia’ is a connective tissue that surrounds all parts of the body (bones, muscles, nerves, organs etc). When there has been an injury the fascia is pull too tight and can reduce and hinder recovery.The theory is that by gently stretching the fascia this helps to facilitate the body’s natural ability to heal by releasing restrictions in the muscles and connective tissues, allowing the body to become rebalanced and realigned. Sounds logical....but does it really work?Has anyone had any experience of this therapy good or bad.And are there many practioners in the UK?
 
My physio uses myofascial release on me and my horse! It has definitely helped him and I was pretty skeptical initially! She uses it alongside more conventional physio techniques. I wasnt really convinced of the benefits until I had a session myself and wow!

If you are interested I would recommend that you have a session yourself with a human physio (or ideally one who does people and horses) so you can feel what's going on-I got a greater understanding of it that way than watching her do my horse (looks a lot like they are just laying hands on!)

I'm based in Hampshire, don't know how many physios are practicing it currently but I suspect it is on the increase!
 
Thanks chocolate pony.That is a good idea.
I too have been sceptical,but just recently a friend has introduced me to the theoy of it and she has had some positive results and wants to learn more.It seems so gentle and non invasive that it is easy to pass it off as pifle.But my friend is very confident that it does work,and she is not taken in lightly!I was just hoping to hear from anyone who has had experiences of it,but judging from the lack of response to this post it isn't widely used as yet.
 
i would be interested of there are any practitioners in the midlands area - I have this done on myself and wow it does work - its very odd as you feel the fascia relax and the muscles sometimes move or spasm on their own and sometimes limbs move!! - really they do it on their own - stretching out and afterwards you feel a bit drained but next day so much better. I was SO stiff in my psoas and quads/hamstrings - so much easier to open hips now and finding it really helps my riding - would love to have it done on my horse.
 
marydoll said:
I had tendonitis in both arms, mfr helped greatly, my equine bodyworker uses it on my horses as well to good effect
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I am currently studying to become an Equine Touch practitioner, this is a form of Myofascial release work. I am in the final stages of qualifying and I am in need of case studies, Equine rather than human I'm afraid, so if anyone in Yorkshire/North East is interested please pm me. Any sessions your horse has would be free. I hope to continue to learn the human side of things when I have qualified in Equine. :)
 
I use bits of MFR when I treat humans with Bowen (which is very similar anyway) and it is also used on my horse along side McTimoney and massage. The lady I use for the horses comes from Suffolk.
 
I think it depends on the therapist, i have had it done on my horse by two differend people, one was amazing the other made no difference at all. There's only one i would recommend and thts Dawn McCaig.
 
I've had it done on myself and I was very impressed with the results, i;d recommend it. Having done some dissection and seen just how important the fascia is it makes sense to target treatment at it.
 
Would second recommendation of Dawn McCaig for those in Norfolk/north East Anglia. She has worked wonders on my share and is also very good with the humans ;) Wish I could afford more sessions (or any, atm!)
 
Yes it does make horses feel better I have an equine touch practitioner work on my horses and have done the level one and two courses myself I also use physio who works a lot with my vet.
As with all of these things it's important to get a diagnosis so you know what you are trying to achieve and for that you needed a vet.
 
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