Massaging your horses back.
Today’s vlog has two simple massage techniques you can use on your horses back, concentrating on the longissimus muscle.
Always start massaging lightly and only increase the pressure once the horse is accepting of the stroke...
1) Effleurage is accomplished by using the palm and heel of the hand with fingers kept together and slightly raised, it is a gentle continuous stroking movement. Fingers are slightly raised in order to avoid putting pressure on any lumps or bumps. Effleurage helps to relax the horse and as such prepares the muscles for other deeper massage strokes. Effleurage increases venous blood flow and lymph flow. It is very useful to use effleurage to work through any muscle tension.
2) Raking is a variation of effleurage and is created by splaying the fingers and thumb then stroking along with the lay of the coat applying pressure through the fingertips. Use your fingertips and make a continuous W shaped stroke. This stroke allows the therapist to go deeper than they would with pure effleurage. Those animals with large regions of tension find this stroke very relaxing as they do not feel trapped under the pressure of a solid hand and the pressure is more diffuse so any tenderness the animal is experiencing when being massaged is less intense
When muscles are massaged, the blood supply to them is increased. This increase in circulation feeds the muscle tissue and brings with it oxygen and nutrients at the same time absorbing the waste (used proteins and lactic acid) formed in the muscles during exercise. Massage strokes will help to prevent lesions and loosen and stretch the muscles, tendons and ligaments. Mobilizing the soft tissue in constricted areas will help increase the range of motion of these muscles allowing the muscles to move more freely and gain strength. Increased muscle tone causes an increase in elasticity and extensibility.
Jess Equine