Massage & Myofascial Release

Massage and myofascial release focus on the health and function of the horse’s soft tissues. Treatment combines hands-on massage with targeted acupressure, working through individual muscle groups to reduce tension and support normal movement.

Muscle issues can develop for many reasons. They may follow a specific incident such as fatigue or overstretching, but they can also result from poor posture, ill-fitting tack or shoes, inadequate warm-up or cool-down, illness, nutritional imbalance, or underlying structural issues. Some problems develop gradually and may not be obvious at first.

Performance horses are particularly prone to muscle tension and imbalance due to the physical demands placed on them. Repeated effort can lead to uneven muscle contraction, which may place additional strain on joints and contribute to back or movement-related discomfort.

Massage and myofascial release are used to help prevent and manage muscle-related issues by improving circulation, releasing tension, and supporting coordination between muscles and joints. Treatments are often carried out following chiropractic work to help maintain freedom of movement and support long-term comfort.

Stretching techniques may also be incorporated to encourage relaxation and improve mobility where needed. Together, these techniques provide valuable insight into your horse’s musculoskeletal condition and help guide ongoing care.

Benefits of massage for your horses

  • Increases horses flexibility and suppleness while decreasing the chance of muscle injury

  • Reduce muscle stiffness by taking the lactic acid out of the muscle

  • Increases muscle tone and range of motion with stretching

  • Relaxes spasm or knots

  • Increases the healing process by bringing blood to the area

  • Helps to allow area of inflammation to heal by alleviating pain

  • Can help in lengthening connective tissue and breaks down the formation of the scar tissue

  • Minimizes muscle damage when the horse has been injured

Massage therapy for horses increases circulation, which reduces swelling, transports toxins to points of elimination, contributes to increase range of motion, and ultimately produces an overall state of relaxation for the horse.