Tara Bowers' Celtic Equine Sports Massage
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Massage Benefits
Regular Massage Helps:
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Increase Range of Motion
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Improve Stamina
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Improve Disposition
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Provide Comfort
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Enhance Performance
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Enhance Gait Quality
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Improve Circulation
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Reduce Tactile Defense
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Assess Physical Condition
Massage Q & A:
How long does a session last?
Anywhere from one to two hours. I charge by the session, not the hour, due to this difference.
When will I notice an improvement?
Sometimes there is an immediate improvement, but sometimes it takes a few sessions.
How often should a horse be massaged?
This depends on the horse’s level of work, his confirmation, health, the extent of an injury, the footing, his tack fit, etc. If the horse has a hard workload a massage twice a month is probably in line. The normal working horse should be done at least once a month as a maintenance program.
How long do I have to wait until I can ride my horse after a session?
Actually, follow-up exercise is a component of sports massage. Healthy, sound horses can be ridden lightly after a session.
I’m showing my horse this weekend. This week is my horse’s first scheduled massage. Is this okay?
Once a horse is on a regular massage schedule, this would be okay. However, if this is your horse’s first session he needs to get used to his new way of moving and there is a chance he could be slightly sensitive after. Horses adapt movement for a number of reasons. His increased range of motion may make you feel slightly out of sync the first time. Not a good idea at a show!