Massage Treatments

Holistic, hands on therapy to support your horses wellbeing.

Offering Full Body Sports Massage Therapy incl:
Rehabilitation Massage
Maintenance Massage
Pre / Post Competition Massage
Trigger point Therapy

Sports MASSAGE

Equine Massage Therapy will benefit any horse, whether competing at any level, hunting, racing, in light work, out of work/retired or a horse in need of rehabilitation massage and stretching exercises.

Most massage treatments benefit from a course of weekly massage for a period of 4 to 8 weeks to have time to work through any issues and to also build muscle memory. However, a massage session is beneficial at any time, and can be carried out once a month, once every 6 months or even as a one off treatment.

Through a combination of massage and stretching techniques, W.I.S.P.A Equine Sports Therapy provides:

Wellness - Treatment provides a general feeling of overall well being in the horse. Massage stimulates endorphins which can calm a horse and also acts as a natural pain killer. It can help improve respiration and digestion, as well as draining lymphatic waste and toxins from the body. It also gives the coat a glossy shine due to the increase in the release of oils and the removal of dead cells.

Invigoration – Sports Massage Therapy can invigorate and strengthen the muscles supporting the joints. It helps increase the blood circulation, which results in enriched oxygenated blood travelling to the muscles. This helps the muscles to be more effective. It can also be a positive aspect pre- competition.

Suppleness - Massage therapy and stretching helps to loosen and stretch the muscles. Strong, supple muscles improve posture and help support the whole skeletal system. This will in turn improve the horses way of movement and gait.

Prevention - The increase of blood supply and the warming and stretching effect on the muscles help to reduce the possibility of injury. Massage also helps to soothe tired nerves, reduce scar tissue and helps to speed up the healing process in the event of injury.

Activation – Sports Massage and Rehabilitation Therapy helps to activate the muscles and the systems of the body. Increasing heart function helps the muscles work and repair themselves, to maximum efficiency.

Each therapy session is tailored to suit your individual horses needs.

Please note: Under the requirements of the Veterinary Act 1966,Veterinary Consent may be required before proceeding with any treatment.

Consent forms will be provided for you and your Veterinarian to sign.

Please also be aware, that Massage Therapy cannot be used to replace Veterinary Care.

Initial Consultation and Sports Massage Treatment - Approx 2 hrs

The Initial Consultation Session is important to establish any relevant information and concerns, full body assessment and to establish the best route forwards. Comparison photos are also taken for future records.

This includes:

Full Consultation and Prior History Record
Conformation and Gait Analysis Assessment.
Tack Assessment.
Myofacial Palpation and Health check
Body Massage and Stretch Routine
Aftercare Advice

Full Body/Maintenance Massage - Approx 1-1.5 hr

Muscles support the skeletal system and are a key factor in the way a horse moves.

A full body massage is an all over body massage which will take approx 1 to 1.5hrs. This includes:

Gait analysis
Myofacial Palpation and Health Check - to help evaluate areas of tension or pain.
Full body massage incorporating a combination of techniques
Treatment and assessment into areas of stiffness or pain.
Trigger and Point Stress therapy
A Full Stretch Routine
Lymphatic Drainage Techniques, to help remove toxins and waste products from the body.
After Care advice

Regular treatments will help work through any issues found from the previous consultation or any new issues which may have arisen. They can also be used as a massage and stretch routine to help towards keep your horse as supple and flexible as possible.

Remedial Massage - Approx 1 -1.5hr

Remedial Massage Treatments include a full body routine incorporating passive stretching, but are tailored and concentrated more around the specific needs/injury of the horse. They are carried out over a number of sessions to aid recovery and encourage muscle memory.

This includes:

Gait analysis
Myofacial Palpation and Health Check - to help evaluate areas of tension or pain.

Targeted Massage incorporating a combination of techniques to focus on specific areas.
Treatment and assessment into areas of stiffness or pain.
Trigger and Stress Point therapy
Targeted Stretch Routine
Lymphatic Drainage Techniques, to help remove toxins and waste products from the body.
After Care advice

Pre and Post Competition Massage - Approx 30 min each

Pre-Competiton Massage is generally carried out about an hour or two before the event or competition and lasts about 30 minutes. It can be carried out on the yard before leaving (depending on time) or at the competition site.

Pre-Competition massage can help:

Warm up your horses muscles before a competition or event.
Reduce sprains and injury.
Invigorate a quiet horse, or help calm and relax a stressed horse, depending on therapy technique required.
Reduce muscle spasm and tension.
Encourage your horse to move more freely.
Promote blood circulation.
Increase blood flow and warm the body
Release tightness

Post-Competition Massage is generally carried out around 45 minutes to an hour after the event. It involves long slow movements that go deep into the tissue to remove toxins, and passive stretches to help prevent stiffness. Post Competition massage can help:

Increase lymphatic flow to remove toxins
Aid recovery
Reduce stiffness
Identify sprains or injuries.

Pre/Post-Competition Massage Therapies are beneficial before and after taking part in any sphere of athletic activity. From all levels of dressage, showjumping, showing, racing, point to point, endurance, hunting and fun rides.