Otmoor Equine Therapy
Re-align, re-balance, improve performance
Debbie Honour, Dip ICAT, EMSM, ESM
Equine Musculo-Skeletal Manipulation Therapist
Mobile: 07775 777090
Email: Click to email
Based in Oxfordshire, I also cover Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire.
Fully insured
Member of ACAT (Association of Complementary Animal Therapies)
What is Equine Musculo-Skeletal Manipulation and Sports Massage?
Musculo-Skeletal Manipulation is a drug free, non-invasive, whole body (holistic) treatment; gentle corrective manipulation is applied to the bones of the head, spinal column, pelvis and limbs; this ensures proper functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems which control the natural self-healing capability of the body. Misaligned bones are gently coaxed into re-alignment by specific adjustments. This releases muscle spasm and pressure from the nerves enables the tissue and organs of body to function properly.
The nervous system controls the function of every cell of the body and can lose its ability to function properly when interfered with by a misaligned joint; this could cause pain and a nerve or nerves could be impinged. In the spine for example, where two adjacent vertebrae form a joint; spinal nerves exit the spinal canal via a narrow gap between each vertebrae and are surrounded by muscle, ligament, tendon and other soft tissue; if impinged, the nerve messages to the brain and back to the whole body can get disrupted, affecting proper function; in an attempt to correct this slight misalignment of the bones, the body can react with inflammation, pain and muscle tightness (spasm). Sometimes the body is able to correct everything back to where it is meant to be, but in some cases, the misalignment cannot be corrected by the body and needs external assistance by a therapist.
Equine sports massage is the manipulation of soft tissues using a combination of sports massage techniques and stretches, the results of the treatments relieve tension, enhance the horse’s overall health, well-being, condition and performance.
Muscle damage can take up to 90 days to become apparent in horses, by which time this will cause other muscles to compensate, become tense and shortened, movement and performance will be affected, this muscle tension can then mis-align the skeleton. Therefore regular checks and maintenance treatments will avoid minor issues becoming long-term problems.
Muscles can be injured and the skeleton mis-aligned by things like a slip, a fall, after affects of an accident or injury, getting cast in the stable, awkward rolling or play antics in the field, travel, over-exertion or fatigue.
Pain and discomfort is then compensated for in the muscles and the problems build from there. Massage keeps the muscles and tendons supple, if the muscles remain tense and contracted, this will increase pressure on the tendons, even at rest, the potential for injury is higher.
Benefits of Equine Musculo-Skeletal Manipulation and Sports Massage include:
~ Re-alignment of the spine and pelvis
~ Improved circulation and lymphatic drainage
~ Increased mobility in joints
~ Increased elasticity, flexibility and suppleness in muscles, tendons and ligaments
~ Increased Range of Motion therefore improving performance, balance, co-ordination & stride length
~ Speeds recovery time post injury
~ Prevents and reduces adhesions in tissue
~ Reduced risk of injury due to muscles, tendons and ligaments being supple
~ Warms up and clears tension pre-event
~ Relieves fatigue in muscle tissue by toxin removal post-event/training
~ Induces relaxation and deep breathing
~ Calms and reduces anxiety/excitability
~ Improves coat and skin condition
~ Reduces scar tissue by increased nutrition to the skin
~ Enhances muscle tone
Below are some indications that your horse may benefit from a massage or manipulation treatment:
- Spinal pain and stiffness
- Loss of performance
- Change in behaviour or temperament
- Lameness and gait abnormalities
- Muscles feel stiff/solid to the touch
- Tissue soreness while grooming, being saddled or mounting up
- Nerve injury
- Hollowing back, raising head
- Tilted head, carrying tail to one side
- Uneven muscle tone (some working harder than others in compensation)
- Muscle atrophy
- Stumbling, tripping
- Napping, rearing, bucking
- Lateral stiffness and resistance
- Lack of co-ordination
- Disunited, trouble with canter leads
- Conformation problems
Just imagine what a fall like this could do to your horses spine and muscles....
Equine sports massage aids recovery after exertion such as polo, show jumping, cross country, racing, endurance and driving...all disciplines use muscles in different ways, so treatments can be adapted to work on the main areas affected.
Reduce risk of injury, improve quality of life...
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Shop in Bicester, Oxon
Opening Times
- Please call or email for more info or to arrange an appointment
News and Special Offers
Discounts available for yard visits.
To view a printable flyer click here website link-
Contact Details
phone: 07775 777090 fax:Owner/Manager: Debbie Honour
Otmoor Equine Therapy
Charlton on Otmoor Bicester, Oxon Oxfordshire UK