What is Equine Sport Therapy?
"Equine Sports Massage Therapy is the therapeutic application of hands-on massage techniques for the purpose of increasing circulation, relaxing muscle spasms, relieving tension, enhancing muscle tone, and increasing range of motion in high performance horses."
A diverse assortment of full service, on-site, Certified Equine Health and Sports Therapeutic Services, coupled with proprietary on-line interactive analytics and video training programs, PEMF and Cryotherapy Enhancement tools, customized for individual rehabilitative injury and trauma healing. Varied Therapies may also incorporate cranial-sacral therapy, deep-tissue massage, aromatherapy, acupressure, Kinesiology, and positional tension releases and stretching exercises designed to assist with nutritional testing, saddle fitting, riding form and much more.
Your horse may benefit from Enhanced Equine Sport Therapeutic Treatment if it displays any of the symptoms short-listed here:
- preference to one rein
- lateral stiffness
- reluctant to canter on one lead
- high head carriage/ hollow back
- bucking / rearing
- head shaking
- dislikes being groomed
- uneven stride length
- holding the head to one side / lack of bend and flexion at the poll
- carrying the tail to one side
- cold backed
- girthing issues
- indicates pain or local tenderness
- prone to injury
- appears stressed or nervous
- lacks flexibility or freedom of movement
- displays poor coat quality
- has low energy
- displays poor posture
Horse and Rider Mobility Therapy
Conditions that are neurological in nature break down body-brain communication and can have serious impacts, both physical and mental. Almost all neurological conditions are chronic and unable to be easily treated with medication or a simple procedure. Instead, physical therapy is able to use a series of sessions to improve mobility and coordination. This physical therapy may be less intense than other forms of treatment, focusing on small exercises that gradually reduce the impact of a condition.
Equine Discipline Physical Therapy
equine Discipline physical therapy focuses on the ability to complete tasks related to SPECIFIC Equestrian Disciplines such as Dressage, Hunter-Jumper, Pleasure Riding, or Cross-Country Events etc. The Therapy focuses on teaching the Horse(s) and Rider(s) how to properly engage in various movements to avoid damaging skeletal components, muscles and other connective tissues. It is also very holistic and ensures the entire body is able to properly perform their tasks.
Geriatric Physical Therapy
Aging Horses have unique sets of physical needs that can cause problems, from degenerative conditions to deterioration in natural movement. A geriatric physical therapist may address natural issues, helping aging horses to maintain their strength and ability to move for as long as possible, reducing pain and increasing range of motion through small, repetitive manageable exercises, marginalizing the effects of conditions like arthritis, and osteoporosis.
Rehabilitive (injury and trauma) Physical Therapy
Rehabilitative physical therapy will be used after a major event like an injury or surgery in order to regain strength and ease of movement. A rehabilitative physical therapist will usually begin working with horses immediately after their injury or procedure to strengthen body parts, continuing to support their recovery until the horse has fully recovered. Physical therapy not only addresses these injuries through strength building and pain management, but can also help prevent similar future injuries.