Dennie Semore, CEMT, VOM
Equine Massage Therapist
If a horse has or is being used for the pleasure and needs of man, it will benefit from massage.
When we engage in our sport of choice, we tax our equine friend as much if not more than ourselves.
They not only perform the task at hand, but they often have to adjust their balance to compensate for our
imperfections. Thus presents sore muscles, sprains, and when left untreated, adhesions. Adhesions are
clumps of tissue leading to fibrosis. Fibrosis is a hardening of the muscle that restricts the proper
shortening and lengthening of the muscle, thereby causing spasm and pain. Breaking up adhesions
restores muscle function.
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your horse will benefit from massage.
Has your horse-
Results of these types of potential causes of pain will be exhibited in many ways. Listed below are a fewbehaviors that will be acted out by a horse that has pain.
When we engage in our sport of choice, we tax our equine friend as much if not more than ourselves.
They not only perform the task at hand, but they often have to adjust their balance to compensate for our
imperfections. Thus presents sore muscles, sprains, and when left untreated, adhesions. Adhesions are
clumps of tissue leading to fibrosis. Fibrosis is a hardening of the muscle that restricts the proper
shortening and lengthening of the muscle, thereby causing spasm and pain. Breaking up adhesions
restores muscle function.
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, your horse will benefit from massage.
Has your horse-
 | Had trauma in the pasture – as simple as slipping in mud or wet grass? | |
| Had an accident in the stall –cast or tangled in his/her blanket? | |
| Stress from normal everyday work or sport? | |
| Pulled back when tied? | |
| Confinement cannot stretch or roll? | |
| Poor rider body mechanics- such as learning a new discipline? | |
| Training devices that restrict free motion? | |
| Been an ex-racehorse? | |
| Too little warm up time- less than thirty minutes? | |
| Fast starts, especially in the horse is off balance? | |
| Mechanical hot walker- improper head carriage causing hollowed back? | |
| Difficult birth, especially assisted births? | |
| Poor conformation or conformation not suited to sport? |
Results of these types of potential causes of pain will be exhibited in many ways. Listed below are a few
 | Head Tossing | |
| Pinning ears when asked to perform | |
| Swishing tail | |
| Inability or difficult to change leads | |
| Switching leads | |
| Sore back- cold back | |
| Fussy or bad attitude | |
| Paddling | |
| Walks funny | |
| Girthing problems | |
| Lack of flexibility- bending | |
| Carrying head to one side or tilted | |
| Short choppy gate | |
| Lack of suspension | |
| Saddle slipping | |
| Coordination problems | |
| Off for no apparent reason | |
| No findings from Veterinary exam | |
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| Equine Massage |
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| By Appointment Only |
Dial: 850-623-1971 or 850-565-0281
Write: bfreesmt@bellsouth.net
Write: bfreesmt@bellsouth.net
