SPONSORS - MASSAGE 4 HORSES INTERNATIONAL

 

"Excellence in Equine Mobility"
That statement sums up exactly what Massage4Horses International is all about .
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We all know the importance of working "in harmony" with our horses but sadly on a daily basis we are seeing horses and riders that are very definitely "out of harmony"!.

Hopefully you will have read the "Management" section where we outline the importance of eliminating any physical reasons behind why a horse may seemingly be bad tempered, naughty, not in the best of condition, etc. To this end we have a team of superb practitioners who work with us to ensure the horses in our care are as physically comfortable as possible.

The massage therapy that M4H effects goes way beyond a rub here and a squeeze there; some of the techniques (and the effects) have to be seen to be believed. Equine Sports Massage is a hands-on massage which is aimed not only at rehabilitation or correction, but injury prevention, mental well-being and performance enhancement.  Techniques employed are non-invasive and subtle encompassing passive stretching, relaxation strokes and muscle manipulaton.

Equine Mobility Therapy (as we choose to call it) is carried out with veterinary approval and works along side your Physio, Chiro, EDT, Farrier, Saddler and Trainer.

The horse has two layers of muscle - the surface or superficial muscles - and then the deep muscles. It can be confusing to understand exactly what is where so by painting the various muscles (and a few bones) on a live horse, it is much easier to appreciate how everything works and the interaction and connectivity of the mucles, ligaments and bones.

We regularly use the services of Massage4Horses with great benefit to the horses themselves and to us.  Whereas some physical problems are obvious, such as a rotation to the pelvis, gait abnormalities, etc. others are more subtle. So whilst we are aware there is a problem we cannot always be 100% certain of the exact cause or indeed precise location on the body.  By being more aware of what physical difficulties a horse is having and exactly why, we are able to effect a more specific rehabiliative/corrective training programme for the individual.

These two horses (now sponsored by M4H) have both benefitted, and indeed continue to benefit, from Phillippa's skills.

The horse on the left, Oscar,  is a dutch warmblood which was cast aside through no fault of his own; after being left in a field for 2 years he came to our yard.  We have spent a year just playing with him and helping realise that life is fun.  He is now working properly again and will soon be back in the dressage arena. The little chap on the right is ex-racehorse "Light the Fuse" (Bombie to friends and family).  After a racing career spanning 8 years and incurring several severe injuries, Bombie is now competing Novice dressage (46 points to date) and working Elementary at home.

Oscar and Bombie have very different needs; Oscar is still quite weak and "nipped in" so in conjunction with his training Sports Massage is helping to strengthen and open up his body, whilst Bombie receives treatment to help is body continually adjust to the new demands made upon it particuarly following the rigours of racing and resultant injuries.

We cannot speak highly enough of the  service provided by M4H.  Not only are  the practitioners polite, friendly and  respectably dressed (most important),  they conduct themselves in truly  professional manner. Each massage  session involves a  thorough examination  and analysis of  confirmation, gait and  muscle structure.  Everything is  explained in considerable  detail as  simply or techically as you  wish.

The services offered vary depending on the needs of the individual horse so why not contact M4H for more information.