Massage is a systematic manipulation of the body's soft tissues, primarily the muscles, to benefit some of the body's major systems, which is usually performed with the hands.

The benefits & effects are shown to have profound outcomes on these great athletes. A thorough understanding of anatomy and the interactions of bones, joints and muscles are the basis of this proven physical & mental therapy that is the art of massage. A masseur looks at the horse as a whole & attempts to consider all the possible effects of any tension, while interpreting a horse’s reactions & expressions. 

Used during training & “Pre & Post Competition”, massage keeps muscles healthy, builds those that have wasted, maintains suppleness & prevents atrophy. Massage plays a vital role during a period of box rest or restricted work.

Massage techniques are used to minimise the stress that the equine athlete has put upon itself, whether it is through competition or other factors to then return the horse to its full potential. All horses can benefit from an equine Sports Massage Treatment. This can range from the family pony to top quality competition horses in any sphere. 

Massage should be part of a routine care for your horse whether it is a top show jumper, or national hunt champion, or simply enjoys views of the country side! Prevention is better than cure.

Few Human athletes would compete without preparing their bodies using massage and stretching exercises, so it is rather surprising that for the supreme athlete - the horse - this is virtually unheard of!
Massage helps to prevent injury.
As an equine sports massage therapist it is vital to have an in-depth knowledge of the horse’s muscles.  More than 60% of the horse’s body weight is muscle, indicating how much detail is required for a successful therapist to be able to understand what they are feeling when treating, to be able to be as effective as possible during the treatment program. Small muscle injuries can take longer to become apparent sometimes taking up to 90 days.  This can be seen though a change in attitude, decreased performance and in some cases even lameness, by which time they may have caused more serious injury.

Prompt attention to these 'minor' muscle injuries not only enhances a horse's performance but also may prevent future problems. No muscle in the horse works alone, all muscle have a agonist muscle and most muscles work in groups and can share the same origin and insertion of the muscle.  Muscle tightening can be transmitted from one muscle group to another, as well as when a muscle is injured it can put more strain on another muscle in the same group, as they have to compensate. For example, shoulder tension may be transmitted to the muscles of the forearm, resulting in extra stress being placed on the tendons. Muscles may also enlarge with tension.

Veterinary Act
As a qualified equine sports massage therapist it is paramount to follow to code of the veterinary act.
The veterinary Act is a Parliamentary act passed in order to safeguard the welfare of sick or injured animals.
It is an offence for any person, other than the owner of the animal, to treat an animal unless the permission of the vet in charge of the case or to whom the animal would be referred is sought and obtained.
Section 19
“subject to the following provisions of this section, no individual shall practise or hold himself out as practising or as being prepared to practise veterinary surgery unless he is registered in the register of veterinary surgeons or the supplementary veterinary register.”
[There are certain exceptions to this rule in the Act itself (doctors and dentists for example when acting at the request of a veterinarian) or in Schedule 3 to the Act (farmers and veterinary nurses, subject to certain limitations for example).  None of these exemptions applies to physiotherapist however.]
Section 27
“Veterinary Surgery” means the art and science of veterinary surgery and medicine and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall be taken to include:

1. The diagnosis of diseases in and injuries to animals including tests performed on animals for diagnostic purposes.
2. The giving of advice based upon diagnosis;
3. The medical or surgical treatment of animal; and
4. The performance of surgical operations upon animals”

In addition, in the context of what we are talking about, the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962 (made under the Veterinary Surgens Act 1948 but kept alive by the 1966 Act) permits:
“The treatment of an animal by physiotherapy if carried out under the direction of a registered veterinarian who has examined the animal and prescribed such treatment.”