Most people don't view horses as athletes. This is their first mistake. Regardless of whether your horse is a Western Pleasure Quarter Horse, a Five Gaited Saddlebred, a Hunter/Jumper, or a Derby winning Thoroughbred it is more of an athlete than a world class human Olympian athlete. With this being said horses like humans get muscular tension throughout their bodies, also like humans tension affects a horse’s movements and proper posture. If a horse has tension in its hamstring muscles, it will forego proper posture to make itself comfortable. This has a ripple effect throughout the body; back problems will appear along with shoulder and neck problems. With regular routine massage, the likelihood of muscular tension and its subsequent effects greatly decreases. Routine massage also improves the Equine-Human relationship helping to calm many tense horses.

What are signs that my horse needs massage?

One the biggest signs your horse needs massage is bucking or refusing of the saddle and/or rider. Many trainers view this as a horse "acting a certain way". I cannot disagree more!!!! If your horse refuses the saddle or bucks (even if its little buck) it is trying to communicate to you it is in pain and does not want you on its back!!!

Think about it. If you had back pain would you want someone putting stress and tension on this area?

Some other signs your horse would be in need of massage: one foot being "off" or not moving in sync with the other four, head bobbing at the trot, swinging of hips while moving in a curve, or hopping while in a turn.

*Please contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these problems with your horse as an issue may be more severe than simple muscular tension.

What To Expect From a Massage Therapy Session?

Each horse has a different story to tell, as each horse will react differently from massage. Most will get a real lazy long eye, twitching of the nostrils and lips, along with chewing. Horses will also react differently when sore spots are being loosened. Typically they will kick or jump on the air this is natural and their way of communicating with me saying that is the area where the majority of the pain is coming from. Each horse will also react differently the day after a massage as well. Some horses with more superficial surface tension will be fine to work the next day and not miss a stride. Some with deeper and more muscular tension may be a little sore the day after which is very natural. My general rule for riders is the day after you can ride/work a horse but do not force any issues. By this your horse may not know what it's like to move comfortably with loose muscles. Typically after 3 regular massage sessions the horse is used to the feeling and can work the next day without missing a beat!

How Often Should My Horse be Massaged?

This greatly depends on how hard and often you work your horse. Typically it is best to be on a routine of 6-8 weeks, very similar to shoeing. If you have a sport horse and jumping them 3 or more days a week it is best to get routine massage every month if not in shorter intervals. If your horse is worked less and not as hard they can be done in intervals of 10 weeks. My advice is to get your horse massaged early and often so the problems can be worked out before they become more serious, and potentially lead to injuries.

What makes Eric Grover different than others?

Being 6'4", I have a distinctive height advantage that allows me to give any horse from the smallest mini to the largest draft a quality deep tissue massage. With my height and muscular build I specialize in deep tissue massage. Deep tissue massage can be more effective than other methods such as light massage or chiropractic work. It gets to the root of the muscular tension in a way that is less painful and stressful on the joints than chiropractic work can be to the body. By addressing the core muscular problem, other problems such as out of line vertebrae, will correct themselves in a more natural, longer lasting, way.

Please note Equine Sports Massage Therapy is designed to promote wellness and assist with muscular problems. It is NOT a replacement for veterinarian intervention and treatments