Inglês - Unusual Job

Technique in equine massage

The benefits typical of any massage, including improved circulation, relief from joint pain and muscle tension, and simple pleasure.

The difference is that you can only enjoy them if you are a horse.

That level of experience on and around the animals is vital for the work.

"You have to have a way with horses for the client to trust you”.

"It is no good going in and looking completely nervous around a horse because they are going to go: 'You don't have clue what you are doing."

"It will help the horse relax a lot more if you are relaxed around them."

Improved performance

For horses involved in competition, equine massage can boost performance.

"Performance horses of any discipline, you can improve their range of movement and their stamina, because you are improving muscle quality and their circulation"

The training to analyse a horse's posture, movement and environment to identify the precise location of a muscle problem, and what could be causing it.

The horses do not need to have something wrong with them to benefit from a massage.

"As with massage for humans, you don't need to have an injury to get a massage - it is also a feel-good thing for the horse.

"The British love their horses and love to pamper them."

'All about technique'

"They quite often fall asleep, or nuzzle into you - they completely relax”

"If you are massaging the back and you hit a knot in the back, they will really start to lean into you as if to say "

To exert very little pressure during the massage. - "You don't need big muscles to do it - it's all about technique"

Results and rewards

There are people that remain unconvinced of the benefits of equine massage, even though the general idea is not new - "There has always been someone who has rubbed your horse"

"There are still trainers who wouldn't put their money into it, because they wouldn't feel it is effective enough.

"But I have seen it work. I have seen results. I have had clients who say that they notice such a difference.
And what does the equine body worker herself get out of it?

"If you really see an improvement in the way a horse moves, it is very rewarding.
"You are not stuck in an office all day. And it's working with horses, which I love."