What Actually Happens During an Equine Sports Massage
When I tell people I am a certified equine sports massage therapist, I usually get one of two reactions: a curious “Oh, cool!” … or a confused look followed by, “So, you rub horses?” It’s a little more involved than that.
Yes, I rub horses for a living but there is so much more involved in a session. Horses cannot talk so my hands must do the talking for them.
Sports Massage isn’t just about rubbing horses or relaxation. A good equine sports massage isn’t about making your horse “feel nice.” It’s about improving performance, preventing injury, and supporting recovery. We are working directly with your horse’s muscles, fascia, and soft tissues to restore balance and function.
What Am I Looking for Under My Hands?
During a session, I’m “listening” to your horse’s muscles through my hands:
– Tight or ropy muscles → often linked to repetitive strain or compensation
– Heat or swelling → may indicate inflammation or recent injury
– Restricted fascia → affects range of motion and stride fluidity
– Reactivity → subtle flinches, tail swishes, or licking/chewing tell me a lot
Your horse tells me what is going on — I just translate. I can read your horse with my hands. Since horses can’t tell us what hurts, I have to observe their behavior as I work way over their body. They communicate with their ears, eyes, breath, their facial expressions, and even in the way they move their body either into or away from me.
The Ripple Effect
A single area of tension can affect the whole body. For example, a tight shoulder might cause a shortened stride, leading to extra stress on the opposite hind leg. By addressing the root, not just the symptom, we support long-term soundness. Each session will help to increase blood flow to restricted areas, increase joint mobility, and improve recovery time after exercise. Consistent massage sessions will build on each other as well.
Bottom line: a sports massage session isn’t just “pampering.” It’s proactive care that keeps your horse moving at their best. Your horse is an athlete and needs to be treated as such.
