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Welcome to

LC Equine Massage and Rehabilitation 

I am a fully qualified and insured Equinology® Equine Bodyworker and Equine Sports Therapist BSc (Hons), covering East Herts, South Cambs and West Essex.

Based in Saffron walden, Essex. 

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What is Equine Bodywork and Sports Therapy?

Equine Sports Therapy includes a variety of techniques which are preventative and therapeutic methods which can benefit all horses; from the competitive athlete to the leisure horse. 

 

Fatigued muscles, ligaments & tendons can all benefit - increasing circulation and range of motion, improving movement, relieving muscle spasm/tension, enhancing muscle tone and improving the horse's stamina and overall performance. 

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It is totally non-invasive and is a wonderfully comprehensive tool to work with the resolution of accidental and sports related injuries. It also promotes the good health and well-being of our equine friends.

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Muscle dysfunction limits the horses range of motion, results in discomfort and causes the body to work out of sync and can eventually cause deterioration. The aim of a sports massage is to restore function in affected muscles that are not able to release themselves.

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One tense muscle can have a serious impact on the way the horse moves and the surrounding muscles. This is because more than 60% of the horse’s body weight is made up of muscle. Therefore, acknowledging the ‘minor’ or insignificant injuries as they appear can prevent more serious problems from arising in the long-term.

When sports massage is used regularly and on a consistent basis, it can produce positive effects which build upon themselves with each massage.

 

More Physical benefits include:

 

  • Improved stamina

A more comfortable horse can move better which in turn creates a horse who works more efficiently, thus improving stamina as well as performance.

 

  • Increased ROM

Horses with more flexion and extension and range of movement are more flexible and agile. For horses moving more efficiently, there is less breakdown and wear and tear of soft tissues. This contributes to a longer performance life.

 

  • Increased gait quality

The quality of your horse's gait can be improved with the increased range of motion and stamina.

 

  • Increased circulation

Sports massage stimulates circulation which helps to eliminate waste products in the system.

 

  • Reduced tactile defence

some horses dislike being touched and constantly search for an escape route. Massage can help horses to overcome this.

 

  • Provides comfort to muscle injuries

after the appropriate healing, bodywork, stretching, massage and rehabilitation exercise can help the scar tissue from the healing process by encouraging scar tissue to align in a more organised pattern. This can help to restore muscle function and increase range of motion.  â€‹

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Massage can be complementary to training and pre and post competition and is a work out for the muscles. Rigid, tight muscles will break down and become problematic much easier than soft ones and having regular massages can help your horse (like any elite athlete) work to the best of his ability willingly. Whatever dreams you wish to accomplish with your horse, the benefits of sport massage will make their experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible and is an essential addition to your horses well-being.

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How do I know If my horse needs a sports massage?

It does not have to be a crashing fall that means your horse needs a treatment, sometimes you just know something isn't quite right. These are some of the reasons that horse owners need their horse seen by me. Many people contact me for a general MOT or check up, but this gives you a good idea of the various ways horses may show they are in pain or uncomfortable, and would therefore benefit from a  treatment.

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  • Inability to strike off on one particular leg in canter or changing leg in canter or becoming disunited

  • Your horse might have a rolling gait

  • Difficulty bending on one rein

  • Hollowing through the back and reluctance to work through his back

  • Your horse may start bucking for no reason

  • Your horse may be short strided

  • Your horse may be not fully engaging and throwing you to one side

  • High head carriage and hollowing

  • Your horse may just be feeling under the weather and you just don't know why

  • Your horse might not be able to bend on one rein

  • Your horse's behaviour might change for an unexplained reason

  • Your horse might find it difficult to go long and low

  • Your horse might start refusing jumps for no apparent reason

  • Your horse might start finding lateral work difficult

  • Has your horse started moving away whilst being groomed or tacked

  • Developed an unwillingness to move forward

  • Seems unbalanced walking up or down hill

  • Difficulty in backing up

  • Change in normal habits ie., not lying down to sleep or quiet in stable

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