Balance Equine Sports Therapy

In-hand pole work
Walk poles in hand are a low impact way of exercising and strengthening your horse without the concussion of ridden work. Single poles through to long lines of poles or pole mazes can all be incredibly beneficial to your horse. Walking over poles requires your horse to stabilise their back, engaging core muscles when lifting each leg individually.

Benefits:
- Improved proprioception and coordination
- Conditioning
- Rehabilitation after injury
- Injury prevention
- Improved straightness and stability
- Improved confidence and independence away from the handler

Rest after a bodywork session
Techniques used in bodywork sessions are designed to aid in the realignment of muscle fibres as well as improving circulation of blood and the lymphatic system removiong toxins from your horses muscles and body. Although massage is beneficial for your horse, it can result in muscle fatigue and sometimes discomfort after treatment. It is therefore key that your horse has a day to rest post massage and turnout is recommended to keep your horse moving. Access to water is crucial for assisting in flushing any toxins from your horses body.

To find out more please contact Ella on:
07761 898330 (call, text or WhatsApp)
[email protected]
Instagram - balance.equinesportstherapy
Facebook - Balance Equine Sports Therapy

Myth Busting - All Bodyworkers use the same techniques
This is incorrect, there are many different equine bodywork qualifications with different roles for you horse. It is crucial you have a multidisciplinary team for your horse that works together. A well-trained therapist understands the differences of each type of bodyworker and may refer you to someone else who may be of more benefit to your horse

To find out more please contact Ella on:
07761 898330 (call, text or WhatsApp)
[email protected]
Instagram - balance.equinesportstherapy
Facebook - Balance Equine Sports Therapy

Myth Busting - Equine Sports Therapy works straight away
You will likely see postural chnaged and relxation in your horse after a session however, deeper more sustainable improvements will be seen after multiple session and during recovery from a session

Myth Busting - Massage can be painful for horses

Yes, a massage can be uncomfortable. However, the massage should feel gentle and relieving for the horse, even over painful areas. Regular massage should reduce the pain and discomfort during a session caused by overcompensation. As a massage therapist, i build up to deeper movements throughout a session or multiple sessions to ensure that discomfort for your horse is kept to a minimum

To find out more please contact Ella on:
07761 898330 (call, text or WhatsApp)
[email protected]
Instagram - balance.equinesportstherapy
Facebook - Balance Equine Sports Therapy

Girthiness
Girth aversion or sensitivity can be a sign of a multitude of issues from pain caused by an underlying condition to previous negative experiences. Behavioural reactions such as moving away from the saddle and grith, fidgeting, tail swishing, leg lifting and pinned ears may be a symptom of discomfort surrounding the girth.
It is crucial that your girth fits correctly and is the correct length for your horse and billet straps. Girths also have various uses which may be appropriate from some horses but not others. The material the girth is made from may also have significant effects on your horse and theyre reaction to the girth.

To find out more please contact Ella on:
07761 898330 (call, text or WhatsApp)
[email protected]
Instagram - balance.equinesportstherapy
Facebook - Balance Equine Sports Therapy

Stiffness in winter
The cold, hard ground stiffness are all linked.

The harder the surface weather that be riding your horse or their frozen field, concussion absorption from the ground reduces, meaning that your horses body absorbs the concussion instead leading to tension, soreness and increased injury risk. This, inturn, can lead to stiffness and discomfort.
The cold weather also means that horses circulation naturally decreases as the blood flows to the horses organs making the horses msucles cold which can also induce stiffness and tension throughout the body.

Massage can be beneficial to your horse in the colder months by:
- Relieving tension
- Improving circulation
- Relieving any sore areas, encouraging healing

To find out more please contact Ella on:
07761 898330 (call, text or WhatsApp)
[email protected]
Instagram - balance.equinesportstherapy
Facebook - Balance Equine Sports Therapy

Over-rugging the horse
Every horse is an individual and extrinsic factors such as the horses age, breed, medical conditions, clipping status, field/ environment and weight to name just a few. However, the use of a rug guide can be beneficial in providing a guideline on how to rug your horse, depending on the weather, in turn reducing the risk of over-rugging and any detrimental effects on the horse. It is key that each horse should be considered as an individual whilst following this guide and adaptations made as seen fit by the carer of the horse.

To find out more please contact Ella on:
07761 898330 (call, text or WhatsApp)
[email protected]
Instagram - balance.equinesportstherapy
Facebook - Balance Equine Sports Therapy

Negative effects of poor rug fit
Incorrectly fitted rugs create constant pressure specifically over the horses withers and shoulders, if the rug is too tight or has slipped back over time. As the weather gets colder and horses are clipped, they often spend a longer time wearing a rug. Over time, the constant pressure created by the rug may lead to muscle bruising, decreased circulation and pressure sores. Tightness across the shoulder may cause a shortened stride.
Check your horse under their rug regularly, look for rub marks, changes in hair colour and uneven hair growth as signs of restriction.

Ensure that you measure your horse accurately using the rug fitting guide provided by the rug chosen manufacturer and adjust the rug appropriately to your horse.

To find out more please contact Ella on:
07761 898330 (call, text or WhatsApp)
[email protected]
Instagram - balance.equinesportstherapy
Facebook - Balance Equine Sports Therapy

Myth Busting - Massage is just physically beneficial
Massage releases endorphins and reduces stress hormones, promoting relaxation
To find out more please contact Ella on:
07761 898330 (call, text or WhatsApp)
[email protected]
Instagram - balance.equinesportstherapy
Facebook - Balance Equine Sports Therapy