Belles View

The sports massage. Who doesn't love how they feel after a great deep tissue rubdown?  I know I do.  I bet you do, too.  Even my dog comes looking for it after a good romp in the yard. 

And our loyal friend above?  He works really hard for us (and for the occasional peppermint he knows we are hiding in our pocket).  Doesn't he, too, deserve to have his aches and pains alleviated?

 In addition, there are numerous benefits to giving your partner a massage, including:

• Improving circulation and, as a result, promoting more rapid healing of injuries.
• Enhancing muscle tone and increasing range of motion.
• Easing muscle spasms
• Reducing inflammation and swelling in the joints by increasing synovial fluid to lubricate and relieve pain.
• Relieving tension, which better prepares your athlete to participate in his/her sport.
• Stimulating circulation in the lymphatic system and hastening the elimination of waste products and other toxins.  When the lymphatic system is compromised - the immune system of the horse is compromised.
• Lengthening connective tissue and therefore breaking down/preventing the formation of adhesions and reducing the danger of fibrosis.
• Creating a happier horse, in general. And who doesn't want to do that for their best friend?

Why a "Sports" Massage?

Unlike other forms of massage, sports massage focuses on the cause of muscle injury.  Meaning, it is intended to not only help alleviate muscular pain, but help those areas stay supple and toned enough to (hopefully) prevent future injuries.  

 Every discipline will put more (or less) stress on certain muscles.  For example, if you are involved in:

    * Hunter/Jumpers - your horse will probably have pain or stress in his/her poll, shoulder, and lower back in front of tail
    * Arabian/Saddlebred/Morgan Competitions - you may find your pal more sensitive in the poll, stifles and tricep region behind forelegs  
    * Dressage - she/he will have more stress in the neck, shoulder and point of hip
    * Pleasure - you may find "ouchy" points in the chest and rump
    * Reining -the entire top line will be stressed
    * Endurance - you may notice tension in the shoulder, back and hamstrings (and in your horse as well!)
    * 3-Day Eventing - you name it, it is used...and therefore, stressed!

A full body sports massage is recommended for both pre- and post-event.  Before the event, the bodywork will loosen and warm up the muscles.  Afterwards, it will relieve any pain and stiffness by returning muscles to a normal state much more quickly than if left alone.  


*Please note - massage therapy is never intended to take the place of veterinary medicine.  It is meant to be a beneficial addition to responsible care.