Hands On Equine

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Massage Therapy hurt my horse?

No, horses' muscles do not allow us to go deep enough to damage or injure a horse in any way. However, during a massage, the horse may pin their ears or show discomfort if a tight muscle or muscle spasm is located. Which is actually good because then we know where the horse is having issues and can then fix it!

Q: How long should I wait before riding my horse after a massage?

I recommend just not riding the horse for the rest of the day that it  has had its massage. This will give the horse a chance to relax and take full benefit of the massage. Though I advise hand walking and a short jog after the massage.

Q: How often should I get my horse massaged?

For a horse that is on a regular work schedule I recomend getting them massaged a least once a month. One session is not a fix that will last for months because the horse is still working and using its muscles and like people can have muscle issues quite regularly. And as a human athlete would benefit from regular massaging, so would a horse.

Q: Does a massage therapist take the place of my vet?

No! Even though massage therapists are trained very well, your veterinarian should always be consulted for health issues. Your vet and massage therapist can work together at times to produce a better recovery in many cases though.