Equine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapy
"A great horse will change your life. The truly special ones define it..." - Author Unknown
Horses are asked to do a lot for us. Think about the racehorse, barrel racer, reiner, show jumper, cutting horse, rope horse, dressage horse, endurance horse and even the trusted trail partner. All of those sports require some form of quick repetitive or long term strenuous motion on the horses anatomy and musculature over time.
Equine myo-manipulative functional therapy is a form of massage that uses a wide variety of massage techniques and strokes to keep muscle function at it's best. These techniques can be used to help warm muscles up for deeper work, aid in reducing swelling, tone muscles, relax tense muscles, break down adhesions and increase circulation. Equine massage can be used for recovery as well as maintenance. While there are some medical conditions that can be contraindicated, massage can benefit most horses.
Minnie Sagar, EMFT has been an equestrian for over 30 years. She has ridden, owned and cared for a variety of different horses throughout that time. Through that experience she has learned that massage can play an important role in keeping a horse healthy, happy, and sound. She received her EMFT certification from Angels Animals LLC based in Florida.
Chris Burton Equitana Melbourne 2018
Massage Sessions
What to expect
Each session includes:
- Evaluation used to identify any existing areas of muscle stress and joint restrictions
- Massage therapy session to meet individual needs based on the initial evaluation
- Stretching exercises
- Recommendations and referrals as needed
How to prepare your horse for a session
Here are few easy steps to help you and your horse get the most out of the session:
- Groom your horse prior to a session
- Try not to schedule a session around feeding time
- Massage is best performed in an area that limits distractions
- After the session the horse should be allowed to have the rest of the day off