I believe that there are two distinct pieces of a training program. The learning piece and the physical piece. One cannot progress without the other. If your horse is experiencing pain or discomfort, learning will move along at a crawl or cease. For this reason I have partnered with Cheryl Withrow, an equine massage therapist. Cheryl lets me know what is up with a horse physically and we put together solutions for each horse. Horses are a giant network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments I guarantee any horse at any given time will have something that Cheryl can help.
Cheryl-Ann Withrow
Certified Equine Massage Therapist
Massage for the horse is not just a reward for a job well done, or for the out of shape and/or older horse. Consistent massage work is rewarding, but the benefits for the horse and rider are boundless.
In the equine sports world, the equine athletes are consistently trained for excellence, fed to perfection and treated with a myriad of supplements, herbal remedies and drugs. We ask so much of these horses and far too often, their injuries or pains are masked by well intentioned drugs and other therapies. Every day training and riding can and does result in hidden (or not so hidden) injuries, strains, pains and general soreness. Developing a horses’ muscular structure to perform the tasks that we ask of them is hard on the muscles and every horse feels the aches of a tired, hard worked muscle. Drug therapies certainly have their place, but should be used more as a supplement to the animal’s health rather than a staple. Proper development of the equine muscles is obtained with specific training techniques and conditioning of the muscles with massage and other types of therapeutic body work.
My horse isn’t sore, I would know…..
On a regular basis, I hear things from people like “I only trail ride, I don’t compete” or, “My horse isn’t sore, I would know” so they truly believe their horses do not need, nor would profit from routine massage work. These thoughts could not be further from the truth. I have yet to meet a single horse that didn’t have at least one area that was tight or sore and the truth is that it does not matter whether a horse is worked daily or weekly or monthly or not at all. There are far too many variables that determine the need for consistent massage work. The one common thing is that all equines have muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. ALL horses benefit from massage and muscle work when done on a regular basis. A yearly massage is a wonderful gift for your horse, but in reality, massage has for more benefits when done on a regular basis and in tune with your training and riding.
Massage and Training Balance the Horse
Massage is just one cog in the proverbial horse wheel. Solid training is another very important part of the wheel. Even the most well trained, kind horse can build up tension and soreness to a point in which if left unnoticed, can trickle out as behavioral issues. If you didn’t take notice at first that your horse wasn’t bending easily to the left, but prefers to go right, perhaps eventually that horse is going to build up so much resentment to that left bend that you’ll see ear pinning, tail swishing and maybe eventually a buck. Some horses down right explode when they’ve had enough, and every horse’s limits are different. There are horses that hold onto their pain for years and you will never see them act out, but you may notice those subtleties of reluctance to perform certain tasks. Having a well trained horse balances the mind and the body of the horse because confusion adds to stress in the muscles on top of what type of work the horse is doing. Knowing what your horse is capable of also aids in spotting muscular issues before they become severe.
For Every Horse Owner
It isn’t always feasible to have the massage therapist out on a weekly basis, so what I have begun to do in my practice as an equine massage therapist is educate the owner/rider/handler of the horse during visits, workshops or clinics. It is important to know what key elements to look for prior to a real problem, and how best to avoid them. The best of intentions will not keep your horse from getting sore, because really, every horse does become sore or tight at one point or another. Learning to identify the issues and what to do about them is something every horse owner/rider/handler should know. I work with the rider/trainer to develop work habits and tasks that will enhance the development and over all integrity of the horse supplemented by routine massage visits.
About Cheryl
Cheryl Withrow is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist who utilizes a mix of shiatsu and sports massage with acupressure/stress & trigger point therapy. Having received initial training in equine anatomy/physiology & kinesiology in New England, she completed her certification training in
In addition to treating her equine clients, she also works to teach people the application of massage, stretching and saddle fit basics in clinics and workshops.
For the past 5 years, Cheryl has resided in rural Unity, NH with her longtime partner, Tony. At their home they have 2 horses, a dog, 3 cats, chickens and a wide variety of wild life that they enjoy spending time with.
Contact information:
Cheryl Withrow, CESMT
HorsePower Equine Services
14 Neal Mine Road
Charlestown,
(603) 542-0438
Email: cawtlc@msn.com
www.hpequinemassage.com
