Massage Techniques
A variety of massage techniques, strokes and stretches are used on specific muscles during the session.
The techniques include effluerage, compression, percussion, petrissage, tapotement, direct pressure and cross fibre friction.
The amount of pressure used varies by horse and muscle and is surprisingly light. At times the pressure used is as soft as the weight of touch you would use on your own eyelid and never harder than you would press on your thigh. Just like people, some horses enjoy a stronger touch and will invite me to press harder, whereas on others I will stay very light.
In areas where a reaction is identified I will use direct pressure to soften the spasms and adhesions and then cross fibre friction to break up the affected area.
Equine Body Workers learn specific points to check and work on during the massage as well as the most appropriate technique for each area of the horse.
