Ride!: How did you become interested in horse massage?

Rebecca:  I was a dot com casualty a couple of years ago, and thought about what I would like to do with my life.  I had a young daughter and wanted to have a flexible schedule so I could spend time with her and be available to her.  My husband calls my love of horses more of a psychosis.  I have loved horses all my life, and my hobby was to learn about and understand horses through my own personal experience as a horse owner, as well as through observations, reading, and many hours of classes, clinics and lectures.

 I spoke to a couple of people who told me about horse massage and a school called Equinology (www.equinology.com)  Got very interested in that, because I could help the horses, hang out with horses, and horse people of course, make some money , work outside and control my life.  There is something very special about working on a horse that has "issues" and making them feel better, perform and enjoy life. Making that special connection with every one of my clients has been a blessing as well as my passion. Also, the cost is not cheap, and it took some time, but It was an investment of weeks versus years, and the money would not make my husband and I be broke for the next 30 years.

Ride!: What training did you undergo to learn more about the practice?

Rebecca: The Equinology class was amazing.  Debranne Pattillo was awsome, her energy and enthusiasm as well as her honest belief of how good massage is for horses sold me.  We learned so much anatomy, (including spelling and location on body) it was amazing.  And what was even more amazing was that I, ( a theater major in college with little science in my background, and not to mention the fact I had not been in school for 15 years) was getting 90+% and better.  I could not stop learning about the horse,  I was amazed at how well I was able to grasp everything.  She taught us some techniques as well and then their was the externship.  Man, it was hard work, 20 free massages, Video tape ourselves doing a massage, labeling horses muscles and boney landmarks and present it in a report.  We had time to do it, but after no homework for a while, it was hard to finish, but I did. 

I have continued my studies with Equinology as well as other respected horse professionals.  You can never know enough.  The more I learn, the more I realize there is so much more to know.  As a former horse owner, I realize that there is a lot of bad information out there, and I will feel so much better about what I know and can give to my next horse.

Ride!:  What kind of problems can be corrected by massage and other bodywork techniques?

Massage is good in so many ways it increases range of motion, improves stamina, improves disposition, provides comfort to muscle injuries, enhances the performance and gait quality, improves circulation, reduces the tactile defense, assess physical condition  among other things.

 You can use massage before an event to warm up muscles and increase circulation , and after an event to relax stressed muscles and return them to their original length .  It is very beneficial after a chiropractic adjustment to help hold the adjustment longer, which means fewer chiroporactic issues.  In conjunction with your vet to promote more rapid healing of your injured horse. Arthritis, joint problems, torn or over extended muscles and ligaments, injury and surgery are some of the more common ailments that can benefit from increased flexibility and reduced physical and mental stress.

These days, free roaming horses in big pastures are few, and many horses are confined to a stall, and if they are lucky a paddock.  During a period of confinement or restricted movement, the body is at rest and the muscles are inactive or stiff when activities are resumed. Massage improves the flexibility of these muscles and helps to prevent injury. The sports action of massage or a general relaxation massage should be performed prior to exercise as well as post exercise.

Most  training and behavior issues are due to pain or discomfort.  Pain is the leading cause of anxiety, which leads to muscle tension Muscle tension leads to performance deficit.  Medication alone will help control pain and inflammation and even help control the signs of trauma to the muscles. But massage will assist the animal to heal the trauma.

 Many times muscle sensitivity is a secondary result or symptom to orthopedic-type issues, injuries or illness. Othertimes, overuse or overstretching of a muscle can be a primary cause. A small, adhering bit of tissue of the muscle or joint ligament can make muscles unable to function properly. We want to restore the freedom of movement by reducing the resistance to motion. The less wear and tear on a horse translates to a longer lifetime of performance as well as enhanced skills with the increased range of motion.

Of course massage is never a replacement for proper veterinary care. Massage, used along with conventional and alternative health care as well as proper training techniques enable the horse to perform at an optimum level.

RIDE!:  Equine sports massage is gaining acceptance as a mainstream technique. Why has it been more successful than other "alternative" bodywork therapies, like acupuncture?

Massage is not new to the horse world. Skilled grooms of the old days were expected to be adept in the "art of massage". Like many of the latest techniques, it has been rediscovered and expanded upon. This therapy is now more readily accepted and integrates well with other conventional care as well as other equine alternative practices.   I would not say that it is more successful than other "alternative" therapies, but more understood than other therapies.  It also works very well with veterinarians and chirporactors.

Ride!: What do you tell people who are skeptical about equine bodywork?

Rebecca: Horses are atheletes, and you see all the pro football, baseball and basketball players getting regular massages to help them perform at their peak.  These pro athletes are not confined to box stalls during their off hours and are out and about stretching and socializing, and though it is not always financial practical for horses to be out and about when not in use, they need massage to keep their muscles in good condition so as not to be injured their next time out.  Even a non performance horse, who only gets out of their stall 3-4 times a week and is ridden on the trails work hard and need help recovering from their workouts. 

Ride!: What services do you offer? 

Rebecca: I kind of do a blend of all of these modalities. 

Sport Massage, Stress Point Therapy , Acupressure, Shiatsu, Myofascial Release, Nutritional Consulting.

I am also available for talks, clinics and/or demos for your group, club or barn,