Case Study | Massage Benefits a Nervous or Tense Horse

Epic is a 2008 Thoroughbred mare, retired from racing in 2013. I worked on her for the first time about a year ago at Grey Goose Farm in St. Johns Florida. Massage sessions aren't always about finding and treating trigger points within the muscle structure. Sometimes it's a way to help a naturally nervous horse relax, both physically and mentally.

While still quite green, she was getting into a regular work schedule with her new owner.. Epic proved to be quite tense and full of nervous energy. As the session progressed she did relax and respond well. She became quiet in the crossties, less fidgety, and more and more curious as to what I was doing. 

I've found that normally fidgety horses tend to remain still during a message and a horse that would normally stand quiet in the crossties will shift their weight and move around more.

Massage sessions aren't always about finding and treating trigger points within the muscle structure. Sometimes it's a way to help a naturally nervous horse relax, both physically and mentally. Epic was tense and nervous at the beginning of the session, but by the end she was standing quieter in the cross ties and was visibly more relaxed.

Regular sessions will help Epic relieve muscle tension from her re-training and aid in mental relaxation for a much happier and healthier horse.