Equine Sports Massage Therapy

Definition, Purpose, & Requirements

ESMT is the therapeutic hands-on application of professional human sports massage techniques, as applied to the equine athlete.  The techniques are non-invasive, can be administered daily, and include eight essential classes of massage moves and their subcategories, using various parts of the hands, back of hands, & elbows:

Stroking, Effleurage, Petrissage, Shaking, Vibration, Friction, Nerve Manipulation, & Tapôtement

It's purpose is to maintain healthy muscle function by directly uncovering and treating the causes of muscle-related problems before they have a chance to result in injury.  It does not mask symptoms and has no adverse side effects.  It is not a remedial form of massage, meaning: it is purely for purposes of athletic performance enhancement and not meant to correct muscle problems, or rehabilitate horses with compromised musculoskeletal conditions.

Technical training is required to learn and understand equine anatomy and the physics of motion.  For without the correct knowledge, one can only do a poor job.  But there is much more involved than knowing the equine musculature, various hand strokes and where to apply them, or a specific "routine."  To [paraphrase] the words of Jean-Marie Denoix & Jean-Pierre Pailloux from their wonderfully detailed work, Physical Therapy and Massage for the Horse

[Massage must be a living experience...a source of perception...   It is not simply an action, but a means of therapeutic communication, where awareness is the product of dialogue between an organ in pain and the hand that detects that pain and removes it.  It is impossible to heal with one's hands if the desire to comfort is not also there.  Healing requires total concentration...]

In other words, to derive maximum benefit, technique alone is insufficient without the ability to listen with your hands, the desire and intention to heal, and the capability to communicate that healing to the animal.

History

Although equine massage appears to be a relatively recent phenomenon, in fact, it is not.  Historians note that massage therapy of horses can be traced back thousands of years to the Greeks, who would massage both horses and warriors prior to engaging the enemy in battle.

In Europe, the U.K., Canada, Asia, and the Pacific Rim, massage therapy has long been employed to enhance equine athletic ability.  Two notable animal massage & physical therapists are Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt and Jean-Marie Denoix.

In the United States, it is said that Equine Sports Massage Therapy officially began in the 1970's with Jack Meagher, a highly-skilled and well-respected human physical & sports massage therapist for the NFL.  In 1976, Mr. Meagher was invited by the United States Equestrian Team to join them to use his equine massage technique (The Meagher Method) for the Montreal Olympic Games at which they won the Gold Medal.  The Meagher Method is still the classic standard against which most others are judged.  More recently, ESMT has become the mainstay of U.S. Olympic equestrian teams and the horse-racing industry.  Mr. Meagher passed away in March of this year.

It is only now that amateur horse show competitors are catching on to the fact that ESMT can enhance competitive performance by as much as 30%!  Greater interest in holistic and complementary human therapies has spilled over to the animal world and more horse owners are becoming aware of Equine Myotherapies and their benefits.  Isn't it time you saw the benefits for yourself by treating your horse to a professional therapy session?

What ESMT Is Not

We cannot overstress the importance of correct diagnosis, which can only be obtained by a licensed veterinary practitioner of your state.  Equine Sports Massage is not a substitute for proper veterinary care.  Sometimes what is correct therapy for one situation, may be the wrong therapy for its underlying cause.  If you have any doubt as to the condition of your horse, please call your veterinarian!

Remember, ESMT is but one of many massage modalities for horses.  Make sure your practitioner is fully trained and well-versed in several techniques!     

For further education on Equine Sports Massage and other therapies, see our Book Recommendations and browse through our Online Store.