Equine Bodywork

 In today’s technology-driven world of hustle and rush, more and more people are turning to horses to help them unplug from their stressful lives.  Today, a horse can perform almost any job.  Some are hard working ranch or police horses, while others are pampered show or trail riding horses.  One thing they all have in common is that their riders want them to be as healthy and happy as possible.  This means performing at the best of their ability, for as long as possible.  This edge is especially necessary in the race horse or the high level show horse.  Bodywork often can provide that necessary edge, as well as making the average horse feel great.

Equine bodywork is a blanket term for chiropractic (performed by a licensed doctor of chiropractic), massage, acupressure, myofascial release (MFR), craniosacral therapy, stretching, or numerous other therapies.  A rider who is subluxated (or whose joints are not moving correctly) will carry his or her weight in a different manner, and this can cause the horse to travel in an unbalanced fashion while trying to accommodate the rider’s shifted center of gravity.  This in turn can then cause the horse to either become resistant in his or her job, or to not be able to do his job as well as he can.  When we get stiff or sore, we can take a day off from working out.  What often happens with our horses is that by the time we realize a problem is present, their behavior has been off, or their performance has been decreasing, for a while.

They can’t tell us when they are in pain; so much of the “bad” behavior noticed is often the horse trying to tell you something is not right with them.  A simple way to prevent problems is by performing simple massage and stretching techniques on your own horse, in addition to getting regular veterinary and chiropractic care.  A good idea also is to have a professional body worker or licensed chiropractor out to work on your horses ever four to eight weeks, just to “check” on them.  This can help prevent bigger problems from developing, as well as keeping your horse working at his or her top potential.  Another reason to do simple massage techniques on your own horse each week is to learn what is normal for your own horse.  If they become uncomfortable with a massage move that they had previously loved, this may indicate the beginnings of a problem in that area.   It’s also a very nice way to reward your horse for a job well done. 

Arthritis has been career ending for many horses.  Chiropractic care can not only slow this degenerative process, but it can actually reverse negative changes to the horse’s skeleton.  Joint restriction anywhere in the horse’s body can start the process of arthritis.  If both the horse and the rider are subluxation free, and moving to their best ability, injuries happen less often and the team can perform well for a longer period of time.  A rider who is subluxated CAN NOT sit straight, no matter how good their training is.  Therefore the horse will compensate for the rider’s slight lean, and will have difficulty traveling in a straight line.  This will add up to much more stress on weight bearing joints, over years.  This may be the trail horse who jigs in place, or who seems reluctant to move forward, as well. 

Just like humans, horses can suffer from being subluxated. Also just like humans, they can greatly benefit from a receiving a chiropractic adjustment.  A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ systems and general health.  So what does this mean?  Well more simply stated; subluxation is when the bones of the spine, or other joints, are not moving properly and the resulting irritation can negatively affect the nerves.  Subluxations affect the nervous system, local muscles, joints and even distant organs, glands and body functions.  Therefore, ANY horse could benefit from quality chiropractic care.  Adjustments reduce the nerve interference allowing the proprioceptors to function more efficiently.  This can lead to an increase in balance and suppleness.  A chiropractic adjustment is a high velocity, low amplitude thrust given into a specific joint.  These can be given both to horse and rider, although given through different techniques!! 

The ideas behind Chiropractic were developed hundreds of years ago, but it has enjoyed new popularity recently.  Chiropractic on horses is actually performed in a very similar way to the way people are treated.  Animals seem to respond very well to chiropractic care, and they tend to get better very quickly. 

You may wonder how a woman is strong enough to adjust a very large horse?  Well that is easy, SPEED is more important than MASS.  Force = Mass X Acceleration, so chiropractors make up for a lack of mass (at least in proportion to a horse!) by using a very quick thrusting movement.  The standard chiropractic adjustment is a high velocity, low amplitude thrust.
Myofascial Release can also be used with chiropractic care to release (relax) the tight muscles around the subluxated joint.  This is a form of deep tissue massage that is held for many minutes, until the muscles around the joint relax.  Once the muscles relax, this will allow the joints motion to restore itself more easily.

Everyone has seen a horse who is perfectly behaved one day, and the next day explodes into a bucking fit.  All cases might not be as dramatic as this, but we have all seen something like this happen.  This can often be due to subluxations found throughout the horse’s body, especially in their back.  Our horses live in a very different atmosphere than the one the evolved in.  Many horses are stalled for hours each day, with limited amounts of exercise, and are fed high amounts of concentrates.  This can lead to a horse who behaves very differently than nature intended.  Subluxations are CAUSED by stress, so it is not surprising that many of our horses would have noticeable subluxations.  

Equine Myofascial Release Technique

Horses have been amazing partners for thousands of years.  Wars were won or lost from their backs, and new worlds were discovered.  However, their role in today has evolved into something very different.  They are now used primarily as pets, and as a hobby, for thousands of people.  Horses today have jobs ranging from pasture pet/trail riding companion, to hard working cattle ranch horses to race horses to show horses. They usually can’t tell us that they’re in pain, and much of the “bad” behavior noticed is often the horse trying to tell us something isn’t right with them.

When your muscles become tight and sore, you simply take a day off from working out.  You might stretch, or take a hot bath.  Your horse can’t tell you where he’s sore, or if he’s hurting.  Often, by the time we realize that there is a problem with our horses, their behavior or performance has been changing for awhile.  A simple way to prevent problems is to perform simple massage and stretching techniques on your own horse, in addition to getting regular veterinary and chiropractic care.  A good idea also is to have a professional body worker or equine chiropractor out to work on your performance horses every four to eight weeks, just to “check” on your horses.  Maintenance care can help prevent bigger problems from developing, as well as keeping your horse working at his or her top potential. Most will be happy to show you stretches and/or massage moves you can easily perform at home, on your own horses.

Another reason to do simple massage techniques on your own horse each week is to learn what is normal for your own horse.  If they become uncomfortable with a massage move that they had previously loved, this may indicate the beginnings of a problem in that area.   A bodywork session can also be a very nice way to reward your horse for a job well done.

Myofascial Release Technique, or MFR, is a gentle massage technique that addresses the horse's muscles, joints AND fascia.  Myofascial Release is used to release (relax) the tight muscles around a joint that isn’t moving correctly.  This is a form of deep tissue massage that is held for many minutes, until the muscles around the joint relax.  Once the muscles relax, this will sometimes allow the joint to re-position itself naturally.   Fascia is a layer of tough, supportive tissue surrounding muscle that resembles a giant spider web.  Fascia is a very dense covering that is found over every part of the body, from muscles, bones and nerves to arteries to all the internal organs (brain, lungs, heart, etc.).  The entire amount of fascia found in the body is actually connected.  The fascia is a single structure that spreads from ears to toes as one continuous sheet of very strong connective tissue which provides a tremendous amount of support for the body. 

This is one of the reasons that MFR is so effective, as all of the fascia is connected in the body, so adhesions found anywhere in this web of fascia can affect the entire body.  The fascia is meant to be pliable and freely moving.  However, the body's myofascial tissue can be become tight and restricted after a trauma, an over-exertion injury, or simply from years of poor posture.  This can lead to a decrease in range of motion, a noticeable stiffening of joints and an obvious decrease in performance.
MFR is performed by essentially maintaining a very light contact over a sight of myofascial restriction.  This light contact allows the deeper muscle and fascial layers to actively release, without any interference from the bodyworker.  MFR done correctly CAN NOT injure the horse.  It is a completely non-invasive technique, as the bodyworker simply holds the tissues that are restricted.  This is done until the tissue "leads" the bodyworker to the next tight and restricted location, or until all of the adhesions are actively released.   People often find that they have an entirely different horse, once the horse is no longer uncomfortable in his own body! 

Introduction

I am Dr. Amber Erickson, and this is my first attempt at a blog.  I am a doctor of chiropractic, my husband and I own Erickson Family Chiropractic in Richfield, WI.  I am also a certified Master equine bodyworker, certified by Equinology. 

My website is www.elementalequineservices.webs.com.

I am starting this blog to talk about chiropractic, for the horse and for the rider.  I will also talk about unique bodywork problems that horse owners ask me about daily.  This ranges from stretches to core strengthening to saddle fit.  Also rider fitness and stretches are important. 

Please feel free to ask me any questions!