+44 (0) 7771553136. casbourne@yahoo.com
OPTIMISING THE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT TM
TM
Find out how we can support you…
WHAT IS EQUINE SPORTS THERAPY?
‘Tension is counterproductive to effective balance and the harmony of free movement.’ TM
Sports Therapy improves, assists and prevents. It not only focuses on muscular imbalances, but addresses the horse as a whole; by using a variety of strokes and techniques, it may rebalance, realign, sooth or stimulate, having both direct and indirect reflex effects, and be individualised to each horse – from leisure to competition, retirees and those rehabilitating.
By attending to muscle and fascia balance regularly, muscle tone and elasticity is improved, thereby reducing stress on bones, joints, tendons and ligaments and minimising the chances of muscle adhesions, imbalances and/or injuries occurring. Muscles should be strong but supple.
Muscles take 8 to 10 weeks to heal; ligaments take 6 to 12 months and will not return to their previous 100% working capacity. Why wait for injury and compensatory action to occur?
THE BENEFITS
….from maintenance, to pre and post-event, to rehabilitation, the benefits of Sports Therapy are far and wide!
ONE session: realigning the pelvis, cervical and thoracic vertebrae through muscle and fascia release.
In both cases, tension and compensatory action was caused by an incorrectly fitted saddle.
Sports Therapy improves circulation to the skin, increasing nutrition to the cells and tissues therefore improving the skin and coat; improves overall circulation to the venous and lymphatic system – the enhanced blood flow brings fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and hastens the removal of waste products, toxins and carbon dioxide; improves muscle balance, elasticity and tone; assists with the removal of lactic acid build up and of cellular waste, encouraging cell regeneration and tissue repair; prevents muscle adhesions and also relieves them; taps into the ANS (Autonomic Nervous System) and feeds into the Parasympathetic Nervous System releasing ‘happy’ neurochemicals – endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin – allowing the whole body relaxation and, in turn, healing and rebalancing; indirectly normalises digestive functions through normalizing the ANS; increases peristalsis in the large intestine, which may help to relieve constipation and gas; prevents atrophy of those on box rest or restricted exercise.
- Pre-event: individualised to each horse, concentrating on the larger muscle groups; stimulating, invigorating and warming to muscles. It may shorten lengthy warm-up exercise – which can tire muscles – but should not replace it. Prepares the body for faster reaction and heightened coordination.
- Post-event: inspection – swellings, cuts etc., soothing and relaxing reducing recuperation time; preventing adhesions / muscle spasms; assisting with the removal of cellular waste and lactic acid build up which are commonly a cause of muscle soreness and fatigue. Increases venous and lymphatic circulation = removal of waste products = decrease in pain and congestion
WHAT TO EXPECT
You will need to provide your contact details, including address, yard address and contact details, age/height/breed/sex of horse(s) and veterinarian details. Please note that pursuant to new RCVS guidelines – November 30th, 2020 – musculoskeletal maintenance care for a healthy animal e.g., Sports Massage Therapy, does not require veterinary consent.
ON THE DAY
Initial consultation: evaluation; your horses history; bridle/bit/saddle assessment and fit (non-ridden). Note: this does not replace a comprehensive saddle check by a Professional Qualified Saddler; session individualised to your horse; aftercare advice and follow-up work.
Follow on appointments: evaluation; session
I am always happy to work in conjunction with, and recommend, other professional practitioners as needed. Teamwork and your horses well-being is priority!
PRICING
Initial consultation: £60 Thereafter: £45 per treatment
Packages are determined on a case by case basis, dependent upon the number of horses and whether treatment is for regular maintenance/rehabilitation/pre or post-event/retirees.
FEATURED BLOGS
The Saddle and the Fit
“It is essential that the correct saddle fit is achieved for each horse and rider combination in order to optimise the horse-rider system and reduce the risk of back-related problems or loss of performance that may occur as a result of incorrect saddle fit.” Getting it Right: the power of the saddle should never be…
Bridle fit and the neck
Want freedom of movement? Give your horse the freedom of his neck and head! The horses’ neck is highly innervated with locomotory nerves; contains the oesophagus, windpipe and spinal cord, as well as superficial and deep muscles, fascia and ligaments; the neck is his balancer and he will rescue himself in any way he can…
Casbourne Equine 