FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



What is equine sports massage therapy?



Equine Sports Massage is a hands on treatment to the muscular system that reduces muscle pain and other symptoms associated with muscle dysfunction. Like us, horses develop restrictions and tension in their bodies due to the physical demands we ask of them. These restrictions can go unnoticed for some time before manifesting into issues such as loss of impulsion, reduced performance, head tossing, sore back, shortened stride, incorrect and/or swapping of leads, inability to maintain gaits, girthing issues, bucking, and behavior concerns. Sixty percent of a horse’s body weight is muscle. Sore and tight muscles are not healthy muscles. Unhealthy muscles restrict blood supply, oxygen, and nutrients causing the muscle to become tight, painful and unable to perform its job. This will affect attached and surrounding muscles throwing the horse out of balance and will cause compensation throughout the body. Sports massage helps to break this cycle through stimulation by introducing new blood and healthy levels of oxygen to promote muscle health and healing. If massage therapy is used as part of a horse’s normal maintenance regiment, rather than waiting to treat muscle injuries after they happen, the owner and therapist can get ahead of the potential issues. Used as a preventative, massage can help to reduce the likelihood of injury by maximizing the range of motion and decreasing muscular restrictions.


Sports massage supports healthy biomechanical movement by addressing the whole body of the horse. It allows all of the muscles to work together in unison giving the horse the ability to use its body the way it was designed.



Why should i consider this therapy for my horse?



The health benefits of Massage Therapy include but are not limited to:


Increased circulation improving healing time of wounds and injuries


Stimulates Lymphatic system


Promotes the flow of nutrients to the muscles thus eliminating waste and toxins.


Increases range of motion & suppleness


Reduces muscle spasms


Enhances muscle tone


Lengthens connective tissue


Reduces inflammation and swelling of joints


Increases production of synovial fluid for joint health


Reduces stress encouraging relaxation



what is myofascial release? (mfr)



Myofascial Release is a hands on technique applying gentle sustained pressure on myofascial connective tissue to reduce restrictions. Fascia is a three dimensional web that surrounds every bone, muscle, nerve, organ and vessel from head to hoof. Restrictions can develop in fascia from trauma, poor posture, & repetitive training. MFR techniques are useful for pain, decreased range of motion, undiagnosed lameness, inability to pick up correct lead, poor collection, balance problems, difficulty bending, change of behavior, and loss of impulsion.



What is craniosacral therapy? (cst)



​Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle and subtle therapy that works on the central nervous system and fascia with special attention given to the cranium, spine and sacrum, but not limited to those areas. The light touch technique is used to help stimulate the body’s own healing properties along with lessoning the restrictions found in the nervous system and fascia. CST helps with headaches, behavioral problems such as aggression and nervousness, head shaking and tossing, facial nerve issues, TMJ pain, and is highly recommended after dentistry is performed.



what is trigger point therapy?



A trigger point is a tight area within the muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. Trigger points are a direct result of heavy work, chronic tension, overuse, muscle fatigue, overstretching, and allowing the muscles to become chilled. Trigger Point Therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release.



what kind of training do your massage therapists' have?



Our massage therapists are certified from Equissage, which is the leading Sports Massage training facility in the USA and/or other approved IAAMB or NBCAAM certification programs. We also participate in several continuing educational programs each year centered around the enhancement of our massage & bodywork skills as they relate to all facets of horse health.



are you insured?



Yes, we carry full liability insurance on all of our therapists.



How do I go about scheduling an appointment?



You can contact us directly at CTEQUINEMASSAGE@yahoo.com or call/text us at 203-430-4092.



can you perform massage on a sick or injured horse?



It depends on the horse and the injury or illness. In most cases, we ask that your vet gives us clearance to work on your horse.



do i have to be there when my horse receives a massage?



No you do not have to be present. However, it is helpful if you are there for the first appointment. Not only will your horse be more comfortable with you there, most owners enjoy watching the process and seeing the reactions from their horse. It also gives us an opportunity to talk about issues we find while we are working on your horse.



is there anything I should do in preparation for the massage?



Yes, your horse should be clean and dry when the therapist arrives. Please have a bucket of water and a flake of hay readily available, and decide where your horse will be most comfortable for the massage. Usually a quiet low traffic spot works best.



is there a good or bad time to have a massage?



We encourage owners to not schedule an appointment around feeding time. Your horse will most likely be too distracted and be difficult to work on for the therapist.



How long is the appointment?



The first massage usually takes 90 minutes. Subsequent massages are normally one hour.



what happens during the appointment?



We begin by completing a detailed questionnaire on your horse, including age, infirmities, nature, your observations, behavior, etc. We then perform a quick evaluation of the entire body and then begin the massage sequence. We may ask you to walk and/or trot your horse in hand prior to the massage to evaluate any gait problems, lameness, etc. We may also want to take a look at your tack in the event your horse has a sore back or girth area. Once the massage has been completed, we will ask you to walk/trot your horse briskly in hand for a few minutes. We will discuss our findings and offer suggestions on follow up treatments. We usually leave our clients with a few simple massage and exercise techniques that my help with any issues that were identified.



can i ride my horse before or after the massage?



Yes, your horse can be ridden before or after a session, however there are times that we would prefer that your horse have the rest of the day off after a session. This is something to discuss with your therapist on a case to case basis.



what does a massage session cost?



The cost depends on where you are located. Fees within Connecticut usually run between $85 and $115 per visit. Out of state clients are charged through private treaty. We also offer group discounts for multiple horses at a single location.



can i get the same massage therapist for subsequent appointments?



Yes, just request the therapist you would like to use when you schedule the appointment.



what should i do if i have to cancel an appointment?



Please just give us a call as early as possible.



can i safely massage my own horse?



Yes. We offer massage clinics specifically to teach horse owners basic massage techniques.





CT Equine Massage




Wendy Rivers, CESMT
203-430-4092

Lauren Preli, CESMT
860-918-2535