At Sage & Saddle Equine Massage Therapy we combine intention and technique in an ancient form of therapy to provide certified and professional care to your horse. Therapeutic massage is both spiritual and physical, focusing on the skin and muscles of the horse. In addition to promoting the general well being of your horses, massage can boost the circulatory and immune systems, and improve skin tone, digestion and muscle tone.
One of the keys to a healthy, balanced horse is oxygenated muscle tissue. Like us, horses that work hard get tight muscles. Likewise, horses that stand around in a stall or paddock and aren’t active get far less blood pumped through their system. In either case, tissue oxygenation is diminished. Therapeutic massage encourages blood vessels to open, bringing much more nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to the cells. In addition, massage can decrease tension by stimulating the release of neutrophils that fight inflammation in muscle tissues.
Massage can be extremely beneficial on an emotional level as well. It has been proven to help horses that suffer from anxiety, fear, depression, shyness and more. Massage therapy strengthens the human-horse bond, and promotes confidence and trust.
Bailey Johnson, ETMT