Injury Prevention

Alleviating muscle tension can help prevent tendon injuries in horses.  Muscles and tendons work together to create movement, but they don’t share the workload equally. Muscles are primarily responsible for generating force and controlling movement, while tendons assist by storing and releasing elastic energy, especially during high-impact activity. When there is tension, restriction, or dysfunction in the muscles, the body begins to compensate, shifting more of the physical demand onto the tendons. This compensation puts extra strain on tendons, which are not designed to stretch and rebound as much as muscles. Over time, this excessive load can lead to strain, microtears, or even more serious tendon injuries.

As bodyworkers, we can often identify muscle tension through subtle signs in the lower limbs. Tightness higher up in the body can increase stress on the tendons and ligaments of the lower legs. By addressing this muscle tension early, we can help prevent overload in the tendons and reduce the risk of injury.

Alleviating Fascial Adhesions

Fascia is a connective tissue that can be thought of almost like a wetsuit. It surrounds, supports, and holds everything in place within the body. In its healthy state, fascia is hydrated, pliable, and smooth, allowing muscles and other structures to glide freely. But when the body experiences trauma, injury, repetitive stress, or even emotional tension, the fascia can become restricted and dehydrated, forming adhesions. These adhesions develop over muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, impeding circulation, limiting range of motion, and often causing discomfort or pain.

Myofascial release techniques are designed to gently target and release these fascial restrictions. By restoring mobility and hydration to the fascia, we help the body return to a more natural, balanced state. Making your horse more comfortable, freer in movement, and better able to perform and recover.

Is it “Bad Behavior” or Muscle Tension?

Common behavioral issues like bucking, tail swishing, head tossing, cinchy behavior, and resistance under saddle are often overlooked or brushed off as “bad behavior.” But in many cases, these are your horse’s way of communicating that something doesn’t feel right in their body. It’s not uncommon for horses displaying these behaviors to have areas of muscular tension or discomfort that become evident during palpation. After releasing these restrictions through bodywork, owners often notice that the behaviors diminish, or even disappear entirely.

That’s the power of equine bodywork! It gives horses a voice, helps us listen more closely, and creates the physical comfort necessary for more productive training sessions, clearer communication, and a happier partnership with your horse.