Equine Massage: A Practical Guide (25 page)

6.3 Ear Work:
Relaxation routine.

Massage Routines

123

6.4 Neck Crest Work:
Relaxation routine.

Neck Rocking

Now use some stroking moves downward in the direction of the hair, very gently over the entire neck (point 4; figure 6.1). Then employ some very gentle neck-rocking movements to further relax the whole neck. To do so, place one hand on the crest and the other on the windpipe for support, then gently rock the top of the neck back and forth. Build up slowly to a rhythm of 1

movement per second. Start at the upper neck and slowly, over 10

to 15 rocking motions, go down to the withers. This will greatly loosen the large muscle group of the neck.

Withers Work

After the neck rocking, stroke the neck towards the body, (point 5; figure 6.1) and start to massage the entire withers area (both sides) with very smooth muscle squeezing. Be gentle. Use 3 to 5

pounds of pressure for approximately 1 minute. Intersperse with light strokings every 30 seconds for 3 to 5 seconds at a time.

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Equine Massage

6.5 Neck Rocking Movement:
First part, relaxation routine.

6.6 Neck Rocking Movement:
Second part,
relaxation routine.

Massage Routines

125

6.7 Withers Work:
Light pressure, relaxation
routine.

Back Work

Follow with 2 to 3 light long strokes over the entire back (point 6; figure 6.1). Keep the pressure very light (at 1 or 2 pounds maximum) and the rhythm very smooth.

6.8 Back Work:
Relaxation routine.

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Equine Massage

Sacrum Work

As you finish your back work, place your right hand over the sacrum (point 7; figure 6.1). Hold it there with a light vibration for 10 to 30 seconds. Follow with 3 circular motions clockwise and then 15 to 20 circles counterclockwise.

Tail Work

After the sacrum work, switch your right hand with your left hand to keep contact with the horse. Then with the right hand, use gentle stroking along the rump (point 8; figure 6.1), before starting the next move: the picking up of the tail with your right hand. Grasp the tail a few inches from its base, bringing it upward.

Use your left hand as well to stretch the tail into a question mark (see figure 6.11).

6.9 Picking up the Tail Movement:
From the
tail work group of moves, relaxation routine.

Massage Routines

127

6.10 Raising the Tail Movement:
From the tail
work group of moves (stretch the ventral aspect
of the tail), relaxation routine.

6.11 Question Mark Movement:
From the tail
work group of moves (stretch the dorsal aspect
of the tail), relaxation routine.

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Equine Massage

Then gently move the tail in a circle, 3 times clockwise and 3

times counterclockwise. Notice if there is any restriction of movement on either side of the tail. That would be a sign of muscle tension in the tail muscles, and eventually in the hindquarters.

6.12 Clockwise Movement:
From the tail work
group of moves, relaxation routine.

6.13 Counterclockwise Movement:
From the tail
work group of moves, relaxation routine.