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Myofunctional Therapy for horses is a massage technique that is used to treat and prevent muscle and soft tissue injuries. This treatment takes into account the type of work the horse does and it is able to assist with injury or soreness that has occurred, bringing the horse back to full muscular capability and full range of movement.

Horses are often asked to carry themselves in a frame and in a manner that is not entirely natural to the way their structural system is made, so the muscles have to adapt, be built up and strengthened.  Massage is a therapeutic tool which ensures that these muscles are able to adapt to the work that is being asked of them.

Massage is extremely beneficial as it can assist in helping horses with muscular caused lameness and tightness, or just be used for general body maintenance.  It is something that can be used for the performance horse to ensure that the horse’s body is used to its optimum or  simply assisting in the comfort of our older horses.

Myofunctional Therapy for horses is a massage technique that is used to treat and prevent muscle and soft tissue injuries.  This treatment takes into account the type of work the horse does and it is able to assist with injury or soreness that has occurred, bringing the horse back to full muscular capability and full range of movement. 

The stretch of muscles makes up 90% of a horse’s movement and the stretch of tendons make up the other 10%.  Generally, when tightness occurs, it is usually within that 90% muscle range.  Massage assists in lengthening any contraction or shortening of the muscle fibres that can affect the gait of a horse, creating unevenness or short and choppy strides.

Behavioural issues are usually a very good indication of when massage could be beneficial.  These might show up as an unwillingness to go forward, falling in on circles, continuous “chomping” on the bit when moving, biting, kicking when being girthed up, unhappy in transition work and bucking. 

Massage assists the circulation by ensuring the flow of nutrients and oxygen that revitalise the body.  It is also beneficial after competition to eliminate any lactic acid that has built up and also relaxes any tight muscles.  This in turn lessens chances of muscular injury or damage to tendons.

Equine Myofunctional Therapy is not a diagnosis of injury.  If your horse has a deeper problem that is unable to be assisted with massage, veterinary advice and assistance should be sought.

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