03/01/2025
So that’s Christmas and New year over and we start to get back to the daily routine.
We’ve all likely slowed down and had a chance to recharge and overindulge over the holiday period, although as equestrians we rarely get time off. Some of us may have been relaxing sat around and enjoying the slower pace. Now we’re back to the normal routine we may find our bodies protesting, a small ni**le here and there our muscles screaming at us as we begin to move again at our normal pace maybe you’ve started the gym as a New Years resolution.
So where am I going with this? As you know I tend to use our bodies as a way of explaining things to you in easier terms rather than blinding with science.
You may have slowed things down with your horses aswell at this time of year, less daylight hours, lack of facilities, maybe your yard has closed its fields to preserve your summer grazing. Your horses are kept in for prolonged hours due to circumstances beyond your control, maybe they are on box rest for medical reasons.
My point? Muscles need movement to perform at their best and even just function at a basic level. Blood flow through the muscles helps with condition, is a natural painkiller and helps the lymphatic perform at its best removing naturally forming toxins from the system eg cell regeneration, trauma repair etc blood flow increases with movement.
So while having a break is beneficial for all limiting movement can and does come at a detriment, once we begin to move ni**les start to show from just a small twinge to more severe damage if we do too much too fast and our equines are no different. Having a horse on box rest or stabled for long periods with limited movement is no different to us being laid up with a cold or the flu or even sat in a chair too long.
So looking forward to the year ahead whatever you plans and hopes for you and your horse as a team making sure their bodies, and our own, are up to the task we hope is imperative.
Sometimes a ‘back’ person is seen as only needed when a problem presents and with some equines this can be true. We also know that our horses are very stoical and good at hiding problems until they become severe, having your horse checked regularly the same as you would have the farrier, dentist, saddler etc is always a good idea.
Yes in the current climate finances are a focus for us all however the old saying prevention is better than cure is so very true.
A regular sports massage session may seem like a treat however looking at the bigger picture it can help prevent problems arising and thus also preventing time off of a fitness plan, an expensive vet call or enforced box rest.
Making sure your horses complete bodily system is at it best and able to perform the tasks we ask, from a happy hack to top performance level, is what we all strive for. Of course it is also a very good treatment when mishaps do happen and we all know with horses they like to throw a curve ball every now and again.
So if you feel a session would benefit please don’t hesitate to give me a call and I’ll do my best to get to you asap. If you’re still a little skeptical do pop me a message for a no obligation chat. I’m hugely passionate about my work and every equine from retired to performance can and do benefit from sessions.
