E.L Animal Sports Massage & Rehabilitation

17/10/2025

DOMS in Horses: Understanding Muscle Soreness & Recovery

After hard or unusual work—like hill work, collection, jumping or competition—horses may experience muscle soreness that develops hours later and lasts for a few days. This is known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).

🔬 What happens in the muscles:

• Intense or eccentric work creates tiny micro-tears in muscle fibers.

• The repair process triggers inflammation, swelling, and stiffness.

• Glycogen (the muscle’s energy store) is depleted and refills more slowly after this type of work, delaying full recovery.

• This can leave horses with reduced power, stiffness, or altered movement for 24–72 hours post-exercise.

🐴 How we can support recovery:

• Ensure good nutrition: adequate forage, plus carbohydrates and protein to replenish muscle fuel and aid repair.

• Massage therapy helps reduce inflammation, improve circulation, ease stiffness, and support muscle recovery.

• Provide active recovery: light movement, turnout, and gentle exercise encourage circulation and reduce stiffness.

• Adequate hydration and rest are essential for tissue repair.

👉 Takeaway: DOMS isn’t just about sore muscles—it’s about energy (to perform, to heal, etc), inflammation, and tissue healing.

Incorporating massage and smart recovery practices helps horses more comfortable, balanced, and ready to perform at their best.

https://koperequine.com/how-inflammation-in-muscles-and-fascia-affects-energy-restoration/

17/10/2025

09/10/2025

3 Reasons to Book a Sports Massage for your Horse this Autumn ⬇️⬇️

1️⃣ Changes In Workload 🏇
Whether your horse has had a busy summer and is winding down, or you’re gearing up for the hunting season, this is the ideal time to check for any hidden tension or discomfort. A sports massage helps maintain suppleness and balance so your horse can feel their best heading into the next phase of work.

2️⃣ Changes in Weather 🌦️
Wet, windy conditions can lead to slips, spooks and muscle strains. If your horse is spending more time stabled, reduced movement can also cause stiffness and tightness. Massage therapy helps ease these effects by improving flexibility, comfort and overall movement quality.

3️⃣ Injury Prevention & Wellbeing 🥰
Regular treatments support muscle recovery, promote circulation and encourage relaxation - key factors in reducing the risk of injury and keeping your horse performing and feeling their best.

Seasonal changes can have a big impact on your horses muscles, performance and comfort. A tailored treatment helps address tension early, improving flexibility and preventing injury.

➡️ I have limited appointments available this month, but taking bookings for November and December - message to book or to find out how I can help your horse 😊

02/10/2025

🎃 October Availability 🎃

A lot of you will be changing your horses routine now so why not make sure they’re still feeling good by booking a treatment 😍

Limited slots left, DM now to secure yours 📲

06/09/2025

Did you know? Backing up is now scientifically proven to build strength & mobility in your horse thanks to a new study by Eldridge et al., (2025)

This brand new study confirms what many equine therapists already suspected: Backwards walking is more than just a control exercise -> it’s a powerful conditioning and rehab tool

✨Key Benfits✨
✅ Activates hindquarter “power” muscles:
- backing up significantly increases activity in the gluteus medius and bicep femoris, building strength and stability

✅ Improves joint mobility:
- greater stifle and hock flexion during the stride helps with range of motion (ideal in rehab and prevention of joint stiffness)

✅ Shifts muscle demands:
- reduced activity in hip flexors means backing up uniquely targets hindlimb mechanics compared to walking forward

✅ Boosts proprioception & core stability:
- challenging balance and coordination while engaging postural muscles, supporting topline development

💡Why this matters:
- a stronger, more stable hind end and better joint mobility means improved ability to carry rider weight, lift through the back and build that all important topline

➡️ top tip - add this exercise to your horses routine. Start with a 2-3 steps backwards and progress from there keeping posture correct, and remember quality over quantity.

28/08/2025

✨September Availability✨

Have you had a busy summer with your horse? Worried about the effects of the hard ground? Now is the perfect time to get them checked and treated 🙌🏻

Plenty of spaces still available for September but these will soon fill up!

Don’t miss out, message me now to book 📲

18/08/2025

Another string to my bow ⭐️

Always expanding my knowledge and improving my service

I’ll be posting a lot more content related to rehab and performance on my other instagram page: .l.equinestrengthco so be sure to give that a follow for advice, top tips and useful exercises 😊

17/08/2025

11/08/2025

✨I’m back✨

After a lovely two week break, I’m now back to it with limited appointments remaining for August. I will also be taking bookings for September onwards 🙌🏻

Drop me a message to book or to discuss further 📲

25/07/2025

Out of office mode on ✅

I am now off for two weeks and will be out of the country so replies will be very slow until my return on the 11th of August 😊

13/07/2025

Professional care. Proven results.
Grateful for the feedback and continued trust 🙌🏻
📲Enquiries welcome

10/07/2025

Managing horses in hot weather👇🏼

Top tips to keep your horse healthy and safe in these hot conditions:

✅ Avoid the heat - ride early or late
✅ Avoid travelling - if you need to then do so early or late, avoid heavy traffic and take plenty of water and even a fan.
✅ Warm up sensibly - short bouts and plenty of rest and cooling periods
✅ If horses are turned out make sure they have access to plenty of clean water and shade
✅ Cold hose - whole body for at least 10 minutes do not scrape off excess water
✅ If using fly rugs soak in cold water before putting on your horse

⚠️ watch for signs of heat stress: lethargy, excessive sweating, laboured breathing, or unsteadiness
⚠️older horses, dark coated, and health-compromised horses are at greater risk

The key is to cool fast using plenty of water and call your vet if heat stress is suspected

Your horse will be fine if you miss a ride due to hot weather!