01/08/2026
💥Therapy Talk Thursday💥
-with Tonilynn Cline
This therapy talk thursday post will explain why I will always recommend to every client of mine, that doing sessions at least once a month is very crucial for the health and wellbeing of your horse.
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One of the main questions I get asked is:
“Is massage important and worth the money to spend on my horses?”
Which can lead to follow up statements like:
“Well I’m not riding much right now so the horse will be fine”
“He just lives in the field, he don’t need it”
“We will just do this once or twice a year when needed”
“Well we don’t show, we just trail ride”
“Well he doesn’t seem to be sore or have any issues”
And the list goes on and on.
🔸Short answer🔸
YES!! 🙌🏻 Massage is important for every horse! It does not matter how old, if they are showing or not showing, if they are retired in a field or if you ride once a month or once a year. If they are perfectly healthy or not! It is very beneficial and important for all breeds and disciplines!
🔺Long Answer 🔻
Equine massage therapy is important for horses because it supports their physical health, mental well-being, and overall performance no matter if they are retired or not retired. Horses rely heavily on their muscles for movement, balance, and carrying a rider, and those muscles can become tight, sore, or imbalanced from training, competition, injury, or even daily turnout, it is very beneficial for the older retired pasture horses that get stiff and struggle to move around in the pastures.
Massage therapy helps increase blood circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to muscle tissue while aiding in the removal of metabolic waste. This promotes faster muscle recovery, reduces soreness, and helps prevent the buildup of tension that can limit a horse’s range of motion.
By relaxing tight muscles and releasing adhesions, equine massage can improve flexibility and joint mobility, allowing the horse to move more freely and comfortably. This is especially important for performance horses of all disciplines, as muscle tightness can alter movement patterns and contribute to compensation injuries over time.
It also plays a role in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Regular sessions can identify areas of tension or imbalance early, before they develop into more serious issues. For horses recovering from injury or time off, massage therapy supports healing by improving circulation and encouraging proper muscle function.
Beyond the physical benefits, equine massage has a calming effect on the nervous system. It can reduce stress and anxiety, helping horses become more relaxed, focused, and willing in their work. This mental relaxation often translates into better behavior, and improved training outcomes.
Overall, equine massage therapy is an effective, non-invasive way to enhance comfort, performance, and longevity, making it a valuable part of a comprehensive horse care and wellness program.
