Many of my customers will hear me talk about myofascial release during their horse’s treatments. So, here is a little information on what myofascia (muscle fascia) is and why we need to ensure that it is in a healthy state.

 
What is fascia?

  Fascia is a connective tissue that is a fibrous network casing all the structures in your horse’s body in one three-dimensional web from head to tail.  The fascial tissue covers nerves, muscles, bones, and organs down to the cellular level.
 
  Fascial tissue stores water and fat. It provides a passageway for lymph fluid, blood vessels and nerves. It can act as shielding to pad and protect the horse’s body. The deep fascia is a layer of fibrous connective tissue that envelopes individual muscles as well as separating muscle groups into sections.
 
  During the horse’s working life (especially when performing repetitive actions) or through poor posture and injury, the stress and strain on the horse’s fascial tissue becomes too much causing it to tighten and become restricted. In turn this will lead to deviations in the horse’s posture and gait, a loss of flexibility, and apply pressure to the pain sensitive structures within the horse’s body. If left untreated, these fascial restrictions will pull throughout the horse's body along this continuous three-dimensional web.

  Restrictions in the fascial tissue can put a huge amount of strain (2000lbs of pressure per square inch) on the horse’s bones, tendons, ligaments, organs and muscles. These restrictions can cause constrictions and misalignments within the structures of the body causing inefficient muscle usage, a build-up of toxin and poor circulation to name but a few. These problems are then the source of many issues that impact the physical ability of the horse. These issues include; reduced collection, flexion problems, problems with balance, behavioural problems, decreased range of motion, pain within the back, sore and tense muscles, and ligament and tendon injuries.
 

What is myofascial release (MFR) therapy?

  Myofascial restrictions cannot be picked up by machines so need a trained and ‘in tune’ therapist to be able to detect them with their hands, as well as using postural and gait analysis which will give visual hints.  

  Myofascial release is a gentle hands-on technique that uses gentle and sustained pressure with no movement over the horse’s hair/skin. This pressure can be held for several minutes in one specific area until the tissue ‘unwinds’ and returns to its intended state. This technique re-establishes the essential slack in the tissue and is the most effective at activating the bodies instinctive and natural healing process.

  Due to the fascial tissue forming one continuous connective sheath throughout the horse’s body the effects of myofascial release therapy will be felt in areas other than the specific area being treated leading to the whole body benefiting.

  There are several different myofascial release techniques, although the one thing that they all have in common is that the therapist will always be applying the sustained pressure which I mentioned earlier. The technique/hand positions will vary dependant on which part of the body is being treated.
 

Being an equine massage practitioner is my absolute dream job, spending my days treating numerous horses knowing that I am making a difference to their lives is a great feeling. Each treatment offered is tailored to the individual horse following an assessment of their lifestyle, movement, tack (if needed) and taking a detailed history but I have always been conscious that I did not want to get “stuck in a rut”, that there is always more to learn and different techniques to try.

Following this gut feeling I researched ways in which I could develop my treatments further and I came across the FascialEdge tool, intrigued I looked into it more and it really interested me as I realised that actually this could make a huge difference to the treatments that I offer. Again, I followed my gut and purchased a FascialEdge Tool, as always Jess and Douglas became my guinea pigs.

First, I treated Jess, she had her “normal” massage first followed by the use of the FascialEdge Tool. It is very important to me to massage without the tool first so I can feel what is happening underneath the skin and treat to the best of my ability using just my hands. Jess enjoyed her massage and responded well with all her normal release signals. Once I had completed this massage I introduced Jess to the FascialEdge Tool, I did this very slowly and gently as Jess can be a bit nervous of change but, she absolutely loved it. As I treated Jess’s back the releases just kept on coming and the change in the tone of her back was remarkable as it was with her hindquarters too. The FascialEdge Tool can also be used on the neck but as Jess doesn’t have much of a covering on her neck I decided not to cover this area. Once the treatment was complete I turned Jess back out and she trotted off down the field looking really good for a 29-year-old who has numerous muscular and joint issues. It was at this point I began to realise I had done the right thing researching and investing in this tool. I even messaged a good friend and said, “If Jess is the only horse I ever treated with this every penny I’d spent on it was worth it.”

Doug was the next to experience the FascialEdge Tool, my routine was the same and I began with my traditional massage feeling everything with my hands so I knew exactly what was happening under his skin. Now people who know Doug know how much of a chunk he is and he really does like you to go deep with some of the massage techniques, constantly leaning into the pressure being applied to the muscles which can get tiring and begin to give you achy hands and arms. When I introduced Doug to the tool he instantly loved it, leaning into it especially whilst treating his dense hindquarters. He also really responded well to it being used on his neck as he holds tension here from his driving.

After treating my horse’s, a number of times, I decided to begin widening my usage to my client’s horse’s also and I have had such good feedback following their sessions.
I had a feel of Lady’s back and rump, ran my fingers over her with a good amount of pressure. Not a single flinch, dip or any sign of discomfort at all. She has always dipped away of flinched even just a tiny bit but there was no reaction today. She looks and feel great after that massage. I think that tool made a huge difference too.

One of the most important things to ensure during a massage treatment is that the physical contact/connection between the horse and therapist is not broken. Using the FasciaEdge Tool allows me to keep this connection as when it is held in the advised grasp my hands remain in contact with the horse at all times.
 

What is Kinesiology Taping and how can it help your horse?

Following on from a very interesting day of CPD training yesterday I wanted to share with you a little bit about Kinesiology taping and how its application can help your horse if there is a problem.
To start at the very beginning kinesiology taping was developed by a chiropractor, Dr. Kenso Kaze.
Dr Kenso Kaze wanted to provide his patients with something which they could use between their chiropractic treatments to assist in the ongoing maintenance of their individual conditions.
Kinesiology taping is a therapy which aids the natural healing process of the body by providing stability and support to the joints and muscles while still allowing full range of natural motion.

Applying the kinesiology tape lifts the skin minutely and forms convolutions which in turn increases the space for the tissues housed below. This action will lessen pain by alleviating pressure and help with lymphatic drainage.

When used on humans it is the direct interaction between the tape and skin which produces the result, when used on horses it is the interaction between the tape and skin via the attachment to the hair.
The benefits of Kinesiology taping.

The main benefits to using kinesiology taping these are;

• Normalisation of muscle function
• The reduction of pain
• An increase in the lymphatic and vascular flow
• The improvement of possible joint misalignments by influencing the fascia and muscles
• Enhanced proprioception

 
I will now be offering Kinesiology taping as an addition to my therapies if it will aid the in the ongoing treatment and comfort of the individual horse.

A year ago I took on this little fellow and promised I would keep you updated on his progress (sorry for the once yearly update, I will try harder from now on).
Trooper has grown into a stunning young man who is full of joy and happiness, he has a great bond with both Jess and Douglas looking to both of them for support should he need it.
Trooper has recently begun taking part in the training days with students from Equine Holistic Training and loves every minute that he gets to spend with the students and unsuprisingly he is a total hit with them all.
When Trooper first came to me he was very unsure about any sort of healing work and would try his hardest to evade anything I tried to do with him, after months of taking it very slowly and allowing Trooper to totally guide my treatments he now enjoys them immensely.

Trooper is the latest addition to my little herd, he came into my life about 6 weeks ago whilst I was out treating another horse.
Trooper was desperately in need of a home so of course I obliged and he came to live with me.
Having never been a foal mummy before this is a huge challenge for me but one I have taken on with the support of so many wonderful people who have a far better knowledge than I do of hoiw to look after a baby like Trooper.
I will keep you up to date via my blog with Troopers progress over the years so you can watch him grow and develop into the fantastic little horse I feel he will be.

Today has been a sad day, this handsome chap is Cassidy whom I have been treating for quite some time now and who had showed heaps of progression since my first visit. I got a message today to let me know that his owner Vicky had had to make the difficult discussion that all horse owners dread.
R.I.P Cassidy, you will always have a special place in my heart. Sleep tight lovely.

Today me and Steve cycled the 90 miles from Oxford to Cambridge, we did this to raise money for the british heart foundation. After 8.5 hours in the saddle and a very tired and emotional journey back home to Oxford I think I might be the one needing a massage tomorrow. A huge thank you to all who sponsored us for this very worth while charity.

I met two lovely horses today, Errol and Toby. Errol is suffering with arthritis and certainly enjoyed his massage, Errol was able to use his hindquarters more effectively after his massage treatment.

Today was Kirtlington park sponsored horse ride, we covered over 14 miles and did a large number of jumps, Douglas will be being treated to a massage session tomorrow to prevent a build up of lactic acid within his muscles.

Today I met a lovely mare who is off to compete in the tri-zone eventers challenge at the fidelity international horse trials at Blenheim tomorrow. Good luck Tia.

Today was a busy day treating 3 different horses, 2 of which were having massage treatments to get them ready for going to HOYS.

We saw this little guy in Valletta as well as many in other areas of Malta. I just wanted to bring them all home with me and look after them.

After a very busy year we're off on holiday to Malta in the early hours of tomorrow morning, see you all in a week.

Today myself and my mum did Race for Life in Oxford for the 6th year running in memory of my gran.
Next year I will get my mu to at least jog it with me.... hopefully!!!