+ What is Equine Massage Therapy?
Equine Massage Therapy is a generic and collective term that refers to the intellectual manipulation of the varied layers of soft tissue structures that lay beneath the horse’s skin.
A variety of individual and integrated skills belong within the artistry of equine massage therapy.
Each one is specifically designed to effectively contribute to the detection, resolution and healing of various malfunctions present within the specific body tissues and structures.
+ How do I know if my horse needs a massage?
The best function of massage is as a preventative. A regular massage can find issues before they become major problems.
Signs of problems that you may have experienced could include, stepping short, vague hind end lameness, refusal of aids or the opposite problem of “running through” aids. Increased lethargy is also a possibility.
Massage is also beneficial for horses that are prone to ‘tying up.’ Horses with back trouble and those that are ‘girthy’. The relaxation benefits can also be helpful for horses that tend to colic.
+ What should I expect from an initial assessment & treatment?
Your horse’s first treatment with Jess will initially require a background history to be taken on the horse including any of your concerns, following which, the horse will be assessed on their conformation and their locomotion in walk, trot, turning and rein back.
It may also be required to see the horse lungeing. If they are a working horse the tack may also be assessed. Notes will be taken throughout the assessment, a copy of which you will receive by email after your appointment.
The treatment itself will cover the entire body of the horse and when treating each area Jess will begin with warming and gently palpating the muscles and treating areas of concern as required using a variety of techniques depending on what is required and accepted by the horse.
Jess will continually assess both the physical and psychological state of the horse to ensure that the treatment is both effective and enjoyable for your horse. Most horses find their treatment to be very relaxing.
Jess will usually treat the horse in the stable, tied on the yard or wherever the horse is most comfortable. Please allow up to 1.5 hours for an Initial Assessment appointment and treatment.
Follow up treatments usually take around 1 hour, though the treatment time is appropriate for each individual horse and may be shorter or sometimes take longer.
Following treatment, Jess will usually recommend that the horse has an easy couple of days and will offer advice on exercises to do with your horse to enable the treatment to be most effective.
+ How many treatments will my horse need?
The number of treatments your horse requires will vary from case to case depending on your horse’s workload or the areas that require treatment.
Jess recommends that most working horses are treated monthly or 6 weekly to maintain a healthy muscoskeletal system however some horses in light work or convalesing may benefit from only 4 prehab & maintenance treatments per year.
+ How do I pay for my appointment?
If you would like to pay via bank transfer, please contact Jess for details.
Jess requests that payments via bank transfer are made prior to your appointment.
You may also pay in cash or by debit or credit card on the day of your appointment.
+ What does Prehab mean?
Prehab is Preventative Rehabilitation. Prehab aims to prevent injuries before the actual occurrence.
Massage and strengthening exercises designed to train the muscles surrounding the horse’s vulnerable joints can prevent injuries sustained from repeated wear and exertion.
+ Does my vet need to be contacted prior to treatment?
If your horse is currently under veterinary care and the treatment is part of their rehab, prior to your horse’s treatment, as stated by law, veterinary permission is required before any hands on therapy is administered.
Therefore Jess will ask you to confirm with your horse’s vet that they are happy for the horse to be treated, and for a signature from you on the day of the treatment acknowledging permission has been granted.
Alternatively Jess can contact the vet on your behalf to obtain permission and is happy to discuss any treatment plan with your vet and supply them with a completed treatment form afterwards should they require this.
If your horse is in good health and the treatment is to assist in maintaining their good health or to assist in optimising performance veterinary consent is not required, however Jess will ask you to confirm the practice that your horse is registered to and is obliged by her duty of care to notify your vet if any pathologies are identified during assessment and treatment.
+ Why does my horse need to be seen in motion?
The intellectual application of equine massage therapy requires that the therapist is able to obtain clear insights into the possible causes, origins, pathways of progression and referred effects of muscular stress.
One method of sourcing this vital information can be visually within the horse’s locomotion.
Therefore, before equine massage therapy is applied, it is essential that Jess is able to view the horse in motion.
+ Is massage therapy just for competition horses?
Any horse can benefit from equine massage therapy whether they are competing, ridden or retired.
By aiming for optimum muscular health and balance for the individual concerned, there is a reduction in unnecessary wear and tear being placed on the body.
Equine massage therapy can also help to reduce stress and lead to a contented companion.
+ What Qualifications does Jess have?
Jess is a registered member of the N.A.R.E.M.T (National Association of Registered Equine Massage Therapists) and has completed the Practitioner Course In Equine Massage Therapy with Centaur Equine Massage Training.
This course has been externally accredited by the UK Rural skills, as an approved UK Rural Skills training school. Centaur Equine Massage Training is externally quality assured to guarantee students receive the highest quality of education.
The course has provided Jess with a firm understanding of the horses physiological workings, conformation analysis, gait analysis, saddle fitting, the fittening & repair process, contraindications to massage, working disciplines and their major muscular stress points and the natural laws of equine locomotion.
As well as a comprehensive knowledge of equine massage therapy techniques and how and when to apply them.
+ Is Jess insured?
Yes Jessica Limpkin is fully insured and is a member of the National Association of Registered Equine Massage Therapist (NAREMT).
All NAREMT members hold a comprehensive insurance policy, which is a stipulation of membership.
+ What area does Jess cover and how far will she travel?
Jess covers areas within 20 miles or a maximum 40 minute journey time from WR13 6DT Please note that travel costs may apply depending on your location.
There is absolutely no charge for travel to locations within 20 mile radius of WR8 9JR but a charge of 80p per mile thereafter may be chargeable depending on whether Jess has other bookings in your area on the same day.
Jess will try to group bookings in the same area to reduce travel costs where possible.
+ How long does a treatment take?
For initial assessments and treatments please allow between 1 - 1.5 hours for the whole appointment.For follow up treatments please allow 1 hour for the treatment.
+ Can I ride or work my horse before their treatment?
Yes of course you may ride/work your horse on the same day and prior to their treatment however you must allow time for your horse to be completely cooled down and dry for the treatment.
+ Can I ride or work my horse after the treatment?
Jess will advise on this depending on what therapies she has applied to your horse during their treatment.
Light follow-up exercise such a brisk in-hand walk, can often benefit your horse because exercise following the massage helps in the re-education of muscle fibres to the correct alignment.
However your horse may be tender in some target areas after their treatment, in which case they may require a 24hr or even 48hr rest before ridden exercise however turnout, in-hand walking and/or light unrestrained groundwork will benefit your horse following treatment.
+ When will I notice an improvement in my horse?
Often you will see an immediate notable improvement in the way your horse moves following a treatment, sometimes it takes a few sessions.
With the exception of accidents or direct trauma, most soft tissue issues are cumulative. They didn't happen overnight and therefore they will often take some time to improve.
If Jess is treating your horse because of a specific issue, and you do not see any improvement after 4 massages, it is possible the issue is not actually a soft tissue concern and Jess may then refer you back to your vet.
+ Do I have to be there to hold my horse?
Jess would recommend that the owner/handler is present especially for an initial assessment and treatment.
Most horses are happy to stand quietly for a massage after the initial session.
As a result, owners/handlers need not be present at every session.
Treatment notes will be emailed to you after each treatment for your records and Jess is always happy to discuss any treatment given over the phone if required.
+ Does my horse need to be clean before you can treat them?
Jess does ask that your horse is dry with no caked mud on them, usual dust of course is fine.
Please also do not use shine sprays such as ShowSheen on your horse the day of the massage as this can make the hair slippery and treatment more difficult.
Please also do not apply hoof oil or dressing immediately prior to treatment as Jess does need to handle your horse's feet.
+ Can you diagnose my horse’s illness/lameness?
No, that is a job for your veterinarian. Equine massage is not a substitute for veterinary medicine. Massage is never used to diagnose or treat pain or injury, or prescribe or administer treatment of any nature for the prevention or relief of bodily injury.
+ Why do you work on the entire horse when only a specific muscle seems sore?
It is important to evaluate the entire horse during treatment. Often, the muscle that seems the most sore is compensating for an underlying issue. A full-body massage or myofascial release session is necessary in creating an overall balance in the horse’s body.
+ Are there times when my horse should NOT receive equine massage therapy?
Yes there are many contraindications to massage which are very important to be aware of, for more information on this click here.
+ Might my horse be sore following their treatment?
Though certain types of treatment may cause post-treatment soreness, this is not always the case and Jess will warn you should that be the case for your individual horse.
Ideally, 24 -48 hours of relative rest or light work only is encouraged after a deep tissue treatment to allow the soft tissue to adjust to its “new normal.”
Post-treatment soreness can easily be avoided using certain techniques, Jess can adjust your horse’s treatment accordingly should you require treatment within a few days of a clinic, lesson, or show. Just let Jess know ahead of time if you have an event planned!
+ How can I make an appointment?
You may book an appointment by calling Jess on 07557008161 and leaving a voicemail. By sending a text or WhatsApp to 07557008161. By emailing info@jessicalimpkin,co.uk or by completing the contact form here.
+ How will my horse respond to their first treatment?
A horse’s responses to first equine massage therapy treatment can be varied and interesting.
Some horses relax quickly after initial curiosity about what they are experiencing. Others may have area of their body that are “touch shy” or tender and need some time to adjust.
Horses who have a history of trauma may react defensively at first. After the initial treatment horses often enjoy further treatments and relax quickly. Some even fall asleep.
+ Should I use a Massage Therapist or an Osteopath/Chiropractor?
Don’t choose! Both are incredibly important members of your horse’s healthcare team! Horses have over 205 bones and almost as many articulations that are held together and mobilised via the muscular system. Muscular imbalances are the leading cause of skeletal misalignment, and skeletal misalignment can cause also muscular imbalances. Jess will help you assess the location and most likely cause of your horse’s weakness, and should it be required, refer you to a qualified chiropractor or osteopath in your area.
+ How do muscles become injured?
There are many reasons that muscles can become strained or injured. The most obvious is an external trauma, for example a kick from another horse, however, there are many other factors that can adversely affect your horse’s muscles.
Nutritional factors, infection, inadequate warm up/cool down, poor schooling, muscle overuse, ill-fitting tack, tension/anxiety/emotional stress can all have adverse affects on your horse’s muscles, and this list is not exhaustive.
+ What happens when a muscle is injured?
When a muscle is injured it becomes unable to contract and relax correctly this will lead to pain and a disruption of vascular supply to the muscle and also for the surrounding muscles to have to work harder to compensate for the injured muscle.
There are many types of muscle injuries including adhesions and scar tissue, trigger/stress points, lactic acid build up, tension and spasms.
All the above can be treated by equine massage therapy with various techniques.
+ Is every massage the same for every horse?
No, not at all. While every massage will target the same muscles on every horse, it is tailored to the individual horse’s needs and requirements depending on what Jess finds during assessment and palpation of your horse.
+ What happens if I need to cancel my appointment?
Occasionally you may need to cancel your appointments at short notice but Jess does kindly request as much notice as possible if you need to re-arrange your appointment.
Cancellation less than 24 hours before appointment - full treatment cost due.
Cancellation less than 48 hours before appointment - half treatment cost due.
Cancellation more than 48 hours before the appointment - no charge