Published in Horsepower Magazine Spring 2008
5 Sep 2008
Natural Therapies for your horse
Most horses, like humans, enjoy massage therapy when it is done with skilled hands and a good understanding of anatomy. Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues which achieves the drainage, relaxation or stimulation of the body and promotes an excellent supply of nutrients and oxygen to the muscle groups.
Massage has been proved to assist the healing process and is used widely throughout the world for horses that are suffering acute or chronic pain. These massage techniques are very useful for chronically tense muscles that give ongoing problems to horses in training and competition, stress, strain, injury and normal aches and pains associated with aging and the environment. Lymphatic drainage will assist in detoxifying the body and boosting the immune system.
Massage is also great for horses suffering arthritis to strengthen, repair and rejuvenate joints. Even mental and emotional demands on horses can cause tension which may become evident in the musculature, developing tense and stressed muscles. Deep tissue and sports massage loosen these tight muscle fibres, breaking up adhesions and fibrotic changes (scar tissue) that occur as the result of healing processes following injury, illness or excessive strain and tension. Massage aids in faster, stronger healing allowing the body to recuperate back to a high standard of performance and has beneficial effects on strength, range of movement, agility, performance and enhances recovery time.
Bad saddle fit, unbalanced riders and incorrect shoeing or trimming are just a few of the problems leading to chronic or recurring complaints in horses. These issues can be corrected and will make the world of difference to the performance of your horse.
Horses respond very well to this gentle and non-invasive technique as it directly focuses on the central nervous system and the young horse also benefits from massage as it learns to relax and gets used to being handled.
Benefits of massage are:
* Promotes well being and good performance
* Aids in healing for most injuries
* Assists in the detoxification process
* Effective in pain management
* Relaxes and renews energy
* Positive effects for range of motion, inflammation and muscle tension and strain
* Preventative against potential injuries
* Excellent for the handling process of young horses
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Herbal treatments for your horse can have fantastic benefits and results providing they are used in the appropriate form. It is best to consult an equine herbalist or naturopath when starting your horse on herbal treatments as they have a good understanding of herbs and can recommend which herbs would be suitable for your horse.
Herbal remedies can be used internally and externally. Herbs can be used for so many different conditions such as arthritis, disease, low immune systems, liver and heart problems, itch, wounds, muscular and skeletal injuries, digestive problems, abscesses, stress and anxiety, infections, respiratory, urinary, worms, ulcers, skin and coat, ears and eyes, diet and nutrition-the list can go on!! Herbs are used to support the bodies' own natural healing mechanisms so that the body can heal and rebalance itself properly. Horses are natural herbalists, often eating particular herbs in the garden when needed.
Your horse doesn’t have to have a medical condition to take herbs. Herbs are full of vitamins and minerals and you can maintain an overall general wellbeing and extend your horses’ life by keeping them healthy and giving them a good diet, exercise and sunlight.
Diet and nutrition plays a major part of any horse’s health and well being and having a well balanced and healthy diet is very important as it can help prevent most diseases. It is advisable to keep your horses diet as natural and balanced as much as possible. When changing your horse’s diet always do it gradually so their digestive system can adjust.
Equine natural therapies involves treating the whole horse, rather than just treating the symptoms with a big focus on preventative treatment to improve overall health, wellbeing and longevity. Horses generally respond extremely well to natural therapies as there are no undesirable side effects.
Sharon Osmond holds a diploma in equine naturopathy, she is a qualified equine muscle therapist, has certificates in horse management, equine herbal medicine, equine nutrition and pasture management. Therapies Sharon uses in her treatment for horses are Myofunctional Therapy (muscle, sports injury and massage),craniosacral and photonic therapies. Sharon focuses on the health and wellbeing of animals and is knowledgeable in breeding, nutrition, physiology and behaviour. She breeds sports horses and Weimaraner dogs in the Lower Hunter Valley of NSW and has her own line of natural herbal products for animals. She treats horses and dogs in the Hawkesbury and Hunter Valley regions.
Sharon Osmond
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