How often should my horse have an Equine Sport Therapy session? This is a question I get a lot; it is really dependent on the level of work your horse is in and if there are any underlying physical conditions or injuries. My recommendations: No work or lightly ridden: e.g. Broodmares, young horses, retired horses. These horses should ideally receive an EST session every 6 to 10 weeks. This keeps them moving freely and feeling good. Monthly sessions still allow imbalances to be caught before they become ingrained habits, any longer than this and the horse will lose any long-term improvements. Horses in Moderate to Hard work, Post Surgery or Rehabilitating from an Injury: These horses will benefit from weekly to fortnightly EST sessions depending on the type of work, dysfunction or injury. Regular bodywork is suggested as it will actually help to prevent future injuries by keeping their soft tissue supple and joints flexible. Horses in heavy daily work, those suffering from acute injuries or chronic imbalances/injuries may need to have several bodywork sessions per week initially, to aid the healing process and prevent muscular compensation to develop. How long does a session take? Full Equine Sports Therapy Session Initial Consult: 90 minutes Follow up Consults: approx. 60 minutes Photonic Therapy only: 30 minutes Post Competition Sessions: 30 minutes each A session involves a full assessment of your horse looking at posture, conformation and biomechanics. I then perform palpation and ROM tests to find problems areas and restrictions. This is followed by the actual body work part of the session in which I incorporate a variety of techniques to release the muscles and increase joint function and mobility. Techniques I use include: sports massage, joint mobilisation, myofascial release, deep tissue mobilisation, trigger therapy, photonic therapy (including acu-point work), craniosacral therapy, stretches and remedial exercises. Can I ride my horse before or after an Equine Sports Therapy session? Yes you can ride your horse beforehand but I cannot work on the horse if they are still sweaty or damp. Exercise after the treatment is very dependent on what was found during the session. In most cases the horse can be ridden the next day, Jacinda will discuss this with you at the end of your session. When will I notice an improvement? This is very dependent on the cause of the issue. Most horses will show an immediate improvement, however it can take up to 10 days. What are the signs that my horse is enjoying their sports therapy session? Horses show release in a variety of ways, these include: Yawning, licking & chewing, passing wind, lowering of the head, snorting, shaking their neck, shifting weight and appearing ‘sleepy’. What are the signs that my horse has muscular problems and would benefit from a sports therapy session? Any of the below signs/conditions would indicate that your horse would greatly benefit from a sports therapy session: • Girthy or cold backed • Short striding • Lack of bend • Hollow back • Grumpy disposition or ‘just not right’ • Asymmetry and irregular action • Uneven muscle development • Lameness • Unexplained resistances such as bucking or rearing. • Back pain. Does Equine Sports Therapy replace veterinary treatment in the case of injury? No, EST is non-diagnostic and complimentary. If there is a medical problem it must be firstly diagnosed by your veterinarian then Jacinda can work with your vet to develop a plan of attack to assist the healing process