Let's talk about arthritis!
Many horses I know have recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis by their veterinarian, especially coming into winter as the cold damp West Coast air exacerbates their symptoms. It's very important to call your equine vet and get an examination and diagnosis if you think your horse may be suffering from arthritis pain. But did you know that massage is also hugely beneficial to arthritic horses? In fact, the degree that massage helped to manage arthritis pain for the horses in my care is what inspired me to pursue an education in this field in the first place!
Osteoarthritis causes not only joint pain, but soft tissue pain as well. Joints and muscles are intimately connected through the tendons, the connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone (and allows the joint to move). Pain in the joint has a domino effect on the soft tissues, which become short and tight, further restricting range of motion and bloodflow, and increasing discomfort and muscle weakness. The horse's body also creates compensation patterns in their posture and movement to avoid the discomfort, which then causes restrictions and discomfort in other parts of the body that are now being overused or used incorrectly.
Skilled massage and bodywork works to address all of these issues. Massage for arthritic horses helps to increase their comfort, their range of motion, and increases their bloodflow and lymphatic drainage, which in turn helps to remove fluid waste from the joint capsule. It also unwinds compensation patterns to allow your horse to move with more freedom and symmetry, which will help to prevent future injuries and excessive wear-and-tear on the joints.
Our horses do so much for us, and even if they live an "easy" life, most horses don't live in a way that is natural for them. Our horses don't roam miles of dry pastureland every day, constantly keeping the joints and muscles moving, constantly grazing, never seeing a shoe or a saddle or a stall/paddock. This is why there are people like me, striving to learn every way that we can to profoundly improve their quality of life in the ways that we have to manage them in their domestic world. If your horse has arthritis pain or decreased mobility due to arthritis, consider what regular equine massage and bodywork can do to improve their movement and comfort level and help to manage the issues caused by arthritis.
HERE is an excellent link for further reading.
Please reach out if you have any questions!
Kaiti Elliott
Certified Equine Performance Therapist
freetobe@kaiti.com