Some Things You Can Do to Help Prepare for an Appointment
If this is your horse’s first appointment with me, please be prepared to provide me with a brief health history of your horse and description of the current situation.
If I have had sessions with your horse before, please provide me with an update on them- current or changes in behavior, diet, mood, performance, etc.
Horses do not have to be groomed prior to sessions.
The horse should be in a place where they feel comfortable and secure- typically in their stall with little direct distraction.
I prefer not to tie up a horse for a massage. Because they are prey animals and have parasympathetic nervous systems, horses do not tend to respond well to touch or relax if they are restricted (although some horses do relax better in cross ties). It is also helpful if a horse is able to move while being worked on which often provides helpful feedback. If necessary, cross ties with quick-release snaps can be used.
Typically a halter and lead rope are the only tack that should be utilized during a massage.
The ground or floor should be stable- not slippery or dangerous.
I do not wish to interrupt the horse’s daily routine- so avoiding important times that it looks forward to, such as feeding time, is advisable.
Please be prepared to ask questions and provide feedback if you want to. The best time for this is before or after the massage (sometimes a notepad and pen are handy for jotting things down during the massage). You are welcome and encouraged to observe and comment if you like during the massage, although it is best to minimize sounds that may disengage or distract the horse during its massage. A fair amount of conversation is certainly acceptable, but the horse should be the focus- and it should be able to focus on its own experience without too much stimulation.
If I have had sessions with your horse before, please provide me with an update on them- current or changes in behavior, diet, mood, performance, etc.
Horses do not have to be groomed prior to sessions.
The horse should be in a place where they feel comfortable and secure- typically in their stall with little direct distraction.
I prefer not to tie up a horse for a massage. Because they are prey animals and have parasympathetic nervous systems, horses do not tend to respond well to touch or relax if they are restricted (although some horses do relax better in cross ties). It is also helpful if a horse is able to move while being worked on which often provides helpful feedback. If necessary, cross ties with quick-release snaps can be used.
Typically a halter and lead rope are the only tack that should be utilized during a massage.
The ground or floor should be stable- not slippery or dangerous.
I do not wish to interrupt the horse’s daily routine- so avoiding important times that it looks forward to, such as feeding time, is advisable.
Please be prepared to ask questions and provide feedback if you want to. The best time for this is before or after the massage (sometimes a notepad and pen are handy for jotting things down during the massage). You are welcome and encouraged to observe and comment if you like during the massage, although it is best to minimize sounds that may disengage or distract the horse during its massage. A fair amount of conversation is certainly acceptable, but the horse should be the focus- and it should be able to focus on its own experience without too much stimulation.
Please keep in mind that the above list is simply a helpful guide! As mentioned previously, because all horses (and horse lovers) are different, the techniques and practices applicable to them will vary. You know your horse best- so I implore you to educate me on your relationship with the horse and the horse itself. This will encourage a positive experience for everyone involved and create (or improve) lasting relationships.