Equine Massage: A Practical Guide
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Authors: Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt
EQUINE
Massage
A P r a c t i c a l G u i d e
Second Edition
Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, LMT
EQUINE
Massage
A P r a c t i c a l G u i d e
Second Edition
Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, LMT
This book is printed on acid-free paper. ∞
Copyright © 2007 by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt. All rights reserved.
Howell Book House
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ISBN: 978-0-470-07338-4
Printed in the United States of America
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Second Edition
Cover design by José Almaguer
Book production by Wiley Publishing, Inc. Composition Services Wiley Bicentennial Logo: Richard J. Pacifico
CONTENTS
List of Figures.................................................xi
Preface .......................................................xviii
Acknowledgments ..........................................xx
Introduction ....................................................1
Beginning Your Journey
2
1. Anatomy and Physiology of the Horse ...............6
The Nervous System
7
The Respiratory System
10
The Circulatory System
11
The Cardiovascular System
12
The Lymphatic System
13
The Endocrine System
15
The Digestive System
15
The Urinary System
15
The Reproductive System
15
The Skeletal System
18
Bones
18
The Joints
19
The Ligaments
22
The Muscular System
23
Tendons
26
Muscles
26
2. The Horse and Massage Therapy......................40
How the Horse Responds
41
The Visual Horse
41
The Auditory Horse
42
Duration of a Massage
42
When to Massage Your Horse
43
How to Approach the Horse You Want to Massage
45
Contraindications to Massaging a Horse
47
Some Massage Do’s and Don’ts
49
Do’s
49
Don’ts
49
Safety Tips
50
iii
iv
Contents
3. Principles and Concepts of Massage .................51
Developing Massage Skills
51
Proper Approach
51
Proper Posture
52
Sensitivity of the Hands
54
The Four T’s
55
Temperature
55
Texture
55
Tenderness
55
Tension
56
Pressure, Contact, and Rhythm
56
Pressure
56
Contact
58
Rhythm
58
The Main Effects of Massage
59
The Mechanical Effect
59
Pure Nervous Reflex Effect
60
Massage Moves
60
Stroking
60
Effleurage
62
Petrissage
64
Vibration
71
Shaking
73
Friction
75
Nerve Manipulation
77
Tapotements
81
The Laying on of Hands
84
Basic Massage Movements
85
Soothing Massage Movements
85
Stimulating Massage Movements
85
Pure Nervous Reflex Movements
86
4. Hydrotherapy .................................................87
Duration of Treatment
88
Stages of Recovery
88
The Acute Stage
88
The Subacute Stage
88
The In-Between Stages
89
The Chronic Stage
89
Cold
89
Effects of Cold
89
Application of Cold
90
Cold Devices and Techniques
91
Contents
v
The Ice Cup Massage
92
Duration of Cold Application
92
Heat
93
Effects of Heat
93
Application of Heat
93
Heat Devices and Techniques
94
Duration of Heat Application
94
Poultices
95
Common Poultice Mixtures
95
5. Massage Techniques ........................................97
The Thumb Technique
98
The Elbow Technique
100
The Swelling Technique
102
Duration of Application
103
Frequency of Treatment
104
The Trigger Point Technique
104
The Neuromuscular Technique
106
The Golgi
107
The Muscle Spindle
108
Stress Points
109
How Stress Points Form
109
Where Stress Points Form
110
How Stress Points Feel
111
When Stress Points Form
111
How Horses Respond to Stress Point Work
111
The Stress Point Technique
112
The Origin-Insertion Technique
114
The SEW/WES Approach Technique
116
6. Massage Routines..........................................118
Relaxation Routines
119
The Relaxation Massage Routine
120
The Head Massage Routine
131
The Maintenance Massage Routine
138
The Recuperation Routine
144
Recuperation Routine Outline
144
The Warm-Up Routine
147
Warm-Up Routine Outline
148
The Cool-Down Routine
150
Cool-Down Routine Outline
151
Trouble Spots—Routines and Treatments
151
vi
Contents
7. Kinesiology of the Horse ...............................153
Motion
154
Kinesiology of the Foreleg
154
Kinesiology of the Hind Leg
159
The Vertebral Column
163
The Rib Cage
164
The Neck
164
The Stay Mechanism of the Horse
167
8. Stretching.....................................................171
Reasons for Stretching
172
Physical
172
Cerebral
172
When to Stretch
173
How to Stretch
173
Stretching Safely
174
The Stretching Routine
176
Neck Stretches
176
Foreleg Stretches
177
Hind Leg Stretches
181
Back Muscle Stretches
184
9. Conformation Check-up Routine ...................187
Ground Check Routine
187
Head and Neck
187
Withers
188
Chest, Girth, and Ribs
188
Shoulders
188
Forelegs
189
Knees
189
Cannon Bones
190
Fetlocks
190
Pasterns
190
Feet
191
The Back
191
Loins
191
Hindquarters
192
Stifles
192
Hocks
192
Evaluation of the Horse’s Weight Distribution:
The Float Line
193
Action and Soundness
193
Contents
vii
10. Body Parts and Their Stress Points .................196
The Head and Neck
196
#1 Stress Point—The Rectus Capitis Ventralis Muscle
202
#2 Stress Point—The Splenius Cervicis Muscle
202
#3 Stress Point—The Brachiocephalic Muscle
203
#4 Stress Point—The Sternothyrohyoid and
Omohyoid Muscles
203
Other Tension Areas in the Neck
204
The Shoulders
204
The Scapula
205
The Humerus
206
