I had the pleasure to massage Mac . My goal to reduce tension , provide pain relief , and allow him to recover more quickly and get him back outside playing with his friends . The first massage he melted into the wall and gave some amazing stretches . I followed up with him three days later , lunging * him afterward as a favor to his owner ( who also happens to be a friend of mine ).
Mac was a spark of energy in the round pen , bucking and kicking his way around . He ’ d definitely found his spark ! A few hours later he went lightly under saddle for a little walk / trot and one of the barn girls snapped this amazing photo .
The nice thing about massage is there is no down time required afterward . Light exercise helps the horse to continue tension release and stretch after massage .
Massage has been proven to spike cortisol levels for up to 48 hours . This coupled with the ability to speed metabolism and blood flow is why we recommend a horse on stall rest receive massage 1-2 times weekly for the best results .
Massage therapy is a medically-based and non-invasive way to reduce harmful levels of stress hormones in the body and speed rehabilitation time . It is not miracle work , it ’ s science . And oh so beneficial .
Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient to activate their natural healing processes and restore physical and emotional well-being . Mindbody-soul healing from the inside out using the energy of the universe .
This healing technique is becoming increasingly popular as part of a holistic wellness program . I was skeptical myself at first until I saw ( and felt ) it with my own eyes . Sensitive animals such as horses are exceptionally receptive to this technique , and can create much calm and tranquility .
Acupuncture Acupuncture is the technique of inserting fine needles into certain identified acupuncture points or “ meridians ” that run throughout the body and correspond to certain organs . The premise is that Qi , or energy , runs through bodies along these meridians and that our emotional , physical , and mental issues may be caused by blockages to this Qi .
Working side by side an equine acupuncturist at Bridle & Bone Wellness , I see how well horses respond to treatment . Dr . Michelle Morges provides an initial
14 • Walking On evaluation , similar to the one we do with massage , and then will use a small number of needles in the important areas to improve circulation and reduce tension .
Increasingly , equine veterinarians seeing the benefits and are performing acupuncture or recommending it as part of a complete wellness program .
Herbs and Supplements None of us can deny the importance of diet and nutrition for our horses . The multiple google searches will attest to that . There are a few calming supplements on the market today that you may find helpful for your horse .
• Serenity Spray by Bridle & Bone Wellness . Our customized blend of essential oils and carrier oils designed specifically to promote calm and reduce anxiety naturally .
• PCR Oil by Treatibles . These high potency dropper bottles contain non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid-rich ( PCR ) oil extracted from medicinal grade hemp grown in the USA . PCR oil has been shown to naturally bring your horse back to neutral . The beauty is that it is THC-free , works quickly , and can be given orally directly through the mouth or in grain or water .
• Smartship & Show Paste . According to the distributor : SmartShip & Show Paste can help him cope with the demands of trailering , competing and other stresses . This comprehensive formula provides : Probiotics and prebiotics to support healthy digestive and GI tract function ; Electrolytes to replace minerals lost in sweat and to encourage proper hydration ; The potent antioxidant vitamin C , which protects cells throughout the body from the damaging effects of stress .
• Smartcalm Pellets by SmartPak . SmartCalm Ultra Pellets are an herb-free formula designed to support proper nervous system function , helping to minimize skittishness . They offer a comprehensive approach to calming by providing 10,000 mg of magnesium , 1,000 mg of vitamin B1 , 2,000 mg of inositol ( a B vitamin relative ), and 500 mg of L-tryptophan . This essential amino acid is converted into serotonin , a hormone that may increase feelings of well-being and contentment , helping to calm and soothe .
• Herbsmith Serenity . This blend is used to calm irritability and apprehension . It is ideal for the horse who is easily frustrated when asked to per-