The following case studies describe horses, pre-massage evaluations, massage and findings. Owners agreed to have this information including images published to this website.

MASSAGE I OF II (6/23/08)

Right Side	Left Side
Horses sensitivities/issues as described:
Horses condition/sensitivities/issues found during massage:
MASSAGE NOTES	(L=light, M=Medium, H=High)
Atlas/Poll: Medium sensitivity, release nicely after some loosening work and massage. Neck: The horse has medium difficulty bending to the right, but loosens up nicely after a bit of work down the vertebrae of the neck. Shows nice signs of release. Shoulder: no unusual stiffness, hardness, sensitivity, able to drop shoulder and stretch leg to front and back. Withers: Very sensitive around whithers, some tight ligaments can be felt in the front of the whithers, the horse has a hard time releasing this tension. Back: Medium sensitivity in small of back, shows light flinching when touched. Sacroiliac: Light sensitivity in the sacroiliac area. Posterior Pectoral: Medium reaction in the posterior pectoral muscle, flinches when touched. Hind legs/hips: No unusual stiffness, relaxes hip and hind leg nicely, stretches out nicely, cooperative.	Atlas/Poll: see right Neck: The horse has medium difficulty bending to the left, but loosens up nicely after a bit of work down the vertebrae of the neck. Shoulder: Medium reaction to touch in the shoulders, some hardened muscles in front of scapula, responds nicely to bodywork in that area. Able to stretch leg to front an back, cooperative, able to release tension during body work. Withers: Very sensitive around whithers, has hard time releasing the tension, reacts strongly to wiggled withers. Back: Medium sensitivity in small of back, flinches when touched. Sacroiliac: Light sensitivtiy in the sacroiliac area. Posterior Pectoral: Medium reaction in the posterior pectoral muscle, flinches when touched. Hind legs/hips: The horse is a bit stiff in the left hind and has a hard time relaxing the hip and stretching out the left hind.

Summary: The horse is stiffer, more sensitive/reactive and shows more hardened muscles on the left side. The withers and the small of the back are equally a problem area on both sides which could in the past have been caused by an ill fitting saddle. Especially the extreme sensitivity in the withers point towards a pinching saddle tree. The sensitivity in the posterior pectoral could possibly be a result of soreness in the front feet. The general stiffness and inability to canter on a circle needs to be reevaluated after the problem areas in back, should, poll and possibly feet have improved.

Recommendation:  Follow up with massage every 2 weeks until noticable releases of established muscle spasms, sensitivities and stiffness is accomplished. Exercise the horse to strengthen the abdominal muscles and back 3 x per week trotting for 20 minutes. Reevaluate the saddle fit and possibly purchase a thinner wool felt or equipedic pad since the new saddle seems to fit well and is well cushioned, but does not require a pad as thick as currently used. When riding, only tighten cinch as much as needed to secure saddle (as loose as safely possible). Consult with a farrier regarding front feet soreness.

MASSAGE II OF II

Right Side	Left Side
MASSAGE NOTES	(L=light, M=Medium, H=High)
Atlas/Poll: still some sensitivity in the poll, muscles still hardened, but was able to release nicely. A lot of tension around the ears. Neck: The horse is much more flexible now bending to the right, nice releases. Shoulder: No sensitivities, no stiffness, no noticeable hardness. Horse cooperates nicely, drops shoulder, stretches front leg back and forth. Withers: The mare has much less sensitivity around the whithers. After withers wiggle the area around the withers starts sweating strongly (just that spot). Back: Medium sensitivity in small of back, flinches when touched. Sacroiliac: Light sensitivtiy in the sacroiliac area. Posterior Pectoral: Medium reaction in the posterior pectoral muscle, flinches when touched. Hind legs/hips: No unusual stiffness, relaxes hip and hind leg nicely, stretches out nicely, but hesitant to pick up hind legs today.	Atlas/Poll: still some sensitivity in the poll, muscles still hardened, but was able to release nicely. A lot of tension around the ears. Neck: The horse is much more flexible now bending to the left, nice releases. Shoulder: just a bit stiff stretching out the front left leg, no hardness or sensitivity, able to drop shoulder Withers: Very little to no sensitivity around the whithers. Back: Light sensitivity in small of back. Sacroiliac: Light sensitivity in the sacroiliac area, after spine rock and hip drop this area starts sweating strongly. Posterior Pectoral: Light reaction in the posterior pectoral muscle, flinches when touched. Hind legs/hips: Even though hesitant to pick up legs today, during the body work no signs of unusual stiffness, drops hip nicely

Summary: The horse is much more flexible and less sensitive during this session. There are still some reactions in the problem areas withers, small of back and poll, however, much less noticeable than during the first massage.

Recommendation:  Follow up with equine massage and body work every 6-8 weeks. Exercise the horse to strengthen the abdominal muscles and back 3 x per week trotting for 20 minutes. Reevaluate the saddle fit and possibly purchase a thinner wool felt or equipedic pad since the new saddle seems to fit well and is well cushioned, but does not require a pad as thick as currently used. When riding, only tighten cinch as much as needed to secure saddle (as loose as safely possible). Consult with a farrier regarding front feet soreness.

Please Note: Equine Massage is NEVER a substitute for proper veterinary care. If in doubt about the physical condition of your horse, please consult your vet.