Myofascial Therapy

Equine Myofascial Therapy (EMT) is a form of physical rehabilitation therapy that employs massage, passive stretching techniques and targeted exercises to maintain musculotendinous health in the horse.  Horses who receive regular EMT are more supple and comfortable in their work and downtime.  Unlike machine-based therapies, EMT is better at targeting and resolving musculotendinous issues, as the practitioner is trained to feel, identify and resolve issues with their hands, using a variety of massage and stretching techniques.


Contraindications your horse may encounter

Equine Myofascial Therapy may assist a variety of problems; these include, but are not limited to:

  • Muscle spasms

  • Adhesions (knots)

  • Sprains and strains

  • Stiffness

  • Poor flexibility

  • Uneven gait

  • Inability to track-up

  • Lack of cadence

  • Transition problems

  • Difficulty collecting or extending

Equine Myofascial Therapy is a hands-on massage technique that, combined with passive stretching exercises, helps to keep your horse balanced, supple and pain-free.

Benefits include:

  • Increased range of motion

  • Decreased pain

  • Faster recovery timeframes

  • Improved performance

  • A happier disposition

How it works

The aim of Equine Myofascial Therapy is to improve, repair or maintain range of motion, elasticity, circulation, health and the overall physical performance of the horse.

This is achieved through releasing adhesions between the skin, fascia and muscle tissues, as well as improving the circulation of blood and lymph.

Treatment promotes the flow of oxygen and nutrients throughout the tissues and enables the flushing of harmful deposits from around the joints and deep acid deposits from within the muscles (including lactic acid build-up from exercise).

 
 

How can Myofascial Release help tendons and ligaments?

Tendon and ligament injuries are common in the competitive equine world. Because of the limitations that fascial restrictions place on the contractile elements of muscle, muscle strength is inhibited by approximately one third of its normal strength in the presence of fascial restrictions. So fascial restrictions not only affect flexibility, but also limit a horse's inherent strength and stability. Muscles will fatigue more quickly because they will have to overcome the enormous tensile strength of a fascial restriction. Muscle and tendon strain is then likely to occur where there is fascial restriction.

Furthermore, the fascial system is composed of elastin and collagen fibers that are embedded in a gel-like matrix. This elastocollagenous complex is normally relaxed and wavy. Restricted fascia becomes like taught bands embedded in a solidified, dehydrated gel matrix. Restricted fascia loses its ability to glide and therefore affects the ability of tendons to glide smoothly at their junctions. So, tendon injuries can result from the inherent weakness and limited tendon glide caused by fascial restrictions. Whenever there is inherent weakness in a limb, the ligamentous structures are also commonly affected. Muscles stabilize a joint; when strength and muscle endurance are limited because of fascial restriction, there is less stability in the joints of the affected limb. When less stability is present, the ligaments become overstretched or lax. This situation easily leads to ligament sprain or rupture, particularly as the fascial system tightens over time or is left untreated.

The rigorous training programs that our horses engage in require a combination of flexibility, strength, balance, endurance, and coordination. Any or all of these components often are adversely affected when fascial restrictions are present, and it is safe to say that all horses have fascial restrictions to varying degrees.