Equine Massage A Practical Guide - 2nd Edition

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 EQUINE
Massage
A Practical Guide

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
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Second Edition
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 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 Sterno-thyrohyoid and
Omohyoid Muscles 203
Other Tension Areas in the Neck 204
The Shoulders 204
The Scapula 205
The Humerus 206
#5 Stress Point—The Spinalis Dorsi Muscle 206
# 6, 7, and 8 Stress Points—The Trapezius and
Rhomboid Muscles 207
#9 Stress Point—The Supraspinatus Muscle 207
#10 Stress Point—The Infraspinatus Muscle 208
#11 Stress Point—The Thoracic Part of the
Serrate Muscle 209
#12 Stress Point—The Latissimus Dorsi Muscle 209
#13 Stress Point—The Upper End of the
Triceps Muscle 210
#14 Stress Point—The Lower End of the
Triceps Muscle 211
#15 Stress Point—The Cranial Superficial
Pectoral Muscle 211
#16 Stress Point—The Caudal Superficial
Pectoral Muscle 212
#17 Stress Point—The Caudal Deep Pectoral Muscle 212
#18 Stress Point—The Radial Carpal Extensor
Muscles of the Foreleg 213
#19 Stress Point—The Lateral Carpal Flexor
Muscles of the Foreleg 213
The Back and Rib Cage 214
#20 Stress Point—The Longissimus Dorsi Muscle
(Forward Attachment) 215
#21 Stress Point—The Iliocostalis Dorsi Muscle 215
#22 Stress Point—The External Abdominal Oblique
Muscle (Hip Attachment) 216
#23 Stress Point—The External Abdominal Oblique
Muscle (Rib Cage Attachment) 216
#24 Stress Point—The Internal Abdominal Oblique
Muscle 217
#25 Stress Point—The Transverse Abdominal Muscle
(Pubic Attachment) 217
#26 Stress Point—The Intercostal Muscles 218
viii Contents

The Hindquarters and Hind Legs 218

#27 Stress Point—Junction of the Gluteus
Muscles and the Longissimus Dorsi Muscles 219
#28 Stress Point—The Biceps Femoris Muscle 220
#29 Stress Point—The Belly of the Biceps
Femoris Muscle 221
#30 Stress Point—The Gastrocnemius Muscle 221
#31 Stress Point—The Vastus Lateralis Muscle 222
#32 Stress Point—The Rectus Femoris Muscle 222
#33 Stress Point—The Adductor Muscles 223
#34 Stress Point—The Semitendinosus Muscle 223
#35 Stress Point—The Semimembranosus Muscle 224
#36 Stress Point—The Tensor Fasciae Latae Muscle 224
#37 Stress Point—The Iliacus Muscle 225
#38 Stress Point—The Superficial Gluteus Muscle 225
#39 Stress Point—The Long Digital Extensor
Muscles 226
#40 Stress Point—The Long Digital Flexor Muscles 226
Stress Point Check-up Routine 227
First Sequence 232
Second Sequence 233
Third Sequence 234
The “Trouble Spots” Routine 234
Step 1:The Upper Neck 235
Step 2:The Point of Shoulder 235
Step 3:The Withers 236
Step 4:The Upper Shoulder 236
Step 5:The Lower Shoulder 237
Step 6:The Croup 237
Step 7:The Point of Hip 238
Treatments 238
Back Treatment 239
Neck Treatment 240
The Forequarters Treatment 241
The Hindquarters Treatment 243

11. Equine Myofascial Massage ............................245

The Fascial System 246
What Is Fascia? 247
The Fascial System and Its Functions 247
Physical Properties of Fascia 248
Preparation 250
Attitude 250
Observation 251
Touch—The Four T’s 251
 Contents ix

Pressure, Contact, and Rhythm 251

Feedback from the Horse 252
Emotional Release 252
Myofascial Release Techniques 254
Double-Hands Friction Technique 254
Cross-Hands Technique 255
The Stroking Technique 257
The Hand Pressure Technique 258

12. Equine Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Syndrome (ETDS) ........................................260
Anatomy of the Equine TMJ 261
Skeletal Structure 261
Temporomandibular Articulation 261
Nerve Supply 263
Vascular Supply 264
Fascia of the Head 265
Muscles of Mastication 265
Causes of TMJ Dysfunction Syndrome 267
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction Syndrome 268
TMJ Problems 268
Caudal Lesion 269
Rostral Lesion 270
Palpation 270
Checking the Protraction and the Retraction of the
Mandible 271
Checking the Latero-Lateral Movement of the
Mandible 271
Checking the Incisive Lines 271
Massage Guidelines for ETDS 271
Massage Goals 272
Duration 273
The Relaxation Massage Routine 273
Neck Stretches 273
Massage Routine for ETDS 273

13. Lines of Compensation ..................................278

External Lines of Compensation 281
Diagonal Lines of Compensation 282
Transversal Lines of Compensation 286
Side Lines of Compensation 288
Summary of the Side Lines and Transversal Lines of
Compensation 290
Summary of all External Lines of Compensation 291
x Contents

Internal Lines of Compensation 292

Internal Compensation from the Skull 294
Internal Compensation from the Shoulders 295
Internal Compensation from the Hips 295
Summary of External and Internal Lines of
Compensation 296

14. Saddle Fitting ...............................................298

Saddle Tree 300
Saddle Panels 300
Massage for Cold Back 302
Warning 303

15. Areas of Stress Specific to Each Discipline ......305

Guidelines for Treatment 306
School Horses 306
Pleasure Horses 307
Hunters 307
Jumpers 308
Dressage Horses 309
Eventing Horses 309
Endurance Horses 310
Polo Ponies 311
Western Performance Horses 311
Gaited Horses 312
Flat Racing Horses 312
Steeplechase Horses 313
Harness Racing Horses (Trotters and Pacers) 313
Light Harness Horses 314
Draft Horses 314

16. Keeping Records...........................................316

Basic Information About the Horse 317
The Major Complaint 317
The History of the Present Illness or Problem 318
The History of Past Illnesses or Problems 319
Clinical Examination 319
Treatment 320
Program 320
Maintenance 320
Updates 321

Index ...........................................................324
 FIGURES
IN.1 Horse Anatomical Terms ...........................................5
1.1 Points of the Horse...................................................9
1.2 Nervous System......................................................10
1.3 Circulatory System .................................................12
1.4 The Lymphatic System: Lymphocenters made of
lymph nodes ...........................................................14
1.5 Skeleton of the Horse .............................................17
1.6 A Bone...................................................................18
1.7 Joints of the Horse..................................................21
1.8 A Joint....................................................................22
1.9 Ligaments of the Fetlock Joint ................................22
1.10 Ligaments of the Horse...........................................25
1.11 Cross-Section of a Skeletal Muscle..........................27
1.12 A Muscle ................................................................27
1.13 Superficial Muscles of the Horse .............................29
1.14 Muscles of the Horse, Front View ...........................33
1.15 Muscles of the Horse, Rear View ............................35
1.16 Deeper Muscles of the Horse..................................37
2.1 Body Language ......................................................45
3.1 Proper Posture ........................................................52
3.2 Proper Posture: Back straight, elbows and knees
flexed......................................................................54
3.3 Proper Posture: Using body weight for added
strength...................................................................54
3.4 Stroking Movement ................................................61
3.5 Stroking Massage Movement ..................................61
3.6 Effleurage Movement..............................................62
3.7 Effleurage Massage Movement ................................62
3.8 Petrissage: Kneading Movement ..............................63
3.9 Double Thumb Kneading Movement .....................64
3.10 Petrissage: Compression Movement .......................65
3.11 Palmar Compression Movement .............................65
3.12 Fist Compression Movement ..................................66
3.13 Petrissage: Muscle Squeezing Movement .................67
3.14 Double Hand Muscle Squeezing Movement ...........67
3.15 Petrissage: Picking-up Movement............................68
3.16 Picking-up Movement ............................................69
3.17 Petrissage:Wringing Movement ..............................70
3.18 Wringing Movement ..............................................70
3.19 Petrissage: Skin Rolling Movement.........................71
3.20 Skin Rolling Movement .........................................71
3.21 Vibration Movement ..............................................72
xi
xii List of Figures

3.22 Vibration Massage Movement.................................72

3.23 Shaking Movement.................................................74
3.24 Shaking Massage Movement ...................................74
3.25 Friction Movement.................................................75
3.26 Thumb Friction Movement ....................................76
3.27 Finger Friction Movement......................................77
3.28 Hand Friction Movement .......................................77
3.29 Nerve Stroking Movement .....................................78
3.30 Nerve Pressure Point Movement.............................79
3.31 Nerve Friction Movement ......................................80
3.32 Tapotement: Clapping Movement ...........................81
3.33 Clapping Movement ...............................................81
3.34 Tapotement: Cupping Movement ...........................82
3.35 Cupping Movement ...............................................82
3.36 Tapotement: Hacking Movement ............................82
3.37 Hacking Movement ................................................82
3.38 Tapotement: Beating (Medium Pressure) and
Pounding (Heavy Pressure) Movements ..................83
3.39 Beating or Pounding Movement .............................83
3.40 Laying on of Hands ................................................84
4.1 Ice Massage Technique: Peeling the rim of the foam
or paper cup for the ice massage application ...........90
4.2 Ice Massage Technique: Applied here on the knee ...92
5.1 Thumb Technique ..................................................98
5.2 Thumb Technique ..................................................99
5.3 Elbow Technique ..................................................100
5.4 Elbow Technique: Using a stool to position
yourself better .......................................................101
5.5 Schematic Diagram of Swelling Technique ............102
5.6 Schematic Diagram of a Trigger Point,Trigger
Point Technique:Toxin buildup in the belly of
the muscle, resulting in a trigger point ..................105
5.7 Neuromuscular Technique: Golgi Nerve
Apparatus..............................................................107
5.8 Neuromuscular Technique: Muscle Spindle
Nerve Apparatus ...................................................108
5.9 Schematic Diagram of a Stress Point, Stress
Point Technique ....................................................110
5.10 Origin-Insertion Technique: Here done on the
longissimus dorsi muscle .......................................115
6.1 Relaxation Massage Routine ................................120
6.2 Lowering the Head: Relaxation routine. ...............121
6.3 Ear Work: Relaxation routine................................122
6.4 Neck Crest Work: Relaxation routine. ..................123
6.5 Neck Rocking Movement: First part, relaxation
routine..................................................................124
 List of Figures xiii

6.6 Neck Rocking Movement: Second part,

relaxation routine..................................................124
6.7 Withers Work: Light pressure, relaxation routine....125
6.8 Back Work: Relaxation routine .............................125
6.9 Picking up the Tail Movement: From the tail
work group of moves, relaxation routine ...............126
6.10 Raising the Tail Movement: From the tail work
group of moves (stretch the ventral aspect of the
tail), relaxation routine ..........................................127
6.11 Question Mark Movement: From the tail work
group of moves (stretch the dorsal aspect of the
tail), relaxation routine ..........................................127
6.12 Clockwise Movement: From the tail work group
of moves, relaxation routine ..................................128
6.13 Counterclockwise Movement: From the tail
work group of moves, relaxation routine ...............128
6.14 Stretching the Tail Out: Carefully and gently
working each vertebra with soft muscle squeezing
moves, relaxation routine.......................................129
6.15 Stroking the Legs Down: End of relaxation
routine..................................................................130
6.16 Head Massage Routine ........................................132
6.17 Working the Muzzle: First pass, head
massage routine.....................................................133
6.18 Working the Base of Ears: First pass, head massage
routine..................................................................134
6.19 Working the Forehead: Second pass, head massage
routine..................................................................135
6.20 Drainage to the Sides: Second pass, head massage
routine..................................................................135
6.21 Working the Mouth: Gums and bars, third pass,
head massage routine ............................................136
6.22 Finishing the Facial Work with Lots of Drainage:
Third pass, head massage routine ...........................137
6.23 Maintenance Massage Routine .............................138
6.24 Neck Work:With deep double-thumb kneading,
maintenance routine .............................................139
6.25 Withers Work:With deep double-thumb
kneading, interspersed with effleurage,
maintenance routine .............................................139
6.26 Shoulder Work:With deep double-thumb
kneading, interspersed with effleurage,
maintenance routine .............................................140
6.27 Chest Work:With muscle squeezing and
thumb kneading, interspersed with effleurage,
maintenance routine .............................................141
xiv List of Figures

6.28 Back Work:With deep double-thumb kneading,

interspersed with effleurage, maintenance
routine .......................................................142
6.29 Hindquarter Work:With deep palmar compression,
interspersed with effleurage, maintenance
routine .......................................................142
6.30 Recuperation Massage Routine ............................145
6.31 Thorough Effleurage: Going up the legs (light to
medium pressure), the recuperation routine...........146
6.32 Multiple Effleurages: Light to medium pressure
over the whole body, the recuperation routine ......147
6.33 Warm-Up/Cool-Down Massage Routine.............148
6.34 Fine Shaking: Performed thoroughly over the
whole body, with heavier pressure over large,
bulky muscle groups to stir up blood circulation,
warm-up routine ..................................................149
6.35 Thorough Effleurage: Light to medium pressure
to assist the circulation and drainage of fluids,
cool-down routine ................................................150
7.1 Foreleg Protraction ...............................................154
7.2 Foreleg Retraction ................................................156
7.3 Foreleg Abduction ................................................157
7.4 Foreleg Adduction ................................................158
7.5 Hind Leg Protraction............................................159
7.6 Hind Leg Retraction ............................................160
7.7 Hind Leg Abduction .............................................161
7.8 Hind Leg Adduction .............................................162
7.9 Back Extension ....................................................163
7.10 Neck Extension ....................................................165
7.11 Neck Flexion........................................................166
7.12 Lateral Neck Flexion ............................................167
7.13 Stay Mechanism of the Horse ...............................170
8.1 Lateral Bending of the Neck: Duplicate on
other side; use a food reward to make the
work easier ...........................................................176
8.2 Neck Flexion: Again, use a food reward ................177
8.3 Neck Extension: Progressively bring the head
into this position...................................................178
8.4 Shoulder Extension Stretch:This protraction
stretching movement is good for stretching the
flexor muscles of the leg .......................................179
8.5 Shoulder Extension Deep Stretch:This version
is done after the initial stretch and allows for
extra stretching of the flexor tendon and the
suspensory ligament ..............................................179
 List of Figures xv

8.6 Shoulder Flexion Stretch:This retraction

stretching movement is good for stretching the
foreleg extensor muscles........................................180
8.7 Shoulder Flexion Deep Stretch:This version is
done after the initial stretch and allows for extra
stretching of the extensor tendon and ligament
structure of the anterior aspect of the foreleg .......180
8.8 Hip Extension Stretch:This protraction stretching
movement is good for stretching the flexor
muscles of the hind leg .........................................182
8.9 Hip Extension Deep Stretch:This version is done
following the initial stretch and allows for extra
stretching of the flexor tendon and the suspensory
ligament................................................................182
8.10 Hip Flexion Stretch:This retraction stretching
movement is good for stretching the extensor
muscles of the hind leg .........................................183
8.11 Hip Flexion Deep Stretch:This version is done
after the initial stretch and allows for extra
stretching of the extensor tendon and ligament
structures of the anterior aspect of the hind leg ....183
8.12 Quadriceps Stretch:This special stretching
movement is good for stretching the quadriceps
and gluteus muscle groups.....................................184
8.13 Back Stretching.....................................................185
8.14 Back Muscles Stretch ............................................185
8.15 Tail Stretch ...........................................................186
9.1 Float Line Diagram...............................................194
10.1 Superficial Muscle Layer with Stress Point
Location ...............................................................197
10.2 Front Muscles with Stress Point Location..............198
10.3 Back Muscles with Stress Point Location...............199
10.4 Deep Muscle Layer with Stress Point Location......200
10.5 Head and Neck Section (Deep and Superficial
Muscle Layers) with Associated Stress Point
Location ...............................................................201
10.6 Shoulder and Foreleg Section (Deep and
Superficial Muscle Layers) with Associated
Stress Point Location.............................................205
10.7 Back and Rib Cage Section (Deep and
Superficial Muscle Layers) with Associated
Stress Point Location.............................................214
10.8 Hindquarter Section (Deep and Superficial
Muscle Layers) with Associated Stress Point
Location ...............................................................219