Benefits of Horse (Equine) Massage, Proper Saddle Fit, Reflocking & Refleecing, Horse Stretches | Holistic Horse Bodyworks
| _Ilene’s holistic and integrated treatment approach is unique. She combines her expertise in various equine bodywork and massage modalities, yoga, proper saddle fit and proper saddle flocking in order to create and carry out a customized plan to relax your horse and optimize his or her health and performance. If desired, Ilene will also design a customized yoga plan for the rider and teach the rider yoga poses to help reduce physical issues riders can transfer to their horse. |
- Enhances performance and gait quality
- Improves range of motion and stamina
- Improves disposition
- Provides comfort to tight muscles or muscular injuries
- Improves circulation
- Provides an assessment of physical condition
- It feels great!!
Proper saddle fit is a necessity for a happy, healthy, high performing horse. A properly fitting saddle will:
- Protect your horse’s spine and surrounding musculature
- Help enable your horse to properly use their ring of muscles
- Help your horse move freely within the envelope of release, especially the neck, back, shoulders and haunches
Studies indicate 75-90% of all saddles in use do not properly fit the horse on which they are used. Many saddles also do not fit the rider. Improper saddle fit can be very painful for your horse and may lead to many health and performance issues including:
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A properly flocked (stuffed) saddle is just as much of a necessity as a properly fitting saddle. Lumpy flocking or flocking that has “thinned out” over time due to usage can cause the same kind of pain and damage to your horse as an improperly fitting saddle.Holistic Horse Bodyworks uses only high quality, 100% natural wool when reflocking saddles. A free saddle safety check, including a girth strap check, is included at no extra charge.
Check out the Saddle Reflocking Information Sheet for additional information.
Keeping the skirt and fleece of a Western saddle in good condition is just as important as ensuring proper saddle fit. Over time, the fleece will thin out exposing tacks and nails, mat down, and become lumpy and bumpy which can cause pain and muscle damage to both horse and rider. Additionally, like the panels on an English saddle, the skirt on a Western saddle can become asymmetrical. This, too, can also cause discomfort, impede proper blood flow and circulation, and cause muscle damage. All Western saddles are refleeced using only 100% natural fleece. The skirt is also reshaped if necessary to ensure proper symmetry. A free saddle safety check is also included with all refleecings.
- Improves rider flexibility, strength and breathing
- Teaches rider basic equine muscle stretches to benefit the horse between massages
- Reduces transference of physical and structural asymmetries riders “bring to the horse” further enhancing performance and deepening the horse/rider relationship.
Important note: Equine bodywork and horse massage, proper saddle fit, saddle reflocking and refleecing are not substitutes for proper veterinary, dental and farrier care. Consult a qualified and appropriate equine health care professional for proper treatment.