Equiflexion Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my horse needs a treatment?

All horses can benefit from an Equiflexion Musculoskeletal Treatment, see the Benefits of Equine Massage page for some signs that your horse could do with an assessment and treatment.  Also see below My horse doesn’t seem to have a problem, but I’d like him to have a massage treatment anyway, is this ok?         

What is Laura looking for when she treats a horse? 

When seeing the horse for the first time Laura is first looking for irregularities in the way the horse moves and any conformational issues which could be putting strain on the horse’s locomotor system (like people, very few horses are perfectly put together so slight conformational defaults are the norm).  This, along with background information from the owner gives a good starting point. She then palpates the horse feeling for irregularities in the soft tissue before performing range of movement tests to identify any issues. See the Prices & What to Expect page.        

Why does Laura treat the whole horse?      

This is one of Laura's strong beliefs. The body is a kinetic chain, everything is connected, so a change in one area can affect a seemingly totally different area of the body. This is often because the body protects the site of the problem by compensating elsewhere resulting in strain.  If certain problem areas have been identified after the first session, Laura may concentrate on these alone in future sessions.         

How many sessions will my horse need?        

Each horse is different and it also depends on what you are trying to achieve which Laura will discuss with you during the initial assessment.  It is not always possible during the first session to reach an end goal. See the What is Equine Massage & Manipulation page and the Prices & What to Expect page.       

My horse doesn’t seem to have a problem, but I’d like him to have a treatment anyway, is this ok?       

Most definitely! It can be a great tool for you and for Laura to see your horse when you deem them to be feeling and performing well as it creates a baseline to compare to in case of any future issues. A musculoskeletal checkover is always of benefit. Prevention is better than cure!                             

When will I notice a difference?          

This is completely dependent on the horse and what you are trying to achieve.  Changes will be occurring after one session but these may be subtle as the body readjusts itself. Further sessions and continued maintenance treatment is highly likely to result in a more flexible horse and improved performance.                   

If you have any more questions please get in touch.