• Race horses frequently receive equine sports massage therapy.horse racing image by david purday from Fotolia.com
  
  Performance horses suffer from sore joints, tired muscles, poor circulation and other problems just like human athletes. Equine sports massage therapy is designed to relieve discomfort and promote the well-being of the animal. It is essential to use only a qualified professional for massage therapy, but when performed correctly, it can have a dramatic impact on the strength and flexibility of a performance horse.
  
  

Increased Circulation

• One of the primary benefits of equine sports massage therapy is the promotion of circulation. When the therapist stimulates the tissues around the muscles, blood can more easily reach the horse's limbs, resulting in a more productive heart. Equine massage also increases the flow of nutrients to the muscles, which will help sore muscles heal faster.
  
  

Eliminating Tension

• Sore muscles, tendons and ligaments lead to a tense performance horse. Because he is in pain, he tenses his muscles in an effort to relieve his discomfort. Equine sports massage therapy can eliminate that tension by relaxing the muscles in the affected area.
  
  

Socialization

• Horses that receive equine massage therapy are often more sociable animals. They get used to humans touching them all over their bodies, and are less likely to react negatively to veterinarians, farriers and other professionals. This makes them easier to treat when something goes wrong.
  
  

Injury Prevention

• Performance horses often injure themselves because they are not sufficiently prepared for exercise. Just as a human must stretch before running or engaging in other strenuous activity, horses need warm-ups that prepare their muscles and tendons. Equine massage therapy focuses on readying the performance horse.
  
  

Improved Flexibility

• Equestrian sports such as jumping, dressage, barrel racing and cutting require significant flexibility. The performance horse must use himself in ways that a normal horse would not, particularly through the legs and top line. Riders and trainers can use equine sports massage therapy to improve flexibility in these areas.
  
  

Cooling Down

• Equine sports massage therapy can also be used by individual riders and trainers who want a more effective method of cooling down their performance horses after a ride. This practice is supplemented by sessions with a qualified therapist, and will help slow the heart beat and respiration after a workout, relax the muscles and relieve any spasms.