- Be on time. Simple enough, right? If any appointments are no-shows or cancelled within a 24 hour time period of the scheduled massage, then the client will be charged the full fee, regardless.
- Have your horse ready and groomed before the scheduled time of the massage. This means your horse should be inside (not still out in the paddock) and sufficiently groomed. He does not have to be "show ready" by any means. In fact, a freshly shampooed coat and products like Show Sheen can even make the massage more difficult. A little dust can even be beneficial for "drawing" lines along the horse's body. But there should not be any large patches of mud or dirt or manure stains on the coat.
- Be sure that there is a quiet, peaceful area in which the therapist can work. Massage will be far more beneficial (and enjoyable) to your horse if he isn't in the crosstie area of a busy boarding barn. Have his stall, a quiet area of the barn, his paddock or a space outdoors where he is comfortable in available for approximately one hour.
- Sessions last 45 minutes to an hour, so be sure to plan accordingly. Obviously if your horse is a shetland pony, he'll be more likely to take less time than a draft, or even a lanky Thoroughbred. A horse that bites or kicks may also take a little longer. So don't schedule the massage for a day that you can't commit to a full hour-long massage. The first session usually takes a little longer (closer to 1.5 to 2 hours) because of the evaluation and consultation period.
- Save your questions and comments until the end, please. If at all possible, try not to interrupt the session. Sports massage requires a lot of concentration and is both physically and mentally consuming, so unless something is very important please wait until the end to discuss anything with the therapist. You can also always call, text or e-mail with questions or concerns that may crop up in the future.
- Horses react to massage differently. Some of them love it right off the bat, some are skeptical. Some walk away loose and fluid, others are stiff the next day because of all of the toxins released. A lot of walking (either in-hand or hacking out on a loose rein, if possible) can help a horse the next day after a massage. If your horse is not already on a regular massage schedule or you don't know how he may react, the night before a big competition is not great for a first massage session. Once that initial tension is released, a pre- and post-event massage would benefit a horse already on a regular schedule. Likewise, some can take up to three massage sessions to see improvement. If the condition of your horse has not improved in three massage sessions, the intervention of a veterinarian, farrier, equine dentist or saddle fitter may be required before the other therapies begin to show effect.
- Have someone present to hold the horse. If a stall is not available for a horse to be tied in during his massage, a handler must be present. Ideally (especially for the first massage session) the person who works with the horse most will be available for at least the consultation period, whether that be the owner, rider, trainer, handler, groom or all of the above.
- Payment is due at the time of the services rendered. Cash, check and credit card are all acceptable forms of payment. If the person paying is not present, payment must be recieved before the massage session.
- Be forthcoming about your horse's "quirks" and history. They all have them. Some bite, kick, crib, weave, spin, loll their tongue out the side of their head... Et cetera. We're not scared. We aren't going to judge your horse. Just let us know if he's "funny about his right hind" so we can be prepared. Also, if your horse suffered from previous abuse, has some pre-existing illness or injury, also let us know. The more we know, the better we can help.
- Equine sports massage therapy is NOT a form of, or replacement for, veterinary care. Your horse still needs to see a vet for his regular healthcare regimen. He also needs to continue seeing his farrier, dentist and saddle fitter (if applicable) on a regular basis. Massage can benefit any horse, but it should not be a replacement for anything else.
Your first massage will also be the time in which you will formulate a regular massage regimen for your horse. This will be solely dependent on your horse, the level at which you are currently training and/or competing, your goals, and your budget. Some high-level horses need weekly massages, while others can get by on an "as needed" basis. Be prepared to discuss your horse and your goals either before the first massage, or prior to the massage.
Still not sure if massage is right for your horse? Keep in mind that evaluations are FREE and require no commitment. The hands-on portion lasts about one minute, and there is a brief consultation of about 5-10 minutes about your horse.
