Free Equine Massage: A Practical Guide by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt Page B

on you.You want to give him the best of your massage abilities.
    Contraindications to
    Massaging a Horse
    The term contraindication is used to describe specific situations in which you should not massage a horse and in which you should seek the advice of your veterinarian.
    Do not massage when the horse’s temperature is over 102°
    Fahrenheit (F) or 39° Celsius (C). A horse’s normal temperature is 100°F, 38°C. A mild fever is present at 102°F, 39°C. A moderate fever is present at 104.5°F, 40°C. A high fever is present at 106°F, 41°C. An increase in temperature occurs during serious illnesses; feverish conditions call for complete rest. Massage will only render the situation worse by increasing blood circulation, which is already rampant. Cover your horse with a blanket to keep him warm and to avoid a chill. Check with your vet.
    The laying on of hands over the forehead, at the poll, and over the sacrum area will soothe the horse, bringing relief to the central nervous system. Use the right hand on the sacrum, the left on the poll. A cold towel over the sacrum and along the spine will feel good to the horse. During high fever a complete rubdown with a cold towel will decrease the body temperature and cool the animal. Follow by blanketing to avoid a chill.
    When there is an open wound (broken skin) or healing wound (bleeding) anywhere on the body, avoid that particular area, although you may massage the rest of the body to help with excess swelling and to release compensatory tension.
    When there is acute trauma (a torn muscle or an area with internal bleeding, such as an acute hematoma), use ice for the first few hours. Massage can be resumed in the chronic stage (past 72
    hours).
    When severe forms of functional nervous disease (tetanus) are present, do not massage the horse. The nerve stimulation would drive him insane. Even the laying on of hands would be risky, although it could help.
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    Equine Massage
    Acute nerve problems or nerve irritation ( neuralgia ) in a particular area (following a wound or a bad stretch) is a contraindication to massage. The laying on of hands might soothe. Use cold hydrotherapy to numb the nerve endings before and after the laying on of hands.
    During colitis, diarrhea, pregnancy, or hernias, use just a light stroking on the abdomen and only if the horse does not mind.
    Acute rheumatism and arthritis are too painful to permit massage. Massage would worsen the inflammation. Instead, use cold hydrotherapy locally. Once the acute stage is relieved, resume your treatment. Chronic stages of rheumatism and arthritis require different treatment. Light massage over the areas affected would relax the compensatory tension from the muscles supporting those structures. Do not work deeply around the joints.
    Calcification around joints or within soft tissues should not be massaged; it would only increase the inflammation in these areas.
    Check with your veterinarian for possible surgical removal.
    An inflammatory condition such as phlebitis would be worsened by direct massage. Use cold hydrotherapy and check with your veterinarian.
    If cancerous tumors and cysts are present, don’t massage.
    Massage could spread them. Avoid the affected areas, but you may massage the rest of the body. Check with your vet.
    Massage is absolutely contraindicated in the following conditions, since it would contribute to their spread:
    ❖ Skin problems of fungal origin, such as ringworm
    ❖ Infectious conditions of fistulous origin, such as poll-evil or fistulous withers
    ❖ Infectious diseases, such as strangles, tetanus, and pneumonia
    ❖ Acute stages of viral diseases, such as equine influenza or herpes
    Be careful when dealing with what appears to be an abnormal situation. If in doubt, contact a veterinarian. Otherwise, use massage cautiously.When massage is contraindicated, the laying on of hands will often bring soothing energy to an irritated area, relieving the pain. Hydrotherapy (chapter 4) will also