Using an effective, gentle and safe muscle release therapy to relax and calm, address pain and discomfort and improve body movement. Just like with people, tight and sore muscles in horses can have many causes; daily exercise, playing in the field, strenuous exertion and even aging. If an animal has tight and restricted muscles, or if they are in discomfort, this will often show up in their performance and sometimes in their behaviour too. Animals tend to compensate to relieve pressure on the affected area and if left untreated that can lead to problems developing in other areas of the body. Animal conditions that be successfully treated using EMMETT therapy include:
• Injuries from sport or accidents
• Unbalanced gait/stance
• Lead/harness strain
• Lower back distress
• Inhibited movement
• Poor performance
• Behaviour changes
• Stiffness/decreased suppleness
• Unbalanced head carriage
• Saddle soreness/girthing issues
• Tension in back and lumbar area
• Restricted forward movement
• Standing short or uneven
• Stiff through the legs/dragging feet
• Poor performance/behaviour
• Stiffness/decreased suppleness
As much as EMMETT can benefit a horse, if the rider is also experiencing areas of tension or restriction it will impact their effectiveness in the saddle and problems will continue. There is a clear relationship between supple horses who move freely and in balance, and their riders who are flexible, and have good core strength. Conversely riders with physical issues of their own may restrict the horse’s movement or put muscles under strain. As a result, when I visit a horse I often end up treating the rider too!
