10/27/2025
๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐จ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐๐ค๐ง๐จ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ช๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ค๐ง๐ ?
๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐พ๐๐ง๐๐ช๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ก๐ค๐ฌ
โข As the weather cools and horses move less (due to shorter days, icy or muddy ground, and some spend more time indoors), their circulation and lymphatic flow can decrease. Regular bodywork helps keep blood and lymph fluids moving, which is crucial for immune health and reducing the risk of โstocking upโ (fluid accumulation in the legs)
๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ช๐จ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐จ๐จ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐จ๐จ ๐ค๐ ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐
โข Reduced movement can lead to muscle stiffness and loss of muscle tone. Massage and bodywork help maintain muscle suppleness, flexibility, and strength, making it easier for horses to stay comfortable and ready for spring activities.
๐๐ช๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐
๐ค๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฉ๐
โข Cold weather and limited exercise can make joints stiffer. Bodywork techniques, including gentle stretching and range-of-motion exercises, help keep joints flexible and reduce the risk of arthritis or injury.
๐๐ฉ๐ง๐๐จ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ช๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ค๐ง๐๐ก ๐ฝ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐จ
โข Horses can experience stress from changes in routine, weather, and less turnout. Massage has been shown to lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and reduce conflict behaviors, leading to a calmer, more relaxed horse.
๐ฝ๐ค๐ค๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ข๐ช๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ข
โข With less movement, the immune system can be compromised. Bodywork helps stimulate the lymphatic system, which is a key part of immune function, helping horses stay healthier through the winter.
๐ฟ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ผ๐๐๐ง๐๐จ๐จ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ก๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐จ ๐ค๐ ๐ฟ๐๐จ๐๐ค๐ข๐๐ค๐ง๐ฉ
โข Regular hands-on sessions allow us to notice subtle changes or areas of tension before they become bigger issues, helping prevent injuries that are more likely when horses are less active or dealing with slippery footing.
๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ข๐ฉ๐
โข For โhard keepersโ (horses that struggle to maintain weight), bodywork can help regulate their bodies, keep muscles full and supple, and support better weight maintenance and warmth during cold months.
Regular bodywork and massage during fall and winter help horses stay healthier, more comfortable, and better prepared for the return of spring activities. Itโs a proactive part of holistic horse care during the colder months.
