Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
This week I would like to introduce a lady who can help your horse - not with glanders - but with a massage, namely Serina Rolph.
A true horse lover and addict, she has been around horses all her life. She was an active member of the British Pony Club as a child, riding out race horses as a teenager and going on to compete in eventing and team-chasing as a young adult.
She has owned numerous horses of varying specialisations such as racing, show jumping, dressage, showing and more, successfully competed for owners for many years and worked and trained in Europe and the US.
Due to a serious back injury and subsequent spinal surgery she was forced to give up competitive riding. Always interested in equine musculoskeletal treatments she decided to pursue a career as a practitioner in equine sports massage and trained with the world renowned Equinology Inc. approved and recognised by RACE and the American Association of Veterinary State Boards, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the International Equine Body Worker Association, the UK's McTimoney Chiropractic Association and the Society of Osteopaths in Animal Practice.
Equine sports massage is a 'hands on' approach to help enhance a horse's athletic performance by relieving muscle dysfunction that may cause discomfort and promote health and wellbeing.
Using a variety of massage strokes and stretching techniques, the purpose is to help create a better-balanced equine physically, mentally and emotionally.
Massage is not new to the horse world but it is experiencing a resurgence. Owners, riders and trainers who understand the demands they put on their equine athletes realise the importance of sports massage as part of his regular routine care.
To achieve maximum potential and enjoyment of his work the whole circle of equine locomotion operated via a system of pulleys (muscles) and hinges (joints) needs to run smoothly.
A muscle that is not working for the horse is actively working against the horse. As muscles work by contraction any tension in a muscle will shorten the contraction and hence a small knot appears in the pulley that will affect how it moves the hinge.
Releasing the knot will allow an increase in the range of motion. A race horse that has an increase in stride length can get to the winning post quicker, a show jumper who only takes three strides instead of four between obstacles will get round in a faster time.
A dressage horse who is able to maximise that extended trot will gain more points, the list goes on but you get what I mean. Avoiding and preventing injury is vital for your horse's wellbeing.
Small injuries can take up to two months to become obvious, by which time they may have become serious. Horses are very good at compensating; muscle tension is transmitted from one muscle group to another, such as tension in the shoulder that is conveyed to the forearm resulting in more stress on the tendons. This creates a dangerous scenario for the lower limbs. Tight muscles lead to spasm that leads to tears in the fibres and you are heading for a permanent problem.
A million-pound performance horse is worth a million pounds only if he can perform.
It is important to act on even the smallest variation in your horse's performance and/or behaviour and identify the problem quickly.
The horse is the silent complainer and when he is sore he cannot possibly perform to his maximum potential and is very likely to be uncomfortable both in the stable and under saddle.
The truth is many injuries can be avoided. Difficulty coming onto the bit, head tossing and hollow back are all signs of pain in the poll area often caused by the overuse of artificial aids.
Therefore, what you are trying to achieve is being hindered by the methods you are using.
Correct saddle fit cannot be underestimated since poor saddle fit is one of the major causes of back muscle pain.
If your horse is finding some exercises difficult it's important to take a step back and assess what's been going on.
Quite often it is not what he did yesterday that has caused the problem but what happened some weeks ago.
Subtle changes in his demeanour, stride length, transitions, head carriage, co-ordination, leaning, refusals and resistance, unable to fully rest, girthing problems, saddle slipping, tripping, stumbling, uneven wear of shoes and/or just 'not himself' are all signs that something is not quite right.
He is telling you that there is a problem perhaps you just don't hear him.
Serina said: "I find my job fascinating and I get a real kick out of providing a natural form of relaxation and comfort to horses.
"They are all different and each has their quirks but there is no denying the horse's positive response to massage. You can literally see the relief in their eyes.
"After spending up to an hour and a half with each horse I leave in the knowledge that without any medication, forced treatment or tying him up with a device I have helped to release muscle tension, improve stamina, provide comfort to injured muscles, enhance his performance and gait, increase his range of motion, improve circulation, reduce the tactile defence and prevent further injury. In my mind it doesn't get much better than that.
"Massage does not attempt to cure all ills; any concerns about your horse should always be discussed with an appropriate veterinarian. I strongly believe in a team approach to looking after a horse that involves the veterinarian, farrier, equine dentist, trainer, rider, owner and, of course, the equine massager." Serina can be contacted on 39071882.
