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JEAN-PIERRE HOURDEBAIGT, a Licensed Massage Therapist, is internationally renowned for his unique Massage Awareness Method. He travels the world teaching his techniques, which are used by competitive and recreational riders, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, physiotherapists, massage therapists, farriers, trainers, and breeders. He can be found at www.massageawareness.com.

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A long-awaited update of the classic equine massage reference

Fully revised and updated, this new edition provides step-by-step instructions and more than 180 photographs and diagrams to help riders and professionals alike master equine massage techniques. This authoritative guide provides detailed information about massage movements, pressures, rhythms, and sequences. It includes:

• An introduction to equine anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology
• Practical information on stretching and hydrotherapy
• Four new chapters covering equine myofascial massage, Equine TMJ (temporomandibular joint) Dysfunction Syndrome, Equine Muscular Compensation Phenomenon, and saddle fitting
• A conformation check-up routine
• Information about areas of stress specific to each discipline and different massage techniques and routines for different situations
• A handy comb-bound format that lays flat for convenient use in the stable

Equine massage enhances the performance and quality of life of horses by increasing flexibility, reducing stiffness, improving attitude, and shortening recovery time from injury. In addition to its many health benefits, equine massage strengthens the bond between the horse and his owner, trainer, or groom. Using these techniques, you'll learn to "see" with your hands and sense areas that need special attention. Equine Massage, Second Edition is truly a hands-on guide to proven massage techniques that improve a horse's well-being.

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Equine Massage

John Wiley & Sons

Chapter One

For massage therapy to be effective, its practitioner must have a good knowledge of a horse's makeup. In this chapter, we will examine the systems of the horse and the way in which these systems work together to promote the horse's health. To begin, we have:

* The nervous system (brain, spinal cord, sensory and motor nerves), which controls all the other systems. * The respiratory system (trachea and lungs), which transmits oxygen to the bloodstream and removes carbon dioxide.

* The cardiovascular system (heart, blood, arteries, and veins), which conveys nutrients, oxygen and other essential components throughout the body.

* The lymphatic system (lymph channels and lymph glands), which provides a cleansing, filtering, and defense mechanism to deal with anything that could have a toxic effect on the body (lactic acid, bacteria, and viruses).

* The endocrine system, which is composed of glands that permit a range of functions in the body systems.

* The digestive system (mouth, stomach, intestines, and bowel), which extracts nutrients from food and eliminates waste.

* The urinary system (bladder and kidneys), which removes excess water and unwanted substances by filtering the blood through the kidneys.

* The reproductive system, which ensures the continuance of the species.

* The skeletal system, which is the bony frame that supports the body. Within the skeletal system there are joints which permit part of the bony frame to articulate (move).

* The muscular system, which provides the power and means to move the bony frame.

These systems are described briefly so that you can understand how each functions and relates to the other systems. More detailed information is beyond the scope of this book.

The Nervous System

The nervous system integrates and controls every body function; it processes all information and governs all commands to the body. In the nervous system we find:

* The central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and spinal cord, which perform very specific functions. The CNS is often compared to a complex computer.

* The peripheral nervous system (PNS) consists of numerous pairs of nerves that exit the spinal column at the vertebral level (spinal bones). There are sensory nerves (or afferent nerves) which carry information from the body to the CNS, and there are motor nerves (or efferent nerves) which carry information from the CNS to the body parts.

* The specialized sensory organs.

Complex in their makeup, nerve tissues are composed of many filaments that are very susceptible to pressure. In a case of severe trauma, when significant or strong pressure is applied to a nerve, nerve impulses can stop traveling along it. As a consequence, two things can happen: a loss of sensation or feedback from the nerve area to the CNS; and degeneration with eventual shrinking of the tissue in the immediate area of the affected nerve, as a result of lost motor nerve impulses from the CNS to the body part.

A sweeney is a typical example of a loss of motor nerve conduction. It is caused by a direct trauma to the point of the horse's shoulder. In this case, the suprascapular nerve that activates the muscles of the scapula is damaged.

The functioning of the nervous system is ensured by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which maintains a stable internal environment. The ANS governs the vital organs and their complex functions that are normally carried out involuntarily, such as breathing, circulation, digestion, elimination, and the immune response. This system has two major divisions: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. Both originate in the brain.

The sympathetic division causes the body to respond to danger, Adversity, stress, anger, and pleasure by increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, air exchange volume, and blood flowing to muscles-all of which are needed for the horse to spring into action. The sympathetic division is responsible for the horse's "fight or flight" reaction. General stimulation of the sympathetic division results in mobilization of resources to prepare the body to act or to deal with emergencies. (The warm-up routine in chapter 6 is designed to stimulate the nervous system.) The parasympathetic division monitors body functions during times of rest, sleep, digestion, and elimination, when the body is not ready to go into action. General stimulation of the parasympathetic division promotes relaxation and vegetative functions of the body such as breathing, circulation, digestion, immune response, and reproduction. (The relaxation routine in chapter 6 is designed to relax the nervous system.)

The Respiratory System

The respiratory system includes the nose, mouth, pharynx, windpipe (or trachea), bronchial tubes, and lungs.

* The larynx is the organ of the voice. * The lungs are somewhat elastic (expandable) and filled with numerous sacs (pulmonary alveoli) like a sponge. In the lungs, the blood takes on oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide (or waste).

* The diaphragm is a large, flat, muscular organ that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Its action aids inhalation, expiration, and defecation.

Proper breathing is essential for good body metabolism. An exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is necessary for the body to remain vital and healthy. The horse's respiratory system also plays an important role in regulating his body heat and in maintaining the acid-base pH balance.

Oxygen is integral to the anabolic and catabolic processes that occur naturally in all structures. The oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange rate depends on how clean the lung tissues are, the depth of respiration, the animal's temperature (which causes expansion or dilation of blood vessels in tissues), and the rate of respiration. The rate of breathing for a horse at rest is around 12 to 16 breaths per minute; during heavy exercise, the rate is between 120 and 180. A cool-down period after strenuous exercise is essential to allow more time for the lungs to exchange gases, release toxins, and take in fresh oxygen.

Depth of respiration is very important. A girth that is too tight restricts the expansion of the rib cage. An improperly fitted saddle and a rider's tense legs also restrict the expansion of the rib cage, consequently limiting lung capacity.

Muscular problems such as chronic stress points (small spasms) and trigger points (areas of lactic acid build-up) will restrict the muscle action required to expand and contract the rib cage. (The recuperation massage routine in chapter 6 is designed to assist this problem.) Massage will help release any undue tension and relieve stress and trigger points around the rib cage, thus allowing for deeper breathing. (The stress point check-up massage routine in chapter 10 is designed to help you recognize potential stress point locations in and around the rib cage area.)

Massage indirectly assists in the oxygenation of tissues by increasing circulation throughout the body. Massage also relaxes the nervous system, thus allowing for deeper and steadier breathing, and better oxygen/C[O.sub.2] gas exchange.

The Circulatory System

The circulatory system...