These techniques come to mind when you think of a traditional massage. Often these strokes are very slow and soothing, serving as a great introduction to the work and a gentle way to warm up the muscle before performing deeper work.

Fascia is a strong and flexible connective tissue within the body. It acts like a biological webbing of sorts, serving to hold every part of the body together, weaving in and around every muscle, bone, organ and all other structures of the body.

When fascia is under stress, this normally liquid-like connective tissue can solidify and become “stuck,” thus restricting blood vessels, nerves, movement of water and nutrients, lymph flow, not to mention the horse’s movement.

Myofascial release works with the horse’s tissue to release these areas of restriction, reducing pain, improving mobility and enhancing performance.

Deep Tissue Massage focuses on realigning the deeper layers of connective and muscle tissue, those responsible for structure, posture and support. Restrictions within these deep muscles can be common causes of chronic pain throughout the body.

The slow, deep strokes used with this technique help to lengthen the fascia, muscle fibers and tendons offering many benefits such as pain relief, increased joint movement, accelerated injury recovery, better posture and thus healthier body mechanics.

Acupressure is a practice from Classical Chinese Medicine where specific, influential spots on the body (acupoints) are stimulated with touch or energy work. Stimulation of these points creates a variety of effects within the body depending on the acupoint chosen, but the overall goal of the work is to balance the flow of energy (chi), bringing about health and harmony to the body.