Introduction to Equine Body Work 
Melissa Challinor is a qualified Equine Body Worker, (EBW), and works as part of a team alongside other professionals such as your vet, farrier, dentist, saddle fitter and trainer.
Equine body work is a combination of massage, stretching and hands on techniques which have the purpose of improving the horse's fitness, stamina, overall performance as well as increasing the circulation and range of motion. Problems such as tight muscles and soreness can impact your horse's performance, quality of life and the relationship between you.
Equine body work is useful as a regular well being programme for your horse for maintenance and as a preventative measure, to improve perfomance or for rehabilitation following injury.
All equine body work techniques are non invasive and do not use any gadgets or tools. The approach taken is holistic, evaluating the horse as a whole and considering conformation, movement, muscle symmetry, tack, teeth, hooves, general management and training regime.
Signs your horse may benefit from a massage
Muscles which are over used, over stretched or over loaded are often subjet to tissue lesions which can create pain and restrict your horse's motion.
Bucking
Stumbling
Refusing jumps
Change in disposition
Difficult to handle
Lack of impulsion
Stiffness
Decline in performance
Wrong canter lead
Difficult to mount
All of these signs indicate that there may be an underlying issue. Massage techniques are used to locate stress points on the horse and break them up to relieve muscle spasm and tension and enhance muscle tone.
Benefits of sports massage
Massage offers a wide range of benefits for your horse:
Massage does not replace veterinary treatment and is only carried out with permission from your vet. Used alongside conventional and complementary healthcare massage can aid rehabilitiation, improve performance and wellbeing. A typical massage session