Does my horse need time off after a massage?
It’s going to depend on the type of work done (was it deep tissue? myofascial release? trigger points? etc.) but in general, I like for the horses I work on to have at least 12-24 hours off of ridden work after a bodywork session.
Why?
To allow them time to adjust to the new changes in their body. It gives the work more time to “stick” without jumping right back into the same compensatory patterns that created the tension in the first place.
But, just because ridden work isn’t advised, that doesn’t mean I want your horse staying stagnant! In a perfect world, your horse will have ample opportunity to move out after bodywork to assist with feeling the new changes and comfort in their body.
Instead of ridden work the afternoon of or day after your horse’s massage, I recommend some gentle in-hand or ground work such as:
Hand walk around the barn
Extra turnout time
Slow, intentional ground work (no, not just running in circles in the roundpen 😅)
Long work on the lunge line
It’s also a great time to incorporate some passive recovery like:
Extended, intentional grooming session using a soft curry or soft brush to boost circulation
Stretches (carrot stretches or other stretches shown to you by your bodyworkerer)
These activities give your horse the chance to move with intention, ideally reaching full range of motion and flexion in their limbs (especially in the joints!) and gives the body time for passive recovery while also improving the effects of massage (and protecting your hard spent money!).
