How will Equissage Massage Therapy help my Horse? | The benefits of Equissage massage pads

How does massage help my horse?

Massage has been used in human healthcare for longer than you might think, around 5000 years! But it is only in recent years that there has been a boom in the use of massage techniques on our horses.

Massage is traditionally a hands-on technique to manipulate muscles throughout the body. There is growing evidence for its effective use in healing, managing musculoskeletal conditions, and improving performance and well-being in horses.

Horse ready to travel with the Equissage Pulse Massage Pad delivering massage therapy on the move.

But, there are limitations to manual hands-on massage due to the size of horses compared to the human hand. The gluteal muscles (the ones over the hind limb) can be around 25cm thick, and hands-on massage may struggle to penetrate deep enough to impact those muscles, particularly for a sustained period of time. So, to ensure horses are getting the best from their massage sessions, you may want to consider introducing different forms of massage, such as Equissage therapy pads and handheld massage devices.

How does Equissage work for my horse?

Equissage massage pads and handheld devices utilise a technology known as NHC Cyclo-Therapy®, or Cycloidal Vibration Therapy (CVT). It was originally developed for human therapy and is still used in hospitals and clinics across the UK. CVT is a unique 3D vibration that penetrates deep into your horse’s body, improving circulation, supporting natural healing, and improving your horse’s comfort and performance.

How is Equissage Pulse different to other massage devices for horses?

In many types of massage pads or guns, vibration is produced at a high frequency in a single direction. It’s often an aggressive slapping or pounding action. This can be quite unnerving for horses, particularly nervous horses, and over time can become uncomfortable.

The cycloidal vibration produced by the Equissage Pulse massage pad is a gentle, circular, rising and falling movement that allows energy to penetrate the body deeply but gently, delivering effective results without any harmful or stressful side effects.

How can I use Equissage on my horse?

The Equissage Pulse is used in two formats: a massage pad and a handheld unit. The pad focuses the attention on your horse's back, while the handheld allows you to massage throughout their body, even their hooves! You can use it in the stable, on the yard, at competitions, in recovery or alongside other forms of therapy. Equissage can benefit your horse in so many ways, but let’s look at the three main areas people use it.

What are the benefits of Equissage for my horse?

For Healing

We all want our horses to be happy and healthy, but we know they also like to break themselves. Pick up a foot abscess, pull something somewhere and come in on three legs for seemingly no reason, kick their own legs and leave a 3-inch hole. It can feel never-ending, and the healing process feels like an uphill battle.

Using the Equissage Pulse improves your horse’s circulation, which means improved blood flow. Healthy circulation brings more nutrients and oxygen to areas of concern and removes toxins, which increases the rate of healing. Plus, the relaxing effect of the CVT massage therapy releases endorphins, which block pain signals, helping your horse to feel comfortable.

Equissage Pulse Massage device used on a horses hoof to support draining of a foot abscess.

The improved blood flow also decreases inflammation and supports joint health and mobility. This is not only useful for healing, but if your horse is on box rest or having to travel long distances, it can help alleviate the swelling and stiffness that comes with that, too.

For performance

Clinical trials demonstrated that using the Equissage Pulse could increase horses' stride length by up to 13%, as well as increase joint range of motion and stride speed, all of which translates naturally into an improvement in overall performance. Many Equissage Pulse owners use their massage pad and handheld to speed up or improve their horse’s warm-up before competing whilst improving their circulation to ensure they can perform comfortably, and at their best.

Michael Jung competing in cross country after warming his horse up with Equissage Pulse.

For wellbeing

Your priority in everything you do is your horse and their comfort and happiness. Regular massage is not only relaxing, but it improves your horse’s quality of life, both physically, and mentally, with the release of endorphins, the happy hormones. It also helps those with long-term issues such as arthritis or COPD feel more comfortable in their day-to-day lives.

How do I try Equissage massage therapy on my horse?

Equissage has so many uses for your horse that we like to give you a complete demonstration so that you can appreciate its full potential.

We’ll visit your yard, show you how it works, and allow your horse to try it. You’ll see how quickly they respond and relax.

Horse having an Equissage Pulse pad and handheld device demonstration from an Equissage expert.

Our expert will then talk through your horse’s situation, workload and future plans and will show you how the Equissage Pulse massage pad and handheld unit can help, as well as explain the science behind the technology.