Equine Massage: A Practical Guide

by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt

Overview

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
  

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620455814
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	03/01/2007
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	354
Sales rank:	502,556
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

About the Author JEAN-PIERRE HOURDEBAIGT is a Registered Massage Therapist. Originally from France, Hourdebaigt moved to Canada in 1981, where he continued a generations-old family practice of natural healing. After graduating from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy, he pursued a successful career treating many well-known athletes and dignitaries. It was his passion for animals, however, that lead him to educate animal lovers in the art and therapeutic application of massage techniques to help their horses, cats and dogs. For many years he has worked on horses of all breeds and in all disciplines. With only two hands and so many horses to help, he created workshops in equine massage (preventative, maintenance, recovery and post-surgery) to instruct owners and riders. He wrote Equine Massage to reach a wider audience beyond those who come to study with him in Ottawa, Canada.

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
1. Anatomy and Physiology of the Horse.
2. The Horse and Massage Therapy.
3. Principles and Concepts of Massage.
4. Hydrotherapy.
5. Massage Techniques.
6. Massage Routines.
7. Kinesiology of the Horse.
8. Stretching.
9. Conformation Check-up Routine.
10. Body Parts and Their Stress Points.
11. Areas of Stress Specific to Each Discipline.
12. Keeping Records.
Index.

Editorial Reviews

A Canadian Registered Massage Therapist who works on performance horses in all sports explains to owners and trainers how they can use massage to deal with injuries during training or competition. He covers anatomy and physiology, principles and concepts of massage, hydrotherapy, techniques and routines, kinesiology, stretching, check-ups, stress points specific to various sports, and keeping records. Highly illustrated with diagrams and step- by-step sequences of photographs. No bibliography. Spiral wire binding. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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