It’s Congress time! For some people, the pursuit of a Congress Championship is the highlight of the year.
There are so many variables that can affect your horse’s performance during this marathon event. Long trailer rides to Columbus, acres of concrete and the 24/7 Congress atmosphere often take their toll on our equine athletes. From rubber mats and tons of shavings to long waits at the vet’s, trainers and exhibitors work hard to keep their horses feeling their best.
Some competitors have found a great way to keep their horses at peak condition: Equine massage.
“We demand a lot from our equine athletes. So why not treat them as we do human athletes, with a service like massage?” says Lisa Florey of Florey Equine Performance. “Competition – and all the preparation that goes into it – places stress on both the physical and mental systems, and a great massage can relieve that stress.” Florey should know, she worked on seven World Champions in 2007.
As part of a show preparation regimen, equine massage can release tension, improve range of motion and increase circulation (thereby helping reduce recovery time). The end result? A happier, more willing horse that can move to the best of its ability.
Much like you are stiff and sore from the long trip and the Congress concrete, horses will be, too – no matter how fit they are. At Congress, horses are usually sore in shoulders and lower back.
Regardless of which muscles are tight, Lisa Florey often finds they are more affected on the right side after a long trailer ride. Releasing the tightness can help “even up” the quality of movement on both sides of the horse.
“If those areas of tightness are not resolved, movement will be affected and the soreness can begin to affect other areas of the horse’s body,” says Florey. One small issue can become much more. “What begins as a subtle stiffness or resistance can snowball into a full-blown performance issue.”
Florey adds “Sore shoulders can mean a lot of things, but most often it involves a large muscle in the neck that starts at the jaw and ends at the shoulder. When the brachiocephalicus muscle is tight, it will affect the movement of the foreleg and can affect the softness of the jaw.”
Other shoulder muscles that are often sore or tight include the trapezius and rhomboid muscles, which lift the shoulders.
In the lower back, there are several large muscles that help round the back, create lift, move the hips and give the horse its forward power. Many times, if a back is sore, the gluteals will be, too. One thing always affects another.
Whether you want to keep your horse comfortable during Congress, perhaps get a little “edge” for your class or have a horse that’s simply sore, an appointment with Lisa can help your horse perform at its best.
If you’re considering trying a massage for the first time at Congress, here are a few recommendations:
• Schedule the horse’s first session for one or two days before show time.
• Try to schedule the appointment for before you school your horse so you can ride after the massage. (There’s no down time required after a massage – you can school immediately afterward – or let your horse relax.)
• Discuss the timing with your trainer beforehand. He or she often has the final say.
ABOUT LISA FLOREY
Lisa’s first Congress Champion was Rhapsody in the Rain, who won the Senior Western Pleasure with Troy Compton aboard in 2002 – after receiving a pre-show massage. Since then, she’s compiled an ever-growing list of World and Congress Champions, Reserve Champions and Top Tens. 2008 is shaping up to be another stellar year.
Among Lisa’s clients to watch at the 2008 Congress:
• Joetta Bell with Exotic Dancer in the 3-year-old non-pro hunter under saddle and debuting her new Born to be Blazing 2-year-old in the non-pro western pleasure.
• Roma Thomson and Too Good N Plenty in the non-pro 2-year-old western pleasure.
• Moira Murty with LouisianaSaturdayNite and MWS Twist of Flash in the hunter classes.
You can read more on the Florey Equine Massage website.
Lisa would like to wish all exhibitors Good Luck at Congress!
