Massage therapist works kinks out of equine muscles

By LISA RIDDLE

Date published: 4/27/2003

A trip to graze on plush grass outside the pasture was enough to make 14-year-old Atticus' day earlier this month.

But owner Judy Watson wanted to give something that would make her primary ride, a warm-blooded Oldenburg, feel even better.

Equine massage therapist Jill Deming awaited Atticus in Watson's barn at White Buffalo Farm. At 5-foot-3, Deming needed a 2-foot stepstool to begin work on the large 17-hand horse. Deming spent 1 hours massaging the length of Atticus' body. Rubbing continuous circles, holding points of pressure, and fanning her fingers over tight muscles groups, Atticus soon showed the signs of relaxation.

"I love it when they do that. You never get tired of those expressions," Deming said as Atticus' mouth began trembling and his eyelids dropped.

He yawned and passed gas--other good signs his body was relaxing and making Deming's work more effective as she massaged deeper into softened muscles.

Deming's massage and other related bodywork disciplines can help improve the condition of a horse especially when it's injured or arthritic or work-weary.

The areas on Atticus' body where she gave significant attention were the neck and rear end. They are common parts of a riding horse in need of attention, Deming said.

"It's very normal because of the work he does and the way he's ridden," she said.

Watson, busy stacking hay in the rafters of the barn during Atticus' session, came down for a visit and Deming discussed Atticus' needs with her. Complimenting his superior demeanor, Deming gave Watson some much-appreciated information.

"I found out a lot about Atticus. I even found his itchy spot," she said pointing to an area on his chest near the top of his front legs.

Watson watched as Deming gave the least specialized touch of her session--a basic scratch. Atticus flopped his head joyfully from side to side.

"I don't even have to give you fruit now," Watson said of the new finding.

Watson chose Deming to give Atticus a massage because she'd trusted the benefits of her work on other horses of hers.

Deming first worked on Watson's 6-year-old Reese. He had a problem common to equines known as being "tied up." When a horse is tied up, it is usually lying in a curled-up position because its muscles have experienced extreme exertion.

Deming used massage to help loosen the tight muscles, and after several sessions, Reese could be comfortably ridden again.

Watson has another horse, Phoenix, who recently had a massage by Deming. Watson said she could notice an improvement in its ride.

"I rode him yesterday, and it was wonderful," Watson said.

The improvement in a horse's ride is a natural byproduct of regular massage work.

Date published: 4/27/2003