Beyond Massage: What It Really Means to Be an Advanced Practitioner in Equine Integrated Support Therapies

Academy Team
Jul 27
2 min read

Written by: Lisa Fay

When people hear the word massage in the context of equine care, they often think of a relaxing rub-down after a hard training session. While equine massage has its place in promoting circulation and general relaxation, what I do as an Advanced Practitioner in Equine Integrated Support Therapies goes far beyond that.

Massage: A Piece of the Puzzle

Equine massage is primarily focused on manipulating the soft tissues—muscles, tendons, and ligaments—to reduce tension, ease soreness, and improve blood flow. It’s a great tool for:

Post-exercise recovery
General maintenance of healthy, active horses
Enhancing relaxation and comfort

However, massage alone often addresses the symptoms, not the source of discomfort. A sore back or stiff neck may feel better temporarily after a session, but without understanding why that tension exists, it’s likely to return.

Integrated Support Therapy: A Whole-Horse Approach

As an Advanced Practitioner in Equine Integrated Support Therapies, I use a clinical, multi-modal approach to equine health and performance. Yes, I use massage—but it’s just one tool in a much wider toolkit designed to address root causes and long-term well-being.

So, what’s different?

1. Holistic Assessment Before Hands-On Work

Before any treatment begins, I assess the horse in motion and at rest. I look at:

Posture and alignment
Muscle symmetry
Range of motion
Gait irregularities
Behavioural signs of pain or compensation

This allows me to identify areas of concern that might not be obvious through touch alone.

2. Targeted Manual Therapy Techniques

Beyond general massage, I incorporate advanced techniques such as:

Myofascial Release: Gently releasing tension and restriction in connective tissue (fascia), which influences posture and movement patterns.
Joint Mobilisation: Encouraging healthy movement through spinal and limb joints.
Neuromuscular Techniques: Addressing habitual tension patterns and improving proprioception.

3. Functional Rehabilitation and Performance Planning

Where appropriate, I design rehabilitation programmes involving:

In-hand exercises
Core strength development
Stretching and mobilisation routines
Progressive reconditioning after injury or rest

It’s not just about making the horse feel better today—it’s about helping them move and perform better tomorrow.

4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

I frequently work alongside vets, farriers, saddle fitters, and equine dentists to ensure every aspect of the horse’s care is aligned. Integrated support means we consider all possible influences on the horse’s health—not just the muscular system.

The Bottom Line

While equine massage is valuable, Integrated Support Therapy looks at the entire horse—its structure, movement, lifestyle, and history. My goal isn’t just short-term relief. It’s long-term resilience, performance, and comfort.

So next time someone says, “Oh, you’re the massage lady,” you’ll know there’s a lot more going on under the surface—and so will they.