When massage can be done:
PRE-EVENT- lossens , warms and readies the body and muscles for an event.
POST-EVENT- relieves muscle pain and stiffness by returning the muscles to a normal state, much faster than if they had been allowed to go with out a massage. After vigerous exercise, dehydration takes place in the horse and, with loss of fluids; it is harder to cool the horse down.
When massage can not be done:
SHOCK- massage lowers the blood pressure and can be fatal since the blood pressure is already at a low state.
FEVER- a fever is the bodys way of fighting infection or disease, a massage speeds up the metabolism and could cause a major healing crisis.
~ WARNING~ Massage has had a controversial effect on cancerous tissues. It can help with the pain that the animal may be experiencing but may also elevate symptoms depending on the stage or bodily placement of the cancer. If you would like for your animal to be worked on, and it has been diagnosed with cancer or pre-cancerous cell; Both partys must agree on massage and a written consent must be signed by both partys. Any negative changes in the horse after wards is assumed by the owner of the animal and can not be layed upon the ESMT. If a owner fails to make known to the ESMT that a horse is cancerous or pre-cancerous, all risks and responsibilitys fall upon the owner of the animal.
