Tricia Axtell, an equine massage therapist, shares her experience working with a horse named Goldman Sox who was sluggish and had difficulty with lead changes. Through her training and experience, she identified tightness in the longissimus dorsi and longissimus costarum muscles as the potential cause of Sox’s issues. By using Sportsmassage techniques, she was able to relieve the muscle tightness and improve Sox’s movement and performance.
Axtell explains that muscle tightness can be caused by various factors such as saddle fit, uneven rider position, aggressive training, or lameness in the legs. She emphasizes the importance of addressing muscle tension in horses to prevent small issues from becoming bigger problems. By performing compressions on the longissimus dorsi and longissimus costarum muscles, horse owners can help keep their horses’ muscles supple and pliable, leading to improved performance and overall well-being.
Through her work with Sox, Axtell was able to help him feel better and improve his performance to the point where she eventually purchased him. She highlights the importance of understanding and addressing muscle tightness in horses, as it can significantly impact their athletic performance. Axtell’s experience with Sox demonstrates the positive impact that equine massage therapy can have on horses, helping them feel and move better.
