Equine Massage: A Practical Guide [Spiral-bound]

Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt LMT (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 1997

People in the horse world know all too well that performance horses, like human athletes, are trained, fed and cared for so they can go faster, jump higher and run longer. Daily training and competing can result in injuries, aches and pains, which if treated by drugs alone may only mask the problem and not remedy it. This is why equine massage therapist Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt created a program of techniques that will enable owners and riders, trainers and grooms to:

• Alleviate soreness and pain in the horse's most vulnerable stress sites.
• Identify and treat the injuries common to any horse sport.
• Use relaxation and maintenance routines for the horse's mental and physical well-being.

Hourdebaigt provides step-by-step instruction and more than 150 photographs and diagrams so that everyone?including nonprofessionals?can learn to massage their horse. Equine Massage may be the key to unlocking the door to a horse's future, one that promises good health and improved performance.
The Howell Equestrian Library

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A long-awaited update of the classic equine massage reference

Fully revised and updated, this new edition provides step-by-step instructions and more than 180 photographs and diagrams to help riders and professionals alike master equine massage techniques. This authoritative guide provides detailed information about massage movements, pressures, rhythms, and sequences. It includes:

• An introduction to equine anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology
• Practical information on stretching and hydrotherapy
• Four new chapters covering equine myofascial massage, Equine TMJ (temporomandibular joint) Dysfunction Syndrome, Equine Muscular Compensation Phenomenon, and saddle fitting
• A conformation check-up routine
• Information about areas of stress specific to each discipline and different massage techniques and routines for different situations
• A handy comb-bound format that lays flat for convenient use in the stable

Equine massage enhances the performance and quality of life of horses by increasing flexibility, reducing stiffness, improving attitude, and shortening recovery time from injury. In addition to its many health benefits, equine massage strengthens the bond between the horse and his owner, trainer, or groom. Using these techniques, you'll learn to "see" with your hands and sense areas that need special attention. Equine Massage, Second Edition is truly a hands-on guide to proven massage techniques that improve a horse's well-being. --This text refers to the Plastic Comb edition.

About the Author

About the Author JEAN-PIERRE HOURDEBAIGT is a Registered Massage Therapist. Originally from France, Hourdebaigt moved to Canada in 1981, where he continued a generations-old family practice of natural healing. After graduating from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy, he pursued a successful career treating many well-known athletes and dignitaries. It was his passion for animals, however, that lead him to educate animal lovers in the art and therapeutic application of massage techniques to help their horses, cats and dogs. For many years he has worked on horses of all breeds and in all disciplines. With only two hands and so many horses to help, he created workshops in equine massage (preventative, maintenance, recovery and post-surgery) to instruct owners and riders. He wrote Equine Massage to reach a wider audience beyond those who come to study with him in Ottawa, Canada.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 240 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House (February 5, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876059981
• ISBN-13: 978-0876059982
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,574 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every so often a book comes along that just WOWs you., January 29, 2001

By 

R. Sparks "middle_path" (Norman, Oklahoma United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Equine Massage: A Practical Guide (Spiral-bound)

This is the WOW book to which the title refers. . . It is, for lack of a better description, "everything you need it to be".

As a Clinical Massage Therapist I have become accustomed to dealing with physicians and their patients. . . When I got a call from a VET I was, well, taken aback. Having been a CCMT for many years, I knew what to expect and where to find problems in a HUMAN, but this book filled in absolutely every gap I could have come up with in regards to equine physiology, anatomy, kinesiology and the basics of "don't do this around a horse if you want to make it to your next patient" . . .

To start off with, it's spiral bound so it's super easy to take to the stable! The illustrations are terrific and the text doesn't speak to you like you're a fifth grader; it assumes that if you're working on horses, you at least know the basics of working on humans. And finally, it's encouraging. . . It let's you know some of the pitfalls before they happen and how to avoid them.

I'm really glad I picked this one up!

I strongly recommend it for anyone interested in Equine Massage!

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A marvelous book for any horse owner or lover..., October 21, 2000

By 

Laura Haggarty (Northern KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Equine Massage: A Practical Guide (Spiral-bound)

This is a great book. It is filled with excellent charts and illustrations, as well as thorough explanations of techniques the average horse owner/lover can use to help create and increase wellness in their horse.

The book covers the following: Anatomy and Physiology of the Horse; The Horse and Massage Therapy; Principles and Concepts of Massage; Hydrotherapy; Massage Techniques and Routines; Kinesiology of the Horse; Stretching; Conformation Check-up Routine; Body Parts and Their Stress Points; Areas of Stress Specific to Each Discipline; Keeping Records.

This book begs to be taken to the stable with you, and the format makes it easy to use there. It is spiral bound, which makes it easy to leave open to a section from which you're working, and the cover is easily wiped off if it gets dirty (not that we ever get dirty at the barn, eh?). All in all this is a marvelous book, don't hesitate to buy it!

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Have" for the Equestrian, Horse Owner, Trainer, September 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Equine Massage: A Practical Guide (Spiral-bound)

For less than a fraction of the cost of a single massage session, utilizing the techniques in is wonderful book enables you to free up your horse from aches, pains, and holding patterns at a minimum. The charts and diagrams alone are worth the price.

In a few short sessions, I have been able to reduce swelling from a deep hematoma in a horse I work with who suffered a recent fall, just one example of improved circulation. He is more relaxed, moves more freely, is comfortable in his own skin now, and more able to learn. It also does wonders for deeper bonding and improving your relationship.

This book is well thought-out, easy to use, and the spiral binding is very useful. Mr. Hourdebaigt is one of few masters in the relatively new field of ESMT. One does well to learn from him.