what animals benefit the most from bodywork?

Bodywork can benefit any animal. However, some tend to reap more benefits than others. Animals with trust issues can become more comfortable with humans and their owners by receiving regular work that is giving them the attention and care they need, and pulling them out of their activated prey “fight or flight” state. Allowing equine space to feel “safe” can have tremendous benefits and changes to their overall demeanor (in some animals). It can also help balance compensation issues caused by conformation by releasing tension throughout the body.

Bodywork does NOT fix primary issues, and those must also be dealt with to see noticeable change. Primary issues could be: the need for dental work, nutrition adjustments, saddle fit, internal issues, foot care, or injury. Bodywork can help give us clues to possible primary issues, and once those issues are identified and dealt with by the proper specialist, bodywork can help release tension that has been stored as a result of those underlying issues.

How often should they get it?

It depends on the animal, as well as the owner’s needs and goals. It is my goal to get an animal to a place where they “need” it less and less over time. If an animal is in a performance discipline, it can be useful to use bodywork as “maintenance” during busy and competitive seasons. Otherwise it completely depends on the animal’s job, issues, etc. For some examples though: I generally work on performance horses that are in-season once or twice a month. (With months off during the off season). I work on a handful of “senior horses” roughly once a month, to improve their comfort and overall wellness. I have several contracts with big herds of mountain horses and mules, and for those, it’s only realistic to work on animals 2-3 times during their working season, which runs late spring-fall months.

Is it good for an injured/lame horse?

Bodywork can help release tension due to an injury or incident. It’s important to get clearance from a vet and is best to work on an animal that can bear weight on all 4 feet and is beyond the acute stage of an injury. It’s not necessary to complete all techniques or perform much range of motion to joints; very light sessions can be done that will still benefit the animal and may help the healing process by aiding in releasing that tension.