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.

• Use of massage to relax your horse.

• Use of massage to care for your older horse.

• Use of massage to maintain the fitness level of your active horse.

• Information about areas of stress specific to each discipline and different massage techniques and routines for different situations.

• A conformation check-up routine.

• Four new chapters covering equine myofascial massage, Equine TMJ (temporomandibular joint) Dysfunction Syndrome, Equine Muscular Compensation Phenomenon, and saddle fitting.

• A handy comb-bound format that lays flat for convenient use in the stable.

Practicing 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 book describes in great details a distinctive approach that combines the safest and most beneficial massage techniques to optimize your horse health and fitness. Learn the techniques of a recognized expert in the field so that you can bring the well-known benefits of non-invasive gentle massage techniques to your horse. This book teaches you how to use proven massage routines and stretching exercises in a specific sequence to most benefit your horse. It is a great self-educating book that will assist you in maintaining your horse wellness and fitness level at its best. This "Top Massage for Top Balance" manual is the most complete book on the subject and contains information you cannot find anywhere else! You will learn about:

• The basics of the equine massage for you and for your horse.

• The basics of equine muscular anatomy

• Detailed information on each individual muscles targeted in the Top Massage Protocol.

• The Relaxation massage routine.

• The Myofascial "Tune-up" massage routine.

• The "Origin-Insertion" sport massage technique on all major muscle groups of your horse.

• The basics of equine stretching.

Whether amateur or professional, this book will develop your skills and confidence in providing the best massage to your horse. The knowledge gained from this manual will contribute to your overall horsemanship and professional expertise. This in turn will definitely improve the quality of your training as well as your massage application and its lasting benefits.

Learn to evaluate the fitness of any horse – in the stable and in the saddle. This guide helps horse owners, riders, and trainers at all levels learn how to assess any horse’s fitness, strengths, and weakness. If you’re buying a horse, this will help you pre-assess prospects before getting the complete veterinary examination. If you own a horse, these techniques will help you better understand your horse’s aptitudes, customize a training program, identify signs of strain, and provide better care for your horse. With step-by-step instructions and almost 200 photos and drawings showing the proper positioning and approach for each technique, you will learn:

• Hand palpation skills, several basic massage movements, and simple stretching exercises

• A Riding Evaluation Program (REP) that helps you identify abnormalities in gaits, tight muscle groups or sore joints, and more

• A Palpation Evaluation Program (PEP) in which you use your fingertips to pinpoint problems

• How to perform an assessment of the horse’s musculoskeletal system, with twenty-five points on each side

Fitness Evaluation of the Horse teaches you to evaluate the soundness and fitness of a horse in a hands-on manner so that you can fine tune your training program, improve your performance, and enhance your relationship with your horse.

The temporomandibular joint, known as TMJ, plays several important functions. Everyone who rides know how important the sensitivity of the horse's mouth is. A good contact at the bit allows the rider to delicately direct the horse for good performance. An equally important factor is that the TMJ is part of the mastication apparatus of the horse and a healthy TMJ is vital for his good health. Poor performance of the temporomandibular joint will result in poor mastication and absorption of his food and its nutrients, which could lead to digestive complications. Yet, another very important factor less known to the general public is the role it plays in constantly evaluating the animal overall balance, what is known as proprioception. As much as this TMJ condition is seen more rarely with horses than with humans, it usually is more severe for the horse. This is due to the fact that the horse's lower mandible is twice as long as in the human. When chewing, this extra leverage will affect the TMJ with greater force, causing more severe damage to the structure. This unique book brings you knowledge of:

• The structures involved - bones, nerves, vessels, muscles.

• The different stages of the ETDS evolution - acute, sub-caute & chronic.

• Precious information on early symptoms as well as for the more chronic cases.

• Excellent massage routines and techniques for each stage.

• Stretching exercises & hydrotherapy tips.

All this precious information is not found anywhere else. It helps all animal lovers, whether amateur or professional, develop their skills and confidence. In time, the knowledge gained from this manual will allow you to, in a natural way, actively prevent this condition and participate in the recovery of a horse already afflicted with ETDS. Early detection helps you get the most of your animal’s well being, as well as saving on recovery time, not to mention money.