The Benefits of Massage for Your Horse

The Benefits of Massage for Your Horse

Author: The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care June 11, 2021 Duration: 1:01:02

Massage can promote relaxation, support your horse’s muscles, and improve his performance.  Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Michele Haman, owner of Equi-Librium Therapy, LLC, and veterinarian Dr. Gina Tranquillo-Shade . You'll learn about equine massage therapy, how to find a qualified massage therapist for your horse, and how it can benefit certain types of horses. 

This episode is sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products. 

Michele Haman is the founder and owner of Equi-librium Therapy, LLC, based in Lexington, Kentucky and Wellington, Florida, which offers massage for equine athletes. She holds bachelor’s degrees in equine therapy, equine science, and equine management, as well as in accounting. She’s passionate about helping animals feel and perform their best and strives to grow and share her knowledge every day.

Gina Tranquillo-Shade, VMD, grew up showing Arabian horses and continued intercollegiate competition at Wilson College, in Pennsylvania. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine and completed a field care internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, in Lexington, Kentucky. She later practiced equine medicine at All Points Equine, in Pennsylvania. Her interests include reproduction, preventive medicine, sports medicine, field care, and acupuncture. She also completed an equine sports massage therapy certification through Equissage, in Round Hill, Virginia. Although she recently transitioned her scope of practice to small animals, she’s an active horsewoman and enjoys riding, cooking, and spending time with family.


Ever find yourself puzzling over a subtle change in your horse's behavior or wishing you had a clearer understanding of that latest veterinary study? Ask The Horse brings those conversations directly to you, transforming complex equine health topics into accessible, actionable knowledge. Each episode features recorded live sessions where seasoned horse owners pose their real-world questions to a rotating panel of top veterinarians and specialists. You'll hear discussions that range from everyday hoof care and nutrition management to explanations of emerging therapies and diagnostic techniques. The format captures the spontaneous, insightful dialogue that happens when curious minds meet expert experience, all without the filter of a script. This podcast, presented by The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care, serves as a trusted resource for anyone invested in the wellbeing of their horse, whether you're a weekend trail rider or a competitive professional. It’s like having a front-row seat to a continuous learning community, where the shared goal is simply better care. Tune in to gain a deeper confidence in your decisions and to hear the nuanced, practical advice that can make a tangible difference in your daily routine with horses.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Ask The Horse
Podcast Episodes
Budgeting and Planning for Horse Expenses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:32
Do you feel like you can’t afford your horse? You’re not alone. Understand how to manage horse expenses to lessen the stress of horse keeping. The cost of horse ownership varies from region to region, but even basic expe…
Equine Joint Care Strategies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:09
Osteoarthritis (OA, also known as degenerative joint disease) is characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage that lines the ends of bones inside a horse’s joints. OA is the No. 1 cause of poor performance in…
Understanding Equine Hindgut Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:15
Two experts weigh in on common equine hindgut problems and how you can manage them. Learn more and get your questions answered during the live recording of our podcast.This episode of Ask TheHorse Live is brought to you…
Navigating Skin Problems in Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:46
Managing skin problems in horses can be challenging, especially in warmer months. Two experts explain how to identify and manage skin problems in your horse and when you involve your veterinarian. This podcast is sponsor…
Maintaining Senior Horse Joints [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:58
Maintaining joint health is important at all stages of your horse’s life, but he might need special considerations during his senior years. Two experts explain how to keep equine joints healthy and your senior horse soun…
Maintaining the Equine Gut Microbiome [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:43
The horse’s gut microbiome is important to digestion, nutrient absorption, ulcer prevention, and overall health, so you need to support it properly. Learn how to cultivate a diverse and healthy gut microbiome in your hor…
Managing the Itchy Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:01
Whether your horse has chronic seasonal allergies or occasionally comes in from the field with mysterious hives or rubs from scratching himself on the fence, managing his discomfort can be difficult. He needs a treatment…
Creating a Nutrition Plan for the Competition Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:31
Developing a well-rounded and balanced nutrition plan for your competition horse can be challenging. He needs a feed program that meets all his basic nutritional needs while giving him enough energy to keep up with train…
Equine Pain and Discomfort [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:09
Horses can show discomfort for a plethora of reasons. Injuries, aging, veterinary procedures, and more can cause pain, and knowing how to manage it is paramount to equine welfare. Join our host, Alexandra Beckstett, as s…
Equine Joint Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:59
Prioritizing joint health is imperative to your horse’s comfort, both under saddle and in the field. Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Erica Secor, of Cornell University, and Dr. Julie Settlage, of Bo…