Massage therapy is the manipulation of the muscles in order to assist the body to relax (or to stimulate depending upon the techniques used), whilst also eliminating waste products and toxins, increasing circulation and so the delivery of nutrients throughout the body.

This therefore promotes good health demonstrated by a shiny coat by our four-legged friends, whilst relaxing the nervous system thus reducing stress.

For all of these reasons massage therapy is known to speed up recovery from injury and illness.

We can blame our ancestry for massage being poo-poo'd as during medieval and Victorian times, touching another body became taboo. It was the Swedish who reintroduced massage in the 1970's, hence "Swedish Massage" which is actually use of all of the traditional massage techniques.

Massage provides a general sense of being cared for, improves the state of mind no end and muscle knots can be released, reducing pain and stiffness.

Our own daily lives can create sore points and stiffness which is generally helped by a hot bath. Horses don't have that luxury and so a little help by way of a massage is the next best thing.