Notice that the horse's muscles are 3 layers deep. It's easy to see that the equine is 60% muscle. It becomes understandable that many, if not most issues are well served by muscular therapies, of which massage is the most understoond and effective. It is no accident that serious human athletes of virtually all disciplines incorporate regular frequent massage into their training routines.
Studying the three layers of muscle lying beneath the layers of skin, one begins to understand why visible ribs, protruding "hip" bones, and gaunt flank areas reveal a lack of muscle mass which will make athletic preparation an unhealthy strain on joints, tendons, and existing muscles.
Sports massage can play a roll in strengthening your equine athlete's muscles. In order to strengthen, muscles must be able to contract and release completely; and for this to happen properly, those muscles need to be loose.Tight muscles are unable to release fully. Consequently, a tight muscle is a weak muscle. Massage enables a muscle to strengthen by keeping it loose.
Given the complexity of their movement and their musculo/skeletal construction, horses have much to gain from massage therapy. Horses are athletes and, like us, can develop sore muscles, stiff joints, and restricted range of motion. If massage is practiced on a regular basis it can help alleviate these symptoms and, more importantly, help prevent injury.