Kinesiology taping provides support, stabilization and relieves swelling for your horse. By providing soft tissue manipulation the tape mimics a massage. How wonderful is that?

Taping helps lift and separate fascia as well as improve mobility and circulation.

Susan Dickinson, of Cork N Mane Stables, first practiced taping in humans as a nurse. She realized the vast benefits this would have in equine practice and started to take classes to learn more. Susan offers taping as part of her bodywork complementary therapies.

History of Kinesiology

First developed in 1973 by Kenzo Kace, a chiropractor in DC. His original goal was to help alleviate pain in between appointments.

The tape was designed to mimic the skin and had a thickness and stretch that acted like another skin layer.

Human athletes all over the world now use this technique to help with muscle injuries and alleviate pain.

horse recieving Niagara and Taping treatments — Taping can be used in conjuntion with other therapies. Check out our Bodywork page for some examples.

Advantages of Kinesiology Taping for

Your Horse

Helps lift and separate fascia
Reduces muscle fatigue and cramping
Helps prevent reinjury
Decreases inflammation
Improves tissue mobility and circulation
Reduces pain
Corrects joint problems and aids in a fluid motion

Before and After shots. You can see how much more relaxed his muscles are.

A Bit of Skin Anatomy

The horses, skin is an important body part. In fact, it’s the largest organ in the horse’s body. The skin provides a protective barrier, helps regulate temperature, and is a sensory organ.

Like us, the horse has layers of different types of skin.

The outside layer is called the epidermis. It houses lots of types of cells and hair follicles.

The middle layer is the dermis and that’s where the blood vessels and nerves live. They transport nutrients and respond to sensory stimulation. The dermis also provides the skin with elasticity and support which is stimulated during taping.

The inner layer is the subcutis. Here is where the fat and muscles live.

Healthy skin is especially important and that’s why we recommend Excel Pro Elite for horses. It is full of Vitamin E and healthy Omega 3,6, and 9.

Interesting Horse Fact

Horses have an extra muscle layer in the skin that is called the panniculus. It’s so sensitive it can feel a fly land on the hair of their body. Then with a swish of their tail, the fly is gone!

What is Fascia?

Fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds the horse’s organs, blood vessels, bones, and muscles in their respective places. In addition, the fascia is full of nerves and is very sensitive.

Fascia typically stretches and moves with the animal. However, when your animal is stressed the fascia tightens up.

Injury, lack of exercise, and pressure can all cause fascia pain in your horse.

Fascia plays an important role in the biomechanics of the horse (and the rider)!

How Does Taping Work?

The tape acts as a layer of skin. The tape is applied in a wave pattern. This is done so the elastic in the tape lifts the skin and allows it to breathe. This allows moisture to escape which cools the skin.

The purpose is to gently massage the subdermal layer of the skin and the fascial layers of connecting tissue. By reducing the tension, you can get a greater range of motion.

Not only is the tape massaging the skin, but it opens up the space between the cells. This interstitial space pulls out fluids which decreases inflammation and encourages blood flow.

Taping can actually help rewire the horse’s brain and how it perceives the position of its joints and muscles. By helping to develop new messaging signals from the brain we can improve coordination and range of motion.

Typically, the tape is left on for up to five days. After removing the tape, leave it off for several days to evaluate how the horse is moving.

Taping doesn’t enhance the horse’s abilities. However, it alleviates pain and makes them feel more comfortable. This can increase their stamina.

Taping Is Not Just For Legs!

We often think of taping for a horse’s legs. Things such as tendonitis. However, taping has many more applications.

Here is an example of an eye that wouldn’t open but shortly after taping it opened right up!

When Should I Have Taping Done on My Horse?

Applications focus on supporting the structure, decreasing inflammation and tension, as well as improving circulation.

Taping can be performed during any stage of the injury.

Have you noticed your horse has a saddle sore, swollen tendons, or a bang on the head from romping in their paddock? All of those injuries respond well to taping.

It may not be an obvious injury but when you ride your horse may seem stiff and not as flexible. At that time you should consult with a bodywork professional to decide what steps to take.

Always Hire A Certified Practitioner

Taping is considered a very safe complementary therapy. However, always hire a certified professional for best results.

Susan is certified in numerous areas of bodywork including muscle taping, equine sports massage, and thermal imaging.

She is currently a practitioner in the Masterson Certification Program and has completed several of their programs. For those interested in taking their equine knowledge to the next level, Jim Masterson has a multi-level certification program that is considered one of the best in the country.

Competition

Taping is one way to help your horse recovery from injuries and prepare for events.

Two words of caution.

1. Always make sure your horse is sound and ready to compete

2. Pay attention to the rules. Some events such as FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports) don’t permit a horse to have on tape during an event.

Take Away

Taping is one of many complementary therapies that can be used to help with healing injuries, alleviating soreness, and giving your animal a better quality of life.

Give Susan a call if you are interested in having bodywork done on one of your animals (it’s not just for horses!)

Author, Ame Vanorio, is a freelance writer, horse lover, and the director of Fox Run Environmental Education Center.

Equine Kinesiology Taping