It’s rare to find a horse that doesn’t benefit from bodywork. Subtle changes in behavior or movement—such as difficulty with lateral work, feeling heavy on the forehand, leaning on one rein, reduced lift through the withers, decreased energy or impulsion, girthiness, trouble developing topline, or head tossing—are often signs your horse could use additional support.

You know your horse best. If something feels “off,” bodywork can help identify and address underlying tension or imbalance before it becomes a bigger issue. Even for horses without obvious concerns, regular massage and bodywork help establish a clear baseline of comfort and movement, making it easier to recognize changes early and support your horse in maintaining optimal balance, performance, and well-being.

How often a horse needs bodywork depends on several factors, including their individual condition, workload, discipline, and how frequently they’re in work. As a general guideline, performance and competition horses often benefit from bodywork every 4–6 weeks, with additional sessions before, during, or after competitions depending on the intensity and demands of the event.

That said, frequency is always tailored to the horse and the owner’s goals and budget. Any time a horse experiences a fall, injury, illness, or a change that may lead to compensatory movement patterns, bodywork is strongly recommended to support recovery and restore balance.

Following a session, you will likely receive specific exercises, stretches, or nutritional recommendations to help your horse maintain musculoskeletal balance between sessions. These suggestions are tailored to your individual horse’s needs and are not meant to be generalized, as each horse’s body and circumstances are unique.

Chiropractic and other alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, are very beneficial when used alongside massage and bodywork. It’s rare for these therapies to cause harm. I often recommend chiropractic or acupuncture to help horses achieve their highest level of musculoskeletal balance.

As for timing, it depends on your horse and their specific needs. Generally, I suggest performing bodywork first to release and relax the muscles, which helps prevent them from pulling the skeletal system out of alignment during a chiropractic session. Ultimately, the choice is up to the owner, but sequencing bodywork before chiropractic often provides the best results.

Massage is a hands-on treatment that uses techniques like rubbing, kneading, and jostling to relax muscles, reduce pain, and help prevent injury. Bodywork, on the other hand, is a broader approach that combines multiple modalities—such as massage, myofascial release, kinesiology, neuromuscular re-education, chiropractic, and acupuncture—to address the horse’s overall musculoskeletal health. Some modalities, like chiropractic and acupuncture, must be performed by a licensed specialist in that field.

The appropriate timing depends on your horse’s condition, the type of work performed, and how they respond to the session. Generally, it’s recommended to allow your horse time to recover and process the changes to their tissues. Light work is often appropriate the next day, with a return to regular conditioning or riding by the second day. In some cases, additional rest may be advised, and the therapist may recommend follow-up consultations with a veterinarian, chiropractor, or acupuncturist to ensure optimal care.

In most cases, turnout and movement are beneficial after a session, so I usually recommend letting your horse go outside unless there are extenuating circumstances. Horses may roll, run, or play, or they may simply stand quietly—each horse responds differently. As long as your horse has access to plenty of water, they can safely be turned out with their usual herd and interact normally.

While it’s possible, it’s not typical. If a horse has an underlying health issue, their body may compensate by bracing muscles or shifting movement patterns, which can diminish the effects of a session. When deeper issues are suspected, the therapist will often recommend a veterinary evaluation to ensure your horse receives the appropriate care.

Results can vary, but on average, the benefits last between 3–6 weeks. Factors such as your horse’s overall health, workload, discipline, and frequency of work all influence how long the effects are maintained.