Devon's Equine Massage - Testimonials

Sailor                        Laurel, MD
Sailor's mom, Maggie, was going to get a massage for Sailor for Christmas, but decided to
schedule an earlier appointment. Maggie hoped to help balance Sailor out after an old foreleg
injury & help return him back to peak condition. During the massage, she could see Sailor
change posture or see his skin crawl where he was more sensitive or reactive. She also saw
his head hang low, eyes almost close, and ears droop to the sides when I hit spots that felt really
good to him. I taught Maggie a few strokes to do for Sailor in-between massages to ease
stiffness along his back & in his hindquarters, which are areas where most horses experience
muscle strain. Maggie & I walked Sailor after his massage and she said this:
"I can already see he has more pep in his step"
"He seems really calm & relaxed" (and Sailor, usually a little nervous around crowds, was walked
right through a big show at his stable!)

Honey                        Chesapeake City, MD
Honey has EPM, so her mom Judy was very glad to win a free massage through the Elkton
Library's "Horse Sense: Stable Thinking", which I spoke at. Horses with EPM often experience
muscle atrophy in their topline, hindquarters, and forelegs. Massage benefits EPM horses by
increasing circulation (helps strengthen weak muscles), stimulating circulation of the lymphatic
system (helps eliminate toxins, like lactic acid, through the skin), producing endorphins (natural
pain killers), and soothing horses mentally & physically. Judy could also see Honey react, much
like Sailor (above), when I hit spots that were hurting & spots that felt soothing. During the
massage, Judy could see changes in Honey and said this:
"I can see her veins pop out & her muscles look better already"
"I have never seen her move that fast before -- ever"

Mistee                Wernersville, PA
Mistee's mom, Tilde, won a free massage when she won her class at the October Bridge Acres
show. Here's what Tilde said about Mistee's first massage:
"I was very happy to win a massage for Mistee from the Bridge Acres Stable Show.
Mistee really enjoyed being massaged and I could tell she relaxed when you touched
certain spots. You were very proficient and really knew how to massage well."
"Mistee had some slight swelling in her back legs before, but the massage helped it to
go down completely."

Comanche          Joppa, MD
When I massaged Comanche, he was tight in a muscle that extends behind his withers
(trapezius/rhomboids). Being that this is an uncommon area for horses to be sore, I told his
mom, Colleen, that I would research the problem and get back to her. I found an article that
pointed to a possible saddle fit problem and forwarded it to Colleen, who found it insightful &
helpful. Here's what she had to say about the effect equine massage had on Comanche:
"For a week, he was a lot better", then he started taking off on her again.
Massage benefits don't just last for a day, but for weeks at a time. If the results of the massage
are not immediate, remarkable, and long-lasting, it's time to call the vet, farrier, or your dentist.
Colleen is trying a saddle switch on Comanche, which will hopefully alleviate his problem.