Manual therapy is a hands-on treatment method used to support your animal’s physical health by addressing muscle tension, joint restriction, postural imbalance, and overall movement quality.

It involves the skilled use of the practitioner’s hands to apply techniques such as:

• Massage – to ease tight or sore muscles

• Joint mobilisations – to restore natural range of motion

• Stretching – to improve flexibility and posture

• Myofascial release – to reduce tension in the fascia and promote tissue glide

• Kinesiology taping – to support muscles and joints between sessions

• Acupressure – to stimulate specific points and support internal balance and pain relief

Unlike machines or passive tools, manual therapy relies on palpation, sensitivity, and responsiveness, which means the therapist can feel and adapt to what the animal needs in real time.

This makes it ideal for animals, who can’t verbally communicate but respond incredibly well to the gentle, intuitive nature of touch. It also allows the practitioner to observe subtle reactions and adjust the approach moment by moment – something machines simply can’t do.

Manual therapy is recommended for both performance animals and pets to:

• Improve movement and comfort

• Support recovery from physical strain or trauma

• Enhance performance and prevent injury

• Promote relaxation and wellbeing

At Pampashire, every session is tailored, respectful, and centred on your animal’s needs — no quick fixes, just long-term support for a healthier body and happier life.

Manual therapy works by using precise, hands-on techniques to interact directly with your animal’s soft tissues and joints. By applying controlled pressure, movement, and touch, we help the body reset, rebalance, and heal itself.

Here’s how it works on a physical level:

• Improves blood circulation: Gentle pressure and movement help stimulate blood flow to the muscles and surrounding tissues. This brings in oxygen and nutrients needed for healing, and helps flush away waste products and inflammation.

• Relieves tension and promotes relaxation: Touch activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the "rest and digest" mode), calming the animal’s body and mind. Releasing muscular tension also encourages deep relaxation and improved comfort.

• Supports muscle development and symmetry: By identifying and releasing areas of overuse or compensation, we help rebalance the body, which supports more natural, effective muscle development—especially important in performance animals.

• Improves joint mobility and flexibility: Mobilisation and stretching techniques gently restore range of motion in restricted joints, which allows for smoother, freer movement.

• Stimulates the body’s natural painkillers: Hands-on techniques activate the release of endorphins and serotonin, the body’s natural pain-relieving and mood-enhancing chemicals—reducing discomfort without medication.

• Encourages healthy fascia and tissue glide: Myofascial release restores elasticity and glide in the connective tissue (fascia), reducing stiffness and allowing the body to move more freely and efficiently.

• ⚖Rebalances posture and movement patterns: By working on the root causes of imbalance, manual therapy helps correct asymmetries, reduce compensation, and promote healthier biomechanics long-term.

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Unlike machines or passive tools, manual therapy requires sensitive hands, detailed knowledge of anatomy, and a responsive, tailored approach. It’s not just about “pressing on muscles” — it’s about listening to the body through touch, and applying just the right technique at the right moment.

At Pampashire, our approach is always gentle, respectful, and deeply personalised. We treat your animal as an individual, not a checklist of symptoms.

The benefits of manual therapy are innumerable, and often go far beyond what owners initially expect. While the most obvious improvements include pain relief, better mobility, faster recovery from injuries, and overall physical wellbeing, many clients report additional, sometimes surprising, positive changes in their animals.

Each horse or dog responds differently — but the results are consistently positive. Some of the most commonly reported benefits include:

• Improved behaviour and mood Animals often become calmer, more focused, and more cooperative after treatment. Many owners say their horse or dog seems “happier in themselves” and more connected.

• Freer, more balanced movement After releasing tight or restricted areas, animals move with greater ease, fluidity, and grace. Gait often becomes more symmetrical and less forced.

• Less tension and stiffness Manual therapy helps muscles relax and fascia regain elasticity. Animals show visible signs of comfort — licking, yawning, stretching — even during the session.

• Improved posture and body awareness Correcting muscular imbalances and joint restrictions allows animals to stand straighter, move more evenly, and carry themselves with more confidence.

• Faster and more complete recovery When used alongside veterinary care, manual therapy supports the healing process after injury or surgery, helping restore strength and function more efficiently.

• Stress relief and nervous system support By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, hands-on treatment reduces chronic stress and anxiety, promoting emotional wellbeing — especially in sensitive or reactive animals.

Our clients often tell us things like: “My horse just looks so much more comfortable.”

"she has stopped biting others" “She’s more willing to work and picks up the canter without hesitation now.” “He used to be spooky and tense, now he’s relaxed and easier to ride.”

At Pampashire, our goal is always to create long-term, sustainable improvements, not just quick fixes. Whether it’s for performance, comfort, or quality of life, manual therapy offers natural, effective support for your animal’s body and mind.

Animals should receive manual therapy when they show signs of pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility, but ideally before major issues appear.

Horses, in particular, are masters at hiding discomfort, and by the time a problem is obvious, it’s often been building for some time. That’s why we strongly recommend regular maintenance sessions for all animals — not just those recovering from injury or involved in performance work.

Even one session every 5 to 6 weeks can make a significant difference to your horse or dog’s comfort, posture, and long-term soundness.

You should also consider booking a treatment if your animal:

• Shows erratic, unusual, or reactive behaviour

• Appears clumsy, stumbles often, or drags limbs

• Feels disconnected or disunited when ridden

• Struggles to pick up or hold up their limbs

• Shows asymmetry or muscle imbalance

• Has recently increased their workload or changed routines

• Is recovering from injury, surgery, or dental issues

Regular treatment helps us catch and address small problems before they become bigger issues — saving you stress, time, and money in the long run, and keeping your animal happy, mobile, and pain-free.

At Pampashire, the timeframe for visible results can vary depending on several factors. Often, animals start feeling better almost immediately as tension is released during their therapy sessions. However, to maintain muscle health and ensure long-lasting results, consistency is key.

For less severe cases, a few sessions may suffice to keep the muscles in good condition. In contrast, animals with more serious or chronic issues might require more time and multiple sessions to fully alleviate all tension.

Each animal is unique, and our tailored approach at Pampashire ensures that we address the specific needs of your pet or horse to help them feel and perform their best.