What massage can do for horses

A study from Poland suggests that horses benefit from massage much as people do—and perhaps even more.

If a long massage sounds relaxing to you, it may come as no surprise to learn that your horse would probably feel the same way. That’s the upshot of a study from Poland.

Methodology

Researchers at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn and the Polish Academy of Sciences examined five riding horses under two conditions: in a typical riding session, and in a typical riding session after a 45-minute massage treatment.

The massages were performed by experienced equine physiotherapists who concentrated on the superficial muscles of the head, neck and back. The primary goal of the massage, the researchers note, was to stimulate circulation, which reduces muscle tension and relaxes the horse.

Before and after the riding sessions, the researchers documented various physiological parameters. These included heart rate and salivary levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress. The researchers also videotaped each riding session to identify and quantify “conflict behavior” such as tail swishing, ear pinning, head tossing and pawing.

What the data shows

Based on these data, the researchers found that horses receiving massage before riding exhibited markedly lower stress levels compared to horses that didn’t receive massage. Cortisol levels decreased by as much as 526.6 pg/mL after massage. And conflict behaviors were reduced from 121 occurrences to 85 after treatment. Horses also displayed relaxation behaviors during massage, including relaxed lower lips and half-closed eyes.

These findings, the researchers conclude, “suggest that massage can improve horse well-being and offer practical benefits for horse owners and caregivers, enhancing the relationship between horse and rider while promoting relaxation and comfort for the animal.”

Reference: “Effect of massage on stress indicators in recreational horses—a pilot study,” Animals, March 2025.

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