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Cowboy and Wild Horses

Equine Massage & Vertebrae Realignment and Joint Play (Chiropractic) 

Rivers, Brandon and Westman Area
Manitoba

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Give Your Equine Partner the Gift of Balance, Comfort, and Relief

Professional equine massage therapy and chiropractic joint play delivered right to your barn. At Lucky Break Ranch, we help horses move better, feel better, and perform at their best through hands-on, whole-body care serving Rivers, Brandon, and the Westman area.

Equine massage is not a luxury — it is a vital part of a horse’s overall health and soundness. When combined with chiropractic vertebral realignment and joint mobilization, massage supports proper movement, comfort, and long-term wellness.

Why Equine Massage & Chiropractic Care Matters

Horses are athletes, partners, and teachers — and they are incredibly good at hiding discomfort. Daily riding, competition, trail work, pasture life, aging, and even ill-fitting tack can quietly create muscle tension, joint restriction, and spinal imbalance.

Left unaddressed, these small issues often turn into:

  • Chronic soreness

  • Performance decline

  • Behavioral changes

  • Compensatory injuries

  • Increased veterinary costs

Massage and chiropractic care work together to address both soft tissue and skeletal alignment, restoring balance before pain becomes a problem.

Common Equine Pain Points We Address

Even horses that appear “fine” can struggle with underlying discomfort.

Equine massage and chiropractic care help with:

  • Muscle tension & knots from repetitive work, compensation, or poor saddle fit.  Targeted massage techniques release tension, restore circulation, and allow muscles to relax and function normally again.

  • Stiffness & reduced range of motion caused by joint restriction or spinal misalignment.  Massage prepares the tissues, while joint play and chiropractic alignment gently restore normal motion and flexibility.

  • Soreness after exercise or competition.  Massage flushes metabolic waste, reduces inflammation, and speeds recovery. Chiropractic care ensures joints and the spine are aligned so muscles don’t compensate incorrectly.

  • Joint pain & arthritis, especially in aging or hard-working horses.  Massage improves circulation around joints, while joint mobilization restores safe movement and reduces stiffness. Proper spinal alignment reduces uneven stress on joints.

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  • Poor posture & uneven muscle development.  Chiropractic adjustments correct alignment, while massage retrains muscles to support a healthier posture.

  • Behavioral signs of discomfort such as girthiness, resistance, bucking, or anxiety.  By addressing discomfort at its source, many “behavior problems” improve naturally.

  • Stress & nervous tension from travel, competition, or environment changes.  Massage activates the parasympathetic (calming) nervous system. Chiropractic alignment improves nerve communication, helping horses relax mentally and physically.

  • Digestive discomfort & colic support through gentle abdominal relaxation.  Gentle abdominal massage promotes relaxation and digestive movement while supporting veterinary care when needed.

  • Performance plateaus such as tension or discomfort.  By removing physical restrictions, horses can move freely, engage correctly, and perform to their true potential.

  • Overall Well-being where training isn’t the issue — the body is

Who This Service Is For

Equine Massage & Chiropractic Care at Lucky Break Ranch is designed for every horse, not just elite competitors.

Ideal For:

  • Performance horses (barrel racing, gaming, ranch, dressage, jumping)

  • Trail & pleasure horses

  • Senior or aging horses

  • Horses recovering from injury, stall rest, or time off

  • Lesson & school horses

  • Young or growing horses in training

  • Horses showing behavioral changes

  • Horses needing preventative maintenance

 If your horse has a body, they can benefit from massage and alignment.

How Equine Massage Helps Your Horse

Equine massage therapy provides proven physical and mental benefits:

  • Improved Circulation: Massage helps increase blood flow to muscles, promoting faster recovery and healing.

  • Improved Flexibility: By increasing blood flow and loosening tight muscles, massage enhances flexibility and range of motion.

  • Pain Relief: Massage relieves soreness and discomfort caused by overexertion, injury, or stiffness associated with various conditions.

  • Stress Reduction: Just like humans, horses can experience stress and tension. Relaxation techniques incorporated into massage help calm the nervous system and reduce stress levels.

  • Enhanced Performance: By keeping muscles loose and supple from regular massage it will lead to better movement and coordination.  Optimal muscle function and reduced tension contribute to improved performance and athleticism.

  • Joint Mobility: Massage improves circulation around joints, helping to reduce inflammation and improve mobility.

  • Injury Prevention: Massage can help prevent injuries before they occur.  Regular massage helps identify and address areas of tension, imbalance and/or weakness.

  • Improved Digestion: Gentle abdominal massage aids in digestion and can alleviate discomfort associated with digestive issues.

  • Emotional Well-Being: Massage promotes relaxation and emotional well-being, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm.

  • Muscle Release: Massage releases tension and knots in muscles, promoting relaxation and comfort.

  • Holistic Health: Massage is part of a holistic approach to equine care, complementing other therapies and treatments for optimal well-being.

Regular massage also helps identify small issues early — before they become serious problems.

Equine Chiropractic
Vertebrae Realignment & Joint Play Therapy

Restoring Movement, Balance, and Nervous System Function

Equine chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper spinal alignment and healthy joint motion, allowing the nervous system to communicate clearly with the rest of the body. When joints or vertebrae lose normal movement — even slightly — the entire body is forced to compensate.

 

These restrictions may not always show up as obvious lameness. Instead, they often appear as stiffness, uneven movement, reduced performance, behavioral changes, or chronic muscle tightness.

Joint Play Therapy is a gentle, controlled mobilization technique used to assess and restore normal motion within joints throughout the horse’s body — including the spine, limbs, jaw, and tail.

Together, chiropractic alignment and joint play therapy help your horse move the way their body was designed to move.

How Spinal & Joint Restrictions Affect Your Horse

When a joint or vertebra is restricted:

  • Surrounding muscles tighten to protect the area

  • Circulation to tissues decreases

  • Nerve signals become compressed or disrupted

  • Other joints and muscles compensate incorrectly

  • Movement becomes inefficient and uncomfortable

Over time, these compensations lead to soreness, uneven muscle development, increased injury risk, and reduced quality of life.

Equine chiropractic and joint play therapy address the root cause, not just the symptoms.



 Corrects Spinal Misalignments (Vertebral Restrictions):  Restricted or misaligned vertebrae interfere with movement and nerve communication. Chiropractic adjustments gently restore alignment, improving comfort and function throughout the body.

Restores Joint Mobility in Limbs, Jaw, and Tail:  Joint play therapy identifies subtle restrictions in joints that often go unnoticed. Restoring proper motion helps prevent stiffness, uneven loading, and compensatory strain.

Reduces Pressure on the Nervous System:  The spine protects the spinal cord and nerve pathways. When alignment is restored, nerve signals can travel freely, improving coordination, muscle response, and overall body awareness.

Improves Balance, Posture, and Coordination:  Proper spinal and joint alignment allows the horse to carry themselves evenly, engage their core, and move with greater balance and fluidity.

Prevents Compensatory Movement Patterns:  When one area is restricted, the body compensates elsewhere. Chiropractic care helps break this cycle before it leads to chronic pain or injury.

Supports Long-Term Soundness & Comfort:  Regular chiropractic and joint play therapy help maintain joint health, reduce wear and tear, and support longevity — especially for working, aging, or performance horses.

How Equine Chiropractic & Joint Play Therapy Helps
What a Chiropractic & Joint Play Session Looks Like

Each session is guided by your horse’s comfort and response and may include:

  • Postural and movement assessment

  • Palpation of the spine, limbs, jaw, and tail

  • Identification of restricted joints

  • Gentle chiropractic adjustments

  • Controlled joint play mobilization

  • Reassessment after corrections

Most horses show immediate signs of relief such as:

  • Lowered head

  • Licking and chewing

  • Sighing or yawning

  • Relaxed posture

  • Improved movement

Why We Combine Massage & Chiropractic

Massage and chiropractic care work best together, not separately.

Massage Prepares the Body

Massage therapy:

  • Relaxes tight and protective muscles

  • Increases blood flow and tissue elasticity

  • Reduces inflammation and soreness

  • Allows the horse to mentally and physically relax

When muscles are tight, they can resist chiropractic adjustments or cause joints to slip back into restriction.

Chiropractic Creates Lasting Change

Once muscles are relaxed:

  • Adjustments are easier and more comfortable

  • Joint corrections hold longer

  • The body can retrain correct movement patterns

  • Nervous system communication improves

The Result: Deeper, Longer-Lasting Relief

By combining equine massage therapy with chiropractic alignment and joint play, we achieve:

  • More effective adjustments

  • Faster visible improvement

  • Reduced muscle re-tightening

  • Improved performance and comfort

  • Long-term structural balance

This integrated approach creates whole-body harmony, helping your horse move, feel, and perform at their best.

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Treat Your Horse to the Gift of Massage Today!

Kim Richardson, owner of Lucky Break Ranch, is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist and Equine Vertebrae Realignment & Joint Play Technician (Chiropractor) serving Rivers, Brandon, and the Westman area.

After successfully completing the 160 hour program offered by The School of Equine Massage and Rehabilitation Therapies, Kim Richardson has studied:

  • Massage Theory and Technique

  • Vertebrae Realignment Technique

  • Joint Play Technique

  • Scar Tissue Development Theory and Reduction Technique

  • Lower Limb Swelling Reduction

  • Hoof Heat Reduction

  • Behavioural Issues with Diret Physical Correlations

  • Deep Fascia Release

  • Movement of CFS

  • Colic Relief Technique

  • Equine Anaotomy

  • Body and Joint Assessment

  • Health Check

  • Hydrotherapy and Stretches

Lucky Break Ranch offers comprehensive massage services designed to enhance your horse's well-being and performance.

 

When You Book a Session with Us, You Get:

  • Horse Health Check: Thorough evaluation of your horse's overall health.

  • Muscle, Joint and Spinal Assessment: Detailed examination to identify any issues.

  • Full Body Massage: Comprehensive massage to improve circulation and reduce stress.

  • Gentle Chiropractic Vertebral Realignment: Completed after client understands why its recommended.

  • Joint Play Mobilization: Completed after client understands why its recommended.

  • Specific Problem Area Treatment: Focused care for areas needing extra attention.

  • Complete Report: A detailed summary of the session and findings.

  • Stretching Exercises: Safe, effective stretches you can do with your horse.

  • Colic Relief Techniques: Methods to provide comfort while waiting for the vet.

  • Same-Day Scheduling: Convenient booking for the next treatment.

 

Each session lasts up to 2 hours, ensuring thorough care (note: your horse will indicate when they are done).

 

Haul your horse(s) to Lucky Break Ranch or for your horse's ease we travel to your location - note that mileage fees may apply.

 

Why You Should Book Now

 

Horses hide pain exceptionally well. By the time discomfort is obvious, issues are often well-established.

Waiting Can Lead To:

  • Chronic muscle tightness

  • Compensatory injuries

  • Behavioral problems

  • Reduced performance

  • Longer recovery times

  • Higher long-term costs

Booking Now Means:

  • Early intervention

  • Faster improvement

  • Better movement and comfort

  • Happier, more willing horses

  • Giving aging horses relief sooner

  • Preventing small problems from becoming big ones

 Appointments are limited to ensure unhurried, high-quality care.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is equine massage and chiropractic safe?
Yes. All techniques are gentle, evidence-based, and tailored to your horse’s comfort.

How often should my horse be treated?
Most horses benefit every 4–8 weeks. Performance or problem horses may need more frequent care.

Does chiropractic vertebra realignment and joint play care hurt?
No. Adjustments are quick and gentle. Many horses visibly relax during treatment.

Can this help behavior problems?
Yes. Many behavioral issues stem from physical discomfort rather than training problems.

Can this replace veterinary care?
No. Massage and chiropractic care complement veterinary care and support overall wellness.

Do you travel to my farm?
Yes — we provide mobile equine massage and chiropractic services throughout Rivers, Brandon, and the Westman area.

 

Book Your Equine Massage & Chiropractic Session Today

 

Your horse gives you everything they have — strength, trust, effort, and heart.
Massage and chiropractic care are one of the most meaningful ways to give back.

Book equine massage & chiropractic care in Rivers & Brandon, MB
Serving the Westman area
Mobile appointments available

 

Treat your horse to the best care possible—book your equine massage and vertebrae realignment & joint play with Lucky Break Ranch today!
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