Frequently Asked Questions
FAQS
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions and practical tips to help you prepare for your upcoming massage session.
What does a massage session include?
Before our first appointment, I will send you a short questionnaire by email. Filling it out gives me an initial overview of your animal’s general condition, background and any concerns you may have.
During the first session, we also take time for a thorough conversation and observation.
Next, we move on to both static and dynamic assessment. I observe your animal at rest and in motion to identify possible tension, asymmetries or areas where the body may be out of balance. This helps me understand where the tension originates and what kind of support your animal needs.
The active part of the session lasts around 60 minutes. During this time, I use a variety of techniques based on your animal’s individual needs, including general massage, myofascial release, focused point work (tension and trigger points), stretching and joint‑mobility assessment.
If needed, I will show you simple stretches you can safely do at home. These help maintain the results and support your animal between sessions.
After each appointment, you will receive a detailed report by email. It includes what was done during the session, your animal’s reactions, areas of tension and recommendations for next steps.
I truly appreciate hearing how your animal feels after the session.
You are always welcome to share your observations or ask questions — your feedback helps support your animal’s wellbeing even further.
How to know if your animal needs a massage?
There are several signs that may indicate your horse or dog would benefit from a relaxing and therapeutic massage:
• Stiff or restricted movement — difficulty moving freely or warming up
• Tight or uneven muscles — visible asymmetry or tension
• Changes in coat texture — rough, uneven or lifted coat areas
• Difficulty jumping — effortful, hesitant or tense take‑off
• Contact issues under saddle — inconsistent or resistant rein contact
• Shortened or uneven stride — differences between left and right side
• Tripping or dragging feet
• Reduced activity or low energy
• Changed posture or frequent shifting of rest positions
• Behavioural changes — nipping, bucking, pawing, head tossing, tail swishing
• Sensitivity during saddling, girthing, grooming or touching certain areas
• Difficulty bending
• Challenges with turns or circles
• Problems with collection
• Uneven or uncertain transitions
• Veterinarian recommendation for recovery support
• Increased training load
• …and many other subtle signs
Is massage only for sport animals?
Absolutely not! Massage can benefit all animals, regardless of age, breed, activity level or training intensity.
How to book an appointment?
The best way is to write to me directly at: info@loomalikult.ee.
How often should a horse or dog receive massage?
It depends on the individual animal.
Some benefit from massage once a month, others every two weeks.
If there are no major issues, a session once per quarter is often enough.
I always consider the animal’s age, training load, sensitivity and overall condition. After the first session, I provide a personalised recommendation for future frequency.
Your feedback between sessions is also important. You know your animal best and notice changes first — together we’ll find the rhythm that supports them the most.
How to prepare for a massage session?
For a smooth and effective session, please keep the following in mind:
• Choose a suitable time — avoid feeding, turnout or training times
• Find a calm, quiet space —
for horses: aisle or wash stall
for dogs: a quiet room with a soft surface (blanket or rug)
• Your animal should be clean and dry — ideally with warm muscles (light walk or training beforehand)
• Send the completed intake form before the appointment so I can prepare
• Someone should be present to show the animal’s movement if needed
• Ensure there are no contraindications — when unsure, ask me or your veterinarian
• Avoid treats during the session — this helps your animal relax and stay focused
When should massage be avoided?
Some conditions may exclude massage and require veterinary approval before a session:
• Fever, inflammation or swelling
• Skin conditions or rashes
• Pregnancy
• Recent or same‑day procedures (e.g. chiropractic work, dental procedures, injections, vaccinations)
• Tumours
These situations always require a veterinarian’s assessment before scheduling a massage. Every animal and every case is different, if you’re unsure, feel free to ask me or consult your veterinarian.
NB! I am not a veterinarian (yet :)) and do not provide medical diagnosis or treatment.
For any medical concerns, please contact your veterinarian.
What are the benefits of massage?
If you’re still unsure whether massage could help your horse or dog, here are some of the most common benefits:
• Helps prevent injuries
• Supports healing and recovery
• Improves performance and muscle tone
• Increases mobility and flexibility
• Enhances circulation
• Reduces pain and inflammation
• Releases scar tissue
• Improves posture and left–right balance
• Reduces stress and tension
Massage supports your animal’s wellbeing both physically and mentally — whether they are a sport partner, in rehabilitation, or simply need a little extra support in everyday life.
What are Marii’s qualifications?
The effectiveness of massage depends greatly on the practitioner. It’s important that the specialist understands the animal’s body, movement and needs in depth. With Marii, you can be confident you’re working with a qualified and knowledgeable animal massage therapist.
Education and certification:
• Level 5 Animal Massage Therapist certification
(issued by the Estonian Masseurs’ Association, training completed at the College of Applied Massage and Therapy)
• Veterinary medicine studies at the Estonian University of Life Sciences
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Tartu
Core knowledge areas:
• Animal anatomy, physiology and pathology
• Species‑specific behaviour
• Animal welfare and first aid
• Biomechanics and movement analysis
• Body condition assessment
• Equine and canine nutrition
• Dog and horse husbandry
• Saddle fit basics
(not a saddle fitter, but trained in foundational principles through lectures and courses)
Massage techniques used:
• General massage
• Myofascial release
• Focused point work (tension and trigger points)
• Stretching
• Joint mobility assessment
What to do after a massage session?
After the session, I recommend following these guidelines:
• Hand‑walk your animal for about 10 minutes, or simply allow calm movement outside — light activity supports the body’s recovery.
• Avoid training for the rest of the day — if possible, offer a full rest day.
• Keep the next day lighter — a gentle workout is usually ideal.
• Ensure access to plenty of water — hydration needs may be slightly higher after massage.
• Review the session summary and do the recommended stretches or exercises when possible — they help maintain progress between sessions.
• Share feedback on how your animal feels — your observations help me plan future sessions more effectively.
Can my horse be “fixed” in just one massage session?
While even a single massage session can improve your horse’s comfort and performance, it’s not realistic to expect it to resolve every issue at once. Massage helps relieve symptoms, but if the underlying cause of muscle tension remains unchanged, such as posture, workload, saddle fit, rider balance, compensation from an injury, age, etc., the body tends to return to its previous patterns over time.
To achieve lasting results, regular sessions and a tailored care plan are often needed. Every horse is different — the areas that need support and the way each horse responds to massage can vary widely. This is why massage is usually part of a broader wellness routine, aimed at supporting the horse’s overall wellbeing and preventing issues from progressing.
What to consider when scheduling a massage session?
Ready to book a session but unsure about the timing? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
• Check for contraindications first. If your animal has any conditions such as inflammation, fever or pregnancy, consult your veterinarian before scheduling.
• Choose a time that doesn’t overlap with feeding or turnout. A calm environment helps your animal settle into the session.
• If you plan to train your horse on the same day, do it before the session. Not after — the body needs time to rest and integrate the work.
• Avoid booking massage on the same day as other procedures, such as chiropractic work, vaccinations or dental care. The body needs space to respond and recover.
• Make sure someone is available during the session to hold the horse if needed, show movement, and walk them afterwards.
If you’re unsure about timing or preparation, feel free to reach out — it’s always better to ask than guess.
Any more questions?
Feel free to get in touch — send me an email at info@loomalikult.ee and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
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