Rolfing
by Elaine Pascoe
Reprinted with permission from Practical Horseman
Rolfing, or structural integration, is like massage in some ways and like chiropractic in others, says Susanna Baxter, a certified Rolfer and licensed equine massage therapist in North Seattle, Washington. Like massage, it involves manual manipulation of soft tissue. Like chiropractic, it seeks to rebalance a horse’s structure—but while chiropractors focus on bones and joints, Rolfers work with tissues that pull on bones and joints. Susanna likens it to setting up an old-fashioned tent with ropes and stakes: “As you adjust tension in the ropes, you can either straighten the tent or pull it crooked.”
Ida P. Rolf, a biochemist, developed the method for people about 50 years ago. She theorized that the body compensates for tension and injuries in ways that throw physical structures out of alignment. Fascia—connective tissue—becomes stiff or fused in places. Rolfing is said to release the fascia and allow the body to align.
Treatment: A Rolfer uses fingers, hands, knuckles and elbows to work tissues. A typical treatment lasts an hour to an hour-and-a-half. In the first session, Susanna usually works with the hindquarters to help the horseengage from behind; later sessions may focus on other areas.
What it does: Rolfing helps a range of symptoms, Susanna says, especially “one-sided” issues—missed lead changes in one direction or inability to bend to one side. It’s also useful for horses being rehabilitated from injuries or surgery.
The technique is slower than massage, says Susanna. “It often looks like I’m just hanging out with my elbow in one spot forever, but I’m really feeling and sensing the tissue begin to change and move. The pressure is usually much lighter than people expect.” A horse may lick, chew, yawn, shake his head and wiggle to and fro during the session—all signs of release, she says.
Evidence: There are no clinical trials of Rolfing in horses.
Red lights: A veterinarian should examine a horse with a chronic or acute lameness or signs of tying up. Horses on muscle relaxants or pain relievers should not have Rolfing, Susanna adds. These drugs make it difficult to judge tension in the tissues, so the practitioner could unknowingly cause injury.
Where to find it: A qualified practitioner is essential. “A lot of people think that Rolfing involves grinding away on the soft tissue as hard as you can with an elbow—a dangerous misconception,” says Susanna. There is no official training for Rolfing of horses, but
* ask practitioners where they studied. The Rolf Institute for Structural Integration (www.rolf.org) and the Guild for Structural Integration (www.rolfguild.org) teach appropriate skills. The Rolf Institute has names of practitioners who work with animals.
* make sure the Rolfer has excellent horse-handling skills. Some states require an equine massage license; in others, anyone can claim expertise. Ask how long the Rolfer has worked with horses, and see if you can arrange to watch a session.
What to expect: Three to five sessions are usually enough to address major issues. Sometimes a horse’s symptoms seem worse after treatment starts as deeper issues surface, Susanna says. Once those are resolved, though, the horse is usually much better. Periodic tune-ups may be needed, as horses (like people) tend to fall back into old habits.
Cost: Rates vary.
