Page 29 - Appaloosas Now Dec/Jan 2021

Foal tendon support Contusion Taping
with every movement. It is like a micro-massage going on whenever there is movement. Activated Mechanoreceptors will inhibit nociceptors (the pain generators).
I have applied the tape to myself and my husband, and a couple of other relatives. Everyone is amazed. As soon as the tape is applied, the pain feels so much better
and even gone. Most horses that I have applied tape to will begin licking and chewing and yawning. These are significant indicators that the tape is working.
Movement with Kinesiology tape on stimulates nerves called “proprioceptors,” which contribute to the
brain’s sense of where the body’s parts are in space and throughout the movement. In this way, Kinesiology tape can help stimulate proper movement, especially after recovery from an injury.
There are five main types of tapings. They are to decrease pain and inflammation, support joints, support muscles, increase proprioception, and to increase energy flow through meridians
It looks amazingly easy to apply the tape. However, you should know that choosing a taping and applying it correctly to the body’s correct part takes some training and experience. There are different uses for tape for various health problems.
In the FEI world and probably in most horse show associations, the tape is not allowed to be on the horse
TMJ Pain Taping
Hamstring Taping
during competition but can be on the horse in warm- up pens. You could leave the tape on your horse right up until entering the show pen. Although, keep in mind that just like other forms of body support for horses, they can become too dependent on it. Use it with good judgement. Good to know!
Kinesiology tape is the perfect compliment to other manual therapies such as massage, myofascial release, chiropractic, and others. Keep it in mind and discuss it with your equine bodyworker for your horse that could use just a little more support.
Laurel Statz; CVT, EMT, EMFRP, EKTP
Appaloosas Now - December/January 29