Equine Massage

[~Love my kids~]

Anyone ever heard of this or perform it? I just finished the first part of the course that certifies me to be an Equine Massage Therapist. It's really neat working with horses. They give such good feedback. I want to discuss this more and share some pictures! I was just wondering if anyone has heard of it and what they know about the field. I live in Pinehurst, NC which is the center of the universe for horses and their owners. It seems that way anyway! I know this is a giant hub because our soil is natural sand and it' inland.
Well, I didn't grow up a 'horse person' but I had been around horses through friends. I'm not a riding expert but am taking lessons now so I can understand my new craft better.
I just went to see a horse the other day who was suffering from lymphangitis. We worked on his pecs and found that he had some scar tissue around the cephalic vein that could have been contributing to the lymph fluid accumulating in his proximal forelimb. After about 20 minutes of work, you could start to see his cannon bones and veins more defined! It was really neat. I haven't gotten an update, but hope to continue on adventures like that!
Most horses, if they aren't too interested in mating at that time rather than being tied up and worked on, are very receptive to massage work. It sedates them and they give some hilarious and smelly responses and signs of release!
Anyway, that's my intro to that.. let's talk about it! I love it!

 

[working girl]

Hi Meg:

I'm not sure if I've introduced myself on the boards or not... I'm "justa lurker", since I don't actually start MT school until Nov. 1st (can't WAIT!)

Anyway... my daughter just completed her certification in Equine Massage Therapy, and you are SO right about the horses responding! When I took her to class (out of state), the horses would start out all tense, then make the funniest faces when starting to relax. She will also be taking a course in Equine Chiropractic in November. Of course, she absolutely LOVES anything equine!

Grace and peace,

Karissa
http://www.jessfarms.com

 

[swimmergirl247]

Equine Massage

And MassageHound, I WILL come to the animal massage forum and share tidbits! I love that picture!

You found it - yay! Thanks, I love using that pic...it really grabs peoples attention : ! And, I love grabbing her muzzle, she loves it, too.

Anyone ever heard of this or perform it? I just finished the first part of the course that certifies me to be an Equine Massage Therapist. It's really neat working with horses. They give such good feedback. I want to discuss this more and share some pictures!

Most horses, if they aren't too interested in mating at that time rather than being tied up and worked on, are very receptive to massage work. It sedates them and they give some hilarious and smelly responses and signs of release!
Anyway, that's my intro to that.. let's talk about it! I love it!

Meg, sounds like you're having fun adventures with the horsies. You are soooo right, they do have some hilarious and smelly responses. I too find that they respond well to massage (and also energy work). And, I enjoy watching the owners, watching their horse's response...hee-hee-hee. C'mon share more experiences and pics!

No, I haven't heard of lymphangitis. But you're healing story is a great one. It's a wonderful feeling to see the physical benefits of your work right away. It was great for the owner to see, too, I suspect.

Although we had horses growing up, I haven't had one myself since childhood (hopefully I will over the next few years). My training experience is through apprenticing with an equine massage therapist while in massage school. I worked on these two beautiful jet black draft horses with her. They were truly magnificent.

If you don't mind sharing, what school/program are you attending for certification?

I'm "justa lurker"...She will also be taking a course in Equine Chiropractic in November

...justa lurker :, welcome! Equine chiropractic sounds awesome! That will be such a great adjunct to massage therapy.

 

[Woody Black]

RE: Equine Massage

A couple years ago my sister's rope horse started having all kinds of problems. She took him to an equine massage therapist, and the results were imediate.. I was so intrugued, i went and learned it for my self, along with all other types of animal and human massage techniques. As of the past year i have been up ot my ears in horses to work on. Which school did you attend Meg?

Juanita

 

[Susiepolls2008]

Hey guys! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond... and this will be a short message... I just wanted to say that I learned Equine Massage from Farincroft Equine Massage in Jacksonsprings, NC. It's a pilot course and I'm about to take advanced classes. I just got back from tout of town and wanted to respond on that, but I'll go more in depth later... just wanted you to know I was still paying attention!

 

[Mamta]

Check this out! I am currently working with a horse that is a "seeing eye horse" for another very large horse that is mostly blind. Is that awesome or what?!

His name is Lucky (the horse I'm working with) and I feel very blessed for the opportunity to help him. He has degenerative stifle disease and is in a whole lot of pain. He is moving better after only a couple sessions. He is in so much pain that it is a little hard for me to work on him, as he wants to nibble at me. He doesn't want me to rest my hand there at all. Curiously though, when I'm done his actions are of appreciation.

I am opting for energy work for the next few sessions which will be less invasive for him than even very light massage. I'm also going to bring many carrots or ginger snaps, lol. Bribery works!! I recently saw an episode of a Steve Erwin show on The Animal Planet where an elephant was receiving acupuncture...to keep the animal from getting antsy during treatment they kept feeding her peanuts, hahaha. :

 

[Betty Spaghetti]

That is so awesome! Best wishes to you on your work! And be sure and let me know how that goes as the case continues! The energy work seems like a good idea for that situation. As far as the bribing... personally I don't give treats until the session is done if any, somewhat like a reward, simply because the animal grows to expect and anticipate it so much that I am unable to do work with their participation and concentration on what is happening. I'm glad for you with that work, and how interesting that one horse is leading the other. I'm sure they did that in the wild but what exactly is this horse doing? Training the other? And if so, to do what?

As for me lately, I've been working with show horses and watching the results in the competitions, which is very rewarding and exciting!

 

[Roxxannie]

That is so awesome! Best wishes to you on your work! And be sure and let me know how that goes as the case continues! The energy work seems like a good idea for that situation. As far as the bribing... personally I don't give treats until the session is done if any, somewhat like a reward, simply because the animal grows to expect and anticipate it so much that I am unable to do work with their participation and concentration on what is happening.

Thanks, Meg! I'm only giving him treats at the end of the session. And, really only because he is so much pain. I typically don't like using food as a reward during animal massage (or training) at all. I never use it with dogs...but I would if I thought it was crucial (as in the scenario with the elephant).

I'm glad for you with that work, and how interesting that one horse is leading the other. I'm sure they did that in the wild but what exactly is this horse doing? Training the other? And if so, to do what?

I know, it is truly amazing. These horses are rescue. Lucky is just there for the blind horse (Ice Man) during his routine daily activities...as a companion. Basically he shadows Lucky, and his stall is next to Lucky's also. They go out to the paddock together, hang together, and then back in together at the end of the day. So, the massage is a little reward for Lucky's commitment to Ice Man.

As for me lately, I've been working with show horses and watching the results in the competitions, which is very rewarding and exciting!

That is very exciting! I can see how that would be rewarding, watching them move better and achieve maximum performance in competition as a direct result of your work. I wish you continued success, too.

I am drawn to working with rescue horses, so I think this is where my efforts will mostly remain. I'll keep you posted on Lucky's progress. Thanks for sharing what is happening with your work...please keep us posted! I would love to hear more, as I'm sure many others would, too.