Animal Dynamics, located in Reddick, Fla., offers a 10-day intensive professional course in equine massage therapy. Students can divide it into two five-day segments if necessary. Students learn anatomy, various massage techniques, and gain hands-on massage experience with every major horse breed. New muscle groups are introduced daily, building on the students' knowledge from the previous day's lesson. Topics include anatomy, nutrition, muscle groups, common muscle problems, evaluation, hands-on therapy, stretching and training horses, improper equipment use and hoofs. The school offers advanced courses in equine acupoint therapy and the principles and fundamentals of saddle fit. The school grants admission to students 18 years or older with some horse handling experience.
Animal Dynamics
9791 NW 160th St.
Reddick, FL 32686
352-591-4735
equinesportsmassage.com
Equissage offers a 50-hour, five-day equine massage course approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Campuses are located in Boerne, Texas; Bonsall, Calif.; Oxford, N.C.; Round Hill, Va.; and Sterling, Conn. Students may take an optional canine massage course, adding an additional day of training for dual certification. The school offers a home study version of the course where students receive assignments via e-mail and study materials via postal mail. On-campus learners will get hands-on massage experience with Thoroughbred, Belgian Draft, Shetland Pony and Quarter Horse breeds. According to the school, graduates of the program worked as official massage therapists at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The school does not require any prerequisite education or massage background.
Equissage
PO Box 447
Round Hill, VA 20142
540-338-1917
800-843-0224 (toll-free)
equissage.com
Geary Whiting's Equine Massage School, located in Big Sur, Calif., offers a five-day training program where students learn anatomy, massage, saddle fitting, stretching, workouts, and business topics like insurance and marketing. The course allows students without horse experience to become acclimated with a segment on basic horsemanship. Tuition includes meals, smoke-free cabin lodging, a Thursday night party and an outing to Big Sur. Students under 18 must have parental permission to participate.
Geary Whiting's Equine Massage School
HC67
PO Box 1836
Big Sur, CA 93920
530-410-5270
gearywhiting.com