What is Equine Sports Massage?

Equine Sports Massage (ESM) is the therapeutic application of professional sports massage techniques to the equine athlete.

These techniques were originally designed for human athletes and have been modified and adapted for the equine athlete.

Sports Massage has proven effective in increasing performance levels, endurance and injury prevention in human athletes as well as reducing the amount of time required for injury recovery.

The same type of benefits are obtained for the equine athlete by utilizing Equine Sports Massage hands-on techniques.  These hands-on techniques increase circulation and reduce muscular fatigue, tension, and stress, which are the primary causes of muscular injury.

According to a report from the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, musculoskeletal problems are the most common cause of poor performance of the horse.  Equine Sports Massage directly addresses these problems and allows the horse to compete at full potential.

Where does the trained ESM Therapist fit in?

You may choose to offer your services professionally in the equine industry or to focus only on your own horses.  Either way, as a trained therapist, you will assist in helping each horse you touch reach his/her full potential.

In your training, you will study and develop in-depth understanding of the equine muscular system.  You will learn how to engage in effective non-verbal communication with the horse.  You will be able to evaluate a horse and inform the client about the condition of the horse's muscular system and what you can do to help.  You will be working in association with owners, trainers, and veterinarians and offering a valuable professional service.

Is there a demand for ESM Therapists?

Yes.  With the growing understanding of some of the adverse reactions to invasive surgical techniques and the debilitating long term effects of constant drug use (not to mention, the expense), people are seeking out alternative non-invasive approaches to health problems for both themselves and their animals.

Without a doubt, Equine Sports Massage makes a positive difference in the attitude, health and performance of horses.

Professional equestrians, owners, trainers and veterinarians are seeing and hearing of the great results obtained from this work, and are seeking out trained therapists for the benefit of their horses.

Although Animal massage is not yet a conventional career path, Equine Sports Massage is a growing field in need of professionally trained therapists.

How long is the ESM Program and how is it organized?

Our intensive Foundation Program is presented over a 10 day period.  The program is divided into two distinct Sessions of 5 days each.  This format provides our students with maximum flexibility in personal time and expenses when scheduling their courses.

We encourage students to take Sessions 1 & 2 together.

For many people, this program is a wonderful life changing experience.

Each day you are presented with interesting and useful information in a relaxed and positive learning environment.

You meet new friends and spend every afternoon working with a variety of high performance horses.

After you attend one of our programs, you will never look at a horse or a saddle, the same way again.

If your time and budget are limited, you may choose to split up your Sessions.  Students may enroll and pay for only Session-1.  At the end of Session-1, you will have learned the different massage techniques and some of the muscular anatomy.  At this point, most students are still unsure of about their palpation skills and how to properly apply the massage techniques.  However, this option does afford them the time to go home and practice.  When these students return for Session-2, they have had some practical experiences and they now have an opportunity to ask specific questions.