Im thinking about getting certified to be a Equine massage therapist. And start a part time business/second job. Only problem im running into is that the facilities are all very far away from me.
But, some of them do offer online courses. So im wondering if anyone has done the online course? Is there still hands on work you have to do? I cant seem to find any good info on how it works since it is a hands on job.
Anything you all can think of will be great.
Some of the reputable schools do offer an online or independent learning option for the “book-learning” part of the education.
However, you simply cannot learn a kinectic/tactile skill like massage without in-person supervision and training by an expert. If you want to do this as a career and work on others’ horses, even just a sideline, you really should get the best possible education.
Yes, it is costly and time-consuming to have to travel. The better courses of study are longer and do cost more … but you really do get what you pay for. If you want to be a good therapist, you should resign yourself to the idea of having to take a few trips for some of the hands-on study.
Where in TN are you located? At least one of the strongest schools does offer its in-person training in varied locations. One of my classmates was from the Maryville area and traveled for the three required in-person sessions to graduate with our basic certification. She did not find it onerous. My family is in Bristol, and I have some regular clients in that area; it is about 4 hours away from my (I am now local to my massage school and help teach there).
The Bancroft School in MA has a reputable program. You could check to see if they have an on-line option. One question I have is does this profession really lend itself to on-line studies? I’m not sure I’d want a doctor that got his edge on-line.
Right thats what im thinking too, Sure you can learn the muscles and what not for online, but I dont see how you can get certified without the hands on. Mind you im sure I wouldnt have a problem with it as I have a little (human) massage background. But im a ‘learn as I do’ kind of learner.
Im in the Knoxville/Maryville area too. What program was it?
Im liking the Equissage program so far. Its about a week long… but its in VA. And im just trying to find away around having to take a week long vacation time to do this.
NiQi, I sent you a PM.
cuatx, Equinology has a very, very strong program, and Debrane seems to be very dedicated about keeping her info current. Since I graduated from a different program that meets their standards, I am eligible for some of their CE classes and I fully intend to take advantage to meet my CE needs.
The NW School of Animal Massage is another strong program. Like the one I graduated from, it is modeled after the training that human massage therapists must undergo to get licensed.
And of course, I can’t say enough good things about the Equine Massage/Muscle Therapy School in Camden, SC, from which I graduated and where I now help teach.
I not only teach Equine Massage, but also Rehab Therapies I have developed over the last several years. I realized, being a CESMT for years, that just doing massage was a small part of the therapy that is need to get the horse pain free, AND keep them that way! This is why I teach saddle fit/placement (many times it’s the saddle that is needed to be corrected), common ailments in horses and how massage can affect them, how to ‘Eyeball’ a Horse-basically how to look at a horse and SEE what is wrong before you ever touch them, giving my students a huge amount of confidence! My Rehab Therapies, that anyone can easily do-to help EPM, cold and sway back horses, and arthritis. Along with Under Saddle Therapies to fix rider errors and help to build the horses back. My 3 Day Total Hands On Class is more hands on time, than most 5 day schools-ALL of your 3 days is spend on the horse-learning the strokes, how to find spasms and how to feel for the vertebra in the neck, withers, spine and know when it’s out. In addition to this, Dr. Nancy Nicholson has agreed to come and teach my classes how to teach a horse In Hand Piaffe-this will greatly increase the horses topline and help to build them quickly. All this, and at much less than any other school.
Check my site–You can also return for ‘refresher’ class if needed for FREE…along with that a video of the massage sequence.
Exactly what coloredhorse says. I actually went to Bancroft - I did the “distance learning” option in which I did the anatomy/equine systems portion of the course online, but I did attend the school over a period of almost a year for hands-on training in the actual massage techniques and application. It isn’t anything I can imagine learning online - you need the teacher to watch how you’re using your body, how much pressure you’re using, to tell/ask you what you’re feeling. I would be uncomfortable trying to learn the actual massage techniques online, ESPECIALLY if I was then going to go and apply them to someone else’s horse.
I’m looking into the courses at Equinology. Make sure you check your state regs for practicing. The Equinology site gives some info on this, state by state. It’s important to me because although I’m in CA now, I plan to retire out of state. Some states I’ve been interested in say that you must practice only under direct vet supervision…
The IAAMB also has laws by state on their website. Many states have that law, but don’t enforce them-they have ‘bigger fish to fry’ than MT’s out there doing good work. 
There are a lot of online courses on massage therapy but of Equine? Check out this www.advfundamentals.com . I have gone through this and the courses are NCBTMB approved.
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