Masterson Method
I recently sponsored a weekend massage clinic for horse owners taught by Jim Masterson and I can’t say enough good things about him, his teaching ability and the techniques. He also offers a certification program which consists of two one-week intensive classes plus a number of hours or hands-on work. You can find out more about the certification process at http://www.mastersonmethod.com/index.php/level-1-certification-courses.
I personally think getting certified as a human massage therapist before doing horses is a great way to go.
I did not expect to make a living as massage therapist after I did Equissage, although I did do a few outside horses for awhile. But I found it very physically demanding on my back and I practically needed a massage myself when I was done with a horse! Something to think about for those folks wanting to make a living out of it.
This is an important point and something else I should have mentioned in my earlier posts. The really good schools spend a fair amount of time on human ergonomics as well as massage technique and theory. One of my mentors has been in the business 25+ years, the other 15+. They both massage many, many horses per week. I definitely learned a lot about how to use my own body and pull in a variety of techniques that I did not get at all from the Equissage course. I can do as many as 4 horses per day easily for several days at a stretch; as many as 6 if I can take the next day off.
But I found it very physically demanding on my back and I practically needed a massage myself when I was done with a horse!
Then you weren’t using your body correctly.:no: I always work with my students on using the whole body, and only using their weight to do the work. It helps out alot-I am able to do 5-6 at a time by doing this.
Does anyone know what is the actually percent of graduated students that go on to work in this field?
It’s true that many do not, which is why I teach a 3 day class. Many contact me because they only want to work on their own horse, or their horses and friends horses. I offer several other classes and modalities that are beneficial and do complement the massage. My rehab therapy and energy class do help to continue the work done with massage. Many times there are ailments that the horse has that a massage, no matter how good you are with massage, or how many hours you have studied anatomy, etc. will help it. You must know how to continue working with the horse, be able to find out what actually caused the problem to begin with then know how to help the horse to not get back into the same situation. For instance, a cold back horse, this is usually from either a bad rider, or bad saddle fit-or both. So you must know how to at least a basic saddle fit, and know how a ‘good rider’ should be riding-and not bouncing on the horses back! So, those things also must be addressed as well as the back soreness. once you are able to remove the soreness, then you must remove the memory of that pain! if you don’t, you will not help a ‘cold back’ horse. Which is why I teach all of the above. It’s one more ‘tool’ in my toolbox to help these horses, and for my students to learn. It took me over 7yrs to learn alot of this, and those are the things I pass onto my students.
Actually, it has nothing to do with how I’m USING my back or how I’m applying pressure during the massage. My personal low back issues make it painful to simply STAND for an hour doing a massage. (and, yeah, I have a craniosacral therapist and do Pilates, etc. etc. etc. )
I would love to take his certification program. I have his DVD and find his techniques really helpful. They are similar to the body work done by the person who already works on my horse.
I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but before you even think about taking these classes you really should contact someone from your state’s veterinary board and run it past them. Chances are, even after you are trained, you will be legally forbidden to work on anyone else’s horse for remuneration. Most veterinary boards consider it an infringement on their members’ livelihoods.
That’s a lot of money to lay out just to massage your own horse!
If you try to start a business, anyone finds out about it and rats you out you can be dragged before the veterinary board, fined and warned about doing it again in the future. :eek:
Just something to think about before you lay out a lot of money…
Cherry, the reputable schools go into this issue in great depth. Some of us also have been very active for many years working with states to clarify the difference between massage therapists and veterinary medicine (e.g., does your human therapist have to be an MD?). There is also now case law precedent in favor of massage therapists being allowed to practice their trade (which is not veterinary medicine … no competent therapist would diagnose or prescribe treatment).
That is an excellent warning, though, and something that anyone working in a more restrictive state really needs to think about. Any prospective therapist should get to know her/his state laws very well.
Having a good relationship with your local vets is a good step, too. My vets and others in the area recommend me and other therapists whose work they respect.
That’s a lot of money to lay out just to massage your own horse!
And one reason why I developed my 3 day course! So that those who want to only work on their own horse, can learn the basics in 3 days, and not put out a whole lot of $$$. I treat adults like adults-I encourage you to learn as much about the muscles as you can before you come to the class, we go over their location, HOW to FEEL them in the class, where to work and not work, etc. How deep to go, what reactions to look for.Again, things that cannot be learned in a book-that’s what my course is about.
you can check with the IAAMB for laws in your state-and yes, many states do have laws that state you cannot do this on other people’s horses. We are fighting these laws and trying to work with horse owners, helping them to realize what they are loosing-the right to CHOSE what kind of care they want for their horse!
Actually, it has nothing to do with how I’m USING my back or how I’m applying pressure during the massage. My personal low back issues make it painful to simply STAND for an hour doing a massage. (and, yeah, I have a craniosacral therapist and do Pilates, etc. etc. etc. )
I’m sorry to hear that, just trying to help you use your body correctly for the massage therapy.
http://www.darcylane.com/equine.html
Very strong program, and the REMT I use from this program makes a point of working with vets and other practitioners.
If a short course is inadequate for gaining enough knowledge for working on humans, how can it possibly be enough for working on horses or other animals?
Found this information on the Equissage homepage:
Equissage is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider. Both the equine and canine programs provide 50 hours of continuing education.
They now have schools in New England, CA, TX and NC, so you don’t have to be limited to traveling to VA.
A bit of information on the legality of equine massage therapy also:
Regarding Vet Laws: We have received many inquiries from prospective students regarding veterinary regulations in various states, including Virginia. While these laws do exist none have been enforced. The reason: When a person wants a massage, he or she does not need permission from a doctor, nor does the therapist need to get permission from a doctor before performing a massage. Massage is not veterinary medicine nor is it human medicine. If a COURT were to rule on this law, it would most likely and logically be declared unconstitutional.
If you’re interested in learning the basics of equine massage to work with your own horse, you can take the classes to study the anatomy etc at night, from your own computer, then complete the course with a hands-on workshop following the completion of the class.
and more.
Practicum Workshop to Follow completion of the course.
http://www.horsecourses.net/educational2010.html
Regarding Vet Laws: We have received many inquiries from prospective students regarding veterinary regulations in various states, including Virginia. While these laws do exist none have been enforced. The reason: When a person wants a massage, he or she does not need permission from a doctor, nor does the therapist need to get permission from a doctor before performing a massage. Massage is not veterinary medicine nor is it human medicine. If a COURT were to rule on this law, it would most likely and logically be declared unconstitutional.
Am I the only one :eek: :lol: :o over this quote from that site?
Sure…it might be illegal in your state. But pay for this course anyways because eeven if it’s against the law, we don’t think that law will be enforced anytime soon. At least we certainly hope it won’t be, cuts into profits ya know. We’re going to give our own reasons why instead of a legal reason. And don’t worry, if you do get in trouble we can guarantee you that we think it might be possible that you may not lose in court…because we assume the courts will think as we do instead of following the actual law. :winkgrin:
Kinda hilarious IMHO.
http://www.avma.org/advocacy/state/issues/sr_cavm_exemptions.asp
shows the ‘veterinary legislation’ by states.
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I was wondering if the OP chose a school/course and if they are pursuing equine massage as a career now? I am considering this myself and my searches brought up this thread, thanks!
What are your thoughts on equine school now and the massage business? ?
[QUOTE=ArthurGuinness;4604065]
The school I go to for people is 15 months and cost about 15000. I was able to get grants and financial aid. I think it is a good foundation for when I want to persue th horses. It is also something to fall back on if the horses do not work out. I live up north so it will also be nice to have the option of staying inside for the winter.[/QUOTE]
I am very interested in equine and canine massage therapy. I like the longer more in depth hands on classes an study. I would like your opinion since you have been out of the school awhile. And how your business is going now.
Just curious…how long have you been going to the human school, as a LMT that is a lot of school if you do not intend to use it after.
How far into the people school are you…having graduated from one that is a whole lot of school if you do not plan on using it
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