Can anyone recommend a massage therapy school that has an at home program? Equissage or brandenburg are schools i have seen, reviews?
Do not work with Bev Brady from Indiana.
That’s good to know, bad experience? I live in Southern SC so Indiana isn’t a close option for a nearby school!
What do you mean by “at home” program? I would personally not use a therapist who has not had hands on training under supervision while they were learning.
It’s technically an online program that is able to reach out to people who are not near schools. Apparently the tests are exactly the same, just have to submit videos to the instructors.
Honestly, that sounds a bit like a money grab to me, on the part of the schools. How can students learn effective touch/technique skills from a book or video, and how can instructors verify the students are using appropriate techniques simply from videos of the students?
If this is something you’re interested in pursuing, I would really encourage you to find an in-person program to go to, even if it means relocating while you’re going through the program.
Ditto this (and even the part I left out). This isn’t an industry that you can do that with. I would question it big time and anyone that told me they went to it.
[QUOTE=EKLay;8794512]
Honestly, that sounds a bit like a money grab to me, on the part of the schools. How can students learn effective touch/technique skills from a book or video, and how can instructors verify the students are using appropriate techniques simply from videos of the students?
If this is something you’re interested in pursuing, I would really encourage you to find an in-person program to go to, even if it means relocating while you’re going through the program.[/QUOTE]
I am very hesitant too, I am unable to relocate since my husband is in the military. I cant pick up and leave like I would like too. I was hope to hear some positive feedback, but I need to hear the truth! Sadly I can’t find a School school within driving distance of me.
[QUOTE=EKLay;8794512]
Honestly, that sounds a bit like a money grab to me, on the part of the schools. How can students learn effective touch/technique skills from a book or video, and how can instructors verify the students are using appropriate techniques simply from videos of the students?
If this is something you’re interested in pursuing, I would really encourage you to find an in-person program to go to, even if it means relocating while you’re going through the program.[/QUOTE]
I am very hesitant too, I am unable to relocate since my husband is in the military. I cant pick up and leave like I would like too. I was hope to hear some positive feedback, but I need to hear the truth! Sadly I can’t find a School school within driving distance of me.
Bonus about the military though, if you don’t like where you are now, there’s always the next posting. 
Maybe make a list of the schools you would like to attend and see if you can get something close to one of them next move? Good luck!
I really wouldn’t waste money on an online program.
How long are courses? Perhaps you could stay with a relative/friend and take courses from a good quality “in person” institution?
Do we have recommendations for schools across the country that are good schools to go to that people have been too?
A friend when to Equinology. I got a look at the books she had to get before going and they are very indepth re: anatomy. I really like that and looks at course material prior to her going (I was thinking of going). But it is PRICEY (the only reason I did not go). All in all she loved it and when she got back had to do a video of working on a set number of different horses in addition to other tasks before they would issue her a certificate. That is one I would save up the $$ to go to.
I did the Equissage home study program a few years ago. I have all the materials, but haven’t been able to complete the program yet, due to other obligations. It’s a decent program, with a book, video, and CD to help you study. It may not be the best program, and it’s rather pricey, but like I said, it’s decent. My BFF did the in-person program and liked it, so I figured I’d give it a whirl.
You won’t do yourself any favors by attempting to learn a hands on trade in a non-hands on environment.
If bodywork is what you want to get into, and relocating isn’t an option right now (or there’s nothing within driving distance), do a Google search and find some online equine anatomy courses. That’s usually one of the most overwhelming things for folks who do bodywork, is trying to master all of anatomy. There is a TON to learn, and and good dose of equine anatomy and biomechanics would put you in a better position to focus on learning the stroke work and applications.
I’ve done equine and human bodywork for almost 10 years. You need to be in the presence of a professional instructor to do the trade justice.
Professional animal massage therapist chiming in: Do not, I repeat, do not, waste your time on short courses or especially on an on-line course. Competent massage work requires not only a good theoretical understanding of anatomy and physiology, but keen kinesthetic skills that really cannot be developed without real-time guidance from experienced and knowledgeable mentors.
If you want to be a competent bodyworker, you need to bide your time until you can take a proper course, which should be comparable to a human massage therapy course. Expect to pay an appropriate tuition, as well; you really do get what you pay for. NBCAAM has a voluntary exam that some states have instituted as the test for state certification in animal massage; check it out, as I expect most states will go this way in the near future. Any course you take should prepare you to pass this test.
In the meantime, as mentioned above, you can get a good theoretical background taking some online anatomy and physiology courses. There are also tons of human massage schools all around the country. You can take one of those locally and give yourself a great foundation for the animal work. I did so (actually after getting the animal training) and found it informative, though I did not and will not seek human certification, as I loathe touching strange humans. :disgust:
There is an equine massage school in Ocala FL. You may be able to take weekend classes and start getting a basic education on it while waiting for next posting to where there may be a better program.
I plan on getting certified in time…but right now there is not enough time for me to focus on it. I just rub my own horse down and stretch him. He is more than appreciative of me rubbing his ears and doing stretches.
Every program I have found is short; anyone have recommendations on longer programs?! I’m trying to stay under 2000$
[QUOTE=Andreamarie5913;8806491]
Every program I have found is short; anyone have recommendations on longer programs?! I’m trying to stay under 2000$[/QUOTE]
For a good school, you won’t stay under $2000. Sorry. But you really do get what you pay for. There are several good schools in the US. Equinology is one of the best. Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage is also a very strong program. The Bancroft (Mass.) School of Massage has a good program, as well. One of the founders of the Bancroft program also opened his own school, Equine Muscle/Massage Therapy. Those are all great options, but you will pay quite a bit more than $2000 and expect to spend a minimum of 6 months and up to a year or more, depending on the program, how much time you can devote (full-time or part-time) and other factors. You should be looking at something in the range of 400-600 hours of education.
