Horse Jobs – Massage Therapist
Image from Atlantic Equine Massage
Those drawn to a massage therapy position have an extraordinary amount of compassion and patience. This is another of the intensely hands-on horse professions which requires strength of body as well as a love of equines.
Massage therapists spend their time working with animals who are experiencing pain which leads to a high stress level. This requires quiet confidence and the ability to remain calm, be patient and soothe the nerves of both patients and their owners.
This is a position which benefits a high degree of practical knowledge & experience, intuitive independent thinking and a responsible attitude.
A gentle nature, a genuine love of the animal and the ability to learn on your feet are essentials for being a great equine massage therapist.
Job Description
Therapeutic application of hands-on massage techniques for the purpose of increasing circulation, relaxing muscles, relieving tension, enhancing muscle tone and increasing range of motion.
Responsibilities
Requirements
Besides a high school and basic college education, a massage therapist must go through schooling to be certified in massage therapy by a licensed school.
*Certification varies by state regulations.
Resources
A few places to start if you are interested in a career as an equine massage therapist.
*Links open in a new window
International Association of Animal Massage Therapists
International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork
Association of Complementary Animal Therapies
National Association of Equine Massage Therapists
Equine Sports Massage Association
The Right Job For You?
If this isn’t your dream job, there is a long list of different careers that involve horses. Each one requiring a different skill set, schooling requirement and amount of contact with the animals.
im currently working full time at an event yard but im interested in massage or physio for the horse and wondered if there was any courses out there which are available to study from home (obviously with practical experience days too) which werent too expensive but thorough in detail to eventually make a career of it!?
A dear friend of mine and I are also interested in this like of work and equissage is a really good school and seems to be at the top of the line. Their prices also seem fair. THe website is:http://www.equissage.com/index.htm
One of the best courses is the 150 hour basic program offered by EquiTouch Systems at http://www.equitouch.net
They offer an in-depth course which is unique in that it is very different from the “pattern-based” one week courses available. They have been in business for the past 17 years and their graduates speak highly of them and their training.
Thanks for sharing Jessie!
I am a human and equine massage therapist that has been training, vet tech, competeing, raising, and loving horses my whole life. I am looking for a great job doing all of this.
I just came across this site-i love it already!
I am also a Certified Massage Therapist for humans & a Certified Energy Medicine Therapist (Energy Work w/Frequency Vibrational Shiatsu or FVS), and am currently enrolled in a Equine Sports Massage Certification for Equine Bodyworker thru “Equinology, Inc.” Debranne Patillo is the founder/president of the school/program and she travels the world to teach. Her program is very intensive/extensive-in order to pass for the EBW certification the student has to complete the required coursework that totals 300 hrs. (independent/classroom/externship) criteria.
I am really looking forward to delving into this field so I can help these magnificent majestic animals. Being able to use the Energy Medicine alongside the Massage is very exciting for me to look forward to too! For anyone interested in the site for the above mentioned program, it’s http://www.equinology.com