Equine Massage Schools

[Cutieputootie]

I would very much like to attend one of these schools, but there are so many and i wonder of their qualifications, etc. I actually want to learn this inside and out so i can make a career out of it and some schools seem a little "fly by night." However, I live in Massachusetts and there doesn't seem to be a lot here (i'm not human certified, so no jack meagher). I'm thinking Equissage just b/c i can drive to it and it's mentioned everywhere, but their curriculum looks "iffy."
Also, i have a 19 year old cat who i do not want to leave alone for more than 5 or 6 days.

so, has anyone attended any of the following, have any advice, etc. - anything would be welcome!

Equissage
Bridge Creeek Ranch
Northwest School of Animal Massage
Rocky Mountain School of Animal Massage

or any others?
Thanks so much!!!!

Also has anyone heard of Equine Natural Movement Series (being offered in MA but at 3 times the cost of others)

Kim

 

[jusme]

Hi Kim...sent you a pm.

 

[Rusty]

Equine Massage Schools

Also has anyone heard of Equine Natural Movement Series (being offered in MA but at 3 times the cost of others)

I will be starting their professional training program this month. I'll review back with details!

 

[LittleBitOfSugar]

I too am having a hard time, especially up here in Canada, as it is not regulated- there seem to be quite a few folks who simply just give themselves a title.

 

[Lisa G]

NewH - what province are you in? Just like w/human MT, the regulations may vary by province. Do you have a particular interest?

 

[Abuhurairah]

^^Ontario- Equine Sports.

If you can point me to a non-self governing group (Ie- not affiliated with a school or individual) that would be great! We were told in school that pet massage therapists were not regulated , so I assumed this also also meant Equine.

In my own (exhaustive) online searches I cannot seem to find a group that is independent.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I think you may be right about Ontario's regulations. So maybe the next step could be, to contact a program that looks interesting, and ask them directly about their own training, experiences, affiliations, etc.

Are you a "human" massage therapist looking to expand? Or are animals your sole focus?

Oh, I just thought of this -- maybe an organization to do with horses can recommend an equine therapist, and that therapist can tell you where they trained. Not an independent assessment exactly, but maybe you can get some reliable info that way . . .

 

[Zac C]

Equine Massage Schools, been There!

Hello Group!
I just returned from Florida and Anamial Dynamics Equine Sports Massage course plus a 2 weeks Acupressure Course!!
Can't say enough good about it!!
I was not disapointed although I was nervous about investing the time and $$. All fears were gone in the first 10 minutes of class!!!
They did and awesome job. Like anything the more you put into it the more you get out of it!
If any one has questions let me know!!
Carolyn in MA

 

[xenonoh2]

Equine Massage Schools, been There!

Hello Group!

Hi, Carolyn...Welcome!!

 

[typical]

Equine Myofascial Release Seminar

For all those who are interested, I am teaching an Equine Myofascial Release Seminar.

My name is Cathy Covell. I'm a Physical Therapist and Massage Therapist who specialized in John F. Barnes Myofascial Release. I have worked at John's Paoli Myofascial Release Seminar for over two years, and have been blessed to be involved with horses my entire life!

I'm teaching a two day entry level seminar four times this year. The seminars will be:

Nashville, TN June 2-3rd
San Marcos TX July 21-22
Maple Plans, MN August 18-19
Wattsonville, CA Sept 22-23rd

The seminar will focus on treating horses using JFB MFR techniques. It's a truly amazing experience!

For more info you can check out my website http://www.motionforlife.net or e-mail me at motion_for_life@yahoo.com

Have a great day!

Cathy

 

[Gnarnia 1337]

Hi Cathy...my plate is currently full but I would love to know if and when you ever come to the New England area to teach.

Are you familiar with Tamara Rapier? And, if so, do you teach a similar seminar as her? I emailed her a week ago and as of yet have not received a response back (although I will resend again).

Thanks for posting! I will check out your website, as well.

 

[irishscott99]

equine massage schools

Hi Kindered Spirits,
I took Tamara Rapier's Equine MFR class just last week! It was so amazing and awesome (and I'm not a horse person! I guess I am now!)

MFR works! and the horses respond beautifully! Connecting w/
the horses for the three day class has changed me as a therapist

I would highly recommend Tamara's class (from personal experience) and I am sure Cathy will present the info beautifully, as well. Both
are very highly experienced therapists.

I hope you can experience Equine MFR soon!

Barbara Long, PTA/MT

 

[AessaMenevrah]

Equine Seminar

Hello Kindred Spirits- Nice picture!

My equine seminar is a two day seminar that focuses on performing John Barnes myofascial release on horses. I focus on what are called the "true" myofascial release techniques- transverse plane, cross hands, and elongation.

I do not have any New England seminars scheduled for this year, and am working on my schedule for 2008. If you have enough people interested, I could always add on a site.

Tamara Rapier has her scheduled posted on her website and Ruth Mitchell also teaches an equine course in Virginia. All of these seminars are excellent! Pick one that seems to feel right for you, and you won't be sorry!

Have a great day!

Cathy

Cathy Covell, PT MT
Motion For Life LLC
Equine Seminars

 

[eir]

Hi...thanks to you both for your replies and the info!

I've been practicing equine & canine massage for approx 7 years now. The connective tissue stuff seems to be the next natural step for me.

I recently took a week long myofascial/connective tissue seminar with another practitioner in March. However, I am very interested in learning a variety of approaches to the work.

 

[Twilight Brigade]

Hi to All!
This is Ruth Mitchell. Thank you, Cathy Covell, for mentioning the seminars I teach.

Just to clarify - I teach for Equinology, Inc., a California based school for equine bodywork (with a separate division call Caninology for canine bodywork). The school has been operating since 1995 and has established an excellent reputation worldwide. Equinology, Inc. courses (including MFR) are offered not only in Virginia, but in northern and southern California, east and west Canada, east and west Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa. The instructors include people who are known worldwide in their respective professions. You can view the details of all the offered courses, dates, locations and instructor bios at http://www.equinology.com. And, good news for those of you who are human massage therapists and nationally certified - Equinology, Inc. is a Category A provider for Continuing Education!!

When comparing Equinology, Inc. prices to other schools, please understand this is an excellent example of getting what you pay for. Equinology, Inc. provides you sueforum.xxx personal attention at each course and requires you to complete an externship after each class in order to establish your abilities. You don't just get a "certificate of attendance" at the end. Once you have successfully completed your externship you are given a certificate of completion. Equinology, Inc. has trademarked the term "Equine Body Worker" and has been establishing the Gold Standard in the field of equine body work. Sorry to sound like an advertisement, but, prior to agreeing to teach for anyone I investigate them carefully. I have been approached by other schools and have spoken with "graduates" of other schools who have been extremely unhappy with their "education". I have been nothing but impressed with Equinology, Inc. since I first was approached by them.

As far as the MFR - I, too, am both a physical therapist and a massage therapist and have taken all courses offered by John Barnes (at least two times for each course). I assisted John, his sons Brian and Mark at over 130 seminars over a 16 year period. I taught the Equine MFR course for Mark Barnes for 2 years. I have been teaching Equine MFR for Equinology, Inc. ince 1999. I have written a book on the subject entitled Facilitated Healing Through Myofascial Release - Putting the Pieces Together for Horse & Rider. I, too teach TRUE Myofascial Release - not the "old" method so many people identify as MFR which is actually Soft Tissue Mobilization. The courses I teach are Equine MFR I, a 5 day extensive hands on course which includes craniosacral techniques. The Equine MFR II course is 3 days and includes many additional techniques as well as case studies based on cases presented by participants in the course.

Hope all this helps with the questions some of you had.

 

[Chris Haggard]

Western Montana School of Equine Massage

Hello, I have recently completed a certification class at the Western Montana School of Equine Massage with Coreen Kelly and must say it was a wonderful experience and I feel I learned a lot. This 60 hour/6 day intensive class prepares you for a start in equine massage. It is understood that in one intense week you cannot be an expert equine massage practitioner, but I feel this class got me started in the right direction. In addition to getting a good understanding of the muscles and general anatomy of the horse, learning an entire whole body massage sequence and practicing good horsemanship skills as part of the curriculum, you also learn about energy, intention and intuition and how these factors fit into your work as an equine massage practitioner.

Do I feel I need to learn more? Yes, always. But I would not have wanted to get my start anywhere else. A sensitive, sensible, knowledgable and intuitive teacher and a holistic approach. I can only recommend. You can find more info here http://www.equinetouchmontana.com/ or on my website http://www.redcrowhorse.com.

 

[Ellie&Lucies mummy]

I think you may be right about Ontario's regulations. So maybe the next step could be, to contact a program that looks interesting, and ask them directly about their own training, experiences, affiliations, etc.

Are you a "human" massage therapist looking to expand? Or are animals your sole focus?

Oh, I just thought of this -- maybe an organization to do with horses can recommend an equine therapist, and that therapist can tell you where they trained. Not an independent assessment exactly, but maybe you can get some reliable info that way . . .

thanks for your help-I love reading your posts- you're a great mod!

I am currently a MT student, with a desire to get into pet/equine massage as well- my school has a final term in equine studies, which i hope to take.

As you suggest I am also working my 'horsey people' connections as to who they like & what they expect from an Equine therapist..as well as researching current Equine massage therapists-seems all over the place...


..ah well I really must not put my cart before the horse : and get the human liscense first!

 

[Pompal 09.]

HEY! ...so you went with Bancroft?! Awesome. You mentioned in another thread about taking small animal and are now onto equine! How's it all going?

 

[President Pelosi]

great!

 

[hgolden]

I am signed up to attend the new Equissage-NE-NY school in the beginning of June. Has anyone had any experience with the Equissage schools? I believe the New England/New York satellite school just opened the end of March 2008. I'll post my review once I've completed my training.