Equine Massage Cert Program in NH, ME or MA?

[ducky14528]

Hi there...has anyone attended a professional equine massage therapy certification program in NH, ME, or MA - as a massage therapist?

1) Where?

2) Was it worth attending (time and money investment) even though you have already learned massage theory and techniques for humans?

3) Did you feel as though there was enough time spent on equine anatomy & physiology, pathology, behavior, and kinesiology/biomechanics?

4) Enough hands-on learning? Massage techniques? And, other learning methods?

5) Enough time spent learning evaluation of massage response...signs of acceptance or non-acceptance? Did you work on a variety of horses? Did they benefit from the work? Did they enjoy the work?

6) Happy with length of program in general?

7) Happy with instructors/instruction and learning environment?

TIA for any help!

 

[jerry]

Oh, great thread! I have not been to an equine massage workshop but I'd really loved to. I found Equissage online but I think they are in Virginia. I'd love to go but last time I check it's $1000 for a week long course and I just can't swing the trip.

We have 2 local horse associations plus 4H and I don't know of anyone in my area that really does this kind of work. It would be a really great way to get involved with horses again!

Steph!

 

[irishscott99]

Someone I went to school with went to one in Mass. after we graduated. She never intended to work on humans but you needed the base for the equine program. It was also a long program, I think around 2-3 months.

 

[Waikia]

Someone I went to school with went to one in Mass. after we graduated. She never intended to work on humans but you needed the base for the equine program. It was also a long program, I think around 2-3 months.

I wonder which one it was. There used to be a couple programs in MA that are now no longer available. One was affiliated with Bancroft in Worcester, and the other one was developed by Jack Meagher which has seemingly vanished (he's considered the father of equine sports massage...I actually had the opportunity to apprentice with one of his students while still in massage school). Both of these programs required attendees to be a vet, pt, ot, vet tech, massage therapist, etc, to enroll. I wonder if your classmate took one of these. If by chance you bump into her, would you mind asking? Thx!

I have not been to an equine massage workshop but I'd really loved to.

Working with horses (and all animals) in this way, is awesome. There is an equine program in Ohio that may interest you - Integrated Touch Therapy. Check this link out: http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=892

 

[Twins+1 YIAC!]

No problem... she took it in Sept of 2003, so it wasn't too long ago. I think I still have her e-mail address so I will try and get in touch with her.

 

[queniano]

I have found this one. Does anyone know anything about them, their program, or know any graduates?

http://www.neats.com/equine.html : New England Academy of Therapeutic Sciences, located in Dublin NH - 600 hour Equine Bodywork Professional Certification Program.

 

[Scarlet]

has anyone found anything on NEATS?

 

[Aunt Murry]

has anyone found anything on NEATS?

I attempted to get some info from them approx a year ago...left a message on thier voicemail...and I emailed them...never got a return call or email.

 

[Pandora Tomorrow]

really? that's so weird, i sent an email over a week ago and left a message too and no response. do they exist?
well, haven't been to dublin in a LONG time, have you? i recall there was some talk about their "rock" in the middle of town that put them on the news for a while. are you near dublin?

 

[i love him]

really? that's so weird, i sent an email over a week ago and left a message too and no response. do they exist?
well, haven't been to dublin in a LONG time, have you? i recall there was some talk about their "rock" in the middle of town that put them on the news for a while. are you near dublin?

Yep, really, I just gave up trying...figured it wasn't meant to be.

I don't know if they actually exist, lol. : There was a woman's voice on the answering machine and she answered it with a NEATS intro. I thought maybe they just didn't have a receptionist and were chief, cook, and bottle washer. I'm not near Dublin, or I would take a drive by to see.

 

[[VegLove]]

http://www.sportsmassageinc.com/index.html

I have heard great things about this program.

Mike Scott is also good. He use to teach the Equine program at Bancroft

 

[arman]

KindredSpirits,

I know you're not exactly close to Florida, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to throw in a "plug" for the program my hubby went to down there, Don Doran's Equine Sports massage school.

http://www.equinesportsmassage.com/

He went there prior to going to "people" massage school, and he was very pleased with the education he got there, and is still "catching" things today that he was taught there (things just seem to keep coming together more and more).

 

[CL3VZ323]

KindredSpirits,

I know you're not exactly close to Florida, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to throw in a "plug" for the program my hubby went to down there, Don Doran's Equine Sports massage school.

http://www.equinesportsmassage.com/

He went there prior to going to "people" massage school, and he was very pleased with the education he got there, and is still "catching" things today that he was taught there (things just seem to keep coming together more and more).

Thanks so much for thinking of me! Unbelievable, I just noticed that I posted this thread almost 3 years ago - wow. I have since apprenticed with Joanne Wilson (Jack Meagher's partner when he was alive), as well as taken the first module of Joseph Freeman's myofascial program.

I used to live in Florida and looked into Don Duran's program back in 2001. He has a very good reputation within the equine community, as well as the Vet College in the area. I agree with you/your husband, and would recommend his program.

Hope things are going well for your hubby and the horses!

Thanks again!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Wow- I didn't even look at the dates for this thread! Oops!

I'm glad you said that Don has such a good reputation- that makes me feel even better about being involved with them. He has been so helpful to my husband throughout the years since he went, and so encouraging.

Thanks for the well-wishes. Things are going more slowly with the horse aspect of the business, because we're not really pushing it. We've found a little local organization that provides therapeutic riding for disabled kids, and he has been volunteering to work on their horses/ponies. Also a great setting to teach me a few things! It helps get us our "horse fix" when he doesn't have anything on the books for a while, plus giving us the opportunity to "give back".

 

[nona_goldencat]

Hah-hah! I do the same thing here. I have been working with a local equine rescue for three years this December. I just joined their Board of Directors this month.

The horse that I work with has a severely degenerated stifle and his whole body is horribly compensating. He is the sighted companion for a blind horse there...their stalls are next to each other and they go out to the paddock together. The rescue just brought in a 30+ year old Belgian to share their paddock and the three are doing great. I'm going to start including the Belgian in my work, too. Very rewarding working with these horses. There are some photos of them floating around the Animal Therapies section.

Blessings and good mojo to you both for the work you are doing with the therapeutic riding horses/ponies. Yes, that's a great setting to learn a few things! Awesome.