Equine Sports Massage Certification question?

[LC850]

I am looking at the various Equine Sports Massage certification programs available. Is there anyone here that is certified? What advice would you give to someone looking at the various schools and needs help making a decision on choosing one? What is your favorite part about performing the massages and what is your least favorite?

 

[michelenergy]

I recently looked into equine massage, as well.

I got into it after reading a wonderful book: "The Walrus on My Table: Touching True Stories of Animal Healing" by Anthony Guglielmo. Anthony speaks about how he got into working with animals and why he chose the school he did (Patricia Whalen-Shaw's Integrative Touch Therapy for Animals in Circleville, Ohio).

After doing some research on-line, I saw many schools and they are all very expensive. I decided to call some local barns to find out if they would even have a market for my work if I were to go for some certification. I learned that in most states Equine Massage is illegal unless you're, at least, a Certified Veterinary Tech. I even spoke with barns in New Jersey where there are no licensing requirements. Nevertheless, the owners still told me that even though I am a Licensed Massage Therapist and even if I got my Equine Certification, they still wouldn't hire me unless I also became a CVT, had large animal experience, AND was affiliated with one of their Vets!

I decided to hold off to get my certification until there was a "sign" of some sort that there was work available for me. I live in Manhattan and there's not much of a market right here. If something happens to me that happened as described by Anthony in his book -- i.e., a client keeps asking me to massage their horse -- then I would take that as a sign.

In the interim, if I were to go study Equine Massage, I personally, decided that it would be at the Equissage School in Virginia because I have a very close friend living right up the road. I could stay with her and I could massage and ride her horse while I'm there.

Good luck!