EQUINE MASSAGE | EQUINE SESSION INFO
TABLE MASSAGE | TABLE SESSION INFO | TABLE FAQS
Equine massage (cont'd)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there special preparation for an equine massage session?
Yes, please. . . .
1) Locate an area where your horse can be enclosed and shaded, but not restrained (i.e. no cross-ties). Usually this is a stall or a dry run-in shed, but a portion of an indoor arena can suffice. (Note: A stall with active ceiling pesticide applicators is not suitable.) Ensure the area is clean of manure/urine for the session start.
2) Be sure the horse is clean and dry when I arrive. Simple currying and brushing is fine; bathing is unnecessary. Do not apply sheen products to the haircoat or tail!
3) Feed your horse before my arrival if the session is scheduled near feeding time, to prevent distraction from hunger.
Why isn’t the horse tied during your session?
There are two reasons: one, psychological; the other, physical.
First, horses are prey animals that feel safest when they have room to evade danger or pain. My approach does not “do” rote things “to” the animal; my techniques are exploratory, elicit animal feedback, and attempt to release pain, never cause it. I rely on the client to tell me what produces discomfort, and when given freedom to step away, horses choose movement before biting or kicking. This encourages trust and communication on your horse’s part.
Second, the stereotype of a passive client (of either species) is counterproductive. Effective massage often creates a healthy craving for movement when a chronic restriction is released. Clients often need to stretch, yawn, shake or blow (at either end!) and both human and equine clients are entitled to do so. Cross-tying sabotages the appropriate head-lowering so beneficial for equine clients. If an animal has a reputation for misbehavior, the owner or surrogate is asked to hold the horse with a tolerant amount of lead rope.
Many practitioners offer “equine sports massage” and use the designation “ESMT.” Why don’t you use that terminology?
In my opinion, the term “equine sports massage” was coined as a marketing strategy by well-meaning individuals when equine massage was in its infancy. Since horses are used largely as sport athletes, these pioneers wanted to connote a service which improved a horse’s athletic performance, not simply relaxed or pleased the animal while offering no pragmatic benefit to the owner. However, true “sports massage” is a very specialized technique with methods and objectives distinctly different from those of “equine sports massage” as it is currently taught.
For this and other reasons, I avoid using the misleading term “equine sports massage.” Likewise, “ESMT” is not a third-party certified designation, rather an informal descriptive acronym easily claimed by any layperson. For this reason, I limit my professional designations to those certified by a third-party (CMT, BA, and NCBTMB) and am completing advanced coursework to qualify for the AS degree and eventual entry into a DVM program.
What, then, is your training in massage and other relevant disciplines?
I completed the 620-hour basic massage course at Baltimore School of Massage in Nov. 02. This was immediately followed by 40 hrs of gross human anatomy (cadaver) dissection in Dec. 02 and Maryland State licensure in Feb. 03.
I subsequently completed approx. 1000 hours of specialized training in orthopedic & medical massage (James Waslaski, Eric Dalton, Medical Massage Associates), active isolated stretching (Aaron Mattes), cancer massage (Tracy Walton), health intuition (Karen Grace Kassy), manual lymph drainage (Vodder school), as well as TTouch (40 hrs), equine myofascial (Ruth Mitchell), Reiki I & II, and equine sports massage with Mike Scott (40 hrs) and Equissage (40 hrs).
I’m now enrolled at Anne Arundel Community College with a pre-veterinary designation, earning the recognition of both Phi Theta Kappa and the National Dean’s List after 24 credit hours.
Do you have a horse of your own?
Yes, since 2002, I’ve been blessed with ownership of a visually impaired, now 23-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, a veteran of 81 races and 7 years as a schooling mount. He continues to be a source of inspiration and education for my work.
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