Equine Body Worker

Equine Body Worker

This course has evolved as the profession has expanded over the past years. We don't know of a better course currently offered and we are proud to continue to present it, and the 250 graduates we produce annually. There is more to massage than just a recipe routine. You need to look at the whole animal, understand what you are seeing and utilize the skills you've been taught. Equinology® is not for everyone. Equinology® is for serious students, for those who strive to be leaders in their profession.

This 9-day, 97+hour (actual course contact hours and independent evening and day-off assigned study) course (a total of 250+hours with the required pre-course study and externsnip), is taught by one of the following international instructors: Debranne Pattillo, MEBW, Sarah Weldon, EBW, BSc (Hons) ost., Ruth Mitchell Golladay, EBW, PT, or Megan Kanz, MEBW. This course is specifically designed for those students wishing to pursue a career in this field, but is also regularly attended by veterinarians, physical therapists, human massage therapists, equine massage therapists, trainers, barn managers and chiropractors who would like to enhance their skills. The course is taught in such a comprehensive logical layered format, that those with little or no complementary equine care or science background will easily find themselves up to speed with the other professional participants.

After completing the course and required externship, the student will be able to evaluate posture and movement and apply a complete massage confidently. Externship and case studies are required in all of Equinology's courses to ensure that the students have learned the enormous amount of material presented in class. This way we find we can fine-tune the students' sessions. Equinology's staff members are able to answer questions for the participants should these arise during this externship period. Equinology's reputation stands tall due to the fact we test our students before issuing certificates. Our participants are so well prepared that we have a 98% pass rate for those presenting the externship.

The Externship:

For this particular course there are an additional 100 hours of guided study once the student leaves the class. Participants complete 20 massage sessions on at least 5 different horses, using all of the massage techniques, stretching with relaxation exercises and the documenting as taught in class. There is also a home study portion included on muscle function, muscle identification, point location and gait evaluation, this is required to consolidate the material that is taught and presented in the class. Once this is completed a video is sent by the student to Equinology to review, evaluate and expand the student's work.

Course Outline:

• Application of a full massage session as well as targeting specific areas
• Deep and superficial muscle location and isolation
• 80 point locations
• Veterinary vocabulary and terminology
• Massage benefits
• Contraindications for massage
• Bony landmark/surface anatomy identification
• Stretches for the massage session
• Relaxation exercises for the massage session
• Work ethics
• Documenting sessions
• Conformation and gait analysis
• Injury
• Exercising the horse after massage
• Marketing
• Introduction to dental issues
• Introduction to saddle fitting issues

• Session evaluation & observation forms included for business use

Students attend class daily from 8:00am to 5:30pm and have an additional 3 hours of evening studies. The fifth day of the course is spent out of class for independent study. This is an intense course!

Students will find that this foundation course ensures they understand the techniques they will be using as professionals. Additionally, it helps to prepare students for further studies in other Equinology® courses.

Certification of achievement upon successful completion of course and required externship.

Required Reading:

Students must read and understand the veterinary vocabulary and terms, skeletal anatomy and bony landmarks in the pre-course study guide provided after course registration.

Practical Guide to Lameness in Horses by Ted Stashak and Cherry Hill.