Question about equine massage/sports therapy?

[Alyce S]

Hey,im currently doing a diploma of remedial massage but am thinking of doing a equine massage course next year. Im unsure of what course would get me into a job with racehorses,i love racing and horses and it just seemed to fit really well. Can anyone help me with letting me know what courses would get me into such a field?

 

[go4gin1994]

I trained with Equissage and received my certification thru them also. Equissage is offered in the US and the UK. (http://www.equissage.com)

Breaking into racing takes A LOT of perseverance and thick skin at times. I donated A LOT of free massages to get my foot in the door! It also helped when I took in some show horses ( a lot of American Trainer's wives are into hunter/jumper and eventing). I happened to work for one Trainer's wife before I even knew who she was married to! She told her husband and he threw one of his "problem" horses my way.

Even after that I still was going from barn to barn, I just never gave up. Once I had worked on horses for a few different Trainers, word kind of spread. Believe me, they all KNOW their competition, so if they knew a horse was "ouchy" and didn't want to train one week but was back to their regular schedule the next... they wanted to know HOW.

I wanted into the racing world more than anything, Equissage gave me the ticket. It's highly gratifying!!!!!

 

[MissNewmarketSalsa]

I am not sure of any specific courses, but you could look into the following:

http://www.thebowentechnique.com/
http://www.equinemassageassociation.co.uk/
http://www.natural-animal-health.co.uk/equine_massage.htm

Many racehorse trainers use equine massage therapists to treat injured horses. The best way to get into the industry would be to get some work experience with an establised therapist and perhaps look into setting up on your own once you are fully qualified. I wouldn't recommend restricting yourself to racehorses as plenty of ordinary horses need treatment too!