Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Equine Sports Massage
Therapy?
Equine Sports Massage Therapy is the therapeutic application of
hands-on massage techniques for the purpose of increasing
circulation, relaxing muscle spasms, relieving tension,
enhancing muscle tone, and increasing range of motion in high
performance horses.
Who/what is Equissage?
Equissage was formed in 1989 for the purpose of offering massage
therapy services to the equine athlete. Founded by two certified
massage therapists, the company initially marketed its services
at major East Coast racetracks. Prompted by their great success
on Thoroughbred racehorses, the staff at Equissage moved on to
many of the top-rated show barns in the region. In early 1990
the company began gaining national media attention and was
subsequently featured in Sports Illustrated (July 16, 1990), on
ABC Television's, National Health Show, and in numerous cable
television documentaries. In 1990, Equissage produced a
full-length instructional video on equine massage techniques.
The video had worldwide distribution and, as a result, Equissage
was invited to participate via demonstrations at Equitana '91 in
Essen, Germany. Since that time the company has given clinics
and seminars nationwide, and has worked as official massage
therapists at such notable shows as the Gold Cup at Devon, PA.
In 1991, the company introduced the nation's very first training
program in equine sports massage therapy. The program has been a
huge success, with more than 8,000 therapists who have earned
their certification through Equissage.
Is massage therapy recognized at
racetracks and show barns as valuable to a horse's well being?
Yes, increasingly so. Just as the popularity of holistic
approaches to health care in humans has gained in recent years,
so too have these procedures and methods gained acceptance in
the care and treatment of animals. In the equine world we have
seen the recent advent of professionals like equine
chiropractor, equine physical therapist, and equine
nutritionist.
What kind of demand is there for
equine massage therapy?
Every equestrian - owner, trainer, and rider of racehorses or
show horses - wants his or her horse to have every possible edge
in competition. Massage therapy can help provide that edge.
Similarly, every owner of a pleasure horse wants the assurance
that their horse is the best it can be. Because of the health
promoting qualities of massage, as well as its curative
properties this therapy is being incorporated by knowledgeable
equestrians as an integral part of their horses' total and
continuous health care program.
Must an individual be licensed as a
certified massage therapist before being certified in equine
sports massage therapy?
No. At present there are no state regulations governing the
certification of equine sports massage therapists. This does not
mean that there may not be such regulations in the future. As
recognized leaders in the development of this therapy, Equissage
will undoubtedly play a role in the establishment of regulatory
guidelines when, and if the day of state regulation should
arrive. Any such future regulation would be based on the
principles of human massage therapy. This is one of the reasons
Equissage's program devotes considerable classroom time to the
fundamentals of massage therapy on humans as a preface to
studying its applications on horses.
What subjects are covered in the
curriculum?
The major emphasis in the ESMT Certification Program is on the
application of massage techniques and massage strokes. Students
will learn the basic physiology of muscles, the location of
major muscles and muscle groups. Students will also learn to be
aware of the specific conditions which may affect the horse if
those muscles become strained, pulled, tired, tense, sore, or
not adequately nourished through blood and lymphatic
circulation.
What qualifications or
background are considered important for success as an ESMT?
The most important qualification for success as an ESMT is a
love of animals, empathy for suffering animals, and a sincere
desire to help alleviate that suffering. While it would be
preferable to have a background in massage therapy, it is not
mandatory. Equissage's Certification Program starts with the
basics of massage therapy and thoroughly schools the student in
every aspect of the discipline. As a graduate, you will be
confident that you know everything you need to know to
administer equine massage therapy in an effective, therapeutic,
and professional manner.
How long will it take for me to
become certified by Equissage as an ESMT? Where is the training
conducted?
Equissage’s Certification Program consists of one week (five
days) of intensive classroom study and individualized practical
application. Class size is limited to six candidates. Both the
classroom and practical application segments are conducted at
Equissage's equine facility in Dolores Colorado. Dolores
Colorado is located in the southwestern part of Colorado near
the Four Corners. This beautiful area borders The San Juan
National Forest where there are thousands of miles of trails for
horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling etc.
The facility is a 5-minute drive to the quaint little town of
Dolores; 10 miles from Cortez; 45-minute drive to Durango,
Colorado; and 1 hour 15 minutes from Telluride. Students
may want to consider extending their stay so they could have
time to enjoy some of the amazing places and things to do in
this area.
Students who choose the Equissage Colorado program either
drive here or fly to Durango, Colorado (DRO), or Cortez,
Colorado CEZ. We can arrange for daily transportation to and
from our facility and one of the lodging choices in Dolores.
Equissage will provide lunches every day.
What kind of compensation can I
expect as an ESMT?
Fees presently range from $50.00 to $100.00 per session and a
session will generally last between 45 minutes and an hour. If a
particular track or barn has already been exposed to the
advantages of equine sports massage, a fee of $75.00 is easily
accepted. A track or barn where the owner or trainers have not
yet witnessed the benefits of massage, a fee of $50.00 may be in
order. Make no mistake about it, as an ESMT you are offering a
valuable professional service. You can expect to be paid as the
health care professional that you are.
What other features/benefits are
available through completion of the Equissage Certification
Program?
Membership in the International Association of Animal Massage
Therapists (IAAMT) is offered to all students successfully
completing the ESMT program curriculum. In addition to quarterly
newsletters and an annual conference (featuring leading equine
health professionals), the Association offers an INTERNATIONAL
NETWORK OF CLIENT REFERRALS. Discounts on travel, lodging, and
insurance will become available to all Association members. ONLY
GRADUATES OF THE EQUISSAGE ESMT PROGRAM ARE OFFERED MEMBERSHIP
IN IAAMT. Students successfully completing the program will
receive 50 hours of continuing education hours, as approved by
the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and
Bodywork (NCBTMB).
What is the cost of the program?
Exclusive of travel and lodging expenses, the cost of the
Equissage ESMT Certification Program is $1195.00. This fee
includes tuition, all books and materials, and a box lunch,
which is, provided daily. Applications for enrollment must
include a $300.00 non-refundable deposit which includes $49.95
for the program's textbook: The (How To) Manual of Sports
Massage for the Equine Athlete. This total deposit is deducted
from the total fee of $1195.00. Credit card payments through
paypal are accepted for payment, along with personal check, cash
or money order.
As a graduate of Equissage's ESMT
Certification Program, may I use the Equissage name in marketing
my practice?
No. Equissage is a copyrighted name and cannot be used in the
name, which you select for your business; however, you may
advise your clients that you are a graduate of the Equissage
school and that you are a certified ESMT.
Chief Instructor Mary Schreiber
Mary Schreiber is the founder of Equissage, the nation's leading
training organization devoted to muscle rehabilitation and
fulfilling potential in the equine athlete. As one of the
pioneers of equine sports massage therapy, Mary has appeared on
ABC's nationally televised Health Show and in leading equine
publications throughout the world. Her four videos on animal
massage have had international distribution, and her book, The
(How To) Manual of Sports Massage for the Equine Athlete has
been a best seller both in the United States and Europe. For her
achievements, Mary has been recognized with a listing in the
national register of Who's Who of Executives and Professionals.
Selecting a Certification Program
When selecting an equine sports massage certification program,
make sure you check the credentials of anyone offering this
program. Some questions you should ask are:
-
How many articles have appeared in national
publications about either the course you are considering or
the course's chief instructor
-
How many books or videos on equine massage have been
authored by the chief instructor?
-
How many veterinarians have chosen to enroll in that
program or school?
-
What are the average earnings of a graduate of the
program and how many graduates are there?
When you get answers to those questions, you will choose
Equissage, the nation's oldest ESMT Certification Program.
The Equissage Certification Program has trained more than
8,000 therapists - from every state in the U.S. and 19
countries.
Graduates of the program have gained national recognition
and work for many of the top trainers in the equine world.
A number of international graduates of the Equissage
Program were selected as official massage therapists for their
country's Olympic equestrian team at the most recent Olympic
games.
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