Equine massage online course
Enrollment CLOSED indefinitely.
Purpose: To learn when, how and why to apply equine massage in a safe and positive environment.
Course Information: Students will learn all the relevant Swedish massage therapy strokes; history and theory of massage; definition and purpose of massage for equines; creating a positive environment for massage; physiological effects of massage for equines; psychological effects of massage for equines; contraindications to massage for equines; assessment and treatment protocols for equines; an introduction to hydrotherapy for equines; equine biomechanics and kinesiology; case studies of common equine soft tissue issues. The massage course will also develop specialized massage skills to deal with a wide variety of health issues. Students will be introduced to the following specialized massage skills – acupressure, sports massage, lymphatic drainage massage, and the use of colour therapy. The equine massage course also introduces students to effective business development and sustainability skills and provides a wide variety of information on small business resources available through local, regional and national governments and financial institutions. The course also helps students perform 40 case studies. Students will be provided with a comprehensive manual and two instructional videos. The videos provide details on the assessment procedures – visual, palpation and gaiting including the impact different surfaces will have on the gait, the creation of a positive and safe working environment, all the massage strokes including the specialized massage protocols, a complete therapeutic massage session and a stretch routine. Each class will also contain video demonstrations.
Prerequisites: Equine Anatomy and Physiology
What you can expect to learn in the equine massage online course:
- History of massage.
- Theory of massage.
- Contraindications of massage.
- Creating a safe and positive massage environment.
- Assessment protocols – including taking a case history, gaiting to assess soundness, palpation.
- All Swedish massage strokes – including effleurage, raking, petrissage, kneading, tapotement, cupping and hacking.
- Hydrotherapy.
- Stretch routines – both active and passive protocols.
- Creation of homecare plans.
- Sports massage.
- Lymphatic drainage massage.
- Acupressure techniques.
- Colour therapy.
- The relationship between conformation, injury and rehabilitation.
- The relationship between specific horse sports / athletic endeavours, injury and rehabilitation.
- Business development.
- Completion of the case study requirement of massaging 10 different horses at least 4 times.
Course Completion Deadline: This course has to be completed in totality within 9 months from the date of registration.
Instructor: Sheilagh O’Sullivan
Course Length: Fourteen 90 minute sessions.