Equine Massage Therapy

The impulse to straightness must emerge out of the inherent integrity of the spine. It cannot be achieved from without, only evoked from within. ~Stuart Heller, The Dance of Becoming~

In Massage classes you will learn how to effectively perform a complete hands-on massage treatment. You'll also understand foundational massage concepts, experience equine massage demonstrations and have plenty of opportunities to get answers to all of your questions. But for many hours every week you will be in the stables where you'll work on at least 30-40 horses learning to apply massage methods and principles.

The ancient healing art of Oriental massage called Shiatsu is the primary modality you'll pick up. Shiatsu means finger pressure and is based upon the the same concepts as acupuncture; chi (energy) and meridians - the rivers of chi that run through the body. Although Shiatsu is energy work, it is hands on work grounded in flesh and bone where vital energy is released by manipulating soft tissues and the work is neither mysterious nor predicated upon special powers or faith.

You'll learn the how and why massage works on the soft tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) of the body from a western physiological perspective. You will also study and refine techniques from western modalities that have roots in Rolfing and Structural Integration, Neuromuscular Re-education, Myofascial Release and Craniosacral Therapy. These methods will become tools so that you have many options in your toolbox which will make your hands wiser, more adept and skillful.

The Principles of Natural Movement which you'll study in the Movement class will enable you to measure a horse and develop a clear image of how to help. The skillful sense of timing and sensitivity you will cultivate here will enable you to help the horse become the idea as you supple, relax and influence the horse to seek what's right for them.

You'll see that feeling your way through a horse's body is an exploratory process. At EMTC we say that the exploration is the massage because as you find hard lines of resistance and bracing you resolve them. Which technique you use is not nearly as important as how you adapt to the horse's response. So here you'll become practiced at following the lead of the horse. Then you will be able to draw upon any of the methods in your toolbox to tailor a treatment to exactly what's needed. Learning to listen, connect, follow and influence will become your therapeutic model.