Hippotherapy
How would I go about getting into horses massage therapy?
Hi, I am from Australia. I have been thinking about doing a horses massage course and becoming a qualified massge therapist for animals (mainly horses). I am expereinced with horses and alnimals of all kind but cannot find out how to get into a course like this or find workshops anywhere. Any infomation on this would be greatly appreciated.
Public Comments
- If you have a local tack/ feed store, check to see if there is a bullitan board that might have a flyer. Also, if there is a holistic/ natural pet shop, ask if they might know where you can become certified.--Good Luck!
- check with a local vet.or trainer. I have found here that the vets that specialize got qualified in dental and chiropractics.
- I would like to know the answer to this question too :) Just in New Zealand though. Not everything is about qualifications though.. I have quite a history, non-horse related that has skills similar to what would be required. Even gaining human massage therapy qualifications gives alot of 'foundation' tools to start off with. If you are familiar to horse anatomy, and understand how the whole musculosceletal systems etc work, you can build a reputation out of trials.. .My own horse is turning out to be a bit of a success in applying that knowledge. (I won't bore you) However that doesn't mean i feel qualified to do the job! Most people here in NZ that consider themselves 'qualified' that aren't vets seem to have a brittish qualification in equine massage therapy. I would assume that could suggest most therapists in austaliasia/oceanic areas gain qualifications in the other hemisphere?! Horsey people are recognised by integrity, understanding and reputation. That is what one needs in my opinion to be 'qualified'. :)
- My best suggestion is not to even try to get "certified" as an equine massage therapist, UNLESS where you live requires some kind of certification. And if that is the case, then the department issuing the license should be able to tell you how and where you can get certified. You would be better off getting a license as a human massage therapist and then including animals in your practice. I have attended several of the so called "equine massage" schools here in the US and they are nothing but a rip off.
