| Becoming an Equine Massage Therapist is a newer | | | | Working with horses requires that you have extensive |
| branch of the massage profession that is just starting | | | | knowledge of handling and being around horses |
| to be developed. Because it is so new there are still | | | | because working with such large animals also comes |
| many controversies over licensing requirements and | | | | with a large risk of getting hurt if you don't know what |
| the skills that are needed to be able to do massage on | | | | you are doing. You will also have to be strong to be |
| horses. Since this field is still relatively new, jobs are | | | | able to bend and move around horses doing the actual |
| scarce and most will start their own business. | | | | massage work. |
| Currently there are not many regulations for becoming | | | | There are many different kinds of horses that will |
| an equine massage therapist. Because of this | | | | require massage so knowing how each sport works |
| veterinarians are often skeptical of hiring or working | | | | and what it requires will be helpful. Dressage and event |
| with massage therapists. There is also not much | | | | horses are different than endurance horses and |
| research in this specific area of massage which is | | | | horses used in driving. |
| what vets will require to gain more acceptance. WA | | | | Equine massage can help improve a horses |
| State is the only state I know of that requires that you | | | | performance and over all health and well being. A |
| actually be licensed as a people massage therapist | | | | good equine massage therapist will also teach the |
| first. More states I am sure will be creating legislation | | | | horses owners how to do some massage in between |
| regarding this in the near future. | | | | visits. |