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| I'm looking into becoming certified and am just curious as to those of you who use/would use a massage therapist. This doesn't mean you would prefer it over chiro, just, who would use massage alone and/or in conjunction with chiro.Input welcomed! Also, this would not be my sole job/income. |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
  
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I have as massage therapist I use more than a Chiro. I only use it on my horse though. I love my dog but I don't spend that kind of money on her like I do my horses who I compete on. I've used some massage therapists that didn't do a thorough job and won't go back to them again. The one I use has done my horses for years, he's good and he knows my horses. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | I am a certified Equine Massage Therapist so to answer your question yes I use "one" all the time! I've been able to do amazing things for my horses and do sometimes use it in conjunction with chiropractic. I'm a full time college student and am also working on my advanced certification so I don't have the time to market myself as a therapist or actually do it for a source of income right now but I work on my own horses and my friends' horses for free or in trade for taking care of my horses while I'm out of town, have a night class etc.
One thing is it can be hard on your hands if you do it a lot or have to work on large or deep muscles like in the hindquarters or if you have a pre-existing condition. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus so if I'm having a flare up it can get a bit painful but is till totally doable. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2276
Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :) | This has become a big thing where I live. Everyone is using a massage therapist for their horse. I haven't done it yet but I really want to try it. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | redmansmyman11 - 2014-01-27 12:32 PM I am a certified Equine Massage Therapist so to answer your question yes I use "one" all the time! I've been able to do amazing things for my horses and do sometimes use it in conjunction with chiropractic. I'm a full time college student and am also working on my advanced certification so I don't have the time to market myself as a therapist or actually do it for a source of income right now but I work on my own horses and my friends' horses for free or in trade for taking care of my horses while I'm out of town, have a night class etc. One thing is it can be hard on your hands if you do it a lot or have to work on large or deep muscles like in the hindquarters or if you have a pre-existing condition. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus so if I'm having a flare up it can get a bit painful but is till totally doable.
I do my own horses and my hands would hurt so bad if one needed a lot done. Which one did last summer because of an injury--his butt was staying knotted up. I broke down and bought an Equisports massager. That is the most useful gadget I've ever bought. |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2931
Location: North Dakota | I have a friend who is a massage therapist. I had her work on my horse one time. I liked the stretching exercises she showed me, and where his pressure points are. She seemed to do a good job but I guess I am not 100% convinced that a horse (who is standing and engaging most of his muscles) gets the same effect from a massage that a person does (laying down on a bed with muscles relaxed). He didn't feel any different after his massage.
I was thinking I would try one more time this year, but I am unsure if I will continue after that. |
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 Cinnamon Honey One
Posts: 6549
Location: between here and there | I use one, but there is ONLY one in this area NE Indiana)that I would use. Be very careful of giving your money to take classes from some places. I want to see credentials and have referrals not from their friends but from actual clients. There is a huge difference in training and a good deal you have to learn hands on yourself. I am totally convinced with the lady I use and you wouldn't doubt it's good if you had someone that knew their trade well. Like a good vet, check them out first! Good luck, it's a great rewarding job if you do it right! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1066
| I use an equine massage therapist, but the girl I use has 2 years of education under her belt. I would not use someone who doesn't have extensive education, and honestly, I dont see big enough improvements when she works on him to feel like its a really useful tool. I would get acupuncture done on him before a massage.
I love my dog dearly, but he will never get a massage. |
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 Crazy Doggy Mommy
Posts: 1419
Location: Where Governor's make the liscense plates | I will be using one on Saturday and ill have to let you know. |
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| Thanks guys! Keep it coming! |
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Expert
Posts: 4766
Location: Bandera, TX | I do and will pay someone to do my horses. I love to mentor college girls and help them take their riding to the next level. Ie. Rookie cards. That said, the care of their horses is huge in getting a leg up in stiff competition.
I teach them a little massage, a lot of stretching and the advanced gals get a little acupuncture and some chiro moves. I'm not advocating anyone do the last two without lots of class hours or working with someone willing to pass down the trade.
Late last winter I took a step back from a colt I was working on and said you don't look right, got on the phone and had a guy come over that has mentored me. He did a few points I hadn't thought of and changed the colt for the much better.
I've had bilateral carpal tunnel surgery and know of others in my area also having issue with their hands so take care of yourself first and foremost.
If you ever go to the big races look how busy the elite horses stalls are, someone is around them taking the extra care to keep them at the best.
I left the parking lot of a race this weekend smiling as I wasn't the last one to leave after stretching and BOT applied to all my ponies. I was parked next to some college aged gals having a new therapist working on their horses and Melinda Harlee was doing a great job!
My husband used to love the way I would pay my entry fees at the rodeos, a poor heading horse getting a massage just about always kept me from writing my own check.
On the dog note, if your in a large city yes you can make money. Out here I've had two vets call me in to do acupuncture, that won't pay the bills. And don't touch a dog without written script from a vet-you think horse owners are crazy.... |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | i use both..........even had accupuncture on my dog(and he has his own bot coat)
m |
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 Super Woman
Posts: 1365
| I am certified I have been to 3 different schools since 2000. Please check your state laws. I am licensed and insurance bonded and work with a few vets (one in Ok and 1 in Tx). It is not something I could "live on" but it is a nice side income. I do it mostly because I love seeing the differences in horses before and after they are worked on. I did it for my own animals then started acquiring lots of different therapy tools so that is why I started doing it as a side income. we have a vibeplate, equissager, cold lasers, heat indicator, Back On Track and Magnetic products, IceVibe therapy, Sore No More, Bigeloil, Pure Lysine and we have a arena and round pen for people that want to come out and enjoy all of it. We are in the process of converting our walker into a free flow and Praying to be able to swim horses before summer. |
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