Equine Massage Therapy Newsletter

Popularity and History of Equine Massage Therapy

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n 1989, Mary A. Schreiber a certified Massage Therapist and active pleasure show competitor in Bucks County, PA., founded the IEquissage Certificate Program in Equine Sports Massage Therapy. After witnessing the effects massage therapy had on her human clients, Mary decided to incorporate massage as part of her show horse’s health care program. Equissage began when other horse riders, owners and trainers caught onto the health promoting qualities and curative properties horse massage had to offer. The results were remarkable! When she decided to market her equine massage at local racetracks and shows at which she competed, Massage therapy provided the competitive edge to horses that had been given up on, and injuries were healing faster than owners believed possible. Since 1992, Equissage has produced more than 8,000 Equine Sports Massage Technicians from 19 different countries around the

world. Graduates work for top owners and trainers in racing and show circuits, and some have been selected to work with the US Equestrian team at the Olympics. The first program of its kind in the world, Equissage is now a nationally and internationally recognized program(). Jack Meagher was the first person to formalize a technique still in use on horses with his book: “Beating Muscle Injuries for Horses” published in 1985. Jack worked on many human NFL athletes and popularized “Sports Massage Therapy” then translated a new technique to work for horses. Mary Schreiber was trained by Jack, and then took 7 years to develop her technique for horses. Nowadays, owners are seeking ways to keep their investment going and many are finding that detection and prevention are less expensive than the cure to injury. As riders expect more of their horses, jumps get higher, races get faster, and tests more technical, the demand to keep the equine athlete sound has increased dramatically.

As the horses are pushed harder to be successful at whichever discipline or sport they are in, the injuries increase. The system that was developed for human athletes carries over to the horse, as they are athletes too(). By Cristie Ionita It’s the Right Time to Go Back to School

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at does one do with his/her time off? The current recession has brought much opportunity for those seeking continuing education. A lot of the opportunity depends on where you are currently residing. If you're a farmer, rider, or just have a general interest in helping animals; why not choose "Equinology" (Equine Body Works Inc.)? Definition of Equinology: the study of or like horses An American based company was opened as a certification program in 1999; in an attempt to provide the public with an educational program that was of good quality and continuously up -toPage

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date. These courses, "...are approved and recognized by the International Equine Body Worker Association (www.iebwa.com), UK McTimoney Chiropractic Association, and the Society of Osteopaths in Animal Practice". Once you have completed the correct number of hours, the required prerequisites, and reading, you are then recognized as an "Equine Body Worker", (Equine Body Works Inc.). You are also eligible to join the IEBWA and then have the opportunity to apply for professional liability insurance.

Worker,and Specialized Equine Body Worker. These certification levels are geared towards continuing education for Chiropractors, RMT's, Physiotherapists etc. Each course has a different cost and duration ranging from $1000-$3000, and 8-10 days. If you feel you have already met some qualifications, there is a $100 testing fee for all courses presented. Equine Body Works States that, “Continuing Education is one of the main concepts to why Equinology was developed" (). There are also courses offered for you if you're interested in learning more about horses, dogs, and how to Unlike Massage maintain their health Therapy, Equissage has and performance as placed “A longernot and yet more been efficient stride in a animals. under a regulatory well conditioned sound race horse can By Jessica Field However, make thecollege. difference in lengthsit atisthe noticed in Ontario as an finish line. The dressage horse that is approved provider of flexible looks better,education and feels better”(). continuing by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

There are four different levels of certification offered for "Equinology" studies: Equine Body Worker (EBW), EBW Level II, Master Equine Body

Why Your Horse Should Have Massage Therapy

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eeping track of your animal’s health is vital for optimum performance. Horses especially need this maintenance being

as their performance is most important through their life. Equine massage has been proven to be most beneficial for horses that race, compete and are in need for rehabilitation. Many of the benefits involve enhancing the horse’s ability to perform 100%. By improving the range of motion, the horse can continue working in a more efficient manner; a horse that can move better performs better. A horse that competes uses a major amount of muscles to jump and land; if the horse is agile it will do a better job. Like Massage Therapy, improving circulation is very important to remove metabolic wastes. This is especially effective for horses that are injured and can’t exercise to increase circulation on their own. Stimulating the injured muscles can reduce scar tissue and return proper function. Equissage can also asses the condition of the horse through palpation, which also can improve Page

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the relationship between you and give you a better idea how your training is progressing. Certain techniques bring about specific outcomes in Equissage. Taking an Epsom salt bath after a difficult day at work is very effective in drawing out unwanted toxins, relaxing the muscles, and increasing blood flow. What most people don’t know is that this is a common form of Alexis Kacho-Sinke Certified Equine Massage Therapist

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lexis has been practicing equine massage therapy for four years. She is also trained in Hydrotherapy, Osteology and Gait Analysis. She is currently taking the Equine Science Certificate at Guelph University.

therapeutic Contrast Bath hydrotherapy that can 1. Dissolve in a 5 gallon bucket 1 be used on horses. Our cup of Epsom salts in COLD body is constantly water(add ice if possible) and pumping blood to bring dissolve in a 5 gallon bucket 1 oxygen nutrients cup ofand sea salt in HOT to water. the needed cells to help 2. Dunk a large beach towel into repair, and until preserve each bucket well saturated. You from can the usecold 3.strength. Remove towel first, squeeze thisbucket technique up the to excess out times and wrap the towel three a week and itaround a leg. Leave on forwith 30 seconds then must be done a remove and repeat process using warm-up routine and the towel from the hot bucket. then ended with a coolRepeat process three times on down routine. each leg.

By Jessica Field Alexis provides a full body or targeted therapeutic equine massage. She also utilizes hydrotherapy and stretches in her treatments. She has been involved with horses for 28 years and has three horses of her own. She will do preevent massages to help loosen the muscles, increase circulation, and post event massages to relax overworked muscles.

She will also be willing to work with your veterinarian and chiropractor to customize a wellness plan for your horse. Alexis is also teaching workshops that are hands-on and will introduce the benefits of equine massage for the equine athlete. She teaches the horse and rider to receive targeted massage techniques to Page 3

assist in achieving total muscle health. She teaches the importance of proper saddle fit, rider balance, warm up and cool down. Riders will learn how to "read" their horse and be able to pick up on the subtle clues their partners give them about their muscular health. Alexis

believes that a happy horse is a successful horse ().

massage  Therapists expertise

Rehabilitation Massage

imilar to a human reason to have a massage; it releases stress and holds the horse at its current level of performance. Having this massage once a month would be effective.

Aids in the recovery of injuries, traumas to the body, and illnesses; supports the immune system, increases circulation and blood flow, reduces swelling and inflammation, eases pain and tension, restores range of motion, encourages lymphatic flow, promotes proper formation of scar tissue, and removes toxins. To have a maximum result this massage should be performed from once a day to once a week.

Performance Massage Improves breathing capacity, cardiovascular system, muscle tone, joint flexibility, speed, overall athletic ability, and helps to prevent injury. This massage is recommended once a week to reach maximum effect.

Cost for Equine Alexis Kacho-Sinke Certified Massage Equine Massage Therapist Cost is subject to Phone: 905-892-4360 change due to: Cell: 905-329-7101 Email:  Area (state, country, [email protected] county/town)  Reasons for

Maintenance Massage

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By Melissa Irwin

Common Techniques

Alexis Kacho-Sinke: CEMT (Certified Equine Massage Therapist) located in Niagara region()

Not a  traditional Swedish massage.  Firm and direct pressure on one area lets the  therapist see the horse’s reaction from the ears, and movement if the spot is tender (similar to human reaction).  Bowen Kellington

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Most common in equine, canine, and feline massage; very carefully make sure not to damage tissue; use a softer/ lighter pressure.

 Point & touch

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$40 out of school $60 local, $75 out-oftown Average

 Deep

muscle

superficial Very similar to Swedish massage techniques used on humans.

By Jessie Cooper-Barnes

Bibliography Equine Massage Therapy. (n.d.). Retrieved 03 01, 2009, from http://www.witsendfarms.com/home/images/archives/Massage%20Therapy%20articl e%20for%20HorseCare%20Mag.pdf Equine Sports Massage Therapy Certification Program. (2000). Retrieved 03 10, 2009, from Equissage: http://www.equissage.com/request_equine.htm Equinology Inc ®. (1994-2004). The Benefits of Massage. Retrieved 02 12, 2009, from Equinology: http://www.equinology.com Kacho-Sinke, A. (n.d.). About Alexis Kacho-Sinke Certified Equine Massage Therapist. Retrieved 03 14, 2009, from Total Equine Massage: http://www.totalequinemassage.com/aboutus.html

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