Saturday, 17 January 2015

Enrolling In Horse Massage School

By Enid Hinton


Equine sports have always been very popular with people of all ages. In the past few years with a booming economy and a renewed interest in sports and leisure, anything to do with horses has become even more popular. There are huge barns all over the country that cater to riders of all ages and abilities. Some just want to enjoy a quiet ride on the weekends, whilst others are dedicated competition riders.

There is growing evidence that alternative approaches to health, such as acupuncture and massages can have huge physical and psychological benefits to both people and animals. With this in mind many students are now enrolling in horse massage school. This allows them to combine all their interests, horses, health and well being. They can also enjoy travelling and meeting lots of new people.

It is important to find a school that is accredited with all the appropriate authorities. For many students this will mean travelling to a new location. The move itself can be a great experience and an opportunity to meet new friends and see a new part of the country. They should also be very clear about how long the program runs and how much it costs.

As with most college courses there will be a variety of class room and practical work. Most of the students will already have a background with horses, but for those who do not there is a lot more to learn. It is vital that they spend extra time at a local barn learning how to safely handle large equines. They should also devote time to observing horses both in the field and being ridden.

In many ways horses are like people. When one part of the body hurts they often compensate by relying on another part. Knowing how a horse moves typically is key to spotting any changes, however slight. As equines cannot explain what is wrong it is up to the owners and barn staff to really keep an eye on each and every animal in their care. Early detection of problems is the best way to prevent further injury.

Understanding the psychology and social functioning of the animals is also crucial. Horses are herd animals that live in family groups. This is for protection as in the wild they are prey to animals such as wolves and mountain lions.

Horses know instinctively not to show any sign of weakness or injury unless it is unavoidable. Any obviously injured animal will immediately become the target of predators. By understanding this a massage therapist is often about to find deep seated injuries that the horse tries hard to disguise.

Many of the big time competition riders now employ their own equine masseur to travel with their horses. They rely on the therapists knowledge of the animals muscle system and how an pull in one area affects the entire body. A massage is also a great way to get a high strung race horse to calm down and focus on their job.




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