Create your brand. Create a unique logo and company name so people can recognize it. Your brand should clearly show what it is that you do. Once you find the perfect logo, you need to get it out there so people will see it! Make shirts, hats, decals for your vehicle, pens to hand out at barns and put your logo on all your paperwork.

Build a website. Creating a high quality website has never been easier. With host sites like Weebly that allow you to easily build and edit your own website, there is no reason why an equine bodyworker shouldn't have a website. Be sure to include information about conditions that can benefit from your services, information about yourself and your credentials, testimonials, any specials you are currently offering and tons of high quality photographs! Click here for $10 off a new Weebly account.

Create Social Media Accounts. Social medias such as FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram are great places to build up followers who could potentially become clients. It is also a create place to keep in contact with your current clients by posting blogs, testimonials, specials and pictures of you working. It is now easy to run advertisements through these medias where you can choose your audience by location, interests, gender, age and more!

Pass out flyers and business cards. Flyers and business cards are a great way to advertise at barns, feed stores, tack stores and other equestrian venues. When creating a flyer, make sure to keep it short and concise. Focus on what you can do for their horse and also what your credentials are. A high quality photograph of you working on a horse should be included. When creating business cards be sure to include your contact info and website along with any social media sites. Always list your certification number on your card and state that you work through veterinary affiliation or referral if it is required in your state. Don't forget to add your logo!

Do demonstrations. Demonstrations are a great way for you to show people what you can do and also educate them on the benefits of equine massage. You could either do a general massage demo explaining what you are doing as you work or you could do a specific demonstration focusing on a specific condition (like TMJD) or technique (kinesiology taping demo, myofascial release demo, etc). Pass out flyers and cards during the demo and consider offering discounted sessions to those who book an appointment immediately following the demo.

Set up meetings/lunches with local veterinarians, trainers, dentists, farriers, etc. Setting up a lunch can be as simple as bringing sandwiches to an office during lunch and explaining the services you offer while they eat (if you plan one for a veterinary office make sure to include the staff!). Be sure to make it short and concise and leave them cards and referral pads to make it as easy as possible for them to refer to you. When interacting with veterinarians remember that their time is limited. Your personal veterinarian, farrier, equine dentist, chiropractor (and whoever else you use for your horses) are the best people to start with.

Offer package deals and first time discounts. Discounts can be a good way to persuade horse owners to try you. Once they see what you can do they are likely going to refer you to their friends, so provide them with business referral cards. With each card that they pass out, their friend will receive a discount on their horse's first session and they will also receive a credit on future appointments. This is a great way to motivate your clients to help advertise your services. Be sure not to discount your services too much though because then people will devalue them. Make sure they know what you are worth!

Create an email list and send out monthly newsletters. Start to build your email list by adding client's emails to it. You can also have allow people who visit your website (potential clients) to join your newsletter list. This is a great opportunity to share blogs about the techniques you provide, case studies, new techniques you have added to your practice and testimonials. You can also add seasonal tips such as blanketing in the winter, keeping your horse cool in the summer, horse treat recipes, etc. 

Offer your services at local horse shows and events. There are always a lot of horses at shows, clinics and organized trail rides. Set up a table at these events so that you can pass out flyers and cards to potential future clients and also offer your services during the event to those who would like to have their horse worked at while they are there. This is a great way to meet a lot of horse people in one day!

Send follow up letters. A follow up letter is a great way to thank a new client for using you and also serves as a way to let them know about additional services you offer that they may not be aware of. You can also include referral cards and explain your referral program in your follow up letter. If a horse was referred to you by a veterinarian or other equine professional always send them a follow up letter as well thanking them for the referral and sharing your findings and treatment plan (make sure to get the owner's permission before sharing these details).

Craniosacral therapy is a bodywork technique that addresses the craniosacral rhythm which is found in all animals.  This rhythm is similar to the animal's heartbeat, but is a result of the pumping of Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) rather than blood through the heart. The CSF nourishes the Central Nervous System (CNS) and changes in its flow can directly impact it. CSF flows from the skull of the animal (cranium), down the spinal cord to the sacrum (hence the name craniosacral). Craniosacral therapists can enhance and correct the flow of CSF through specific techniques and protocols.

Dr. William Sutherland, an osteopathic physician who was fascinated by the structure and function of the bones of skull, founded Cranial Osteopathy in the early 20th century. He initially experimented on himself and found that he could influence his cranial rhythm (as well as cause or relieve illness) by putting specific pressure on certain cranial bones. In the 1970's Dr. John Upledger, another osteopathic physician, expanded on Dr. Sutherland's work after he became interested in cranial rhythm when he saw it first hand while assisting in an operation and noticing rhythmic movement of the patient's spinal cord. Dr. Upledger was able to develop techniques to directly influence this rhythm and had the opportunity to research the craniosacral system while working at Michigan State University. He later created courses to teach others how to perform craniosacral technique and today the technique is practiced by thousands of practitioners all over the world.

Numerous practitioners, including myself, began to practice the craniosacral techniques on animals and quickly realized that they can benefit from it just as much as people can. Animals also have a craniosacral rhythm that can become altered due to injuries and stresses. Animals who receive regular bodywork (massage and chiropractic) and have pattern of re-occuring issues (won't hold an adjustment, end up tight in the same areas shortly following a massage) can benefit from a combination of craniosacral therapy and other forms of bodywork. The craniosacral therapy will allow the animal to "unwind" the kinks and twists in their fascia that is caused from repeated stresses allowing their bodies to stay in alignment following a chiropractic adjustment or allowing the muscles and other soft tissues to remain less restricted longer following a massage.

Similar to humans, animals have multiple bones that make up their skull. These bones are attached by sutures, which are a specialized joint that allow for very subtle movements so the bones can expand and contract with the CSF pumping. These bones can become jammed or misaligned. This can be a result of birthing (the animal's skull can become compressed in the birth canal) or it can be the result of injury. Cranial bone alignment techniques allow the practitioner to make subtle movements in these bones which allow them to move more freely. This can help with anything from headaches and lack of concentration to decreased proprioception and attitude problems.

Practitioners who would like to add craniosacral therapy to their animal bodywork practice are welcome to enroll in our online certification course. This course covers a 10 step CS protocol, advanced techniques, cranial bone alignments and an energy healing technique.

Chiropractic and other body alignment techniques can aid in reducing your dog's musculoskeletal pain by aligning their spines and improving neurological communication.  Be sure to do your research when choosing a practitioner for your dog and find someone who is fully qualified.  When done correctly adjustments can aid in reducing symptoms due to intervertebral disc disease, arthritis, muscle spasms, neck and back pain, leg weakness and more. 

Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I know if I'm doing the techniques correctly if the course is online? This course has been structured in such a way that it maximizes the learning potential.  There are also homework assignments that must be submitted via video of the student performing the techniques. The videos are reviewed by Dr. Barbara and the student receives feedback and must master the technique before they can move on in the course.

​What if I have a question as I am reviewing the material? Dr. Barbara makes herself available to students through email, FB, website chats and other forms of communication.  When a student asks a question, they can normally expect a response within a few min to an hour. If the student is in another country and happens to write when Dr. Barbara is sleeping, they will have to wait a bit longer, but most students can attest to the fact that they normally get instantaneous responses for her allowing them to move on with their studying without having to wait.

Am I able to communicate with other students? Yes! We have private FB groups for each of our courses which allows current and past students to interact with each other.  This is a great way to share case studies, ask questions and seek advice from other students and practitioners who have already received their certification.

How do I take the online course? When you register, you will be sent a link and password so that you can access your course.  The course is comprised of presentations (by Dr. Barbara), PowerPoints, articles and demonstrative videos. You can save your place in the course so that you can start up where you left off the next time you log in. The exams are completed online. Homework assignments and case studies are submitted through email (with videos). Hands on practice hours are done at a local rescue or shelter (if there is not one located in your town, Dr. Barbara will help you find other arrangements). 

How much does the course cost and can I make payments? This course is $1100 USD and you have the option to either prepay at a discount (pay a total of $990) or make 4 monthly payments of $275.  Although our prices are in US dollars, we do have many international students and their payment will be converted to USD at checkout.

What techniques does the course cover? The course covers Swedish, Acupressure, Myofascial Release, TMJ Release, Gua Sha and Core Muscle Stim massage as well as several physical therapies (hot and cold therapy, stretches, ultrasound, whole body vibrational therapy, etc). Click here for a full curriculum.

What will my certification title be? Once you complete the certification process, you will have the title of Certified Canine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapist.  You will receive a high quality, wax sealed certificate in the mail and your name (along with your contact info and website) will be listed on our website under practitioners so that potential clients can find you.

How do I register? You can register here.

Angel's Animals LLC offers an online equine massage certification program. Our course is a 100 hour course that requires the student to complete 50 hands on practice hours, 10 case studies, homework assignments and 2 exams to receive their certification.  Our program is available to people in every country and does not have any timeframes or deadlines.  One of the many great things about this course is that you can log into it at any point in the future (even years after completing it) to review the material....your course never expires!

Our course is approved through NCBTMB, IAAMB, IVCA, ACAN and several other organizations.  

Techniques Covered:
*Swedish/Relaxation Massage
*Myofascial Release
*TMJ Massage
*Shiatsu Massage
*Gua Sha
*Mechanical Massage
*Aromatherapy
*Stretches
*Physical Therapies

​Click here to view the full curriculum

Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I know if I'm doing the techniques correctly if the course is online? This course has been structured in such a way that it maximizes the learning potential.  There are also homework assignments that must be submitted via video of the student performing the techniques. The videos are reviewed by Dr. Barbara and the student receives feedback and must master the technique before they can move on in the course.

​What if I have a question as I am reviewing the material? Dr. Barbara makes herself available to students through email, FB, website chats and other forms of communication.  When a student asks a question, they can normally expect a response within a few min to an hour. If the student is in another country and happens to write when Dr. Barbara is sleeping, they will have to wait a bit longer, but most students can attest to the fact that they normally get instantaneous responses for her allowing them to move on with their studying without having to wait.

Am I able to communicate with other students? Yes! We have private FB groups for each of our courses which allows current and past students to interact with each other.  This is a great way to share case studies, ask questions and seek advice from other students and practitioners who have already received their certification.

How do I take the online course? When you register, you will be sent a link and password so that you can access your course.  The course is comprised of presentations (by Dr. Barbara), PowerPoints, articles and demonstrative videos. You can save your place in the course so that you can start up where you left off the next time you log in. The exams are completed online. Homework assignments and case studies are submitted through email (with videos). Hands on practice hours are done at a local horse rescue or therapeutic riding center (if there is not one located in your town, Dr. Barbara will help you find other arrangements). 

How much does the course cost and can I make payments? This course is $1100 USD. You have the option to prepay at a discount (total of $990) or make 4 monthly payments of $275.  Although our prices are in US dollars, we do have many international students and their payment will be converted to USD at checkout.

What techniques does the course cover? The course covers Swedish, Shiatsu, Myofascial Release, TMJ Release, Gua Sha and Core Muscle Stim massage as well as several physical therapies (hot and cold therapy, stretches, ultrasound, whole body vibrational therapy, etc).

What will my certification title be? Once you complete the certification process, you will have the title of Certified Equine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapist.  You will receive a high quality, wax sealed certificate in the mail and your name (along with your contact info and website) will be listed on our website under practitioners so that potential clients can find you.

How do I register? You can register here.

It is important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian before having him or her massaged to rule out more serious causes of disease and discomfort.  Ask your veterinarian if your dog is a candidate for massage therapy before scheduled a massage.  Since there are specific ways to correctly massage a dog and contraindications to massage (circumstances where massage could make the condition worse), it is important to utilize a certificated canine massage therapist or receive the proper training yourself before massaging your dog.

Interested in learning more about becoming a certified equine massage therapist?

A study that was recently published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science demonstrated a reduction in swelling in horses that were taped using kinesiology tape (the inflammation reduction taping) following arthroscopic tibia-patellofemoral surgery. 

The majority of horses experience some form of back pain and often times this pain is due to an ill fitting saddle.  Horse back conformation can vary significantly amongst horses making it difficult to find a saddle that fits one particular horse perfectly. Signs that your saddle may be causing your horse pain and impending movement are ears pinned back when saddling or riding, inability to collect properly under saddle, lack of forward motion under saddle, dry spots when you remove your saddle pad (your horse should sweat uniformly under the saddle pad if the saddle and pad fit correctly), development of sores, tender spots and white hairs under the saddle. 

Obviously if your saddle does not fit your horse, the best solution is to find a saddle that does and I recommend consulting with a certified saddle fitter to find the best saddle for you horse.  However, if your saddle is a good match for your horse and your horse is still experiencing pain, here is a solution to your problem!

These girths and cinches actually change the position and angle of the billets to prevent the saddle from interfering with the shoulder, which decreases pain and frees up movement.

"I purchased a horse about 6 months ago who came to me with back issues due to having to work in ill fitting saddles his whole life.  "Rio" has large white spots on either side of his back from the saddle cutting off circulation and impinging the nerves.  I wanted to make sure that I didn't make the situation worse, so I went on the hunt to find a saddle that fits him correctly.  I was able to find a saddle that fits him well, but due to his large shoulders, I was still having trouble getting him to move freely under saddle.  Finally I found the shoulder relief cinch! This cinch allows his large shoulders the room they need to move while under saddle and I am happy to report that he has been pain free ever since! I loved this cinch so much, that I purchased a second one for my other horse.  I wouldn't ride with any other cinch now!" ~ Dr. Angelique Barbara

Some conditions that can benefit from kinesiology tape are: ACL and other knee related injuries in dogs, back pain in dogs and horses, hind end weakness in dogs due to IVDD, spina bifida, arthritis, or DM, suspensory ligament injuries in horses, post surgical swelling in all animals and stocking up in horses. A recent study in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science showed a significant reduction in swelling after 24 hours of kinesiology taping in horses with arthroscopic tibio-patellofemoral surgery. (http://www.j-evs.com/article/S0737-0806(16)30525-1/abstract)

While kinesiology taping is a very safe and effective technique, there are specific ways to cut and apply the tape for the condition being treated and there are contraindications to utilizing this tape as well.  Proper training is required to be able to adequately add kinesiology taping to your practice.
​
Angel’s Animals - Holistic Online Courses, offers kinesiology taping certification courses for both Equine and Canine practitioners.  These courses can be completed from anywhere in the world and do not have time limitations.  The courses are taught by Dr. Angelique Barbara who is a Doctor of Chiropractic with a BS in Veterinary Science and a MS in Veterinary Pathobiology.  Dr. Barbara was one of the first practitioners to start using kinesiology tape on animals and she developed these comprehensive courses to share her applications and experience with other practitioners.  

There are protocols available for the following conditions:
abscess, arthritsi, joint stiffnesss, soreness, bone density, bowed tendon, bucked shins, cellulitis, check ligament injuries, colic, bushings, EMP, equine bleeders, fetlock, sesamoid and pastern injuries, hip injuries, hocks, hoof issues including navicular disease, bruised feet, heel pain, thin soles, hoof growth, underrun heels, pedal osteitis, knee injuries, laminitis, muscle atrophy, navicular region pain, deep digital tendon injury, post performance, nervous, hard to manage, pre performance, scar tissue, adhesions, shoulder joint injury, sore backs and overall muscle soreness, splints, stifle joint injuries, suspensory ligament injuries, travel stress and wound healing

Most horses experience some degree of back pain either from a saddle that doesn't fit perfectly, a rider who isn't completely balanced or just sore muscles from exercise.  This back pain reduction taping is a very easy way to decrease your horse's pain and support the muscles along your horse's back during exercise!

• 4-inch and 2-inch Kinesiology Tape (recommend the Equine Big Daddy and Equine standard tape from RockTape)
• Scissors to cut the tape (recommend teflon coated scissors because the glue on the tape will "gum up" your scissors)

• Start by cutting a piece of the 4-inch (BigDaddy) tape long enough to run from behind  your horse's shoulder blade (at their withers) to the high point on their hind end
• Cut a second 4-inch piece of tape the same length as the first piece (you can use the 1st piece to measure the second)
• Starting behind your horse's shoulder blade on the left side of the horse, place the tape down about 1-2 inches from your horse's spine (running parallel to it)
• Do the same thing on the right side of your horse
• Cut 2 2-inch pieces of tape long enough to go across your horse's back, over the 2 strips of tape with 1-2 inches overlapping on each side
• Place one piece perpendicular (directly over) the 4-inch pieces just behind your horse's withers
• Place the second piece in the same manner on your horse's lower back

• Ride and work your horse as you normally would - the tape stretches as your horse moves which triggers the pain reduction response and minimizes muscle spasms
• Your horse can be saddled over the tape, but make sure to work your horse on the ground first when the tape is first applied so they can get used to the feeling before riding
• The tape is waterproof, so you can still hose your horse down after a ride
• This taping will normally stay on for 1 week and can be worn during turnout or under a blanket or sheet
• Reapply as needed and make sure to always remove it along your horse's hair direction, not against it
  • There will be some hair that comes off with the tape, but it is hair that was ready to naturally shed off, so no worries

Non-certification course available for horse owners. Certification Course available for equine professionals. 

We also offer courses for Equine Professionals including certifications in Massage Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy and Body Alignment.  Visit our website for more details!