Wanting to start a career in equine massage therapy but don't know where to start? This article will explain how! Step 1 - Determine if animal massage is legal in your stateWhile most states do not have licensing boards pertaining to animal massage, there are different regulations from state to state mainly depending on the state's veterinary board. Some states do not allow anyone except a licensed veterinarian to massage animals, while other states allow certified animal massage therapists to work under veterinary supervision or referral and other states allow animal massage without any veterinary affiliation. Click this link for a list of animal massage laws by US state. Step 2 - Decide what type of course is best suited for youThere are many equine massage programs available ranging from one day or weekend courses to 100+ hour courses. You will find courses that are completely hands on, ones that have both home study and classroom requirements and ones that can be completed completely online. There are pros and cons to each which you must consider before choosing a school. Classroom Programs: Pros: these classes will offer you the most personal guidance while you are learning the massage techniques. Cons: you will have to travel to the location where the course is held which comes with additional expenses (plane flight or gas expense, hotels, food, taking days off work and other expenses). Another con is that you must be available during the specific days the course is held. Home Study with Classroom hours: Pros: these courses have a little more flexibly as far as the time you have to complete it since there is an online component. They will also offer the same personal guidance as a classroom only program since you will do part of your training in person. Cons: these types of courses have the same cons as a hand's on only program...you will need to travel (with adds expenses to your cost of education) and you will need to be available during the specific class dates. Online Course: Pros: Start and complete the course on your own schedule without deadlines or timeframes. If something comes up in your life and you need to put the course on the back burner, you can without losing any registration fees. These courses are also usually more economical since you do not have to add on the expenses of traveling. Cons: you do not get the same personal one on one guidance as you would in a classroom setting. Step 3 - Find a program that is affiliated with other organizationsSince animal massage is not regulated by the state, there is no state licensing board for it. This means that pretty much anyone can teach animal massage. To ensure that you are taking a quality course and receiving a valid certification, make sure that the program you choose is affiliated with other bodywork organizations. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) is a massage organization for licensed human massage therapists. They will approve some animal massage courses as continuing education for their members. If a course has the NCBTMB seal of approval, then you know it has been reviewed and approved by this strict organization. The International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB) is another great organization that offers membership to those who have received a certification from an approved school (schools must apply and meet their requirements to become approved). If the program you choose is approved by IAAMB, then you will be able to become a member of their organization which will provide you with support as you are practicing animal massage and options for malpractice insurance (in the US and Canada). Step 4 - Enroll, complete and start practicing!Enroll in the course that meets all your requirements. Complete the course material and receive your certification and start practicing! Note that is definitely helps if the program you choose also has a business aspect to it. You could be the best equine massage therapist in the world, but if you don't know how to run your own business, you will not be successful. About Our ProgramAngel'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 Click Here to Enroll in a Free Trial!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. Have a question we didn't cover? Email Dr. Barbara
69 Comments
Jodie
1/12/2019 10:53:54 am
What is the average time to complete classes?
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Dr. Barbara
1/12/2019 12:16:14 pm
It is a 100 hour course. There are no deadlines so you can work at your own pace. The average person takes about 4-5 months to complete it.
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Mechelle rowland
2/1/2019 07:14:45 pm
Hi! I'm wondering if there are educational requirements needed prior to enrolling into your program?
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Dr. Angel
2/1/2019 07:20:00 pm
Hello Mechelle,
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Julie Rainey
3/19/2019 04:39:18 pm
Is there a place in southern ky?
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Hello Julie,
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Leanne
3/19/2019 09:28:02 pm
Is there places on northern Indiana
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Dr.Angel
3/20/2019 08:28:41 am
Hi Leanne,
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Tara
4/16/2019 02:42:03 pm
Are the courses to become a certified LMT. I'm looking at pursuing an equine massage license and didn't know if taking these courses would certify me or do I need more schooling? Is this just a CE course?
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Dr. Angel
4/16/2019 04:03:22 pm
Completing our equine massage certification course will make you a Certified Equine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapist and will allow you to become a member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB) and allow you to practice in most states that allow animal massage. This course is intended for those who would like to pursue a career in equine massage. If you think of any other questions, I can be reached at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com :-)
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Vicky Pederson
5/19/2019 06:47:53 pm
I signed up online today and started the course. Now I am trying to log back in and it says my password is wrong? It was Riley1007 but unless I had a typo when I made it. Not sure what to do?
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Kelsie Johnson
5/29/2019 10:50:31 pm
If I complete this course I will be certified? Or do you have to have previous college education?
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Dr. Angel
5/30/2019 08:51:14 am
Hello Kelsie, Completing our online equine massage certification course (Equine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapy) will certify you and will allow you to become a member of the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB) and practice as an equine massage therapist in states where it is legal (the only exceptions are CO and WA because they have additional requirements there). If you have any other questions, I can be reached through email at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com
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armando vargas
10/20/2019 08:48:19 pm
i need more info about cost,locations duration ect ,,could you help me thanks
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Dr. Angel
10/20/2019 10:06:41 pm
Hello Armando,
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Kerri Drake
1/2/2020 03:03:59 pm
My daughter is very interested however, she is only 16...is there a minimum age requirement to complete this course?
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Dr. Angel
1/3/2020 01:38:27 pm
Hi Kerri,
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Dr. Angel
1/3/2020 01:39:01 pm
That is supposed to say age limit, not time.
Lily
1/11/2020 09:43:15 pm
Do you accept military education benefits?
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Dr. Angel
1/12/2020 09:15:05 am
We have tried to in the past but our program was not approved due to use being a company that offers certifications rather than a school offering degrees.
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Tina
1/18/2020 02:57:59 pm
Am I understanding this correctly? On your site, you state that "The International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB) is another great organization that offers membership to those who have received a certification from an approved school (schools must apply and meet their requirements to become approved). If the program you choose is approved by IAAMB, then you will be able to become a member of their organization which will provide you with support as you are practicing animal massage and options for malpractice insurance (in the US and Canada)."
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Dr. Angel
1/18/2020 03:13:26 pm
Hi Tina,
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Jenny Biolo
1/24/2020 05:46:07 pm
What if someone is interested in doing a equine therapy but has a hard time spelling the big words, but can learn it and know all the muscles and how to do the massages?
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Dr. Angel
1/24/2020 06:02:51 pm
Hi Jenny,
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Brittany
2/3/2020 01:38:57 pm
What is the placement rate? I’m in Georgia and would like to know if I can easily attain a job once I finish the schooling. Also, do you have a career center to help in that area?
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Dr. Angel
2/3/2020 01:43:55 pm
Hi Brittany, Most Equine Massage Therapists are self employed. We cover how to start and run a business in the course. If you have any other questions, I can be reached directly at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com
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Devan
7/14/2020 07:11:27 pm
Referring to "hands on" i have 5 of my own horses. Would hands on hours be counted using my own horses or would I still need to go to a rescue ect?
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Dr. Angel
7/14/2020 07:23:55 pm
Hi Devan, Yes, you can use your own horses for practice hours and case studies, but you need access to at least 10. If there is not a local rescue, you can use horses owned by friends and family.
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Colleen Paige
7/21/2020 08:21:13 pm
Is there a workshop in Arizona or even New Mexico ?
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Dr. Angel
7/22/2020 07:52:41 am
Hi Colleen, at this time our closet instructor is in Colorado. It is not required to attend a hands on workshop to complete our course though. It can be completed fully from your location and I can probably find you a mentor in your area because we do have instructors in Arizona. If you have any questions I can be reached directly at dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com
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Lesley
9/25/2022 12:14:53 pm
Hello DR. Barbara,
Catherine
9/7/2020 12:45:16 pm
I’m super interested in taking your courses. I’ve been around horses for 15+ years. I was wondering if there is a bundle with massage therapy & chiropractic courses to be certified in both?
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Dr. Angel
9/7/2020 01:01:42 pm
Hi Catherine, I'm happy you found us! Our Ultimate Equine Bundle includes our massage, craniosacral therapy (which includes cranial bone adjustments), kinesiology taping and body alignment (Animal Neuro-myofascial Release Technique) courses. That is the bundle you will want to enroll in.
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Autumn Anderson
9/21/2020 10:59:46 pm
Hi! I am beyond interested in your program, however I do wonder if it’s allowed in Oregon/Washington? As a licensed therapist (after completing the coursework and passing exams) are you able to practice in multiple states where it’s legal, or do you need additional certification?
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Dr. Angel
9/22/2020 08:47:39 am
Hello Autumn,
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Cynthia stanley
9/23/2020 11:21:55 pm
I currently live in VA and might be moving to TN near Seymour. And I was wondering if there were any places I could possibly do classroom work as well as field work. I do not have access to 10 horses in VA but if I were to move to TN I could.
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Dr. Angel
9/24/2020 08:38:44 am
Hi Cynthia, we do offer hands on workshops for our students who are already enrolled in our online course and you can view the workshop locations here: https://www.holisticanimalstudies.org/hands-on-workshops.html
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10/6/2020 05:25:59 pm
Dear Dr.,
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Dr. Angel
10/6/2020 05:45:54 pm
Hi Steven, Unfortunately animal massage is not legal in NY even with a veterinarian's referral which is unfortunately because there are many animals in the state who can benefit from massage therapy. Hopefully the laws will change soon. There are quite a few other states who did not allow it who recently changed the laws due to law suits.
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Anita n Regler
10/22/2020 12:14:03 am
Hello Dr. Barbara.
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Dr. Barbara
10/22/2020 11:07:29 am
Hi Anita, Thank you for your interest. Our massage course takes at least 100 hours to complete. You can work at your own pace though because our courses never expire. I offer hands on workshops in the Port Orange, FL area. We can set one up when you are ready. I just require that the students complete the bulk of the online course before attending a workshop. Our course is approved by the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB) which will allow you to become a member and qualify you to purchase liability insurance. If I can answer any other questions for you, just let me know. dr.angeliquebarbara@gmail.com
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Anita n Regler
10/22/2020 09:28:12 pm
Thank you very very much.
Anita n Regler
10/27/2020 02:52:43 pm
Which course do I have to start with?
Dr. Barbara
10/27/2020 03:05:22 pm
You will want to start with this course: https://www.holisticanimalstudies.org/equine-massage-certification.html
Anita Delyea
11/4/2020 07:56:23 am
Hi Dr. Barbra,
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Dr. Barbara
11/4/2020 08:40:15 am
Hello Anita, Animal massage is legal in your state with veterinary supervision. Some states consider referral to be a form of supervision, so you should check with some equine massage therapists in your state to see how they handle it. We do not have hands on workshops in your area, but we do hold a lot of virtual workshops. Our course can be completed fully from your location. To become an equine massage therapist and carry liability insurance, you just need to complete our Equine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapy (Massage) course. We do offer some bundles that include our other certification courses as well so you can add other modalities to your practice. You will find the bundles here: https://www.holisticanimalstudies.org/equine-certifications.html
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Mary Zeman
12/13/2020 05:55:17 pm
Hi Dr. Barbra,
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Dr. Barbara
12/14/2020 11:59:29 am
Hi Mary,
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Lauren Marcus
5/3/2021 11:48:04 am
Hello Dr.
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Mary Detloff
5/3/2021 10:31:09 pm
Hi Lauren,
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Sam
5/12/2021 10:43:30 pm
Is it legal in nj?
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Mary Detloff
5/13/2021 10:14:09 am
Hi Sam, I'm happy to point you in the right direction regarding state laws. We reference IAAMB's website (www.iaamb.org) in regards to state laws. I just looked for New Jersey and it states: "Gray Area". That's a bit tricky. I would recommend you reach out to IAAMB directly to see if they have a better answer, or can point you in the direction of someone in NJ that you can ask. Additionally, I would recommend you reach out to a practitioner in your area to ask them how they go about practicing while staying within the guidelines for your state. You can find a list of our practitioners here: https://www.holisticanimalstudies.org/practitioners.html
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Kathi
10/26/2021 07:01:17 pm
I am interested in learning equine chiropractic. Do you offer this? When finishing your course can I practice in Georgia or would I have to work under the supervision of a vet?
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Mary Detloff
10/27/2021 03:38:47 pm
Hi Kathi, animal massage is allowed in GA without veterinary supervision. Our body alignment course (ANMR) falls under animal massage laws so you are able to practice that in your state as well. If you have any other questions about our program, feel free to email us at holisticanimalstudies@gmail.com
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Hannah Yara
12/21/2022 08:40:22 am
Hello, I was interested in this course and was wondering if I had to have a higher education to get my equine therapy certificate? I am a high school graduate. Just let me know, thanks!
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Mary Detloff
12/21/2022 10:30:40 am
Hi Hannah!
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Riley
1/8/2023 09:32:01 am
Hello, I am very interested in this program! I was wondering if the Ultimate Equine Bundle would be allowed in Tennessee, I wasn’t sure if it followed the standards required or if I would need to further my education else where? Thanks You! I look forward to getting started.
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Mary Detloff
1/8/2023 10:28:05 am
Hi Riley,
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Samantha
1/23/2023 04:59:52 pm
hi is there anything i need to do leading up to these classes such as take a veterinary assistant course anything like that. i was wondering if anything would help with a better understand or deepen my education.
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Mary Detloff
1/23/2023 07:29:16 pm
Hi Samantha,
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Samantha
1/23/2023 11:56:11 pm
I was wondering because even though I'm still in high school my counselor said to find out because our school has a pre vet assistant program to get you ready for college
Mary Detloff
1/24/2023 07:40:11 am
We don’t have an age requirement, however we do recommend that students have completed a high school level biology class.
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Lauren Stellwagen
1/26/2023 09:21:04 am
Hello Dr. Barbara.
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Mary Detloff
1/26/2023 10:08:00 am
Hi Laurèn,
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Cam
2/11/2023 04:14:31 am
I live in Canada can you train me?
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Mary Detloff
2/11/2023 12:42:42 pm
Hi Cam,
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Beth Brocato
7/26/2023 11:36:17 am
Is your certification valid in RI, CT, MA and/or NC?
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Mary Detloff
7/26/2023 03:41:56 pm
Hi Beth,
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AuthorDr. Angelique Barbara is the founder of Angel's Animals LLC, a company that has developed online animal bodywork courses for both owners and professionals. Dr. Barbara's unique teaching style along with the dynamic layout of the courses allows people of different educational backgrounds from all over the world to benefit from her knowledge. Archives
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