EQUISSAGE©
The Equissage Equine Sports Massage Therapy Certification Program is an intense 5-day course that will cover all aspects of sports massage on the equine athlete and prepare you for a career as an equine health care professional. The coursework will take place Monday through Friday at our Equissage facility in Spring Branch, Texas. We spend a lot of time in the classroom, and many hours in the barn demonstrating and practicing the strokes and the sequence.
Equine Sports Massage Therapy (CESMT) On-Site Certification Program Course Schedule*:
(Two-on-One
On-Site ESMT training is available by appointment for $1495 for each participant:
Remaining Summer Courses 2024
12 - 16 August 2024 (full)
Fall Courses 2024
19 - 23 September 2024 (full)
7 - 11 October 2024 (full)
4 - 8 November 2024 (full)
9 - 13 December 2024 (full)
Spring Courses 2025
27 - 31 January 2025 (full)
24 - 28 February (full)
24 - 28 March 2025 (2 places left)
28 April - 2 May 2025 (5 places left)
We are happy to Waitlist you for earlier classes - make a note on your Online Registration Form of the courses you want to be Waitlisted for -- but YOU MUST BE REGISTERED FOR A LATER COURSE IN ORDER TO BE WAITLISTED.
*Prerequisite for 5-Day ESMT Course at Equissage Texas:
Demonstrated Equine Experience
(You should be, as a minimum guideline, safe on the ground around horses,
and have prior knowledge of basic horse-handling, haltering,
and tying with a quick release knot)
Equine Sports Therapy Course Information and Curriculum
“Equissage is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider. Both the equine and canine programs provide 50 hours of continuing education."
THE ACCUMULATING DATA OF SCIENCE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE BONDING AND THERAPEUTIC SUPERIORITY OF HANDS-ON ANIMAL/HUMAN MASSAGE INTERACTION OVER THOSE MODALITIES WHICH INCORPORATE THE USE OF ANXIETY-GENERATING, ALIEN MECHANICAL DEVICES".
-World Federation of Alternative Therapies
Mission Statement
To ensure that our students are receiving the most thorough, complete curriculum available. Firmly hold to the offering of our curriculum at our facility at a reasonable and fair cost. In doing so, we will make the therapy more accessible to those wanting to pursue a career as a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist. This gives more and more Equine Athletes the opportunity to be freed of pain and tension through the amazing power of touch and the Equissage Therapy.
CURRICULUM and Course Textbook:
THE (HOW TO) MANUAL OF SPORTS MASSAGE FOR
THE EQUINE ATHLETE - MARY A. SCHREIBER,
CANDELWYCK PRESS,
MIDDLEBURG, VA
Course Information
* A major emphasis is made on the application of massage techniques; massage strokes, and the Equissage sequence. We practice on our very appreciative Equine Volunteers here at Sophia's Grove.
* Students will learn the basic anatomy and physiology of muscles and each of their functions.
*Students will learn basic anatomy of the horse as it pertains to massage and to problems that can be relieved by massage.
*Students will also learn to be aware of the specific conditions which may affect the horse if those muscles become strained, pulled, tired, tense, sore, or not adequately nourished through blood and lymphatic circulation.
*We also cover proper business practices and marketing your services.
Students successfully completing the program will receive 50 hours of continuing education hours, as approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
When a student graduates from Equissage they are completely confident to begin working on these noble athletes and ready to start their new careers in the lucrative industry of alternative animal health care.
The Equissage Curriculum:
Day 1
- The Equine Musculoskeletal System
- History of Massage
- The Mechanics of Equine Sports Massage
- Barn Safety
- Instructor’s Demonstration of Equissage Massage Sequence
- Hands-on Evaluation of the Equine Athlete
Day 2
- Q&A - Review of material covered
- Sequence Classroom Instruction
- Hands on Instruction / Hands-on Practice
- Review
- More hands-on practice with Instructor
Day 3
- Q&A - Review of material covered
- The Musculoskeletal System
- Functional Assessment
- Sequence Classroom Instruction
- Muscular issues and related performance issues
Day 4
- Review of full massage sequence
- Review of strokes, pressures and sequence
- Hands-on practice with Instructor
Day 5
- Test on Muscles and Functions
- Test on Safety/Ethics/Client Interaction
- Hands on practice/practical test preparation
- Review
- Final examination, each student completes a full-sequence Equissage Massage
- Presentation of Certificate upon successful completion
Costs
The fee for the 5-day Equine Sports Massage Therapy Certification Course is $1295.00. This includes tuition costs, the textbook “ How to Manual of Sports Massage for the Equine Athlete”, the Sequence DVD “Sports Massage for the equine Athlete, the Review DVD "Notes with Nicholas," and handouts used in learning the Equissage curriculum.