How to Get Certified as an Equine Massage Therapist: Top Programs and Requirements
If you’ve landed here - you’re likely in the “how would I even start this as a career???” phase of your equine bodywork journey.
Welcome to the best decision of your life 😉
My story
When I first considered equine bodywork as a career, I knew nothing about the industry. I knew horses, and I knew business - but I didn’t know equine bodywork.
So, I did what any millennial would do and turned to Google to search “equine massage certifications near me” and found one in my budget that was only about 2 hours away and was scheduled to begin the next month for a total length of about 4 days. Perfect.
Or… was it 😬
I completed the certification and felt like I learned a ton but once I got home and started working on horses, I realized that my education had a lot of gaps. My certification was a sports-massage based program and very routine-based (start here for 10 minutes, then go here for 10 minutes, then here for 10 minutes and flip to the other side) and I felt like I really lacked the ability to differentiate my sessions for each horse.
Each horse I worked on taught me something, though, and with time I became more and more confident as a therapist, but I couldn’t help but feel like what I was doing wasn’t enough… I craved more!
I eventually was able to save up and complete a ton of continuing education over the course of my first 2 years in business to build my skillset (and confidence) and get to a place where I really felt like I knew what I was doing - but looking back, I wish there had been some kind of roadmap available to me when I was searching that would have given me more information about what I was actually getting myself into.
Enter, that roadmap: There are literally hundreds of equine bodywork certification options out there. It’s overwhelming to know where to start! Let’s break it down by certification type, what to look for in a certifying organization, and the requirements for each US state.
Certification Types
There are several different types of bodywork that you can get certified in. The most common certification programs are:
Sports Massage
Craniosacral Therapy
Masterson Method
Myofascial Release
Lymphatic Drainage
Acupressure
Trigger Point
Nerve Release
Each of these serve a unique purpose in the equine bodywork world and while it would be helpful for you if I could just say “X is the best kind”… it’s not that simple! You have to decide what your calling is and what type of bodywork feels most aligned with your ideas of bodywork and equine massage. My best advice is to research each of these modalities and imagine yourself doing the work… does it just feel right? That’s the one for you to start with (you can always add in more certifications later!).
What to Look for in a Certification Program
I’m not saying that there are scam artists out there… I genuinely believe that folks get into this industry for the best interest of the horse - but there are definitely organizations that take their certification programs more seriously than others. Some things to look for in a certification program:
In person vs. Online: You can learn a lot of things online, but feel isn’t one one of them. It’s like trying to teach someone how to smell via the computer… it just doesn’t work. I encourage you to find a program that has an in-person component (even if most of the course is online, but you do a final practical in person - that’s okay!).
Accreditations or Professional Associations: There are two main organizations that oversee the animal bodywork industry: NBCAAM and IAAMB. I recommend pursuing certification through an organization that is associated with one or both of these professional organizations, as it shows an extra layer of competency and care. Not a non-negotiable, but something to consider (there are also some great certification programs out there not associated with NBCAAM or IAAMB).
The length of the program itself: Take a deep look at the content and length of the certification program. Is it a 2-day certification program? 6 months? 20 hours? 500 hours? The length of time for each program varies significantly and so does the quality of instruction. Even though you’re eager to just get certified and get started… the shortest cheapest program is not the best option. Consider that it takes 6 months to 2 years and 300–1,000+ hours of accredited training for someone to get their human massage license…. we should strive to seek the same level of education for ourselves as equine therapists 👏🏼
Legal Requirements By State
Equine bodywork is not a federally regulated industry - it is up to each US State to determine the rules when it comes to bodywork on animals and this is done through each state’s Veterinary Practices Act.
There are 4 general categories of legality across states when it comes to equine bodywork:
Anyone can do it
Anyone can do it with veterinary referral
Anyone can do it under direct veterinary supervision
It is not allowed except by veterinarians
Outlined below is a reference sheet of the legality of equine massage in each state.
Please note that laws change and this list may not be up to date. You are responsible for checking your state’s Veterinary Practices Act before starting your equine bodywork business.
So where does that leave you?
Probably with more information than you want to think about 😅 I’m hopeful that with this information, though, you can move forward with confidence in choosing a certification program that will fit your interests, budget, and goals for your equine bodywork business.
Feeling overwhelmed? I offer business coaching for every budget and would love to meet and chat about your specific needs and share my best suggestions of certification programs that would be the right fit for you!
