Equissage now available in Europe

Equissage, the certification training programme in equine sports massage therapy, has been hugely popular in the United States since 1990.

The founder, Mary Schreiber, has trained more professional equine sports massage therapists than anyone else, with over 8000 graduates from all over the world. Now this exciting and fulfilling course is available in Europe.

Equissage Europe teaches the same rigorous standard in horse massage following the Equissage sequence.

Students also learn equine anatomy, physiology, conformation, lameness, saddle fitting, stretching, balancing the horse, remedial exercise programmes and much more.

The course is an intensive five day practical and theoretical instructional period. Students need have no previous veterinary, medical or massage skills, just a love of horses, boundless enthusiasm and a sense of humour.

Students come from all walks of life — private horse owners, people working in equine sanctuaries, stables managers, trainers, massage therapists, physiotherapists, saddle fitters, vet technicians, farriers and holistic equine practitioners.

The overwhelming response at the end of the week is: “I wish I had known this earlier!” On successful completion of the course, graduates are able to practise as certified equine sports massage therapists.

Equissage, initially aimed to get the extra 20% from competing horses, has become much more than that. Horses, whether in high levels of competition or just the family pony, benefit from the massage techniques and holistic approach that Equissage Europe teaches.

As humans, we know how massage can relieve all sorts of aches and pains and make us feel relaxed. In the horse it is an even more powerful therapy as approximately 60% of their bodyweight is muscle.

Equissage Europe is instructed by Helen Woolley. Helen has been a chartered physiotherapist for over twenty years, specialising in sports medicine and orthopaedics.

She graduated from Equissage in 2004 and has worked at yards in America, Germany and the UK.

Helen emphasises the fact that massage is not a substitute for veterinary medicine, but by being aware of your horse’s physical wellbeing you are able to fulfil the potential of that animal at whatever level and whatever discipline you chose to be involved in.

Helen is a Fellow of the International Association of Animal Professionals and a member of the International Association of Animal Massage therapists.

Equissage Europe courses are held at various centres throughout the UK, Germany and Cyprus and can be held at your own equine establishment. Taster day courses and demonstrations are also available. For further information please contact:

Helen Woolley e-mail equissageeurope@hotmail.com

Web address www.equissage-europe.co.uk