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ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR A MARCH 1, 2024 START - We are currently undergoing the Colorado Department of Higher Education - Division of Private Occupational Schools approval process; the program will officially launch once state approval has been obtained. 

 Professional Equine Massage Therapy and Bodywork Certification Program

Equine Kneads Professional Massage Therapy and Bodywork Certification Program - Setting A New Standard of Equine Care

Equine Kneads offers the foremost Professional Equine Massage Therapy and Bodywork Certification Program. In a market saturated with quick and easy certification programs, our intensive program stands apart. We understand your aspiration to make a meaningful impact on equine well-being, and that's why we offer a curriculum that goes far beyond the basics.

Our program isn't just about obtaining a certificate; it's about transforming your passion for equine massage into a genuine expertise that can change lives – both equine and human. Imagine mastering advanced techniques, understanding equine anatomy at a profound level, and developing the ethical insight needed to build a successful practice. Our program isn't just an education; it's a transformational journey that prepares you for a fulfilling and prosperous career in equine massage and bodywork.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR MARCH 1
Equine Kneads Professional Certification Course

~6-12 Months to Complete The Course

Requires 12 Days of In-Person Training

Weekly Live Q&A's on Zoom

What you get as a member of our Certification Community

Gain unparalleled benefits, including diverse avenues to access our comprehensive curriculum and a supportive community network, ensuring your learning journey is flexible, interactive, and enriched with continuous encouragement.

Lifetime Online Access

Enroll in our Professional Equine Massage Therapy and Bodywork Certification Program and gain exclusive lifetime access to all course materials on our online Membership platform, ensuring continuous learning and mastery of essential skills.

Apply Today

Expert Hands-On Training

Stand out in the field with our Professional Equine Massage Therapy and Bodywork Certification Program, offering a unique advantage: two weeks of invaluable hands-on practical training, a rare opportunity that sets our program apart from others in the industry. Enroll now and elevate your expertise with hands-on experience.

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Hands-on training Certification Program
Teachable on a computer screen

Private Teachable Community

Join our Professional Equine Massage Therapy and Bodywork Certification Program and enjoy exclusive access to a private Teachable Community. This community fosters connection, support, and provides ongoing access to our curriculum, ensuring that you're part of a network dedicated to your success.

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Your journey to becoming a respected equine massage and bodywork expert begins now

Find Success in Every Session with our Professional Equine Massage Therapy and Bodywork Certification Program

With our Professional Equine Massage Therapy and Bodywork Certification, you won't just learn; you'll thrive. What sets us apart is our commitment to hands-on learning. In our intensive in-person training sessions, you'll gain confidence in every stroke, ensuring that you're not just proficient but exceptional in your practice.

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Join a Community of Excellence with Fellow Professional Equine Massage Therapy and Bodywork Certification Program Participants

Our graduates aren't just practitioners; they are trailblazers, setting new standards in equine massage and bodywork. With our rigorous curriculum and personalized mentorship, you'll gain the confidence to start your own practice or enhance your existing one. 

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Curriculum Overview

What's inside the Certification Course

+ Program Overview

Duration: 6 months - 12 months


Total Modules: 26


Each Module Includes:

- Minimum of 3 lessons

- Homework assignments

- Quiz


On-Site Practicums: 

- 2 week-long practicums required for graduation

+ Module 1: Introduction to Equine Bodywork

Lesson 1: What is Equine Bodywork?

Lesson 2: The Scope of Practice

Lesson 3: Career Opportunities & Industry Changes


Homework: Write a one-page paper on why you want to pursue equine bodywork, include both personal and professional explanations

Quiz: Basic definitions and scope of practice

+ Module 2: Ethical and Legal Considerations

Lesson 1: Code of Ethics

Lesson 2: Legal Requirements

Lesson 3: Client Healthy History and Consent Forms


Homework: Answer an ethical question and provide feedback on why you choose to answer the way you did

Quiz: Legal and ethical scenarios

+ Module 3: Terminology and Medical Terms

Lesson 1: Prefixes & suffixes

Lesson 2: Root words

Lesson 3: Safe language


Homework: Dissect terms to find definition

Quiz: Terminology

+ Module 4: Equine Anatomy & Physiology – The Skeletal System (2 Weeks)

Lesson 1: Identifying bones

Lesson 2: Identifying bony landmarks and their use

Lesson 3: Understanding skeletal mechanics


Homework: Label diagrams the skeletal system

Quiz: Anatomy and physiology basics

+ Module 5: Equine Anatomy & Physiology – The Muscular System (3 Weeks)

Lesson 1: Identifying muscles, locations, functions and associations

Lesson 2: Understanding the various soft tissue structures

Lesson 3: Understanding the influence of muscle actions in biomechanics


Homework: Label diagrams of the muscular system

Quiz: Anatomy and physiology basics

+ Module 6: Equine Anatomy & Physiology – The Nervous System

Lesson 1: Understanding the mechanics of the nervous system

Lesson 2: Location nerves and their actions

Lesson 3: Identifying nerve pathways through the musculoskeletal systems


Homework: Label diagrams of the muscular and skeletal systems

Quiz: Anatomy and physiology basics

+ Module 7: Equine Anatomy & Physiology – Circulatory and Lymphatic System

Lesson 1: Understanding the mechanics of the circulatory and lymphatic systems

Lesson 2: The effects of massage and bodywork on the circulatory and lymphatic systems

Lesson 3: Precautions needed with massage and bodywork in the circulatory and lymphatic systems


Homework: One-page essay on the impacts of massage and bodywork to the circulatory and lymphatic systems

Quiz: Advanced anatomy and physiology

+ Module 8: Equine Anatomy & Physiology – Respiratory and Digestive Systems

Lesson 1: Understanding the respiratory system & its relationship to massage and bodywork

Lesson 2: Understanding the digestive system and its relationship to massage and bodywork

Lesson 3: Impacts massage and bodywork have on these systems


Homework: Case study on equine digestive issues and their impact on the musculoskeletal system

Quiz: Advanced anatomy and physiology

+ Module 9: Safety Protocols

Lesson 1: Equine behavior and safety

Lesson 2: Human safety precautions (your body mechanics, “safety” hands)

Lesson 3: Biosecurity procedures


Homework: Develop and document your plan for bioscecurity with your business

Quiz: Safety procedures and protocols

+ Module 10: Contraindications

Lesson 1: What are contraindications?

Lesson 2: Pathologies

Lesson 3: When to refer out


Homework: Create a chart listing common contraindications

Quiz: Identify scenarios where it's safe to proceed or refer out

+ Module 11: Record-Keeping and Charting

Lesson 1: Importance of charting

Lesson 2: Types of charts

Lesson 3: Confidentiality


Homework: Develop a sample client chart

Quiz: Best practices for record-keeping

+ Module 12: In-Person Hands-on Training I

Focus: Basic techniques, safety protocols, and anatomy review

Duration: 1 week (6 days)


Lesson 1: Practice in classroom – feeling and identifying textures

Lesson 2: Practice Efflurage (gliding) and Petrissage (kneading)

Lesson 3: Practice hands on assessment

Lesson 4: Percussion and vibration

Lesson 5: Practice compression and cross fiber friction

Lesson 6: Practice full body assessment and feel

+ Module 13: Cranial Massage - Poll

Lesson 1: Theory

Lesson 2: Techniques

Lesson 3: Application


Homework: Practice techniques on a minimum of 5 horses – document with photos and SOAPR notes

Quiz: Technique identification and applications

+ Module 14: Cervical Massage - Poll to Shoulders

Lesson 1: Theory

Lesson 2: Techniques

Lesson 3: Application


Homework: Practice techniques on a minimum of 5 horses – document with photos and SOAPR notes

Quiz: Technique identification and applications

+ Module 15: Shoulder Girdle - Shoulders, Withers, Pectorals, Sternum

Lesson 1: Theory

Lesson 2: Techniques

Lesson 3: Application


Homework: Practice techniques on a minimum of 5 horses – document with photos and SOAPR notes

Quiz: Technique identification and applications

+ Module 16: Thoracic Massage - Pectorals, Ribs, Respiratory Region, Thoracic Spine, Abdominals

Lesson 1: Theory

Lesson 2: Techniques

Lesson 3: Application


Homework: Practice techniques on a minimum of 5 horses – document with photos and SOAPR notes

Quiz: Technique identification and applications

+ Module 17: Lumbar/Sacral Region - Lumbar, Glutes, Sacrum, Tail

Lesson 1: Theory

Lesson 2: Techniques

Lesson 3: Application


Homework: Practice techniques on a minimum of 5 horses – document with photos and SOAPR notes

Quiz: Technique identification and applications

+ Module 18: Hamstrings

Lesson 1: Theory

Lesson 2: Techniques

Lesson 3: Application


Homework: Practice techniques on a minimum of 5 horses – document with photos and SOAPR notes

Quiz: Technique identification and applications

+ Module 19: Limbs

Lesson 1: Theory

Lesson 2: Techniques

Lesson 3: Application


Homework: Practice techniques on a minimum of 5 horses – document with photos and SOAPR notes

Quiz: Technique identification and applications

+ Module 20: Hooves

Lesson 1: Health hooves, parts of the hoof and how to identify potential issues

Lesson 2: Health hooves, parts of the hoof and how to identify potential issues

Lesson 3: Complications from poor hoof health


Homework: Identify unbalanced hooves on 3 horses and how you believe that has impacted the rest of the body – document with photos and SOAPR notes

Quiz: Identify various hoof issues

+ Module 21: Nutrition

Lesson 1: Theory

Lesson 2: Nutrition’s role in healthy musculoskeletal function

Lesson 3: Conditions and symptoms of poor nutrition related to healthy musculoskeletal function


Homework: Write a one-two page essay on nutritional impacts to movement and tissue health

Quiz: Identify and label signs of poor nutrition

+ Module 22: Conformation vs. Posture

Lesson 1: Theory

Lesson 2: Conformational defects

Lesson 3: Postural defects


Homework: Write a short paper on the differences between conformation and postural defects

Quiz: Identify postural defects vs conformation defects

+ Module 23: Movement Analysis

Lesson 1: Gait analysis

Lesson 2: Equine sports variations requirements

Lesson 3: Impact of conformation


Homework: Video analysis of various equine gaits – comment on the movements between an English dressage horse & a Western dressage horse; also compare a jumper

Quiz: Biomechanics terminology and principles

+ Module 24: Business Skills for Equine Bodyworkers

Lesson 1: Setting up a business

Lesson 2: Branding, marketing and client acquisition

Lesson 3: Accounting and finances


Homework: Create a draft business plan

Quiz: Business terminology and practices

+ Module 25: In-Person Hands-on Training II

Focus: Advanced techniques and modalities, including case studies

Duration: 1 week

+ Module 26 Exam Review for Written exam

In addition to sitting for the written exam, students will submit 5 case studies with notes

$9,995

$4,995


The program will begin March 1, 2024, pending Colorado Dept of Higher Education approval.

Begin a transformative learning journey with our Equine Professional Massage and Bodywork Certification. This comprehensive self-pace study course is meticulously crafted to equip you with essential skills and confidence, empowering you to establish a successful equine bodywork business. Your investment covers access to all course materials, weekly Q&A support calls, and two weeks of invaluable hands-on practice sessions, designed to refine your expertise. Please note that travel expenses for the practical training are not included. While most students can complete the course in approximately 6 months, you will have up to 12 months to complete the course to qualify for certification. Join us, immerse yourself in knowledge, surround yourself with an incredible community, and emerge with the skills to turn your passion into a thriving profession. Payment plans are available!

APPLY FOR A MARCH 1, 2024 START
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