Why Every Equine Therapy Center Should Have a Certified Bodyworker on Staff

Dr. Angelique Barbara
4 days ago
3 min read

Equine therapy centers are built on compassion, connection, and care—for both people and horses. But while clients often receive highly personalized attention, the horses who make this life-changing work possible are sometimes left without the consistent bodywork they truly need.

Whether you run a therapeutic riding program, a hippotherapy center, or equine-assisted psychotherapy services, investing in your horses' well-being isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart business decision.

That’s why more facilities are choosing to train one of their own team members as a certified equine bodyworker through Angel’s Animals – Holistic Animal Studies.

The Demands on Therapy Horses Are Unique—and Intense

Therapy horses are patient, intuitive, and incredibly giving. But the physical and emotional toll of their work can be substantial. They often carry unbalanced riders, respond to unpredictable movements, and perform repetitive tasks in small spaces—all of which can lead to:

Back and lumbar pain
Joint stiffness and muscle tension
Emotional burnout or shut-down behavior
Poor saddle fit-related issues
Gait imbalances and lameness

PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) recommends routine bodywork—including massage and alignment therapies—to keep therapy horses healthy, comfortable, and performing at their best.

Dr. Angel performing mechanical massage on a therapy horse at Edgar's Farm in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

🎓 A Complete Training and Toolset for Just $3,900

Angel’s Animals offers a comprehensive certification package that allows one of your team members to become a well-rounded equine bodywork practitioner—without needing to outsource expensive services.

For $3,900, your facility receives:

✅ Five In-Depth Certification Courses:

Equine Massage Therapy
Equine Kinesiology Taping
Equine Craniosacral Therapy
Animal Neuro-Myofascial Release Technique (ANMR)
Cold Laser Therapy

These techniques address pain, tension, inflammation, misalignment, and neurological imbalances—all using safe, non-invasive methods.

The practitioner tool bag which contains the Cold Laser, Massage Gun, Gua Sha and ANMR release tools.

🧰 Essential Practitioner Tools Included:

Class 3B Cold Laser ($390 value)
ANMR Release Tool ($150 value)
Massage Gun ($85 value)
2 Stainless Steel Gua Sha Tools ($20 value)
Practitioner Duffle Bag ($50 value)

💰 Save Thousands Each Year in Outsourced Care

On average, equine massage and chiropractic sessions cost $100–$180 per horse. A therapy program with just 4–6 working horses could spend over $15,000 per year on bodywork alone.

By certifying an in-house team member, your facility gains:

Unlimited access to bodywork as needed
The ability to schedule care around sessions and horses' needs
Major long-term savings on outsourced services
Happier, healthier horses who can work longer, perform better, and recover faster

🌍 Trusted, Approved, and Insurance-Eligible

Angel’s Animals has been an industry leader for over 10 years and is recognized by:

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
The International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB)
The International Association of Holistic Animal Practitioners (IAHAP)

Graduates can carry professional liability insurance, opening the door to additional services, outreach, or even public wellness events.

🧘 Empower Your Team and Elevate Your Program

Training one of your existing staff members doesn’t just benefit your horses—it empowers your people. Whether it’s a barn manager, instructor, or therapy assistant, this certification gives them meaningful, career-enhancing skills that enrich their role and strengthen your program.

With self-paced online training, this program is designed to fit around your facility’s schedule—no travel or time away required.