Take a sneak peak into what awaits you in Equine Massage 101! 

EQUINE MASSAGE 101 SNEAK PEAK

Online horse therapy course

Welcome to
Equine Massage 101

Led by licensed massage therapist Maija Luttinger, Equine Massage 101 will break down equine myofascial release techniques step by step. These techniques are simple but very effective. The course strikes a balance of being extremely thorough (it features 131 video lessons to help you learn) and easy to follow and understand. Each of the massage and stretching techniques the lessons teach you will help you bring out the best in your horse and help them perform to the best of their ability.

As soon as you purchase the course, you’ll gain lifetime access to all of the content. This structure grants you the ability to progress at your own pace and revisit lessons whenever you like. Your access to the course never expires, either!

By the time you finish the course, you’ll become your horse’s personal massage therapist. Get started today and see results in your horse before you know it!

Why not dip your feet into the world of Equine Massage 101 with our free online webinar? All you have to do is sign up below!

“Maija Freely Forward Bodywork has done incredible work with the horses in my program. Her skill with the horses is amazing but even more so is her engagement with myself, my staff and clients. Here at FBE we are excited to jump in and learn a little of the magic Maija works. My staff, students and I have signed up to learn about some massage techniques, so we can keep the work going that Maija does with our horses.”

— Fylicia Barr, 5* eventer

Full Course Specifications

Online horse therapy course

Ready to go all in? Check out the full course specifications below and find out what you will be learning on this jounrney.

Your purchase of our Equine Massage 101 course grants you lifetime access to the entirety of its content. Take your time; it’s not going anywhere! Use it as a tool going forward anytime you need a refresher on anatomy, a massage technique, or anything at all.

Sounds good? Join us!

    • Disclaimer

    • About Me

    • Course Topics

    • Specials thanks to DQ Performance Horses

    • Abdominal and Oblique Muscles

    • View From Below the Horse, Muscles

    • Skeletal Anatomy

    • Superficial, Midlevel, and Deep Overall Muscle Anatomy Images

    • Overall Anatomy

    • Skeletal Anatomy and Bony Landmarks

    • Overall Muscular Anatomy

    • What is Fascia?

    • Fascial Layers Image

    • Facial Adhesions

    • The Importance of the Muscular and Fascial Systems

    • Equine Fascial System

    • Recommended Reading/Additional Education

    • Why is it Important to Keep Muscles Flexible?

    • What Causes Muscle Issues?

    • Overall Signs Your Horse is in Muscular Pain

    • Contraindications to Massage

    • Areas to Avoid While Massaging and Stretching

    • Equine Safety

    • Before We Start: Palpating Notes

    • The Do's and Don'ts of Palpating Your Horse

    • The Do's and Don'ts of Stretching

    • What is Myofascial Release?

    • Myofascial Release Basic Techniques

    • Basic Massage Principles

    • What's the Difference Between Massage and Myofascial Release?

    • What is a Massage "Release"?

    • How to Calibrate Your Pressure

    • Homework for Week 1

    • Signs Your Horse's Jaw is in Pain

    • TMJ Anatomy

    • How to Palpate and Check for Pain in the TMJ

    • TMJ Technique

    • TMJ Technique Troubleshooting

    • Masseter Techniques

    • Masseter Techniques Troubleshooting

    • Temporalis Technique

    • TMJ Management Recommendations

    • Suggested Homework for Week 2

    • Why is the Neck so Important?

    • Neck Muscle Image

    • Neck Anatomy

    • Brachiocephalicus in Action

    • Splenius in Action

    • Trapezius in Action

    • Atlas/Axis

    • Signs Your Horse's Neck is in Pain

    • How to Palpate and Check for Pain in the Neck

    • Splenius Technique and Troubleshooting

    • Poll Technique and Troubleshooting

    • Suggested Homework for Week 3

    • BONUS: Body Mechanics

    • BONUS: The Magic of Massage

    • Nuchal Ligament

    • The Nuchal Ligament, Cervical Vertebrae, and Scapula in Action

    • Trapezius Technique and Troubleshooting

    • Brachiocephalicus Technique and Troubleshooting

    • Neck Stretches

    • Neck Management Recommendations

    • Suggested Homework for Week 4

    • BONUS: Key Muscle Mechanics Concepts

    • Equine Ligament System Picture

    • Forelimb Skeletal Anatomy Image

    • Shoulder Muscle Image

    • Signs Your Horse's Shoulders are in Pain

    • How to Palpate and Check for Pain in the Shoulder

    • Shoulder Boney Landmarks

    • Deltoid Anatomy

    • Deltoid Technique

    • Deltoid Troubleshooting

    • Triceps Anatomy

    • Triceps Technique & Troubleshooting

    • Latissimus Anatomy

    • Latissimus Technique

    • Latissimus Troubleshooting

    • Suggested Homework for Week 5

    • Thoracic Sling Anatomy

    • Serratus Anatomy

    • Serratus Technique

    • Serratus Troubleshooting

    • Pectoral Anatomy

    • Pectoral Technique

    • Pectoral Troubleshooting

    • Shoulder Stretches

    • Shoulder Management Recommendations

    • Case Study: Bird's Sore Front Foot, and How it Affected Her Shoulders

    • Suggested Homework for Week 6

    • View Under the Horse Image

    • Signs Your Horse's Back is in Pain

    • How to Palpate and Test for Pain in the Back

    • Back Muscles Image

    • Longissimus Anatomy

    • Longissimus Technique

    • Longissimus Technique Troubleshooting

    • Multifidus Anatomy

    • Multifidus Technique

    • Multifidus Technique Troubleshooting

    • Iliocostalis Anatomy

    • Iliocostalis Technique

    • Iliocostalis Technique Troubleshooting

    • Suggested Homework for Week 7

    • Why are Your Horse's Core Muscles so Important?

    • Cross Hands Technique

    • Cross Hands Technique Troubleshooting

    • Back Stretches

    • Back Stretches Troubleshooting

    • Tail Pull Technique

    • Tail Pull Troubleshooting

    • The Iliopsoas Group

    • The Abdominal Group

    • The Obliques

    • Back Management Recommendations

    • Suggested Homework for Week 8

    • Stay Apparatus

    • Signs Your Horse's TFL/Quadriceps May Be in Pain

    • How to Palpate and Check for Pain in the TFL & Quadriceps

    • Quadriceps Anatomy

    • Quadriceps Technique

    • Quadriceps Technique Troubleshooting

    • TFL Anatomy

    • TFL Technique

    • TFL Technique Troubleshooting

    • Quadriceps/TFL Stretch

    • Quadriceps/TFL Stretch Troubleshooting

    • TFL and Quadriceps Management Recommendations

    • Suggested Homework for Week 9

    • Adductors Anatomy

    • Abduction vs. Adduction

    • Signs Your Horse's Gluteals May Be in Pain

    • Gluteal Group Anatomy

    • Gluteus Medius Techniques

    • Gluteus Medius Troubleshooting

    • Superficial Glute Anatomy

    • Superficial Glute Technique

    • Superficial Glute Technique Troubleshooting

    • Gluteal/Hamstring Stretch 1

    • Gluteal/Hamstring Stretch 1 Troubleshooting

    • Gluteal/Hamstring Stretch 2

    • Gluteal/Hamstring Stretch 2 Troubleshooting

    • Gluteal Group Management Recommendations

    • Suggested Homework for Week 10

    • Hamstring Anatomy

    • Signs Your Horse's Hamstrings May be in Pain

    • How to Palpate and Test for Pain in the Hamstrings

    • SS Ligament Palpation Technique

    • Example of an SS Reaction to Palpation

    • SS Massage Technique

    • SS Massage Technique Troubleshooting

    • Semitendinosus/Semimembranosus Technique

    • Semitendinosus/Semimembranosus Technique Troubleshooting

    • Biceps Femoris Anatomy

    • Biceps Femoris Technique

    • Biceps Femoris Technique Troubleshooting

    • Hamstring Management Recommendations

    • Suggested Homework for Week 11

    • Conformation and How it Affects your Horse

    • Gaits and Phases of Stride

    • Conformation and Phases of Stride Images (From Videos)

    • Case Study: Finn's Movement Improved Through Massage

    • Case Study: Claire's Transformation

    • Massage, Stretching, and Management for Optimal Performance: Interview with Tori Kager

Sign Up

After completing the course, you will be…

Let’s break it down

Online horse therapy course

EDUCATED

You will gain the confidence that you CAN help your horse.

Online horse therapy course

OPTIMISTIC

You will have a thorough understanding of your horse’s body, how to identify areas of discomfort or tension, and methods for how to help.

Online equine courses

EMPOWERED

You will understand the path to getting your horse feeling their best and know that things WILL get better!

This is your day. This is the time to go after it all.

— ME, YESTERDAY

STILL WONDERING ABOUT SOMETHING?

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

  • I developed Equine Massage 101 because I saw an incredible need for horse owners from all walks of life and all over the country to be able to help their horses independent of a professional. The course I developed is special because it is interactive and the education is high quality: any owner, trainer, or massage therapist would find value from it, but it is broken down and digestible enough to be accessible for an amateur owner who has limited time at the barn.

    This course is made for you if:

    • You own or lease a horse and want to learn what you can do to help their muscle soreness and pain

    • Your horse is cold backed, tight in their neck, or sore in their hips

    • You are a beginner or amateur looking for a clinic that will teach you in depth about horses and their anatomy

    • You are a professional or seasoned amateur looking to put more tools in your toolbox to take the best care of your horses

    • You have an older horse that struggles with body soreness

    • You have a performance horse that needs to stay at their peak physical wellbeing

  • No, there is no time limit. Once enrolled, you are granted lifetime access to this course. Feel free to go at your own pace, whether that means taking your time or binging it all at once! You can revisit the lessons at any time, as well.

  • With purchase you are granted lifetime access to the course and all of its materials. You can always go back and view all the content as many times as you like.

  • Yes, upon finishing the training you get a certificate of completion!

  • This course offers a certificate of completion but does not offer certification for being a professional equine massage therapist. In my opinion, you should do in-person training before becoming a professional. The course is still an excellent first step in your journey to becoming an equine massage therapist! I have had many professional massage therapists take the course and get a lot out of it, so you only have the knowledge to gain here. The course is also quite affordable, so it’s a great way to get your feet wet in the equine massage industry before taking the plunge toward an official, professional certification.