CHAPTER 9: THE PRACTICE OF EQUINE MASSAGE THERAPY
Equine massage therapy should only be done therapeutically with the knowledge and consent of the referring veterinarian, particularly if the horse is already under the medical therapy of this vet. If the client approaches the R.E.M.T. directly, the R.E.M.T. should consult with the veterinarian prior to any services both to inform them that a request has been made by the horse owner, and whether the veterinarian has any objections to the massage treatment proposed. It would be professionally courteous to inform the vet of any relaxational massage performed, at least at the primary occasion, if only as an introduction to the potential R.E.M.T services possible; it would be "advertising" for one’s skills. The vet could be told that if therapeutic massage was indicated they would be consulted. The assessment made by the R.E.M.T should be discussed with the referring veterinarian prior to service. The initial work up and/or diagnostics should be done by the referring veterinarian. If the R.E.M.T.’s assessment should differ from the referring veterinarian’s assessment, a mutual agreement with regards to therapy (that is in the best interest of the horse) should be made. If the veterinarian specifically states that the procedure is contraindicated, or that he/she feels the therapy is wrong, the owner, as with the entire process, should be informed. The R.E.M.T. in this case should NOT perform the procedure until the vet or another licensed veterinarian gives approval. This would involve the owner obtaining a second opinion from another licensed DVM. The R.E.M.T., when performing a therapeutic massage, is a secondary caregiver, working in conjunction with the primary medical caregiver, the licensed veterinarian. It is only with this open- information policy that massage therapy will become recognized as a “professional” treatment. If the R.E.M.T. feels that some inappropriate behaviour has been shown to the horse by the owner or other person (abuse, negligence, etc.), it would be suggested to discuss it with the referring veterinarian first before reporting to the police or other animal protection agency. Safety first: If the horse is not behaving well, the R.E.M.T. should back off to avoid being injured. Therapy should not endanger the health of the R.E.M.T., the owner, handler, or the horse. If any horse appears generally unwell, or if there are obvious skin lesions, the R.E.M.T. should not work on the horse without informing the referring veterinarian about these changes.
If the horse is known to have a disease that spreads from animals to humans, the R.E.M.T. should not provide the therapy.
Client - horse - veterinarian confidentiality goes as per human massage therapy.
As with all animal health care, the horse’s well -being should be the main focus. Humane handling and therapy are essential.
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