Performance horses, like human athletes, work very hard to reach top results. A strong emphasis has been put on training, nutrition, prevention and palliative care to help them reach their maximum potential: to run faster, to jump higher and to accurately execute technically difficult maneuvers. Unfortunately, such performances result in unforeseen injuries, pain, and prematurely worn-out animals. For a while pharmaceutical protocols were the solution to these problems, but over time, the not-so desirable side-effects of medications became a concern. Today, with drug-free horse competitions strictly enforced, there is a demand for alternative methods that keep highly exercised horses healthy and performing at their highest level.

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Hi, my name is Janet Law, a Registered Massage Therapist and a Certified Equine Massage Therapist since May 2000, with lots of horsemanship experience as an Equine Therapist. Much like you, I have a passion for horses. I live and breathe horses as it is a career path that I have chosen because I have a mission to keep you and your horses in motion. It made more sense to me as an alternative health practitioner to combine my knowledge of my clinical massage practice into the equine world, just as alternative medicine was growing in the horse industry. So, why not combine my clinical practice and equine massage therapy practices together, hence, Healing Hands of Massage & Equine Massage Therapy was born.

 

I grew up with horses all of my life, but unlike my younger sister who started at a younger age, I didn't start to ride competitively until I was in my middle teens with western pleasure, halter, showmanship and equitation classes.  Today, I've gotten away from the competitive edge, and focus directly with combining my passion of horses with the health and care of the animal, and assisting other equestrians, like yourself, and offering workshops, to be the best in your sport.

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With humans, massage therapy has been credited with decreasing muscle tension, muscle adhesions, scar tissue, therefore increasing performance levels at work and play. Massage also assists in the prevention of debilitating injuries and in speeding up the recovery time. Because horses are mammals too, the practice of equine massage therapy has proven its ability to increase equine performance levels up to 25%. To anyone involved with performance horses, this is the competitive edge you look for. But equine massage therapy isn't just for performance horses. I treat horses from many disciplines; however, I cannot exclude those who are weekend warriors who just want to enjoy a trail ride into the mountains, play around with patterns or fences in the ring, or admire their horses from their kitchen window.

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I've been studying the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and Craniosacral practices for a few years now, under the studies of Maureen Rogers of Equine Craniosacral Workshops in the UK, as well as Dr. Thomas Teskey in Arizona. Not only are muscular problems common in performance horses, but a good portion of the issues I find in ALL horses seem to stem from the TMJ. The dysfunction of the TMJ of the horse is developed from resistance; resistance to bridles, nose bands, fly-masks, tie-downs, bits, hay nets, placement of hay nets, leaving halters on while horses graze, grazing muzzles, and even poor dentistry.  Trust me, poor dentistry is a thing and I personally experienced it with my horse. All of these things don't allow a horse to yawn as wide as they possibly can, which interferes with how the horse's jaw is supposed to operate. It's pretty difficult to get away from resistance with a performance horse who is under heavy training from 5-6 days a week or even a horse that is just a lawn ornament, as my Grandfather would phrase it.  Regardless, having your horse treated regularly for TMJ dysfunction would be a great start in your horse's journey to better health.

 

The dysfunction of the TMJ creates a domino effect creating secondary and tertiary problems such as decreased movement in the pole, neck, shoulders, the carpals (you guys refer to them as the knee), the hind end, not allowing the horse to place their feet in the appropriate setting.

 

EQUINE MASSAGE THERAPY directly addresses the TMJ dysfunction and its domino effect, allowing your horse to function freely with no restrictions. I'm not only talking about the horse in the competitive ring, but every horse that I have encountered, even my very own, has had some type of TMJ issue that needed to be addressed. As I mentioned before, issues with the TMJ trickle down into the horse's body, just as I see it in the human form. The poll, neck, shoulder and low back issues in horses are the most common problem areas associated with TMJ dysfunction. So, how would you know there is something wrong with your horse's TMJ. For example, do you notice that your horse has been dropping food, or notice head-shaking that has become a habit, or do you see the pockets above the eyes have sunken. How about tripping, which is what my horse was doing more of. Those are red flags that I see in my visual audit when examining a horse, that tell me something is not functioning correctly in the TMJ.

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Horses need to chew food 17-19 hours of the day. Their teeth never stop growing. Saliva plays a HUGE part in their digestive system. So, when your horse presents with a cinchy area, gut issues may be the reason, but what is the root of the gut issues. It could be coming from the TMJ. So, looking beyond just muscle tension in the body, I look at the WHOLE picture. I don't look for band-aid solutions. I look for the root cause of the horse's musculoskeltal issues.

 

In each of my visits with a horse, I start with an initial consultation, performing a visual audit. I am looking for symmetry in the face, shape of the hooves, shape of the chest, level of the pelvis...so, any red flags that stares me right in the face, even before I touch the horse. I am not looking for faults as they cannot be changed due to conformation issues, put I question posture. Posture can be changed and that's where I come in.

 

Assessing the horse's posture, gait, as well as the tone, texture and temperature of the horse's body, allows me to detect any abnormalities and problems that will help to avoid unforeseen complications that could be very costly to treat in the end by your Vet.

 

EQUINE MASSAGE THERAPY is a therapeutic integral healing relationship in which I assist the horse in restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the well-being of the animal. It is a holistic approach that affects all systems of the body: digestive (involves the TMJ too), elimination, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, endocrine and nervous system. 

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Drawn from more than 24 years of study and practice as a Certified Equine Massage Therapist, my equine practice blends therapeutic and alternative therapies, and the latest developments in modern equine massage therapy, which is more described as Equine Remedial Therapy. Today, equine massage therapy is used by competitive and recreational equestrians, trainers, and breeders. As an equine therapist, I treat horses as young as newborns, and right up to the senior horse. Ponies, minies, mules, donkeys are not excluded from my practice, however, the majority of my equine practice is the horse.

 

My mentors and contributors to my equine practice are:

• Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, RMT, CEMT and author

• Jodi Pendry, RMT, CEMT, OMT

• Lisa Hamilton-Wesson of Wesson Natural Therapies

• Pat Cleveland of the Balanced Horse Project

• Jim Masterson of the Masterson Method

• McMaster University, Fundamentals in TCM & Medical Acupuncture - December 2015

• Veterinary Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medical Acupuncture

• Maureen Rogers of Equine CranioSacral Workshops, UK

• Elemental Acupressure and Acu Practitioners

• International College of Equine & Canine Therapies - December 2023

• Membership and Insurances with International Institute for Complimentary Therapies

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Horses will always be a learning curve for most people, including myself. Continuing education is so important to me, so that I can keep up with today's information in order for me to continue to educate you, the equestrian. I remain in the constant state of learning. Don't be surprised if you see, if and when, I have engaged in Equine Dentistry as it fascinates me because of the correlation the teeth have with the TMJ.​

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EQUINE MASSAGE THERAPY 

is widely used to help the horse obtain relief from many specific problems including the following:

• reduce muscle tension due to heavy training (for example, as tying-up), to gain increase mobility, and range of motion.

• improves post injury recovery from surgery, a fall or trauma. 

• relief from ill-fitting saddles and rider's seat.

• reduces swelling from contusions, repetitive strain injuries and arthritis.

• prevent and release stress due to travelling by air or land. The horse's lower back and hind-end take a beating evening after an hour of trailering.

• digestive and bowel issues such as Colic and ulcers.

• helps to soften sharp characteristic traits such as touch shyness

• prenatal and post foaling.

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Initial Consultation includes:

• postural and visual auditing

• muscle-length testing and range of motion of the knees, shoulders & hips 

• TMJ assessment and treatment 

• followed by the treatment that may include PEMF, acupressure, osteopathy, craniosacral, soft tissue manipulation, joint play

• remedial exercises, stretching and homecare

• clinical notes taken

• mileage (within an hour radius of Edmonton, AB)

• E-transfers ONLY accepted at this time

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NOTE that prices will increase in January, 2025, so take advantage now!

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 Reserve 1.5 - 2 hours for the first visit. Call to book. 705-561-3072

 $155.00 (GST included)

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Follow-up Visits

• is much the same as the first visit

• includes milage (within an hour radius of Edmonton, AB)

• E-transfers ONLY accepted at this time

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Reserve 60 - 75 minutes. Call to book. 705-561-3072

$125.00 (GST included)

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TMJ Mobilization & Craniosacral treatment 

• ​addresses the Temporal Mandibular Joint dysfunction of the horse 

• corrects imbalances in the horse's face, therefore reforms the facial features of the horse especially if professional photos are going to be considered as it releases muscle tension in the facial muscles, including the tongue, eyes, nostrils and ears

• balance the central nervous system and rebalance fascia throughout the entire body

• increases the range of motion in the pole

• enhances the way a horse eats its hay or grain 

• improves weight gain

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• includes mileage (within an hour radius of Edmonton)

• E-transfers ONLY accepted at this time

 

Reserve 30 - 45 minutes. Call to book. 705-561-3072

$65.00 (includes GST)

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Equine Raindrop Treatment

• prevents and combats the horse's sore muscles of the back

• reduces inflammation in the spine

• improves circulation

• supports healthy immunity

• can assist in releasing behavioral patterning that affect training

• assists in releasing toxins 

• includes milage (within an hour radius of Edmonton, AB)

• E-transfers ONLY accepted at this time

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Reserve 60 - 75 minutes. Call to book. 705-561-3072 

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$160.00 (includes GST)

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Assisi Loop Treatment (PEMF technology)

• reduces inflammation

• provides pain management therapy

• accelerates healing time

• improves mobility

• helps horses with arthritic discomfort

• used on muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint injuries

• includes milage (within an hour radius of Edmonton, AB)

• Etransfers ONLY accepted at this time

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Reserve 30 minutes for evaluation and treatment if this is the only treatment requested. Call to book. 705-561-3072

$50.00

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The Assisi Loop is a modality I use in my practice of equine massage therapy. It is PEMF technology that penetrates 8 inches into the body, as well as directly over vet wrap, under/over polo wraps, and blankets. 

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The loop is lightweight at only 2 ounces, so you can take it ANY WHERE. I've travelled with it in my carry-on luggage.

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It does not need to be charged as it already contains its own battery.

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Two sizes available, with only manual version available at this time.

10 cm manual loop - life span of 100 treatments

20 cm manual loop - life span of 150 treatments.

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So, if you were to use the loop once a week, you would get 2.8 years of use out of the 20 cm, manual Assisi Loop. 

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No matter what size or version, the Assisi Loop is $475.00 + tax.

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EQUINE IN MOTION Workshop

This is a hands-on workshop that will help equestrians identify weaknesses, then release muscle tension and pain points in the horse's body by using remedial exercises, osteopathy-like techniques, joint mobilization and acupressure points. 

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This practice of relieving pain points in the horse's body has proven to increase the horse's performance up to 25% or more. This is the competitive edge equestrians seek.

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What will be covered:

• Conformation vs Posture & Assessment

• Review of equine anatomy and terminology

• Treatment and release of muscle tension

• stretching and remedial exercises

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Classes are limited to 10 people. Information packages are included in the workshop. If the hosting barn can produce 4 or more students in attendance, the host gets to attend the workshop for FREE.

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Cost is $285.00 + GST per student.

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Etransfers ONLY accepted at this time

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For more information, contact me at: