About Our Program

This certificate is designed for a student who wants to have essential general skills in Equine Science and specific skills within Equine Massage to become a broadly educated Equine Massage Therapist. The courses within this certificate are courses included in the General Equine Science Certificate, Equine Massage I and II, and Equine Stress Points (as defined by the American Jack Meagher) I and II. Within about one year of study this certificate will prepare students for an entry-level career as an Equine Massage Therapist with specific skills in the field of Equine Stress Points by Jack Meagher.

Current employees or facility owners in the horse industry may find it beneficial to gain further knowledge and experience by completing separate courses leading to this certificate and thereby have their equine skills documented.

Nature of Work and Employment

Careers in the equine industry vary in nature and requirements. There are positions requiring considerable versatility, such as within a small privately owned facility with only a few employees. Other positions are more specialized and are generally found in large, complex operations. This Equine Massage Therapist Certificate may lead to a career as an Equine Massage Therapist with essential general skills in Equine Science and fundamental skills in horse massage techniques for the whole horse and for specific areas of the horse, stress points as defined by Jack Meagher, movements and stretching of the horse.

Special Considerations

This certificate includes instruction both in theory and practice. There are courses that include classroom instruction and field trips. Courses such as Horse Handling, Equine Health Care, Equine Massage, and Equine Stress Points are held solely at a stable to provide the student with as much direct contact with the equine environment as possible. This certificate also includes workplace experience to further ensure the practical aspect of working and treating horses. The academic courses include basic computer and business communication skills for day-to-day work in an equine environment.

Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

First Semester		Hours
INFT 180	Intro to Information Systems 1	3
EQUI 107	Equine Health Care I	2
EQUI 117	Equine Physiology	3
EQUI 125	Horse Handler First Aid	1
EQUI 127	Horse Handling I	2
EQUI 111	Equine Massage I 1	2
EQUI 119	Equine Stress Points I 1	2
	Hours	15
Second Semester
EQUI 103	Equine Evaluation	2
EQUI 115	Equine Nutrition	3
EQUI 131	Horse Shoeing	1
EQUI 121	Equine Stress Points II 1	2
EQUI 113	Equine Massage II 1	2
OCED 290	Workplace Experience 1	2
PHYD 121	Physical Fitness I	1
Select one of the following:		3
BUSN 141	Business Communications 1
COMM 101	Technical Communications 1
ENGL 121	Rhetoric and Composition I 1
	Hours	16
	Total Hours	31

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Course has a prerequisite. See course description.

Program Outcomes

• Demonstrate Proficiency in Equine Anatomy and Physiology: Graduates will be able to identify key muscle groups, joints, and body systems of horses, understanding their function and how massage therapy affects them.
• They will apply this knowledge to assess and treat common equine musculoskeletal conditions, contributing to improved performance, flexibility, and overall health.
• Graduates will be skilled in performing a variety of effective equine massage techniques.
• They will tailor their approach based on the horse’s individual needs, ensuring comfort and safety during the session, while promoting relaxation, circulation, and injury recovery.

Program Contacts

Call Highland at 815-235-6121 for the following program contacts:

• Dr. Matt Magee, Dean of Agriculture, Business & Technology
• Vicki Schulz, Student Advisor/Transfer Coordinator