When we created our program, it wasn’t to add another certification to the world of equine therapy — it was to revolutionize how therapists approach the horse’s body.
What sets us apart from other programs or step-by-step protocol-based approaches, is our unwavering commitment to the osteopathic methodology, our emphasis on understanding the body's hierarchies and lesion patterns, and our unique blended learning approach designed to create highly skilled practitioners.
1. The Best of Both Worlds: Online Learning + Hands-On Practicums
We understand that true mastery of this work requires both deep theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice.
That’s why our program combines:
Comprehensive online learning: Students can learn at their own pace, from the comfort of home, with lifetime access to all materials, including downloadable resources. This ensures students can revisit lessons as they refine their skills over the years.
Mandatory live practicums: These in-person sessions are where students receive expert guidance, coaching, and feedback to ensure proper skill acquisition.
The live practicums are not just a requirement — they’re a cherished part of the program.
This is where students:
Apply the theory they’ve learned online in a real-world setting.
Practice under the watchful eye of experienced instructors who ensure they develop the touch, feel, and confidence necessary for this work.
Build connections with like-minded practitioners who share their passion for equine therapy.
Example: One student shared how transformative the live practicum was, saying they finally “felt the lesion hierarchy in action” and gained the confidence to identify and address primary dysfunctions effectively in their practice.
2. No Protocols, Just Precision
Protocols might seem convenient, but they are inherently flawed. Horses are not cookie-cutter beings, and no two bodies are ever the same. A protocol fails to account for the individual nature of lesions or the unique compensatory strategies each horse develops. Worse, it can lead to practitioners skipping over primary lesions entirely, potentially disrupting compensatory systems that exist for a reason.
Example: A horse with chronic shoulder tightness might actually have the primary issue in the opposite hind limb, stemming from an old injury. Protocol-based treatment would focus on the shoulder without ever considering the entire body or identifying the hind limb as primary.
Instead, our program equips you with the tools to:
Evaluate the entire body holistically.
Identify lesion hierarchies with precision.
Follow a systematic, structured methodology that adapts to the horse in front of you, not the horse in the textbook.
3. Understanding Lesion Hierarchies
Lesion hierarchies are fundamental to osteopathic work. Misidentifying or ignoring the primary lesion not only wastes time but also perpetuates frustration for both the therapist and the horse. Only when the primary lesion is resolved can compensatory patterns safely and effectively be addressed.
Example: A horse showing signs of TMJ dysfunction might have a pelvis misalignment as the primary issue. By treating the TMJ directly (without addressing the pelvis first), you could disrupt the horse’s compensatory patterns, causing further discomfort or even injury. Our methodology ensures you address the pelvis first, resolving the root cf the dysfunction and naturally relieving TMJ tension without unnecessary intervention.
4. Addressing Chronic Pain and Perpetuating Factors
Chronic pain is one of the most common issues horses face, and it’s often the result of unresolved lesions compounded by external perpetuating factors like poor hoof balance, ill-fitting tack, or even training schedules.
Our students are taught to:
Look beyond the symptoms to identify the root cause of pain.
Address perpetuating factors that undermine long-term healing.
Understand compensatory strategies and know when to resolve them safely, only after the primary dsyfunction is addressed.
Example: A horse with chronic lumbar pain might show signs of tension in the back, but upon assessment, the student uncovers that poor hoof balance and restricted rib mobility are perpetuating the issue. By addressing both the primary and the external factors, the pain can be more sustainably resolved, and the horse regains freedom of movement.
5. Science Driven Methodology
Osteopathy is grounded in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, and our program reflects this. You won’t find a “generic step-step method” here.
Instead, you’ll learn:
How to evaluate the body as a whole, connecting the dots between systems.
How to apply principles consistently to uncover and address the root cause of dysfunction.
The importance of understanding contraindications and compensations to avoid causing harm.
Example: Imagine working with a horse with a visible swayback and overdeveloped neck muscles. A protocol might tell you to release the neck tension first, but our methodology teaches you to assess the thoracic sling, diaphragm, and pelvic balance before addressing compensations in the neck. By following the body's hierarchy, you restore functional movement to the spine and eliminate neck tension without directly treating it.
6. Lifetime Access to Cutting-Edge Knowledge
One of the standout features of our program is lifetime access via all downloadable content from the online course materials and lifetime membership in our private Facebook group. This allows students to revisit the theory, refine their skills, and stay current with updates as their practice evolves.
Our program provides:
Downloadable content, including manuals and visual guides, for easy reference.
Detailed modules on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and lesion hierarchies.
A supportive online community where students can ask questions, share experiences, and continue learning together.
7. For Those Ready to Go Deeper
This program is for therapists who are ready to go beyond protocols and surface-level fixes. It’s for those who want to truly understand how the horse’s body works, address dysfunctions at their root, and make a lasting impact on equine health and performance.
Example: One of our students recently worked on a gelding with recurrent lameness that had been treated repeatedly for hoof issues without success. Using our methodology, they identified a deep fascial restriction in the horse’s thoracic sling as the primary lesion, which was subtly altering hoof mechanics. By addressing dysfunction first, the lameness resolved, and the horse’s movement became more balanced and symmetrical.
With over 25 years of experience, we’ve developed a system that eliminates guesswork, emphasizes ethical treatment, and ensures results. The combination of online theory and hands-on practicums provides the perfect foundation for therapists to excel in this specialized field.
Are you ready to move beyond temporary fixes and transform your practice and the lives of the horses you work with? Let’s change the way equine therapy is done — for good.
Explore our Certification Programs Here, as we are excited to accompany you on your path to greater comprehension.
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