Frequently Asked Questions

Are your courses recognised?

The courses in the United Kingdom are recognised by the McTimoney Chiropractic Association and all clinics count towards compulsory annual CPD education. The United Kingdom programme is undergoing college/university accreditation, which should be finalized in 2004 latest. In the United States, the programme is recognised by the IMA (International Massage Association) and by the university programme of the USDF (United States Dressage Federation).

Who are the teachers on your programme?

Our clinicians are all renowned specialists in their respective fields, so you will receive first-hand information based on the latest research in the field of equine complementary healthcare science.
They come mostly from the United States and travel around the world to teach our classes, not only in the USA, but also in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil and South Africa. So, you will have the same clinician wherever you decide to take the particular course!
You can find full clinician biographies on the website, on the Instructor Bios page.

Do veterinarians recognise the qualifications?

By law, you can only work on a horse with veterinary permission and/or referral.
It is up to the individual Body Worker to liase with the veterinarian – we emphasise that we do not diagnose nor treat and where any illness or injury is suspected the horse is immediately referred to the owning veterinarian.
Around the world many veterinarians attend our classes, including the Equine Sports Massage clinics.

Can I start my own practice and build a new career once I have taken the Foundation Equine Sports Massage course, and once I am qualified as an Equine Body Worker?

You will receive your Equine Body Worker certification upon successful completion of the Equine Sports Massage Foundation certification course and the required externship.
If you can work together with another professional in your area, for example, a chiropractor, osteopath or physiotherapist you could have a jump-start to a solid client base, this is equally so if you can work together with a veterinarian in your area.

The time to build up your client base will depend on your geographical location, size of the equine population in that area and other therapists already working in the area.
Once you are qualified, it is a good idea to introduce yourself and your work to fellow professionals in the area. In class we spend a fair amount of time going through marketing tips and ideas to help you set up a successful practice!

How much can I expect to charge for consultations?

Again, this is largely dependent on your geographical location. We generally suggest a fee similar to that charged by fellow professionals in your area.

You can expect to charge slightly higher fees as your levels of qualifications increase, going from EBW to EBW Level II and onto AEBW and SEBW qualifications.

How long will it take me to get the Advanced Equine Body Worker (AEBW) qualification?

We usually suggest a timescale of 12 to 18 months, depending on how much time you can dedicate to the courses. The courses are all offered in modular form, which means that you can take them in any order, and there is no time restriction on how long you take before testing for a higher level of certification.
Most of our students are either working professionals or in full-time employment with a view to changing career, so the option of modular study combines well with employment.
Full details of the course prerequisites can be found on the Course Details page.

Is financial assistance available?

If you plan to run through a number of courses to test for a higher level of certification and agree to sign up for all the required classes, we may spread the payments over a pre-determined length of time.

Is there a governing body or association for qualified Equine Body Workers?

The International Equine Body Worker Association (IEBWA) is the centralised regulatory and supporting body for all student and qualified Body Workers.

Members receive full listing on the IEBWA page. The Association will represent its members at trade functions, in professional communications and similar. The IEBWA has branches in the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom and will expand in 2004/2005 to include Brazil, South Africa and Australia.