Learn to Massage Your Horse with Confidence — in Your Own Time, at Home
A simple, step-by-step online course to help you support your horse’s comfort, movement, and well-being.
What you’ll learn
A simple, step-by-step massage routine you can follow with confidence
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How to recognise areas of tension, stiffness, and sensitivity
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How to use gentle, effective techniques safely on your own horse
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A clear understanding of basic equine anatomy (made practical and easy to follow)
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How to adapt your approach depending on your horse’s response
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Ways to support your horse’s comfort, movement, and overall well-being
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How to build a quiet, positive connection through touch
Inside the course
The course is designed to guide you step by step, in a way that feels clear, calm, and easy to follow.
You’ll begin by learning a simple, structured massage routine — so you have something practical to work with from the start.
From there, each element is broken down into smaller, manageable lessons, allowing you to build confidence gradually, at your own pace.
You’ll explore:
- The key massage techniques, demonstrated clearly so you can practise them yourself
- How to recognise areas of tension, sensitivity, or relaxation through your hands
- A simple, practical approach to equine anatomy — helping you understand what you’re feeling beneath your fingers
- How to work through different areas of your horse’s body in a safe and thoughtful way
- How to observe your horse’s responses, and adapt your approach accordingly
You can watch the lessons as often as you need, pausing and revisiting them as you begin to work with your own horse.
There’s no pressure to get it right immediately — just space to learn, to notice, and to develop your feel over time.
Explore the course and see how it fits around you and your horse
About your instructor
Sue Palmer, known as The Horse Physio, is an award-winning Chartered Physiotherapist who works with both horses and humans, with a particular focus on understanding the links between comfort, movement, and behaviour.
She is registered with both ACPAT (the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy) and RAMP (the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners), reflecting her commitment to working to high professional standards.
Sue’s approach is centred around listening carefully, working thoughtfully, and helping both horse and owner feel more at ease.
Through her work, she has supported a wide range of horses — from leisure horses to those competing at a high level — and brings that experience into clear, practical guidance that horse owners can use themselves.
At the heart of her teaching is a simple idea:
That by taking the time to notice, to feel, and to understand, we can support our horses in a way that is both kind and effective.
What people are saying
“Clear, practical and easy to follow — I felt confident straight away.”
Sarah G
“It helped me understand what I was feeling, rather than just going through the motions.”
Ann T
“My horse loves the massage, and I’ve noticed a real difference in how she moves.”
Alix W
“It opened a whole new level of communication with my horse.”
Cindy L
“A lovely way to spend time with your horse while learning something genuinely useful.”
Joanna O
“I now feel much more confident recognising what’s normal for my horse.”
David M
FAQ
Clear answers to help you feel confident as you get started.
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Do I need any previous experience to take this course?
Not at all. The course is designed for horse owners of all levels, including complete beginners. Everything is explained step by step, in a way that feels calm, clear, and easy to follow.
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Is it safe to massage my own horse?
Yes — when done correctly. In this course, I guide you through gentle, effective techniques, and explain how to work in a way that feels comfortable for your horse. You’ll also learn how to notice and respond to your horse’s reactions, so you can adapt as you go.
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How long does it take to complete the course?
You can go at your own pace. Some people like to work through the lessons over a few days, while others prefer to take their time and revisit sections as they begin to practise with their horse. You’ll have lifetime access, so there’s no rush.
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Will this replace the need for a professional?
No — and it’s not designed to. This course is here to support you in understanding your horse and helping them feel more comfortable day to day. It works beautifully alongside professional care, and can help you notice small changes earlier.
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Is this suitable for all horses?
In most cases, yes. The techniques are gentle and adaptable, and suitable for a wide range of horses. However, if your horse has a known injury or medical condition, it’s always sensible to check with your vet or therapist before getting started.
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What if I’m not sure whether I’m doing it correctly?
That’s completely normal when you’re starting something new. The course is designed to guide you step by step, and you’re encouraged to take your time, watch the lessons more than once, and build confidence gradually.
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How long will I have access to the course?
You’ll have lifetime access. This means you can return to the lessons whenever you need — whether that’s to refresh your memory, or to support a different horse in the future.
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What will I need to get started?
Very little. Just a quiet space, a relaxed horse, and a willingness to take your time. No special equipment is needed — your hands are your most valuable tool.
Course curriculum
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Aims and Objectives
FREE PREVIEW -
The ABC of Horse Massage
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What is massage?
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Why massage?
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About Sue Palmer The Horse Physio
FREE PREVIEW
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Learning Massage - Aims and Objectives
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Learning Massage - Introduction
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Learning Massage - Effleurage
FREE PREVIEW -
Learning Massage - Compression (Petrissage)
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Learning Massage - Kneading (Petrissage)
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Learning Massage - Cupping (Tapotement)
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Learning Massage - Cross Fibre Friction
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Learning Massage - Helpful Hints
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Equine Anatomy - Aims and Objectives
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Equine Anatomy - Introduction
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Equine Anatomy - The Neck (Braciocephalicus muscle)
FREE PREVIEW -
Equine Anatomy - The Shoulder (Trapezius muscle)
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Equine Anatomy - The Back (Longissimus Dorsi muscle)
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Equine Anatomy - The Quarters - Overview
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Equine Anatomy - The Quarters (Semitendinosus muscle)
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Equine Anatomy - The Quarters (Biceps Femoris muscle)
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Equine Anatomy - The Quarters (Gluteus Medius muscle)
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Equine Anatomy - The Chest (Pectoral muscles)
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Massaging Your Horse - Safety First
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Massaging Your Horse - To Begin
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Massaging Your Horse - The Neck
FREE PREVIEW -
Massaging Your Horse - The Shoulder
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Massaging Your Horse - The Back
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Massaging Your Horse - The Quarters
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Massaging Your Horse - The Chest
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Massaging Your Horse - To Finish
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Massaging Your Horse - Helpful Hints
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Problem Solving - Introduction
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Problem Solving - The Neck
FREE PREVIEW -
Problem Solving - The Shoulder
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Problem Solving - The Back
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Problem Solving - The Quarters
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Problem Solving - The Chest
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How often should I massage my horse?
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How long should the massage routine last?
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What does a 'knot' feel like?
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Does it matter which direction I perform the massage move in?
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You’ve explained cross-fibre friction; why is it not in the routine?
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Should I massage before or after exercise?
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Is my horse too young / too old for massage?
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Can I massage my pregnant mare?
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My horse doesn’t enjoy his massage; what can I do?
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What do I do if my horse seems sore?
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What is the difference between Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Chiropractic?
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What will massage do for my horse?
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What research is there to support massage as a therapy?
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About this course
- £249.99
- 52 lessons
- Lifetime access
- Learn at your own pace
Start the course today
If you’d like to begin developing your feel, your confidence, and your understanding of your horse through touch, you’re very welcome to join the course.
You’ll have lifetime access to all of the lessons, including a complete step-by-step massage routine and clear, practical guidance that you can return to whenever you need. You can work through everything at your own pace, taking the time to build confidence in a way that feels right for both you and your horse.
And if you join the course and for any reason feel it’s not right for you, you’re very welcome to request a full refund within 7 days
