The more we know, the more we can help our animals to achieve the greatest well-being and fulfill their potential. From quiet hacking pony to top level competition horse, from family pet to high level competition dog, every animal can suffer stress and discomfort. In many cases, simple massage techniques can release the tension and help animals regain their former health and performance at whatever level that may be.

Common symptoms of muscular discomfort in horses are stiffness on one rein, bucking, napping, rearing, dislike of saddling up (biting or similar), refusal to jump, jumping to one side or "getting in deep", difficulty cantering on one rein or disunited canter and many more. In some cases, these can be purely behavioural issues but there is commonly a physical reason for these behaviours which must be dealt with as well.

Common symptoms of muscular discomfort in dogs are moving with the tail and hindend to one side, resistance during training ie refusal to "sit" or "down" or "breaking stays", sitting with the hindlegs out to one side, stiffness when getting up or after exercise, difficulty jumping or reluctance to jump agility fences or the "scale" in working trials, and any other change in normal behaviour. Dogs are highly intelligent and some behavioural issues are training-related but many more are also related to discomfort in the body which must be dealt with.

We have courses available in animal massage and saddle-fitting, suitable for horse-owners, dog-owners, instructors, trainers, alternative therapists, vets and manipulation therapists looking expand their skills and opportunities. Over the last 6 years these courses have benefitted many animals and their owners and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For more information click on the Animal Massage, Saddlefitting or Equine Care page.

We also have a number of trained Merishia Therapists offering workshops to horse and dog owners across the country. To find out who is closest to you, look them up on our Other Services page.