Equine massage is a technique that continues to draw interest in natural holistic horse care.
Lorraine Serhienko recently wrote the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage exam and was successfully awarded her Board Certified Equine Massage Therapist designation through The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage. Serhienko completed the nationally accredited three level certificate program over two years at the North West School of Animal Massage in Washington State. Level I completion earned her the General Massage Practitioner designation, Level II Performance Massage Practitioner and Level III the Rehabilitation Massage Practitioner. By progressing through the nationally accredited process, Serhienko has become the first Board Certified Equine Massage Therapist in Canada.
Born and raised in Blaine Lake, Serhienko has always had a passion for the animal world, whether it was showing her Hereford cattle in the 4-H show ring or training and spending time with her equine friends. After graduating from Blaine Lake Composite in 2002, Serhienko continued her education through SIAST, a post secondary institute, earning her diploma in Veterinary Technology, a nationally recognized program allowing her to work as a Veterinary Technician.
Serhienko's educational and occupational background in the large animal industry and her passion for equine health, performance and holistic well-being gave her the knowledge, desire and opportunity to advance her career into the equine massage therapy field.
The two year Equine Massage program consisted of a combination of correspondence theory and on-site practical training. Level I of the program teaches the general massage techniques for horse wellness. Level II has educated Serhienko to assist sport horses in competitive events such as rodeo, jumping, barrel racing, reining as well as the range and farm working horse. Level III qualifies her to complement her skills by working with veterinarians during a horse's sickness, injury or surgical recovery process.
As a certified equine massage therapist, Serhienko provides hands-on treatments that work by releasing blockages, bracing and tension. She will often ask the handler to lead the horse while she focuses her attention on the horse's movements watching for signs of favouritism, tightness and range of motion.
Approximately 60 percent of the horse's weight is muscle mass so it is easy to understand how a minor injury of one area can result in compensation and transmission of muscle tension to surrounding areas, which can result in major issues. She will then work with the horse's attention, movement and innate intelligence to soften tight, overworked muscles and address issues of asymmetry, imbalance and decreased range of motion.
Her methods are non-invasive so the horse feels secure and gains trust. Serhienko takes the holistic approach to horse wellness and believes that massage therapy can complement any treatment program. Enhancing oxygenated blood flow to the muscles, ligaments, tendons and lymph nodes increases circulation and assists with the elimination of wastes and toxins that build up in fatigued muscles. As with humans, the removal of toxins increases flexibility, muscle tone, and range of motion, resulting in overall increased competitive performance.
