In some respects, horses are no different from people.

When humans engage in strenuous activity, sore muscles and stiff joints are a likely result and in this regard, horses are no different.

“The benefit of a horse getting a massage is no different than a human,” Charlene Hailku, instructor for the Ohio University Southern therapeutic horsemanship instructor, said. “A massage relieves stress and manipulates muscles, just like it does for people.”

Hailku added that determining if a horse needs a massage is also not very different than a human, “It depends on what they are being used for,” she said.

A four-day certification program will be held at the Ohio Horse Park from Sept. 26-29. The course lasts 10 hours per day and anyone can sign up.

This is the second year the certification course has been offered at the park.

“One person who took the course last year took what she learned and ran with it,” Hailku said. “She opened her own equine massage business and she is doing really well.”

Professional and recreational horse owners use equine massage to improve horses’ performance, increase mobility and range of motion in improve jumping, bending, turning and stopping. It is also used to treat Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis, which is a syndrome that damages horses’ muscle tissue.

Those interested in signing up can do so by calling the horse park at 740-354-9347. Inquiries can be made via e-mail at ohpctr@aol.com.