2009.08.17
Pony up for a massage
Today's Happy Wag column was new territory for me: Away from the household critters and into the barn. I think of horses and ponies as companion animals, and if I had the room and the cash I would definitely like to have one myself.
I met Marcie Saunders through photographer Stephanie Klein-Davis. We spent a morning watching Marcie rub down two ponies at a farm in Fairfield in Rockbridge County. She was scheduled to do seven horses that day. Click here to read the column and see the video.
I admired Saunders honesty that some people aren't convinced it's beneficial to the animals. The pair we saw get her loving touch really seemed to enjoy it.
If you keep horses or ponies and had any experience with equine massage, post a comment and let us know what you think.
What a wonderful story and video! I never knew anything about horse or pony massage but I was lucky enough once in my life to have a horse for many years and it was a dream come true. There was nothing on earth that could take troubles away then to go to the country, saddle my horse (after apples and carrots for him) and ride through the mountains for hours. A dream come true. I no longer have him but I cherish the years that I did and I have about a hundred pictures of him!
Comment by Deborah — August 18, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
I have currently have a horse, and I have had an equine chiropractor treat him. It does wonders for his back and really improves the way he moves under saddle. I would also like to try the equine massage him soon too. A friend of mine has acupuncture done on her horse because of navicular disease.
Comment by Julie — August 25, 2009 @ 12:32 pm