Expert sooths aches, pains for equine clients

ASHLAND, Mo. -- For Pattie Smetana, the sign of a job well done could be anything from a relaxed look, a client that's stopped eating and just standing still, or perhaps a little horse drool.

Such a sloppy reaction is likely to be frowned upon at a pretentious day spa catering to preening humans seeking a luxurious massage. But since her clients live in a barn, it's an acceptable reaction to a well-done equine massage.

The drool, of course, it just an odd side effect of Smetana's massage therapy, which -- just as it does for humans -- aims to relieve sore muscles, release stress and enhance athletics.

The massage begins with pressure applied along the horse's spine, as Smetana checks for sore spots and makes a mental note of each pain along the way. Then, working from the neck toward the tail, her touches range from kneading to compression to long strokes across the back and a raking motion across fibrous muscles.

Smetana opened her business, Hold Yer Horses, in 1990 after working as a midwife for 13 years. It began with riding lessons, but eventually she started to offer boarding services. She received her equine sports massage therapist certification eight years ago.

The practice, however, has yet to catch on in central Missouri, said Jennifer Pollard, a certified horse massage therapist who offers the service at her business, Equi-Librium.

She's trying to change that, talking about equine massage and demonstrating the techniques at horse shows.

While the benefits of massage to horses are similar to those of humans, there are differences. Perhaps the most notable: humans aren't likely to kick with enough force to seriously injure their masseuse when touched on a sore spot.

Despite that danger, Pollard won't massage humans

"I get along with horses better than people," she said.