JOSIE MEAD- EQUINE SPORTS AND REMEDIAL MASSAGE THERAPIST
“I put a lot of emphasis on after care and stay in contact with the owners and riders regularly”, says Josie Mead, a Hampshire based Equine Massage therapist. And most of us know that the aftercare and long-term management is often as important or more important than the treatment, in helping improve condition and performance in a horse. So to have a therapist, who is genuinely interested in supporting and perhaps reminding us to adhere to exercises, can be a Godsend.
Josie always knew she wanted to work with horses and after school, she came out of Sparsholt College with an Extended Diploma in Horse Management, for which she was awarded a Distinction. Whilst she was there, she became particularly interested in the rehabilitation side of horse management. “I liked riding but I enjoyed the management side more and this was an area that particularly interested me”, she explains.
Her passion led her to move several hundred miles away to Yorkshire, where she studied for a Degree in Equine Therapy at Bishop Burton College. This is where the plan to focus on massage therapy was formulated “Alongside my degree I trained as an Equine massage therapists. I then did some work for my dissertation on the subject and was practicing alongside my degree.”
After her degree Josie came back to Hampshire and attained her Equine Sports and Remedial Massage Practitioner’s Qualification with Distinction. Sheset up on her own as a registered therapist in June 2017. She has already picked up a wealth of regular clients including International Event Team, Eventing Way- ridden by Stephen and Mel Way. “But I do a real mix- sport horses, general riding horses, kids ponies and a lot of ex racehorses” she says.
As well as general massage, Josie has a number of other useful tools in her box. She often uses Kinesiology taping, involves taping joints and muscles. This muscles and makes horses aware of their movements. Myofascial Release works on the tissues around structures and muscles and helps circulation as well as freeing off discomfort
“I also use Thermal Imaging, with a camera which attached to my phone to pick up hot spots and joints and saddles” she says. “It shows inflamed areas you wouldn’t be able to see with your eye or feel with you hand.”
After your horse’s session with Josie, which typically last around 1.5 hours, you will not go home empty-handed “I usually prescribe stretches and ground work”, Josie explains. “I touch base regularly with the owner and make sure they are doing everything right and have no questions for me”
Josie covers Hampshire and the surrounding areas and will work any day of the week.
Rates are £35 per horse for new customers and there after it is £40 per treatment.
For more information see Josie’s Horse Scout profile
https://www.horsescout.com/professionals/josie-mead/profile/1607
Written by Ellie Kelly
