Where’s the Line Between Massage Therapy and Veterinary Care?
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Dr. Gina Tranquillo-Shade and Michele Haman of Equilibrium Therapy LLC discuss regulations around who can perform massage on horses.

This podcast is an excerpt from our Ask The Horse Live Q&A, “The Benefits of Massage For Your Horse.” Listen to the full recording here.

About the Experts:

Michele Haman

Michele Haman is the founder and owner of Equi-librium Therapy, LLC, based in Lexington, Kentucky and Wellington, Florida, which offers massage for equine athletes. She holds bachelor’s degrees in equine therapy, equine science, and equine management, as well as in accounting. She’s passionate about helping animals feel and perform their best and strives to grow and share her knowledge every day.​

Gina Tranquillo-Shade

Gina Tranquillo-Shade, VMD, grew up showing Arabian horses and continued intercollegiate competition at Wilson College, in Pennsylvania. She earned her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine and completed a field care internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, in Lexington, Kentucky. She later practiced equine medicine at All Points Equine, in Pennsylvania. Her interests include reproduction, preventive medicine, sports medicine, field care, and acupuncture. She also completed an equine sports massage therapy certification through Equissage, in Round Hill, Virginia. Although she recently transitioned her scope of practice to small animals, she’s an active horsewoman and enjoys riding, cooking, and spending time with family.​