TF-EBW: Tool-Facilitated Equine Body Work

First on-site session with animals begins on 7-24-25 through 7-28-25 at the Rancho Murieta Equine Complex in Rancho Murieta California. A fifth day for those interested will be available and will go over more advanced topics including further understanding cold laser and canine applications.

Level 1: Applications Course for Certified Equine Body Workers and/or
Certified Veterinarian Myofascial Release (VMR) Practitioners, Veterinarians or a Chiropractors.

Description: Introduction to and certification of Level 1 Tool-Facilitated (TF)–Equine Body Work (EBW) applications course

Anyone wishing to attend this course must have two years minimum experience as a certified equine body worker from a reputable EBW school or a certified VOM/VMR practitioner, veterinarian or a chiropractor. Part of this fast-moving on‑site course will take place in a classroom setting, but sessions will predominantly be with horses of various breeds and disciplines and that have challenges; therefore, students can expect a transformational hands‑on experience. Every student will receive a binder with TF‑EBW and anatomical information that will be divided into five segments outlining the agendas and goals. The binder will also include details and directional guidance charts regarding TF‑EBW.

Educational and Professional Objectives

This course is developed for the seasoned equine body worker or VMR/VOM practitioner who is interested in learning how to best apply activation technology tools to be able to accelerate the EBW process and increase the potential of releasing the musculoskeletal system. The equestrian world demands expedient and successful improved performance outcomes when hiring an equine body worker. Because of this, especially in the performance horse industry, experienced equine body workers will find the technology taught in the course to be beneficial for expedited case resolution. The effective results both for performance- and comfort-focused musculoskeletal and myofascial care of the horse increases the financial potential for any equine musculoskeletal wellness professional.

This course will outline the origin of the technological approach to advancing myofascial care and how our understanding of its scope of effectiveness for animal care has greatly been advanced thanks to the lifelong work of the late Dr. William (Bill) Inman (vomtech.com). Depending on the students’ backgrounds and goals, further educational opportunities with Equinology’s course options and VOM/VMR may be discussed.

Course Objectives (brief review of information that students should have previously learned)

• Recap the identification of the skeletal system, muscle locations, and working relationships of the five musculoskeletal systems: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.
• Recap anatomical and veterinary terminology, vocabulary, and directional terms.
• Review understanding of when an animal needs to be evaluated and/or treated by another professional in the equine industry.
• Review and practice equine handling skills to be able to safely apply TF‑EBW.
• Review in‑depth palpation, muscle mapping, and restriction location skills.
• Discuss the goals and modalities of EBW and a minimum of five body work instruments that when applied appropriately quantify the potential for case resolution.
• Discuss the similarities between hands‑on body work, energy work, myofascial release, tapping techniques, and muscle activation tool technology.
• View various horses’ bodies and movement conditions and learn how TF‑EBW release work can safely and effectively benefit any wellness program.

Each student will be instructed on how to apply TF‑EBW to all five musculoskeletal regions of the horse. Students will get a hands‑on experience with five tools developed to complement any EBW program. During our evaluations and applications, we will be working with the following, at a minimum: Mustangs, Andalusians, Warmbloods (dressage and jumpers), and performance Quarter Horses. This will take place at an equestrian training facility in Rancho Murieta, California, where there are many horses with varying body work needs. We will also spend a day at an A‑circuit jumping and dressage facility, and the course may visit other locations.

Because musculoskeletal restrictions affect body movement and consequently foster the development of pain, they cause challenges that commonly impact horses negatively. TF‑ EBW can be a powerful aid in reducing and relieving such stressful tensions in the musculoskeletal system, and you will be instructed on how to apply TF‑EBW safely and effectively so it will enhance your body work approach. Listed below are some of the many conditions we will discuss that are associated with musculoskeletal restriction.

• Head tossing
• Poll sensitivity
• Ear sensitivity
• Inability to:
  • Break at the poll
  • Stop biting.
  • Stretch over the topline
  • Take or keep the correct lead.
• Over at the knee
• Excessive pawing or striking with front limbs.
• Kicking out with back limbs
• Hollow back
• Rib cage sensitivity.
• Hunter’s bump
• Sacroiliac tension and/or pain
• Stifle tension and/or sensitivity.
• Hock restriction
• Forging
• Tail swishing

Course Requirements

• Email TF- EBW staff at [email protected] for more details.
• After completing the course with satisfactory understanding, attendance, and application of equipment, each student must complete three case studies.
  • Each case study will be four 40‑minute tool‑facilitated body work sessions, with a brief statement of the body condition and a lateral posture photo taken before and after each four‑session series. The four sessions will take a minimum of four weeks to complete, and students have six months to complete the three case studies to be eligible for TF-EBW certification.
• After the above-requirements are completed, a 250‑word essay about what you have learned and how it can benefit horses, and the equestrian industry will be considered as the final for the course.
• After all the above are finished and deemed satisfactory, a certification of course completion will be awarded.

Additional Course Details

• Please email the TF- EBW staff at [email protected] for the course schedule.
• One-on-one course opportunities for qualified individuals are available; please email TF- EBW staff at [email protected] to discuss this option if you are interested.
• After completing the course and being awarded certification, each student will also receive reduced-rate access to educational case approach videos. These videos will be on a paid Patreon site and currently available to viewers on an individual basis.

Requirements of Students

• Students must be able to read, write, and speak English equivalent to a high school level.
• Students must have an email account to communicate with TF‑EBW office staff.
• Should a student have any special needs, they need to email the TF- EBW staff at [email protected] well in advance before the course begins so we can make the necessary arrangements to provide accommodations.
• For this course, previous EBW and/or VMR/VOM education is very important, and each student must provide verification of certification. Although the approach of releasing the musculoskeletal and nervous system through the muscular route is extremely effective, this is not a chiropractic course, so previous work with muscles and connective tissues of the horse is mandatory.
• Students must be very familiar with the information on the VOM website, as we will be discussing the origin of the unique approach of helping animals using musculoskeletal release technology, also known as VMR. We will also talk about further education opportunities to take your knowledge of and career in working with horses to the next level.
• This course has been developed by MC Kidd and was approved by Dr. Inman as a usage and applications educational opportunity. It was designed to help individuals advance their understanding of musculoskeletal systems and be able to apply specific mechanical tools to complement any wellness approach.

Recommended Reading Materials

• Jim Masterson of The Masterson Method: Beyond Horse Massage and/or any of his other books
• Linda Tellington-Jones with Sybil Taylor: The Tellington TTouch and/or any other books by Linda
• Richard Gordon, Quantum-Touch
• Sara Wyche: The Horse’s Muscles in Motion

Stay tuned for a novel dedicated to Dr. Bill Inman to be published in early 2025 and will be a upcoming recommended read!

Fees (not including food or lodging)

• Group course fee: $1,500 for four days and $1800 for the fifth day bonus.
• Private, individual course fee: $2,000 for four days and $2300 for the fifth day bonus.
• Email MC at TF- EBW staff at [email protected] for information regarding courses.