A Program Built on Legacy, Elevated by Modern Education
Become an Equine Sports Massage Therapist from one of the oldest and best programs
Three paths into equine sports massage, one trusted foundation
Every Equissage California program is built on the same respected methodology, trusted since 2007. Where they differ is depth, format, and how far you want to go, from a self-paced introduction to a fully guided path into practice. Compare curriculum, pricing, and financing below, then enroll directly from any card.
Find your starting point
Foundational
For horse owners, riders, and curious beginners who want a real foundation in equine anatomy and massage, at their own pace, with no travel required.
- Equine anatomy: skeletal, muscular & 26 major muscle groups
- The Equissage Sequence & foundational strokes
- Safety, vocabulary & contraindications
- Level 1 Certification via final case study
Signature
For students ready to go hands-on and become a fully Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, with real horses and small-group instruction.
- Everything in Foundational
- 4 days hands-on: troubleshooting techniques on real horses
- Stretching, saddle fit & business basics
- Guided case study & full certification
Elite
For students who want to leave with more than a certificate, real, guided experience through a mentored externship before you're on your own.
- Everything in Signature
- 6 days hands-on, plus gait & postural analysis
- Strengthening, nutrition & deeper biomechanics
- 25 case studies & 3 months of guided externship
It depends on where you're starting
You want to understand your own horse
Maybe you're not looking to start a career, you just want to know what you're feeling under your hands and why it matters. Foundational gives you real anatomy and technique knowledge on your own schedule, no travel required.
You're ready to get certified
You want the full, respected certification, hands-on troubleshooting practice on real horses, stretching, saddle fit, and the business basics to start offering this work professionally. This is the path most of our students choose.
You want to launch, not just learn
You want gait analysis, strengthening, and compensation patterns most programs never touch, plus real session experience behind you through a guided externship before you're working solo.
What's included in each program
| Included | Foundational | Signature | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total hours | ~50 hours | ~100 hours | ~200 hours |
| Hands-on days in Vista, CA | — | 4 days | 6 days |
| Equine anatomy: skeletal, muscular & 26 muscle groups | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fascia, tendons & ligaments | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| The Equissage Sequence & foundational strokes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Safety, vocabulary & contraindications | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hands-on troubleshooting techniques | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stretching & mobility work | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Saddle fit education | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Note taking & documentation | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Business education | — | Basics: records, advertising, client comms | Records, client comms + business templates |
| Gait & postural analysis | — | — | ✓ |
| Strengthening & pole work | — | — | ✓ |
| Deeper biomechanics, nutrition & compensation patterns | — | — | ✓ |
| Certification case study | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 25 case studies with guided feedback | — | — | ✓ |
| 3 months of guided externship after live instruction | — | — | ✓ |
| Total tuition | $1,295 | $2,575* | $4,995 |
| Deposit | — | $750 | $1,500 |
*Signature tuition increases to $2,995 on January 1st, 2027.
Tuition shouldn't be the reason you don't start
We use two different systems depending on the program, so however you're paying, there's a path that fits.
Monthly Payment Plan
Foundational tuition is set up on a monthly payment plan directly with us. Let us know during enrollment and we'll get your schedule set up, no third-party financing needed.
Finance With Affirm
Signature and Elite tuition can be financed through Affirm, so you can split your payments over time and start your hands-on training without paying the full balance up front.
Affirm financing is subject to Affirm's own approval and terms. Your deposit for Signature or Elite is separate and still reserves your seat directly with us.
What is Affirm?
Affirm is a third-party financing partner that lets you split Signature or Elite tuition into set payments over time instead of paying the full balance up front. You apply directly through Affirm at checkout, right on our enrollment page, and find out what you're approved for in just a few minutes.
Approval, payment terms, and any interest are determined by Affirm, not by Equissage California. Your deposit is separate from Affirm financing and still reserves your seat with us directly.
Tuition & payment FAQ
No, your deposit is applied directly toward your total tuition, it's not an additional fee. It simply reserves your seat in a class of 6 to 8 students while you finish arranging the rest of your payment.
It depends on the program. Foundational is set up on a monthly payment plan directly through us. Signature and Elite tuition can be financed through Affirm, so you can split the balance into payments while still reserving your seat with a deposit. Let us know your preference when you apply.
Not necessarily. Since Foundational is self-paced and online with no seat limit, most students either pay in full or start their monthly payment plan with their first installment. If you'd prefer to reserve your enrollment with a smaller first payment, just ask.
Affirm is a third-party financing service that lets you split Signature or Elite tuition into scheduled payments. You'll apply directly through Affirm during checkout, approval and terms are determined by Affirm, not by Equissage California. Your deposit is separate and still reserves your seat with us directly.
For our in-house monthly plans, reach out to us directly, we know life happens and would rather work with you on timing than have finances be the reason you step away from the program. For Affirm financing, changes to your payment schedule are handled through Affirm.
We don't have any other pricing changes planned right now. If that changes, students already enrolled or who have already secured their deposit will keep the rate they signed up at.
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