We invite you to enjoy a look through the International Equine Body Worker® Association website, which gives up-to-date information about sports massage therapy, and also lists contact information for our members from various countries

The International Equine Body Worker® Association, or IEBWA, was founded in 2003 to serve as a central and focal point for both student and graduate members practicing equine bodywork. We have members throughout the world with divisions in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, South Africa, Brazil and Australia. IEBWA membership is only considered if the member carries full indemnity insurance and has completed a required certification with a minimum amount of study hours, as well as continuing annual education hours. These requirements benefit the horse; the client, the Equine Body Worker® and they protect the profession as a whole.

Professional ethics, which include obtaining veterinary approval and/or referral, are strongly emphasized within the IEBWA. It is understood that if the animal is currently under veterinary supervision, the attending veterinarian must authorize any bodywork sessions. Laws concerning non-therapeutic bodywork vary country to country and even from state to state so it is important that the horse owner and body worker understand the protocol of the profession in their local area.

Each member is required to carry out a specified number of hours of continued professional education during the calendar year of membership. This way we ensure that our members are actively interested in maintaining and enhancing their skills and knowledge within their chosen profession. On the sites of Equinology, Inc., Equinenergy Ltd., Horsestudies Canada and EquiworkSA , members of the IEBWA can be recognized on the list of Equine Body Worker® graduates by the IEBWA logo after their name. Thus, when looking for an Equine Body Worker® graduate in a specific area, active members of the IEBWA are easy to recognize.

Some further points of interest regarding the International Equine Body Worker® Association:

• The Association serves as a centralized regulatory body for its members; it promotes the equine sports massage modality within the professional community and acts as a focal point for communication between members.
• The Association acts as a supporting and advisory body where issues regarding working practices, questions regarding continuing education and any other relevant issues surrounding the profession are discussed.
• The Association encourages and promotes properly designed scientific research documenting the benefits of equine body work. In addition, the Association will ensure these current research findings are integrated into bodywork practice, and that the information released to the public.