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Massage therapist is told she's not allowed to deal with horses
The order came from the Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Writer John Kelly wonders if horse massage is a little weird. "Most of the horses I massaged were working horses," says Mercedes Clemens. "They worked for a living. So, they're athletes, just like human athletes. Their muscles get stiff and a little sore, and it helps relax the muscles so they can feel better." (Washington Post)
September 25, 2008 | Permalink
Comments
You're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
I'd rather muck out a stall then deal with government.
This is Horse Shit!
Posted by: trustno1 | Sep 25, 2008 5:44:19 AM
I don't understand what the harm is at all. In a related note, my old dog Jody (12 year old lab) wore herself out playing in the lake and chasing tennis balls. She was limping and stiff. I was advised by a friend to ask my chiropractor if he would adjust her. My friend said that most chiropractors can adjust animals, they just don't advertise it. So I asked and he said "sure - bring her in!". He adjusted her and she literally bounced out of there like a puppy - it was amazing. To this day, it seems like it shaved five years off her age.
Posted by: freetomato | Sep 25, 2008 6:04:59 AM
Animals need therapy too. They have to put up with stupid humans every day.
Posted by: twerp | Sep 25, 2008 6:18:31 AM
Neigh... oh yeah, Neigh.......
Posted by: stopeatingmysesamecake | Sep 25, 2008 6:30:45 AM
Massage wasn't the only service she was offering. BOOYA!
Posted by: Mr. Ed | Sep 25, 2008 6:30:59 AM
I'm calling Joe Biden and finding out about this Hand Jobs for Horse's stuff.
He would know, him being a Horse's Ass.
Posted by: trustno1 | Sep 25, 2008 6:37:02 AM
What a disappointment for the horse. I was expecting a 'happy ending'...
Posted by: heywood | Sep 25, 2008 6:39:07 AM
Better than a moose's ass, no?
Posted by: elchampino | Sep 25, 2008 6:41:10 AM
Kobe beefs get massaged all the time. They get beer, too.
Posted by: Russ | Sep 25, 2008 6:43:25 AM
This is ridiculous. As long as she's not claiming she has a license to massage these animals and her clients know it, this shouldn't impact her "other" profession of massaging humans.
Animal massage is gaining popularity in various countries including the US. Its as beneficial to animals as it is to humans. There are plenty of schools that teach it. She should go get certified so she can continue doing it professionally.
(example: http://www.animalmassagetherapy.net/)
Posted by: cherie | Sep 25, 2008 6:45:22 AM
They're all the same Champ.
Posted by: trustno1 | Sep 25, 2008 6:49:59 AM
Those massage therapists....always horsing around....
Posted by: twerp | Sep 25, 2008 7:07:42 AM
(quote) "You can't work on animals, period."
Vallone pointed out that it's partially a safety issue. Someone with diabetes or a stroke can be killed by a massage. (end quote)
What kind of reasoning is that? Are they saying that if you massage a horse, someone with diabetes could be killed? How does that work?
Posted by: SomeGuyInKC | Sep 25, 2008 7:09:33 AM
Because they said so, that's why not. It has been spoken from on high, Thou Shalt Not Massage Horses, or Else!
Posted by: sometimesilie | Sep 25, 2008 7:14:51 AM
"And that's when the problems started. In February, Mercedes received a letter from the Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The part that jumped out read: "YOU ARE TO IMMEDIATELY CEASE AND DESIST FROM THE PRACTICE OF MASSAGE OF HORSES AND ANY OTHER ANIMAL IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND."
But outside of Maryland is cool. Also,, you wont make a monkey out of me! Also,,, the letter continues "AND JUST SO THERE'S NO CONFUSION, WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS AN ADAMANT 'FU*K YOU' TO HORSES AND ANY OTHER ANIMAL RESIDING IN MARYLAND."
Posted by: sometimesilie | Sep 25, 2008 7:16:59 AM
One Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiner to Another:
"Hey Joe, would you pull this giant shard of metal out of my ass? It shore smarts. Hey, and you know what? Screw Horses and any other animal in Maryland!"
Posted by: SeiTAN | Sep 25, 2008 7:19:22 AM
This all sounds perfectly harmless, so why the fuss? If a horse owner wants to pay someone to massage their animal, they can knock themselves out.
I too am mystified about why the chiropractic board thinks that massaging an animal is going to cause a human with diabetes to drop dead.
If the board is really worried about the health of animals, they should set up a licensing program in veterinary massage. That way, people seeking massages for their pets would know that the practitioners have some level of competency.
Posted by: Phranqlin | Sep 25, 2008 7:46:41 AM
This has got to be the most screwed up story I've read in a while...My wife is a job deleloper for people with Traumatic Brain Injuries, and other problems, and she has a client that is a certified massage therapist for dogs...I really thought that was wierd, until I did some research on it, and found that here in New Mexico, there is a plethora of certified animal massage therapists.
It would seem to me, that this lady would be better off giving Maryland the finger, and moving out west, where she could practice her craft (Strange as I might find it...) in peace...Not to mention, there are far more horses out here!
...More strangeness in Santa Fe-- My wife also has an autistic client that is paid $9.50 per hour for two hours a day, to pet dogs and cats at a vets office. (granted, that is just because the vet is a great guy, and wanted to help out someone who is less fortunate than himself.)
Posted by: USMerc | Sep 25, 2008 7:58:37 AM
Are they saying that if you massage a horse, someone with diabetes could be killed?
Yeah, and every time you masturbate, God kills a kitten.
Posted by: Wolf | Sep 25, 2008 8:05:20 AM
USMerc:
Just to say let you wife know it is nice to see someone who does a job that is really meaningful. And that vet for employing the autistic person. Dang - its really something (but nice) to feel the need to point out really cool people. Mean people truly suck.
Posted by: stopeatingmysesamecake | Sep 25, 2008 8:14:29 AM
I've killed many kitten then.
Think your wife could help me out USMecr?
The Delmarva peninsula has more horse farms than I can sake my kitten killing wand of power at. ; )
Posted by: trustno1 | Sep 25, 2008 8:21:08 AM
yeah, that is pretty cool about that vet! My dog is vet shopping and if we lived in New Mexico we'd go and check him out.
Posted by: sometimesilie | Sep 25, 2008 8:22:44 AM
Yeah that's cool of your wife. ; )
Don't mind me I'm retarded.
Posted by: trustno1 | Sep 25, 2008 8:25:06 AM
USMerc - I am a huge cynical dick. But the story about the vet hiring the autistic "pet petter" is the nicest thing I have heard in a long, long time. Thanks for brightening my day.
Posted by: elchampino | Sep 25, 2008 8:27:47 AM
STS My cousins hubby is a plastic surgeon in Lancaster I’ll bet he can make your Rot look just like Rosie O'Dumdass. : )
Posted by: trustno1 | Sep 25, 2008 8:34:56 AM
