Woman Sues for Right to Massage Horses

By NAFEESA SYEED

DAMASCUS, Md. (Aug. 11) - Mercedes Clemens is certified to massage humans, but she claims the state of Maryland is keeping her from her first love: Massaging horses.
She shut down her equine massage practice in a Washington suburb after state officials told her state law only allows veterinarians to perform such services.
Massage therapist Mercedes Clemens, here with her horse Chanty in Damascus, Md., July 30, filed a lawsuit against two Maryland state agencies in an effort to lawfully practice her trade on horses.
Jacquelyn Martin, AP

Massage therapist Mercedes Clemens, here with her horse Chanty in Damascus, Md., July 30, filed a lawsuit against two Maryland state agencies in an effort to lawfully practice her trade on horses. "This isn't just a career for me, it's my passion," she said.

 
Now she's suing two state agencies, saying regulators are unfairly barring registered massage therapists who want to practice on animals.
Animal massage regulations vary from state to state, with some allowing only veterinarians to practice. Clemens' case is being closely watched by those in the animal massage industry, who say business has grown steadily along with interest in other alternative treatments and pampering for pets.
Equinology, Inc., a Gualala, Calif.-based massage school, says when it began operating about 15 years ago, a couple hundred people took its horse massage therapy courses. Now, almost 900 sign up each year. Company vice president Paul Hougard said there were just a few schools when his company started but estimates there are now about 50 across the country.
 
The National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage plans to start an online exam next month to create credential standards. Among other things, it will test massage techniques, anatomy, ethics and animal behavior.
A self-described horse fanatic, Clemens, 40, got private animal massage certification about two years ago and started practicing on horses, eventually growing her business to about 30 regular horse clients. She likes to help soothe the animals and work through their sore and tight muscles.
Now she works only on her own horse, Chanty.
"This isn't just a career for me, it's my passion," Clemens said. "If I was independently wealthy and I didn't need an income, I would do this for nothing. That's how much I love it."
In a March letter to Clemens, the Maryland Board of Chiropractic Examiners told her state law is very specific in barring massage therapists from practicing on animals.