By DONNA JAHNKE
Indiana Correspondent

DANVILLE, Ind. — Massage therapy has been around for thousands of years. It was recorded as being used by the early Egyptians. During the 20th century, it fell by the wayside as people began the use of more “conventional” methods. Athletes of all kinds are beginning to see that there can and is a place for both.

Mary Ann Watts, a Tennessee native, moved to Danville, Ind. 10 years ago. Having been around horses all her life, she decided to attend school so she could make horses her full time occupation. She attended Equissage in Virginia five years ago. After school she immediately went to the racetracks to start her career and get as much hands-on experience as she could. To receive her massage therapist license, she had to provide two references and demonstrate to the track veterinarian that she was capable.

Watts describes what she does as “skeletal balancing”. She applies pressure to muscles around the spinous, which allows muscle memory to release, which then allows the spinous to go back into place.

Watts starts by checking the feet, stating the old farrier adage, “No hoof, no horse.” She then works on the horse from poll to tail. Watts works 26 muscle groups and 100 pressure points per side. She states that it is a whole horse treatment, however each horse is different. Depending upon the work that the animal does, they may require extra attention in one area. For instance, when working on the reining stallion, Smart Sailing Dun It, she places emphasis on the hindquarters. “Reiners work off their backend more.”

Though located in central Indiana, Watts travels to Tennessee and Alabama about once every six weeks. Her clients represent a broad spectrum in the horse world. She does everything from racehorses to dressage to cutters and reiners.

When asked when to start therapy, she says she has worked on horses as young as yearlings, but normally horses do not require much until they go into training. Her initial visit can last up to two hours. She consults with the owner or trainer to see if there are any specific issues that need addressed. She also says a horse that has not been massaged before isn’t sure what is going on and can take a few minutes to relax. Watts says it generally takes up to three sessions for it to move from treatment of a problem to becoming a preventative measure.

Watts also studied saddle fitting in Kentucky: “If the saddle does not fit the horse correctly, it can create sore muscles and pain.” Not all saddles are made the same and certainly, each horse is different. It is very important to keep the horse comfortable during your ride and avoid pinching or undue pressure on the back.

Watts has built her business mostly by referrals. She enjoys the fact that her clients are happy with her work and refer their friends. She tries to keep her prices reasonable. “I want the average horse owner to be able to give their animal treatment.”

She also volunteers her expertise at Hope Haven. Hope Haven is a therapeutic riding barn located in Indiana.

Her greatest joy is when she sees a horse she has worked on wind up in the winners circle. She recalls a two-year-old filly at the racetrack that was so body sore she could bare move. “She was just miserable!” Watts worked on the filly for three hours. The groom took her out of her stall and she started trotting. The groom just kept repeating, with a smile, “She just never does this!” That filly went on to race and be claimed in a claiming race a month later.
Watts’ business, Horses to Hounds, cares for both horses and dogs. She said, laughing, “But I have been asked to work on cattle, pigs and even a goat.

“You wouldn’t see an elite human athlete without a massage therapist; it’s no different for an animal. This is just another level of care for your animal,” Watts said.