Terri Mongait – Horse Bodywork & Massage Interview

Name
Terri Mongait, EBW, NCTMB

Website & Places you can find me online
Websites: www.horses2hearts.com & www.equinemassageassociates.com
Facebook: Terri Mongait

Where I am
I am located in Southern California. Specifically, the town of La Verne – east of Los Angeles and a short drive from Pasadena.

Tell us a little about you, what is your background & where do you come from?
I was born and raised in Queens, New York. The only horse experience I had as a child was the usual TV programs (My Friend Flicka; Bonanza, etc) and the very rare nose to tail trail ride. I spent way too many years as a legal/administrative/executive assistant in the corporate/legal world. I moved out to California in 1991 and spent 13 years at The Walt Disney Company.

A few years ago I realized I wanted to do something that people really enjoyed when I finally was ready to move into my “elective employment” years so I started going to massage school part time. Well, as is usually the case, the Universe kicked me in the head and I left Disney earlier than expected (my boss retired and I didn’t want to stay).

I worked as a human massage therapist until I went back to school (never too old to learn) for equine massage & bodywork. Over the years I have also become certified in Reiki, energy healing and CranioSacral techniques. I apply all of these modalities to my horse clients.

I only got into the horse world a few years ago and now I have 2 wonderful horses, many horse friends and clients and am embarking on utilizing the wisdom and spirit of the horses to help humans on their own personal journeys .

You started out massaging people and moved into animals, what prompted the broadening of your horizons?
Quite by chance, I was “adopted” by a beautiful Quarter Horse mare named Smarty. One day, while I was massaging her, not only was she blissful (head down, licking and chewing), but I felt like I was being watched. I looked up and noticed that every other horse in our barn aisle had their head out of their stall and they were all watching me closely. I immediately knew I had to go back to school and learn how to work on horses professionally.

Which do you prefer?
Honestly, I prefer working on horses. You know where you stand with them. And they don’t talk much. Also no table, no lotion, no music. Travelling to the client is much easier. The horse really does tell you when he/she does not like something or when you’re going a bit too deep too soon. I am constantly aware of their body language, ears, tenseness or whether their head is hanging and they are licking and chewing (always a good sign).

Can you tell those who don’t know a little about equine bodywork?
First, let me say that Equine Bodywork is NEVER used instead of qualified veterinary care. Always call your vet first whenever your horse comes up lame.

That said, all horses can benefit from bodywork. If you think about it, the owner usually comes in, says hello, brushes the horse, throws a saddle on their back, maybe warms them up a bit and then gets on their back (another 100+ pounds) and rides off. It doesn’t matter if you’re riding English or Western. The horse is then asked to train, ride, do hill work, jumps, whatever.

These wonderful animals do so much for us without complaint. We often forget that they are athletes and, like athletes, they can come up sore, lame, cranky…

That’s when I’m called in. I do an initial evaluation of the horse standing and at a walk and a trot. I view the horse from all angles. I may also check out the saddle fit and how the rider sits in the saddle.

Then I work the horse from tip to tail. First one side then the other. Depending on my findings during the evaluation I may concentrate in a specific area, but always at the OK of the horse. I had a magnificent Percheron (draft horse), who was so tall that I needed a step stool to work on him. He would just walk away when the area I was working on got to be too much for him. I would wait on the stool and he always came back when he was ready.

What are the main benefits of massage therapy for equines? 
Bodywork and massage for horses is a great way to keep your equine companion in optimal health. Used in conjunction with a proper training program, bodywork and massage will keep your horse healthy and well. Bodywork and massage can also be used to assist in the healing of muscle injury.

Equine Massage offers the following benefits for your horse’s health:

Relieves muscular strain/ pain
Addresses and assists with diagnosed lameness
Flushes toxins from the muscles
Assists with recovery after long/ difficult training sessions to prevent injury
Warms up muscles before events to prevent injury
Aids in the longevity of the athletic career
Can aid in the benefits of chiropractic work
Strengthens the bond between horse and rider
Makes for a happier horse

Are there specific disciplines that respond better to treatment than others? 
Any discipline responds well to a bodywork session.

Obviously your competition horses are the ones that need the work the most. (Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Western Pleasure, Reining, Cutting, 3-day eventers). They are the ones that are stressed, have active, sometimes intense training sessions, shows.

They are constantly being worked and overworked. Bodywork for these horses is another way of taking good care of your elite athlete.

What other types of natural care do you recommend to compliment your bodywork?
I definitely recommend a good, qualified chiropractor. Equine Body Work compliments a chiropractic adjustment. I also recommend essential oils and I personally use crystals and energy work with all my clients. Energy work is non-invasive and very gentle, yet very powerful.

All horses can benefit from energy healing. It can be used to release trauma, to assist in healing injuries when manipulation of the tissue is not advisable. It can also be very helpful in releasing past traumas. The horses are extremely receptive to this type of healing work. During a session it is frequently the case when I can connect with the animal and communicate. This type of animal communication enables me to quickly determine the nature of the illness or pain to assist with the healing of the entire animal.

Have any simple tips you can offer horse owners to improve the overall health and happiness of their animal? 
Yes!

Each and every time you are with your horse – do a little bit of basic massage work. Rub their legs – the large muscles above the “knees” on all 4 legs. Also, run your open hand from the base of the withers back toward the croup – on both sides – a couple of time each.

This will loosen up the legs and the back muscles, flush the fluid out and bring in a fresh blood supply. This is especially good right after a ride/workout. It’s easy to do and your horse will love it.

What is the one piece of advice you find yourself giving to horse owners time and time again?
It doesn’t take much to keep your horse well and healthy. Just remember to cool the horse down after a workout/ride and do the few basic massage techniques I described above. Even if you’re just “hanging out” with your horse (something I highly recommend for a good relationship), rub on them. Find that good scratchy spot they like. Touch is an amazing bonding tool.

Do you (or did you) have an animal that is the muse behind your work?
All animals are my muses. I spent way too many years in corporate America. Now I get to work with, talk to and learn from animals on a daily basis. My current muses are my equine partners Smarty and Bodie. And I still connect to and have a wonderful connection with my dog Sierra, who passed away in March. She is with me all the time. I also do intuitive communication, but that’s another article.

What kind of effect do you see the Internet having on the equine industry as a whole? 
The internet has caused the world to get much smaller, but at what price.

While I think the internet is a wonderful thing, I now find that I am on the computer every day – updating my website, still learning how to use Facebook, etc.

Not my favorite thing to do but absolutely necessary in today’s technologically advanced world.

Specifically for the equine world – we now have access to some of the best research and trainers at the push of a button. But we also have access to those not so “expert.” We must really be vigilant with the information out there.

On a positive note – I love that it lets me connect with so many people at one time, meet great equine people like Paige (we met on Facebook) and opens up my client base tremendously.

What else are you passionate about? 
Right now I am most passionate about my new business, Horses2Hearts. Horses2 Hearts offers a safe and contained environment for you to journey inward and explore the truth within yourself. My equine co-facilitators guide you on your journey of self discovery. I am there to facilitate and interpret the actions and reactions of both you and the horse.

Together we explore whatever is presented. Self esteem issues; relationship difficulties; loss and grief; leadership; team building. The horses teach you to find the courage to take that first step into a place of infinite peace.

Equine Guided Learning is an experiential learning process that stays with you. The experience of working with horses brings forth an honest awareness of the confusion, anxieties and limiting beliefs inhibiting our ability to reach our goals.

Through a combination of exercises with horses and insight from human coaches or facilitators, participants clarify their aspirations and become aware of the hidden assumptions/beliefs holding them back. By addressing these emotions in an experiential learning setting, participants learn how to locate and move from center, create a leadership presence that stimulates action and utilize the creative power of language to move forward effectively and efficiently.

If you would like more information, or want to contact me, you can reach me at terri@horses2hearts.com or call 909-489-9654.

More To Come

Thanks to Terry for answering the interview and sharing about her work, be sure to visit her website to learn more about equine massage & bodywork.

If you are a member of the horse industry and would like to be featured, add your name and website in the comments below or drop me a note to get involved.