Certification Courses:

SBW offers two in-depth certification programs designed to enhance your equine bodywork, in either professional or personal practice:

Advanced Equine Massage Therapist Certification

Equine Craniosacral Therapist Certification

Course Breakdowns Below:

Advanced Equine Massage Therapist Certification

April Schaeffer gently massaging a white horse with brown spots.
Certification logo for the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork with symbols of a bird, a cat, a dog, and a horse in a blue circle, and the text 'IAAMB/ACWT Approved' and 'Preferred Educational Provider' above and below the circle.

Self-Paced | Lifetime Access | IAAMB Accredited

The CAEMT is a great start for newcomers seeking their first certification or longtime practitioners looking to hone their skills and deepen their understanding of bodywork.

You’ll learn the WHY behind equine massage and how it is a preventative and maintenance practice for horses with chronic or acute discomfort while taking into account the environmental, emotional, and biomechanical factors.

Course Breakdown:

  • Detailed Equine Anatomy & Physiology
    Learn the muscles, bones, fascia, and nervous system with clear guidance on how these systems interact and influence comfort and performance.

  • Posture & Gait Evaluation
    Understand how to assess a horse’s posture and movement to identify areas of tension, compensation, or imbalance.

  • Hands-On Massage Techniques
    Master a full pattern of effective, safe techniques with step-by-step instruction designed to build your confidence and skill. You’ll also learn how to structure individualized sessions for different horse types and needs.

  • Session Design & Client Communication
    Learn how to design sessions based on evaluation findings, and how to communicate effectively with horse owners, trainers, and other equine professionals.

  • Introduction to Complementary Modalities
    Explore an overview of our favorite supportive modalities—from red light therapy to stretching techniques—with guidance on how to safely begin practicing and where to seek further education.

“I am very impressed with the Schaeffer Bodyworks Professional Certification, and I believe this is one of the BEST equine Certification Courses on the market. The courses content is very thorough, and the amount of individual attention and instruction is amazing. April has a wealth of experience and knowledge, and she shares her expertise willingly. April is a natural born educator, and she presents the curriculum in an organized and straightforward manner. She is able to explain difficult concepts with ease and is always available for questions. I researched other Equine Massage Certification courses, and I found this course to give me the best value and highest quality for my money!”
— Ann Marie S.

Hear from an CAEMT Student…

Equine Craniosacral Therapist Certification

Self-Paced | Lifetime Access

CST is a subtle, energetically attuned therapy that works directly with the central nervous system (CNS).

Unlike more compressive massage techniques, CST is ideal for sensitive or anxious horses that may not respond well to traditional bodywork.

This gentle method helps support the healthy movement of cerebrospinal fluid along the spine, promoting a calm, balanced, and regulated nervous system.

In this course, you’ll learn how to apply Level 1 CST techniques, and how to integrate them seamlessly with your existing bodywork practice.

Craniosacral Therapy can be used as a stand-alone technique or in combination with other modalities to support:

  • healing

  • reduce tension

  • bring relief to any horse—especially those who need a softer touch.

*Only Certified or Previously Certified Equine Massage Therapists (from any program, not just SBW) can register for this course. Please reach out with any questions!

April Schaeffer hugging a white horse wearing a purple halter, outdoors in a green fenced area.
Header image for Pro Support Group by Schaffer Bodyworks featuring a logo with a horse's head, and two photos of hands massaging animals, a white-spotted horse and a brown horse.

April has created a Professional Certification Group for current students of any professional certification courses. This group serves to offer support and guidance for all equine bodyworkers at all levels through the course and beyond.

Along with support, she has worked with other Equine Wellness educators and businesses to offer discounts for those starting out on their equine wellness path!

The goal is not to simply sell courses, it’s to build and become part of an Equine Community that supports each other while advocating for healthier, happier horses.

April Schaeffer standing next to a brown and white horse, both smiling, inside a barn.

April Schaeffer

“A place for you to get to know each other, share your experiences, ask questions and most importantly LEARN from each other!”

If you’re looking for more specific, non-certification courses, please explore our online course catalog. I’d love to help you build the right path that aligns with you (and your horses’) needs.

Kind Words

  • I bought April’s Equine Massage class and I LOVE it!!! I highly recommend it for professionals and owners! I learned more in her class than I have from the others I have taken!

    Crystal Dorsey

  • My 1 on 1 with SBW was amazing. April is extremely knowledgeable, kind, & patient. Her love for horses & happiness that owners/trainers/instructors want to learn how to care for their horses is astronomical. Equine massage is necessary, but can be expensive to continue as it’s needed. Take her class & learn how to massage your horse(s) the right way & keep them feeling great. I 10/10 recommend SBW!

    Lexi Richelman

  • April is amazing. She explains what she is doing and why. She is very knowledgeable and my horses love her!

    Jennie Niehaus

  • We couldn’t be happier with the servics that April provides! After seeing thermal images from April’s first visit to our barn, I was sold on the benefits of massage therapy. Not to mention, April is one of the nicest people that you will ever meet!

    Randa Smith Rowland

  • Sweet sweet lady with a lot of talent. Anyone who’s ever had a massage knows the benefits that that procedure can offer the patient receiving them whether you have two legs or four! 5 Stars.

    Leigha Clark

  • Amazing! My eventing mare absolutely loves her biweekly massages. April continues to educate herself on the best techniques to build a proper massage program for each horse. I have a QH mare that i mainly trail and a semi retired eventer. They each have their own areas of concern and April adjusts accordingly with the horses best interest at the heart of her massage program. In my opinion she is absolutely the best! Give her a call and your horse(s) won’t regret it!!

    Kimberly Ostertag

  • I am very impressed with the Schaeffer Bodyworks Professional Certification, and I believe this is one of the BEST equine Certification Courses on the market. The courses content is very thorough, and the amount of individual attention and instruction is amazing. April has a wealth of experience and knowledge, and she shares her expertise willingly. April is a natural born educator, and she presents the curriculum in an organized and straightforward manner. She is able to explain difficult concepts with ease and is always available for questions. I researched other Equine Massage Certification courses, and I found this course to give me the best value and highest quality for my money!

    Ann Marie S.

  • My horse was more relaxed after and her movement seemed better.

    Tara Owens

  • April is amazing! I can’t wait to see what an impact her work is going to have on my horses. Her thermal images are giving me a heads up and direction to know where to go for vet/chiropractic visits a well. The little bit you pay for her services and expertise now will pay dividends and save in future expenses for sure! I can’t say enough good things about April! Do this for you horse!

    Caryn Parli

  • April has been a wonderful mentor in my life. She was the first therapist to work won my horses when i was a giant skeptic. Her knowledge and work turned me into a believer of bodywork! She is always patient and down to earth, and truly cares about horses and helping them out. She is very prompt bout responding to inquires. She never makes you feel like you aren’t good enough because you might lack some knowledge. Her online classes have been a fantastic addition to her business and I have personally taken them even after becoming a certified therapist like her, and have gained value from them all! You will not regret reaching out to Schaeffer Bodyworks for any of your horse needs!

    Emily McAfee

  • April has been taking care of Ollie since late Spring/early Summer, and he has thrived since we started massage therapy. April times her visits to be a few days after the chiropractor has adjusted him, and the combination is working really well. He has come to love his massages and is one happy pony :-).

    Penny F. Boggis

  • April is great with our horses, very knowledgeable in her profession and a very nice lady.

    Brad Owens

  • I had the best day with April getting one on one knowledge, guidance and confidence! Highly recommend all that she has to offer!

    Sami Johnson

  • As a newly certified massage therapist, I was looking for more tools in my tool belt. The CST class was such a great opportunity. The modules are very thorough with easy to follow guides. The video examples provided also help explain and clarify the material. I’ve reached out to April a few times with questions and she’s always spent the time to respond and discuss. She truly cars about all the students who enroll in her classes. If anyone is on the fence about taking the class, do it! You won’t regret it.

    Kris W

  • April impressed me so much. Her attention to detail and ability to stay on track was fantastic.(I am easily distracted). April is very consistent and detailed. She explained things extremely well and was very patient and understanding. I didn’t feel any pressure or intimidation. Her passion and drive really moved me. I would recommend this clinic to anyone who is looking to strengthen the bond with their horse.

    Tiffani Martin Radake

  • My MFT has several confirmation issues that April has helped tremendously! He’s so much happier! She’s definitely changed me from a skeptic to a believer!

    Angie Brumfield-Gathe

  • Best body worker I’ve worked with! April is so patient and shows love towards all equines. Recommend her 110%

    Katie Rawson

  • April has been seeing my horse Cloud once a month for about 6 months now. I am impressed with her skill, knowledge, and use of technology to detect tightness and inflammation. I can tell Cloud loves spending time with April!!! I will continue to utilize her services.

    Theresa Lingafelt Kormos