Equine Massage Boosts Wellness
Myla Holubec always starts her sessions by watching how a horse moves, stands and reacts before she touches it. As a University of Wyoming senior and certified equine sports massage therapist, she has built a growing business in Laramie, offering bodywork that combines knowledge of anatomy, horsemanship and close observation of horse behavior.
Her interest in massage therapy began with her own horses. Holubec said she has always paid close attention to how her horses feel each day, but she started to notice real changes in their movement and attitude from simple things like stretching or gentle bodywork.
“Once I saw how much it helped my own horse, Nova, relax and move better, I realized this wasn’t just a small benefit; it was something that improved their quality of life,” she said. “That’s when I decided to get certified and turn it into a business to help my horses and others.”
Holubec earned her certification at Top Performance Equine in Piedmont, South Dakota. The program covered anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, hands-on techniques and lots of practical work evaluating different muscle patterns in horses.
“It was learning how to assess the whole horse and really adjust the work to the muscles,” she said.
What surprised her most was how detailed the work is. “You really have to slow down and listen to the horse’s body,” she said. “It challenged me to be patient and precise instead of just working harder and faster.”
Her patience is clear in how she assesses each horse. Holubec starts every session by feeling the main muscle groups and common pressure points, watching for any flinches, twitches, or shifts that could show soreness.
“If they don’t respond, it’s typically not bothering them,” she said. She also looks at posture and movement, noting any stiffness or uneven steps that might signal deeper problems. “It’s a straightforward way to pinpoint where discomfort is coming from.”
Holubec describes her work as musculoskeletal bodywork that blends deep-tissue massage, physical therapy techniques, acupressure, trigger-point release and stretching.
“This combination helps the horse self‑adjust,” she said.
The benefits depend on the horse’s age, workload and type of work. Performance horses often need maintenance and recovery because they use certain muscles intensely and often. Older horses do best with gentle, mobility-focused sessions to keep them comfortable.
“I always tailor the session to the horse,” she said. “Each type has different goals.”
Holubec said massage can improve circulation, flexibility, recovery time and overall comfort. For performance horses, it can help them move more freely and feel less sore. For older or ranch horses, it can help them stay healthy longer. She stresses that massage is not a substitute for veterinary care, but is a helpful part of a horse’s regular care, along with farrier work and training.
Her work has led to clear changes in many horses. Owners often notice better attitudes, more willingness and improved movement after just a few sessions. Some horses relax so much during bodywork that they yawn, lick, chew, or drop their heads. These are signs of release that Holubec watches for during each session.
Managing a business while finishing her degree takes careful planning. Holubec fits clients in around her classes and keeps detailed records to stay organized.
“Balancing both takes a lot of planning and time management,” she said. “It’s busy, but I love it because it feels like I’m building something real while I’m still in school.”
Her studies in Agricultural Business & Farm and Ranch Management support her work, giving her a solid background in livestock and business. After graduation, Holubec wants to grow her client base, travel more, and maybe add services like pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. She also hopes to work with more performance barns.
“My goal is to keep building a strong, professional business that helps horses feel and perform their best,” she said.
In a community where horses play a central role in ranching, recreation and sport, Holubec’s work fills a growing need. Her approach reflects a broader shift in equine care toward whole‑body wellness and preventative maintenance.
For Holubec, equine massage therapy is more than just a business. It’s her way of helping out the animals that have always been a part of her life.
