Why Asking Questions Is a Good Thing (And Why I’m Not Offended)
I recently posted in a local Facebook group for horse people and was met with a question:
“What qualifications do you have? Dogs and horses are very different in needs.”
Fair question. So I answered, listing my qualifications — which include formal diplomas in Equine and Canine Myofunctional Therapy, Acupuncture, and several other modalities. Then came the follow-up:
“Ok, so if you’re doing so much study, what outside experience do you have?”
Now, you might expect I was annoyed. But truly? I wasn’t. This was actually the first time I’d had someone publicly question my qualifications — and I welcomed it. Because here’s the truth: if someone is going to work on your horse or dog, you should be asking questions.
When you love your animal as much as I know my clients do, you want to make sure they’re in good hands. And you should.
The strange part was that just a few posts down, someone asked a general question about PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy. She mentioned that it had helped with recovery, and suddenly the comments section lit up:
“My horse loves it”
“I think it's fantastic”
“I’ve never looked back”
But not a single person asked:
What condition was she treating?
Had she tried anything else?
Did she understand equine anatomy — especially the muscles involved?
That’s what struck me. Because the truth is, when you engage a bodyworker, you're not just paying for a session — you're investing in their training, clinical knowledge, and ability to assess and support your horse holistically.
Any tool — be it a massage gun, PEMF machine, or red light — can be powerful. But a tool in untrained hands can do more harm than good. Harsh, but true. That’s why I always say: I’m here to empower you, not override your bond with your animal. You know your horse better than anyone. But it’s essential to know when to reach for help, and to understand the foundation of the help you’re receiving.
Interestingly, no one asked that poster about her qualifications. That would be like asking me to trim a hoof. Sure, I know the basic structure of the hoof — but I’m not trained to make those corrective, nuanced decisions. That’s what your farrier does. It’s why we each have a role to play in the team that supports your horse.
When I recommend things like Equissage or PEMF to clients, it’s because I know they understand the biomechanics involved. I trust they’ll notice if something isn’t right — and that they’ll call a professional when it’s more than just maintenance.
So, to the person who asked me those questions: thank you. You reminded me why I do what I do. Not just for the horses, but to help owners feel confident, informed, and empowered.
Ask the questions. Check the qualifications. Build a team you trust.
That’s holistic care.
Written by Linda Bolton-Breen - Breton Equine Wellness
