EQUINE SPORTS MASSAGE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA

Servicing Oaklands Junction, Macedon Ranges, Pakenham, Mornington Peninsula and outer Melbourne regions.

A person receiving cold laser therapy on their back, with a red laser light emanating from a handheld device held by a practitioner.

A holistic approach with evidence-based practice.

Welcome to Equine Sports Massage - where balance and alignment are achieved naturally.

Equine Sports Massage (ESM), is dedicated to promoting the health, well-being, and the athletic ability of horses. Whether you have a cherished companion, a competitive performance horse, or a priceless yearling going to the sales, bodywork may be the missing piece in their wellness puzzle to give you the competitive edge.

Using a combination of proven therapies, ESM restores balance and alignment to help each horse achieve optimal performance.

Every horse benefits mentally and physically from consistent bodywork. When their stress is regularly addressed, they learn to relax and perform with confidence.

Get in touch today to release your horse’s full potential .


Meet Emma

Founder – Equine Sports Massage

Emma is an equine bodyworker with over 30 years of experience and a lifelong passion for helping horses thrive.

Her journey began in 1992 when she completed a Sports Massage Therapy certification in North Carolina, USA, under Mary Schreiber — a pioneer in the field who built upon the revolutionary work of NFL physiotherapist Jack Meagher.

Early on in her career Emma realised she could make a difference but it was hard to quantify until she worked in racing. Traveling to the UK in 1997, she was employed by the renowned English trainer Jack Berry as a bodyworker. She quickly began to deliver results, improving the performance in older horses and contributing to the stables leading two-year old status. But the pinnacle came at Royal Ascot in 1998, where the stable celebrated a remarkable treble.

  • Bolshoi: Winner of the King’s Stand.

  • Rosselli: Winner of the Norfolk Stakes.

  • Selhurstpark Flyer: Victorious in his second Wokingham Stakes

Early results in a team environment stressed the importance of collaborating to achieve success and the role bodywork plays in the management of performance horses. 

As a rider Emma was drawn to bodywork due to her own musculoskeletal challenges interfering with her connection to the horse, this inspired her to explore how to help horses facing similar discomforts. She has travelled extensively through some of the world’s most passionate horse regions, continually refining and evolving her technique and incorporating a wide variety of therapeutic modalities into her practice.

Emma uses a combination of energy-based healing and hands-on techniques to achieve lasting results. As a facilitator, using the lightest touch, horses learn how to relax, process and let go of tension and stress.

Emma restores balance and alignment to help each horse achieve optimal performance by using a combination of proven therapies - including photonic light therapy, phototherapy patching, tissue and fascia mobilisation, sports massage, stretching, and trigger point therapy.

Emma also draws from energy modalities such as Acupressure, Masterson Method, Linda Tellington-Jones, as well as over 33 years of experience in Aus, NZ, UK, Germany, USA — She also designs personalised exercise programs to support ongoing progress, tailored for all disciplines.

Qualifications & Memberships:

1992 - Certification in Sports Massage Therapy (Equissage, USA)

2014 - Bachelor of Science (Honours)

2018 - Certificate in Red-Light Therapy – Equestricare

2019 - Certificate in Tissue Mobilisation – Equestricare

2024 - FEI Permitted Equine Therapist

Member – Equine Therapies Association of Australia

Public Liability Insured

A horse leaning on a women theraphist in stables.
A woman riding a galloping horse in an outdoor riding arena, wearing a helmet and riding attire.
Woman doing therapy on a brown horse on a sandy outdoor arena, under a partly cloudy sky.

What our clients have to say

  • Ellanbrae dressage Park Dante Quandro

    Ellanbrae Park - Dante Quandro & Charlie Welsh

    “Emma from ESM has been looking after our team of dressage horses for around 9 years.

    She is an important part of our weekly performance horse management, keeping our horses happy to meet the demands of training and competing at the higher levels, aiding in wellbeing, trainability and recovery before and after competitions.

    Just like regular shoeing keeps their feet in the best shape to keep them happy and sound, regular bodywork keeps their body happy and sound.”

  • Endurance horse Bobby

    Pippa Henderson & Bobby

    “Bobby, my endurance horse, has found great benefits and relaxation from Emma's magic hands! After finishing both a 400 km marathon and a 160 km ride last year, I credit Emma as an essential part of those successful completions. Seeing Bobby almost dozing off with relaxation during and after treatments is just awesome.”




  • Thoroughbred Paddy retired mobility

    Kate Hollman & Paddy

    “For 18 months Emma has been treating my 24-year-old retired Thoroughbred for arthritis, and the difference has been incredible. Paddy absolutely loves his sessions and shows visible signs of relaxation and comfort. Thanks to Emma’s monthly treatments and red light therapy, he moves freely and comfortably around the paddock. Her work has given him a happier, more mobile retirement.”

  • Lily equine therapy sessions flexibility

    Rhiannon Denham & Lily

    “Emma has become an essential part of my horses’ care routine. Her sessions are thorough, and the results are consistently noticeable — better flexibility, suppleness, and overall wellbeing. She also shares exercises to support progress between visits. Highly recommend her to anyone with performance horses.”


  • Inter 1 test personal best

    Emily Yeomen & Winston

    “Emma has recently started working on Winston and I have already seen some huge improvements in how he is working and feeling. After just two sessions, we went out to get a PB of 67% in our first Inter I test. Definitely highly recommend Emma.”

  • equine therapy bodywork

    Carmen Leigh & Lucy

    “For over five years, I've been working with Emma Dear, an equine sports massage therapist, to provide my horse Lucy with monthly treatments that she thoroughly enjoys, as they help keep her body in top condition.”

  • Zu Hoffen trotter bodywork

    Bruce Donaldson & Zu Hoffen

    “Emma has been my go to for bodywork for the past 7 years. Having the horses in top shape to compete is important. Her knowledge and care is what sets her apart. No hesitation in recommending her to new customers.”

  • Eventer Faith Bodywork Therapy

    Jayde Kirkham & Faith

    “Emma is truly exceptional at what she does. Her skill, experience, and intuitive understanding of the horse’s body make a real difference—whether it’s easing muscle soreness, improving suppleness, or helping with recovery. She’s worked with both my eventers and dressage horses, and they absolutely love her. I’ve seen noticeable improvements in their comfort, performance, and overall wellbeing. The feeling the horses give me after Emma has worked on them is unbelievable”.

  • Gin Lordana bodywork equine jumper

    Christl Brandl (Germany) & Gina Lordana

    “One of my established jumpers, Gina, had started to lose her usual enthusiasm when approaching fences. Something felt off. Emma and I reviewed a few videos together, and she quickly picked up on the issue—Gina was jumping with a flat lumbar spine and had lost her characteristic bascule.

    After just three focused sessions with Emma, the difference has been remarkable. Gina feels much more fluid and engaged both on the flat and over fences. Emma has also worked with both of my young horses, and the improvements have been equally impressive.”