Frequently Asked Questions

Owner, Kate Schaffer, is a qualified Equine Osteopath EDO and Canine Osteopath CDO (Vluggen Institute) and can be found on both the IREO (International Registrar of Equine Osteopaths) website and the WAEO (Worldwide Alliance of Equine Osteopaths) website. In addition to equine and canine osteopathy, Kate is also qualified in various soft tissue modalities including Equine Sports Massage (via Equestricare), Myofascial Release (via Equestricare), Cranio-Sacral Therapy (via the Vluggen Institute), Photonic Therapy (via JENT Institute), Acu-Pressure (via JENT Institute), Kinesiology Taping (via EquiTape), and she has also completed the 2-day introductory Masterson Method course (with Jim Masterson). Her equine and canine studies are further supported by her Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice (via London College of Osteopathy and Health Sciences). She has been a Teacher’s Assistant at multiple equine dissections with world-renowned equine anatomist Dr Sharon May-Davis and also with Lorre Mueller (Trinity Equine Services). Happy Horse Sports Therapy LLC is fully insured through Alternative Balance Insurance.  

Horses:

First, there will be a brief discussion about your horse, with Kate asking questions and making notes.

Second, Kate will want to watch your horse walk around a little bit and back up a few steps to see how they move and use their body.

After the assessment, Kate will start testing and mobilising your horse’s body using various osteopathic techniques. After the musculo-skeletal component, there will be a little cranio-sacral work, and then some discussion around diet and how best to support your horse’s organ health.

Kate will write some notes for you, and leave you with a plan of action – advice on what to do with your horse next, any supplements or feed changes to be made, and a summary of key findings during the session. 

Dogs:

First, there will be a brief discussion about your dog, with Kate asking questions and making notes.

Second, Kate will want to watch your dog walk around a little bit, to see how they move and use their body. 

After the assessment, Kate will start testing and mobilising your dog’s body using various osteopathic techniques. There will be some fascial visceral release work done, so your dog will need to be comfortable lying on their back. The musculo-skeletal component can be confronting for them, so your dog may need to wear a soft, padded muzzle. The session will also include some cranio-sacral work. 

We’ve done the hard work researching suitable products for you. Visit our Homeopathic Supplements page and scroll down to find a link to the item you need.

Most horses need a few days of in-hand backing up, before you can ride them. Follow the guideline your therapist gave you at your session, sometimes it is 1-2 days, and sometimes 3-4 days, depending on what work was done to your horse.

For horses, we like to allow 4-6 weeks between the first and second visits, and then 6-8 weeks between the second and third visits, and then 8-12 weeks between the third and fourth visits. After that point, we can see your horse whenever you notice something odd that makes you think they could benefit from another session.

For dogs, we like to see them every 2 months or so for 3-4 sessions. 

If the horse/dog has not been seen before, a session usually takes 1.5-2 hours and the consultation costs $200 (plus travel for horses).

If the horse/dog has been seen before, a session usually takes 1-1.5 hours and the consultation costs $200 (plus travel for horses).

If there is only one horse to be seen and you’re not available on a day Kate is already in your area, there is also a $100 single horse fee.

Please note, all dog appointments will be held at our location in Cornish NH 03745, meaning there is no travel fee for dogs. 

Payment is due at the time of the consultation. Payment can be made via cash, cheque (made out to HHST LLC) or venmo (kate-schaffer-6). We do not take credit cards, nor do we accept PayPal or Zelle

The travel fee is determined by Google Maps, from your horse’s location to Cornish NH, return. We charge based on travel duration (time), at $60 per hour.

No travel fee applies if:

* We work on your horse at our facility in Cornish NH.

* We work on your horse with our preferred vet in Springfield VT.

For all house calls, the travel fee applies if the total round trip (from your horse’s location to Cornish NH) is more than one hour, for example:

* If Google Maps says your horse’s location to Cornish NH is 35 mins, that is a 1 hr 10 min round trip, so travel would be $60 + $10 = $70.

* If Google Maps says your horse’s location to Cornish NH is 1 hr, that is a 2 hr round trip, so travel would be $60 x 2 = $120.

* If Google Maps says your horse’s location to Cornish NH is 1 hr 45 mins, that is a 3.5 hr round trip, so travel would be $60 x 3.5 = $210.

The travel fee is shared across all horses seen at the same location on the same day. A maximum of five horses can be seen in one day.

Yes! We will still come to you, even if there is only one horse to be seen, however, if there are no other horses scheduled in your area on the same day, a $100 single horse fee applies. The travel fee will also still apply, so it’s better to have other horses so that you can share the travel cost across everyone and the single horse fee is waived. 

To ensure your session runs smoothly and safely, please adhere to the following requests:

1. Once your session is scheduled, Kate will email/text you a release agreement. There is no need to print this, as she will have a hard copy at your session for you to complete and sign. Although Happy Horse Sports Therapy LLC is fully insured, the release agreement is still important, as it gives Kate written permission to work on your horse/dog. 
2. Please take your own notes, as a professional report won’t be sent post session, unless you specifically request one (for an additional fee). However, Kate will write down some key information for you at the end of your session. 
3. Payment in full is due at the time of the session. Payment can be made by:
   1. Cash – please have the correct amount, as we rarely carry change
   2. Cheque – made out to “HHST LLC” or “Happy Horse Sports Therapy LLC”
   3. Venmo – “kate-schaffer-6” – please note: for horse house calls, venmo payments are required prior to the session as many barns have poor/limited internet service making payment at time of session challenging
   4. Please note: Paypal, Zelle and credit cards are not accepted
4. Please no photos or videos during your session.

In addition, for horses:

1. Please have your horse caught, un-rugged, clean and ready to go on time.
2. Please clean all mud, snow etc off your horse’s legs, as Kate will pick them up a lot.
3. For safety, there must be a handler for the horse at all times (also, some techniques require two people).
4. Please ensure we have a safe, dry area in which to work, with room to move around and safe footing for manoeuvres. Usually, a clean stall is adequate.
5. Please let us know before we start working on your horse, if it isn’t feasible for the horse to have time off post-session.
6. Word of mouth is greatly appreciated, but our service area for horse house calls is limited to within one hours’ drive of Cornish NH.

In addition, for dogs:

1. Please arrive for your appointment on time, at 1038 New Hampshire 120, Cornish NH 03745. We will be working in the horse run-in off the driveway. Please note: there is no bathroom available.
2. Please ensure your dog is leashed at all times whilst on the property.
3. Please pick up after your dog, and dispose of waste in the bin provided.
4. For safety, the dog may need to be muzzled and a handler must be present at all times.