There are plenty of options for people looking for a massage in Nebraska, but if you're a horse, you're out of luck.
Nebraska doesn't have a single licensed equine massage therapist, and lawmakers who recently chipped away at regulations governing various other professions blame an expensive and rigorous process that even includes the prospect of jail time for violators.
Horse massage sounds quirky, but it's a common practice in much of the country for high-performance horses, helping to increase their range of motion and relieve tension.
Under the measure being debated this week in the Legislature, Nebraska would join 13 other states that don't require licenses for massaging a horse.
Obtaining an equine massage therapist license in Nebraska requires a veterinarian degree in addition to and more class hours than it takes to become a human massage therapist.
