Meet the Pioneers of Equine Acupressure: Nancy Zidonis & Amy Snow

At the heart of the growing field of animal acupressure are two visionary practitioners whose names are now synonymous with excellence and innovation: Nancy Zidonis and Amy Snow, co-founders of the internationally respected Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute. Together, they have spent more than three decades shaping the way equine professionals, therapists, and caregivers approach wellness and healing—using time-tested methods grounded in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Now, in collaboration with Niel Asher Education, Nancy and Amy bring their deep knowledge, passion, and teaching experience to a wider global audience through a pair of online certification courses in Equine Acupressure—designed to empower qualified manual therapists, equine bodyworkers, and animal wellness professionals with safe, effective, and practical techniques for supporting equine health.

A Legacy of Leadership in Animal Acupressure

Nancy Zidonis and Amy Snow are more than educators—they are the very architects of modern animal acupressure. In the early 1990s, recognizing a gap in animal wellness education, they co-founded Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute and went on to develop some of the first structured training programs in the world for canine, equine, and feline acupressure.

They also co-authored numerous bestselling books, including Acu-Horse: A Guide to Equine Acupressure, Acu-Dog, and Acu-Cat, along with comprehensive meridian charts, DVDs, and mobile apps now used by animal professionals around the world. Their work has been instrumental in shaping the standards of practice, education, and certification for animal acupressure globally.

Both Nancy and Amy served on the founding board of the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM), helping to establish credibility and recognition for the profession they helped pioneer.

The Launch of a New Learning Experience

This month, Niel Asher Education is proud to release the first of two online courses co-produced with Nancy and Amy:

👉 Fundamentals of Equine Acupressure

This comprehensive, 4-hour certification course is ideal for manual therapists, equine massage professionals, and horse caregivers who want to understand how acupressure can be safely and effectively applied to support equine well-being. The course blends rich theoretical content with practical guidance, and includes:

• Detailed video tutorials presented by Nancy and Amy

• A downloadable course workbook

• Self-assessment and certification

• Lifetime access to course materials

What makes this course particularly special is the accessibility of the content. Whether you're completely new to acupressure or already have some familiarity with TCM principles, Nancy and Amy guide you step-by-step through the foundational concepts, from Qi and meridians to hands-on techniques that you can begin using right away.

What’s Coming Next?

Following the launch of Fundamentals of Equine Acupressure, a second, more advanced course will be released next month. This upcoming course will deepen your understanding of both theory and applied technique, offering a more detailed exploration of acupoints, patterns of imbalance, and case-based learning to help refine clinical skills and treatment planning.

Together, these two courses represent a structured and professionally developed learning path for those wishing to add equine acupressure to their professional toolkit.

Why Learn Equine Acupressure?

Equine acupressure is rooted in the same ancient healing traditions as acupuncture, but it is practiced non-invasively, without needles, making it an ideal modality for equine massage therapists and bodyworkers. It offers a gentle, effective way to:

• Enhance circulation and relaxation

• Support recovery from injury

• Improve digestion and elimination

• Address imbalances that contribute to behavioral or performance issues

• Build trust and deepen the connection between horse and caregiver

As more horse owners and professionals turn toward holistic wellness practices, equine acupressure is fast becoming a sought-after skill. And with expert instruction from two of the most respected names in the field, this new online training pathway makes high-quality education more accessible than ever before.

Begin Your Journey with the Best

At Niel Asher Education, we are honored to partner with Nancy Zidonis and Amy Snow to bring their exceptional teaching and decades of experience to a global community of therapists and equine professionals.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your practice, expand your services, or explore a new modality with ancient roots, Fundamentals of Equine Acupressure is the perfect place to begin.

👉 Enroll now and start learning today.