About
I have many years of experience working with horses, and have completed working student positions and internships at varying facilites in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Colorado and Florida. These have ranged from horse rescues to hunter/jumper barns, and high level dressage competition barns.
I have met many wonderful people and trainers along the way who helped me develop as a horse trainer and rider as well as with equine bodywork. I have had the opportunity to work with many horses of varying breeds, all who have taught me along the way and helped me develop the ability to customize training to each horse's needs. As there is no "one size fits all" with horses, I continue to expand my knowledge and understanding of how best to help each horse.
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Equine Massage Therapy
In 2009, I headed to Loveland, CO to complete a course in equine massage at Prairie Winds Equine Massage, and my journey in equine massage therapy began.
When I completed my course, I originally thought I would only use my new skills for my own horse. Friends began to ask me to massage their horses and, over the years, my clientele grew just by word of mouth via recommendations from horse owners wowed by the effect massage could
have on their horses.
I could often connect struggles owners were experiencing under saddle with what I felt when massaging the horse. Oftentimes, training issues could be helped or even resolved completely with bodywork. Not only did the horse's performance improve, but training progressed more easily
for horse and rider.
In 2022, I began what is turning out to be an ongoing series of weeklong courses at Animal Dynamics in Reddick, FL in Equine Sports Massage Therapy in order to further my expertise to the benefit of my clients. The extensive knowledge of the instructors combined with the chance to work on nationally competitive horses has led me to advance what I incorporate into
my massage therapy.
Classical Dressage Training
Over the years, working with various breeds and riding disciplines, I have discovered that my heart and passion lies in classical dressage training and riding, with a proper gymnastic development of the horse by incorporating ground work exercises, such as work in-hand, long-lining, cavaletti exercises, and bodywork to develop a happy, willing horse that enjoys his work.
