Equine Sports Therapies: Home Page

About Equine Sports Therapies

Welcome and thank you for visiting my website. 

My approach to working with the horse may be considered by some to be a bit "out of the box".  Given all that we expect from our horses, at the very least they deserve for us to take the time to really listen to them and be cognizant of the subtle signs that they are communicating to us each time we are with them. 

Horses are incredible teachers.  They are one of the most pamperered creatures on this earth and conversely one of the most misunderstood and abused. Those who have really studied the horse understand that the horse is always in "present time", and centered in it's authenticity. In order for  us to speak their language we too need to be "in the moment and grounded and centered in our spirit". If we are not, the horse will not truly partner with us.

Instead of listening to the horse, I see many riders pushing them harder and harder using cruel mechanical devices and harsh diciplinary measures  in order to achieve that ribbon or trophy or forcing them to submit to our need to dominate. When a lameness does occur or the horse "explodes" and someone gets hurt, they've been waving a "red flag" at us for weeks asking us to stop and listen to them! By the time the lameness occurs, it's too late....the damage has been done.

Many of the horses that come to me are emotional "train wrecks" and have suffered horrible abuse; either emotionally, physically and spiritually or a combination of all three. This makes it next to impossible for me to stay emotionally detached. When I am able to see a horse finally able to release its old emotional wounds, it is truly gratifying.

Horses and humans have been in partnerships for thousands of years.        I hope that someday humans will realize that the horse's willingness to partner with us and allow a predatory animal on their backs should not be taken for granted.  In fact it's quite amazing when you think about it.    

We should be humbled in their presence and remember that our time spent with a horse is a priviledge and honor. Horses give with their hearts and souls asking little in return.

Before I start any bodywork, I access each horse on an individual basis.       I like to have as much information about the horse before I even meet it (if possible) from its owner, trainer and caregiver. This gives me a chance to prepare and decide which modalities I may or may not want to use when I meet the horse. In many cases what might seem like an "insignificant habit or quirk" to the owner can be extreemely significant and helpful in determining the undelying cause of a particular behavioral issue.

As part of my accessment, I scan the horse's body with my Digital Thermal Camera to check for any abnormal areas of heat in the body.  This non-invasive device allows me to see areas of abnormal inflammation and detect areas which may need to be looked at by a veterinarian before I proceed  with any bodywork or before a lameness occurs. 

Digital thermal imaging is invaluable for helping veteriarians to detect    the origin of a subtle lameness; pre-purchase exams; checking for proper saddle fit and for detecting hoof imbalance.

Photo Below: Deb releasing areas using the Masterson Method of Equine Intergrated body work.