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I have experience with a variety of equine athletes, including: FEI (jumpers & dressage); USEA; USDF; USHJA; Graded Stakes; Breeders Cup; Derby/Oaks runners; USDF National Champions; & USEF Pony Final Champions. I also work with young horses for sales prep & development.

I collaborate with your team to enhance horse performance, behavior and well being. I look forward to meeting you to see if we could be a good fit!

Background

My horse background started in Chester Springs, PA as an apprentice under Ginny Orr, TB Exercise Rider & Show Jumper. I showed some, but preferred hacking about the countryside on my Chestnut TB, Roger (pic above).

After a detour away from horses, I found myself once again working with them as the Equine Care Specialist for a Therapeutic Riding Organization. This position presented me with a variety of breeds displaying confounding "issues" so I enrolled in an equine sports massage certification course.

I combined physio methods with manual techniques and the horses behaved and performed better. I took several more educational workshops, experimented with exercise therapy strategies, and customized a program called "movement sculpting". Encouraged by the positive results, I started MEND Equine Massage & Bodywork and took on outside clients.

Business Development

After some time, I moved to Kentucky to obtain a University degree in Equine Health & Rehabilitation. I then trained under vets, managers and therapists and worked for others before rebranding as MEND.HORSE LLC.

I have been fortunate to work with stellar athletes, vets, chiropractors, trainers, and consignors throughout the country. I am absolutely in love with this work and my clients. I am constantly taking new courses in equine musculoskeletal health and keeping on top of new trends in this growing field.

I spend most of my free time with my OTTB (pic above). I helped raise her as a foal and followed her on Equibase. The day before we reunited, she sustained a career-ending condylar fracture. So I offered free therapy and took her home. She has been a remarkable teacher.

Qualifications

FEI Permitted Equine Therapist
Licensed Equine Therapist-KHRC Thoroughbred Racing
Licensed Equine Therapist-KHRC Standardbred Racing
Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist
BSc. Equine Health & Rehabilitation, Midway University (Summa Cum Laude)
BSc. Northwestern University
Member of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals

Past Employment

Equine Sports Therapist: Equine Therapy, 502
Equine Therapy/Rehab Aide: Spy Coast Farm
Equine Therapy & Rehab: Brooker House Farm
Equine Therapy Aide: Midway University

Training

TCM & Equine Acupressure: Tallgrass Animal Acupressure; Midway U.
Equine Sports Massage: Jo-Ann Wilson; Equissage New England; Midway U.
Orthobionomy: Julie O'Neil
Craniosacral Therapy: Upledger Institute
Myofascial Release: Rolley; Midway U.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy: Trained-Spy Coast
Cold LASER: Trained-Midway & Spy Coast
Neuromuscular Technique: Neil Asher
Positional Release: EPR Institute
Trigger Point Work: Finando
Foals, Weanlings & Yearlings, varied LEX locales
Symposium on Therapeutic Advances in Animal Rehabilitation: Equine Core Stability & Stifle Dysfunction

Over the past several years, Equine Therapy/Rehabilitation has exploded in popularity. This is a wonderful paradigm shift in the industry but it comes with some pitfalls. It is important to note that animal therapy laws vary from state to state and country to country. Educational businesses now run the gamut, bestowing Equine Osteopathy and Physio titles without quality assurance accreditation. Some of the most widely followed social media influencers have questionable credentials. When choosing for your horse, look at breadth & depth of knowledge, experience and education.

We encourage you to do your homework to find a suitable fit for your equine athlete.

About

Liz Douglas: Owner; FEI PET; C.E.S.M.T.; BSc. Equine Rehabilitation; Licensed Equine Therapist (KHRC); Veterinarian Referred

Liz Douglas:
Owner; FEI PET; C.E.S.M.T.;
BSc. Equine Rehabilitation;
Licensed Equine Therapist (KHRC); Veterinarian Referred