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Learn More About TinaHello, Tina here. I am sure you are wondering who I am and why you would trust that I know what I am talking about. I don't blame you. You need to be careful who you listen to. So, here is some background on me. I have had horses for almost 30 years. I have been a massage therapist for almost 10 years, receiving my massage therapy training from one of the top human massage therapy schools in the country (see below for more about my education). I have attended multiple - and plan to go to more - continuing education seminars and workshops. And, I have probably read more books and watched more videos than anyone I know. I research anything that comes across my path. I love to learn!!!!
I then put this into practice with my own horses as well as client horses in my equine therapy business. (I have many equine case studies that I plan to share in the near future, so that you can hear about the wonderful results that you can achieve with equine therapy.)
But, I also love to teach. This is where Equine Education Connection comes in. My goal is to increase the awareness in horse owners of possible reasons for problem behavior in horses. Discuss the benefits of equine therapy. And then, to provide information and instruction for those of you who want to learn more.
Education and Experience
This only includes my horse related education. I have also attended a traditional college (only to realize that I hate sitting behind a desk for a living) and taken other continuing education courses relating to dog therapy and training.
Massage Therapy Training
I have always wanted to work with animals, but I am not good with needles. So, being a veterinarian was out of the question. But, I still had a need to be involved with some form of healing and animals. I considered going to an equine massage therapy school, but there were none anywhere close to where I lived.
As I checked into massage as a career, I was told that one of the best massage therapy schools in the country was very near where I was living at the time. I decided to just have horses as a hobby and work with people as a business (believing it would be more secure financially)
So, in 1999, I gave up my dream of working with horses and attended one of the top human massage therapy schools in the country, Health Enrichment Center for Therapeutic Massage located in Lapeer, Michigan. The founder, director and head instructor is Sandy Fritz. Sandy is the author who writes many of the books used by other schools of massage therapy all over the United States and other countries. Students from all over the world come to the Health Enrichment Center to study with her.
I was very fortunate to live nearby the school during the time I attended. I received 1000 hours of massage therapy training. At the time, most schools were only 500 hour programs (the minimum hours needed to test for the national certification exam). And, believe it or not, some of the most well known equine massage therapy schools were (and still are) only 50 hours!!! We were the first class to EVER get to work with a professional football team. Not just in Michigan, but anywhere. Sandy is considered the expert in the field of massage and I consider it a privilege to have been one of her students.
I believe it is this background in education that has made me, what I believe to be, an excellent therapist. I do not say this to be arrogant. I just believe a more thorough education gives you a more solid foundation to build on.
Once again, that is the reason for Equine Education Connection. I really believe that education is very important. It helps you to make better decisions. Gives you more options. And helps you to understand your horse (and yourself) better.
Continuing Education
For a few years, I worked with human clientele. I received referrals from chiropractors and also had word of mouth advertising. I had my own horse at a training farm in Milford, Michigan where I was learning classical dressage from some wonderful trainers (including Marina Genn). But, in the back of my mind, I still wanted to work with animals. I had been working on my own horse and dabbling with helping friends with their horses.
In 2004, I got married and finally had the opportunity to change careers. I began attending equine therapy training seminars and reading everything I could get my hands on. People began asking me to work on their horses and were willing to pay me for my services. I couldn't believe it!! I was actually building a business working with horses. My dream had become a reality.
I am constantly amazed at the changes in a horse that can be accomplished with equine therapy. I see horses that have been labeled as "naughty", "stubborn", "lame" or "hopeless" change in just a short amount of time - sometimes a noticeable change after just one session. (although follow up visits are often needed for further changes to be made)
After multiple of my clients telling me how much they learned from watching me work with their horse, I really started to think more about my second dream. To teach other people how to help their own horse. As an equine therapist, I only see your horse during a therapy session. No one knows your horse better than you do. You see your horse all the time. You, as the horse owner, have the opportunity to work with your horse on a daily basis. Who better to be able to help them than you?
I hope the information presented on this site will help you to see your horse through different eyes. To learn ways of helping them cope with problems or issues they may have.
Maybe you are thinking "My horse is well behaved and doesn't have a lot of issues or problems, is equine therapy necessary?" Well, if he works hard, he still needs some relief of muscle tension. Using equine therapy is a good way to keep your horse from acquiring a problem.
Or,maybe you are lucky like me, and have horses who have multiple issues (mental, emotional and physical)? Equine therapy will definitely help your horse become more healthy, happy, and have less stress and anxiety.
Either way, I hope this site will help you to discover new ideas and solutions. Horses really are wonderful, generous, willing creatures. If not, there is usually a reason. Quite often (unless your horse has suffered abuse) there is a physical reason. And, if your horse has suffered abuse and now it has a mental/emotional problem, equine therapy can help to break down the barriers.
Well, I guess I could go on forever...that is how much I love to talk about horses.
I hope you are enjoying your experience on Equine Education Connection. I hope you enjoy your horse as much as I enjoy mine. And, if not, I hope the information presented here will help you to improve your relationship with your equine friend.
Below is a list of my education and experience. This is a somewhat informal, incomplete list.
I obviously have not listed every experience I have ever had or every clinic I have ever been to. There were other experiences and educational opportunities along the way (not pertaining to horses) that have been omitted.
Tina's Education and Experience
- 1999: Attended and graduated from Health Enrichment Center for Therapeutic Massage earning a diploma for 1000 hour therapeutic massage program.
- 1999-2004: Started and operated my human massage therapy business named "Healing Hands".
- 2000-2004: Boarded Que and received lessons and training in classical dressage at Springwater Farm in Milford, Michigan.
- 2001: Participated in a 5 day dressage clinic taught by Marina Genn (Marina was long listed for the Canadian Olympic team, was a student of and endorsed by the amazing Reiner Klimke, She is also the founder of ESHA and the American Academy of Equestrian Science).
- 2000-2004: Attended many other dressage clinics at Springwater Farm taught by Marina Genn and Fred Weber.
- 2005-2006: Received training and earned Diploma in Positive Method Dog Training - I then learned to apply positive training methods to horses as well.
- April 2006: Earned Certificate for Equine Chiropractic Techniques and Application taught by Dr. Daniel Kamen.
- July 2006: Attended dressage clinic taught by Rudolf Rostek from the Spanish Riding School.
- September 2006: Took a 2 day refresher course with Dr. Daniel Kamen to be sure I understood Equine Chiropractic Techniques :-) I was relieved to realize that I did. Earned a second Certificate.
- March 2007: Attended trick training and training principles clinic taught by Daniel Nummer of Serenity Stables.
- April 2007: Attended 3 day hands-on workshop offered by Healing Touch for Animals. Earned Certification Level 1 for work with humans, canines and equines.
- November 2007: Attended dressage clinic taught by Walter Zettl at the McPhail Center at Michigan State University.
- January 2008: Attended dressage clinic taught by Herbert Seiberl from the Spanish Riding School.
- February 2008: Attended the Michigan State Universtiy - Equine Health Lecture Series: Topic was Intra-Articular Treatment - Use and Abuse
- April 2008: Earned a Certificate of Completion for Brenda Aloff's "Get Connected" working clinic.
- May 2008: Earned a Certificate in Equine Myofascial Release I - A course in theory, practice and clinical application of John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Techniques with Horses.
I have also completed many Home Study and Self Directed Study courses, read countless books and watched countless videos pertaining to equine therapy. I will try to make a list of these available in the future.
Now that you have learned more about me, it's time to -
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