FAQ
What are your credentials?
I am a physical therapist licensed in the state of Tennessee. I graduated from Centre College in Danville, KY with a B.S. in Financial Economics and French in 2013. I received my Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Belmont University in Nashville, TN and my Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CERP) credentials from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville in 2018. I am also a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI).
how do i know if my horse needs pt?
There are a couple of ways you might be able to tell. The most obvious way is your vet will recommend it. This might happen following an injury, laminitis, or neurological disease. We can frequently even do PT while your horse is on stall rest to prevent loss of muscle tone!
Sometimes, the horse won't have a diagnosed disease or injury but just seems “off.” The horse might go from working willingly under saddle to bucking. He might resist turning one direction or have increased difficulty with one of his canter leads. He may have poor impulsion and lack of desire to move forward. This is a great time for a PT consultation so we can determine the cause of the change.
PT is also a great choice for rescue horses or horses who are coming back into work after an extended time off.
how do i know if i need pt?
This answer is pretty similar to the question above! Your doctor might recommend physical therapy following an illness or injury. Sometimes, you might feel “off” while riding or doing your barn chores. PT can help with things like back pain, joint pain, difficulty keeping heels down, and difficulty sitting the trot or canter.
Other times, rider asymmetries might manifest in the horse. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above under “How do I know if my horse needs PT?” the problem could be coming from the rider! A physical therapist will be able to assess the impairments and determine the root of the problem.
Do you travel to clients?
Yes! A travel fee may apply based on drive time. I’m happy to split travel fees if there are multiple horses at a barn! I am also developing a video consultation service for long distance clients. If this is something you’re interested in, please let me know.
What do you charge?
Please contact me for current prices and payment options!
What does a treatment session look like?
The short answer is: IT DEPENDS!
The long answer is: I start with a physical exam and assessment of how the horse or rider are moving. I then will move into the manual therapy treatment the horse or rider needs. Next we will work on exercises to improve strength, balance, coordination, and posture. The final step is another quick assessment to see how much progress was made!
Check out the videos below for more information on what a treatment session might look like: