09/05/2026
thanks for the feature SAENA Small Animal & Equine Naturopathic Association ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐ด๐ด
โจ๐ด **๐ฆ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐** ๐ดโจ
๐ **๐ค๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ & ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ**
I enrolled in the Equine Naturopathy Diploma with NCTM and completed my Equine Myofunctional Therapy certificate in 2016.
From my handful of massage case studies as a newly trained practitioner, I saw remarkable transformations. It really boosted my confidence in massage as a modality to help horses.
I expanded my qualifications by becoming an accredited Bitting Specialist with Bit-Bank Australia in 2020. Bit-fitting helps provide greater comfort for horses, which in turn improves their performance and overall well-being.
I began studying Saddle fitting with SaddleFit4Life Equine Ergonomics. I then completed hands-on Saddle-Fitting training and gained certification with Peter Horobin Saddlery.
This final piece has really brought it all full circle, improving back health, overall comfort, and performance with tack-fit. I have been an integral part of some incredible transformations in topline health. I love seeing my clients benefit from a multi-disciplinary approach.
๐ **๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐**
๐๐พ๐๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ~ Est. 2016
Services include:
โจ Equine Myofunctional Therapy and associated rehab guidance
โจ Bit fitting, ridden and ground assessment using a variety of brands and models of bits
โจ Saddle-fitting assessments
โจ Minor alterations such as gullet changes and wool-flocking
โจ Demo rides, orders and servicing of Peter Horobin saddles
๐ **๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ โ๐ช๐ต๐โ**
I started my journey with my own heart-horse, โSquirrel,โ in 2016, when I realised I had made her back extremely sore. I came to understand from seeking bodywork for her issues. She was very lame, flinched when you touched or brushed her back and even collapsed when the bodyworker pressed firmly on her back.
I learnt that I had potentially damaged her back from riding long distances in a variety of ill-fitting saddles, and I very irregularly had her seen by a bodyworker. I also did no form of cross-training, just long trail rides. I had been โguessingโ at what saddle might fit her best without any expert guidance.
I realised that her rehabilitation journey was going to be extensive. I resolved to help fix it, I did a lot of research, and decided to learn equine massage therapy with NCTM. This decision to invest in my own horseโs health has sparked countless positive transformations for horses over the years. Squirrel is so much happier too and still ridden at 25 years old.
In the back of my mind, I always knew I wanted to learn more about saddle-fitting, given Squirrelโs journey and that I would regularly see sore backs for massage, but I wasnโt really sure what to look for in their saddles. This especially became frustrating when I felt I could make the back feel better with massage and then it returned in soreness at the next booking.
I began the extensive online training with SaddleFit4Life. I was then delighted to be invited with the opportunity to train in saddle-fitting in person with Rhys and Peter of Peter Horobin Saddlery in 2023.
Peter Horobin Saddlery has been an amazing source of ongoing education and support for my business. Working with an Australian, family-operated business that excels in ergonomic design, craftsmanship and saddle-fit outcomes is really special.
I feel immensely privileged and inspired to continue helping horses through my modalities and experience โ helping them feel better about themselves and work more positively with their riders and owners.
๐พ **๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ป๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐น๐**
I love that animals always tell the truth in their behaviour, and their bodies tell the story of what they are struggling with. Where they react to palpation, how they move and how they feel about interacting with humans. Horses are inherently compliant and gracious creatures when they feel safe, physically and mentally comfortable, and acknowledged.
๐ฑ **๐๐ฑ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ข๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐**
You can achieve a whole lot with a qualification and your hands. In the beginning, try to get as much experience as you can and the feel and trust in your instincts will fall into place.
If I hadnโt personally seen and continued to witness remarkable transformations, I wouldnโt have believed it was possible. Horses have an incredible capacity for healing if the circumstances are right and there arenโt really serious underlying conditions or factors disrupting the healing process.
โญ **๐ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐**
I have so many that it is hard to pick just one, and each horse I touch has been special to me in some way. In treating horses with massage or helping with tack fit, I get to form a special โdialogueโ with your horse, which is a real privilege.
One of my favourite transformations was actually from my case studies, belonging to a lovely Clydie x named Duke. Have a look at his case study on my website โ it was a really special journey he and his owner Krystel went on.
๐ **๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐**
Best to contact me through my social media messages:
๐ฑ Facebook & Instagram: Equusential Therapies
๐ Mobile: 0400 852 426
๐ Based in Bairnsdale and working as a mobile service provider across Gippsland, VIC.
๐ฌ **๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐**
As a community, I think most of us have the horse as our cornerstone of โwhyโ we want to see positive outcomes for them and their owners/riders, so it shouldnโt matter too much who owners turn to for help.
When you start to realise that as long as you are appealing to your ideal clients and seeing good results, the work will continue to flow to you, and life gets a lot easier.
I have learnt a lot from business training online from NKC Equestrian Training, which has been fundamental to my success in small business. ๐ดโจ
https://www.facebook.com/equusentialtherapies
