Welcome To Equi-Ther L.L.C
Equi-Ther L.L.C. grew out of a love for the horse and its physical needs related to muscle, soft-tissue, spine etc. As a human physical therapist I was involved in Hippotherapy treatments for pediatric special needs children. This is a form of therapy for various diagnoses such as Down's Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. I began to realize the horses were in need of manual therapy almost as much as the children. Using the knowledge and experience gained from my Masters degree in Physical Therapy (Bachelor's in Health Sciences), and several years working in outpatient orthopedics and Sports Medicine, I became trained and certified in Equine Sports Massage Therapy (ESMT). ESMT has developed a reputation for improving performance levels, endurance, injury prevention, career longevity and general quality of life.
I have found great success in applying the same principles of human musculoskeletal/orthopedic treatment to the horse. Their anatomical design and function are remarkably akin to ours. I never cease to amaze at how their orthopedic and athletic issues are so like that of humans as well.
I very often work with owners and trainers (when appropriate) to recommend specific kinds of training work/exercise to target specific imbalances a horse may exhibit. My referral base from veterinarians is growing: Dr. Scott Bennett, Dr. Foster Northrop, Dr. Roger Magnusson, Dr. Jack Easley and Dr. Nancy Brennan, to name a few. I live in Louisville, KY. but travel to surrounding cities, including Lexington, where the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are being held in 2010.
Equi-Ther is primarily a deep-tissue massage and therapy program based on manual bodywork treatments. ESMT is designed to help with:
Muscular stress
Injury recovery
Back soreness
Poor muscular flexibility and joint range of motion that contribute to stride reduction
Girth discomfort
Hip/stifle/hock musculature
Musculoskeletal and soft-tissue stress secondary to poor saddle fit/ rider imbalances
Pre-event prep and post-event effects
Assessing abnormal (compensatory) movement patterns
Incorporated in the treatment are the Equissage back unit, cold laser, accupoint laser, and cryotherapy. Now, after several years in this business, I have expanded my expertise to encompass saddle-fitting, saddle reflocking, and chiropractic therapy, having certification in each. Treating the horse is obviously a major part of the practice, but I can not "fix" a sore back unless I address the source of the pain.
People frequently feel that many of my results are some sort of magic. It is nothing other than hard physical work on their bodies based on their anatomy, biomechanics, musculoskeletal and soft-tissue problems.
I gain clients by word of mouth, satisfied owners who have seen dramatic changes in their horses, both in attitude and performance (please read further down on this page). Let me help your equine companions become the best they can be! Kelly Flowers MPT, ESMT 502-418-0433
Client of the Month
Dusty and Melissa
Feb. 26, 2013: I just wanted to follow up with you. I have now gone on four rides since your treatment on Dusty. I noticed an enormous difference in him on the first ride, before we even left the driveway. He has ALWAYS been a pokey horse falling behind the other horses. I have always had to prod him to keep him caught up. Even on the short walk from the barn to the road I noticed he was not only staying caught up, but he was pressing the horse in front of him to move faster! Its amazing. His walk feels totally different and is much smoother, and his trot is very different as well. He is stretching out farther on his front end instead of a stubby lazy jog.
March 4, 2013: Every time I work with him I am noticing more and more. This is so fantastic! When he yields his front end now he actually sits back on his haunches instead of walking his front end around, and he is running at a side pass now with barely any pressure from me, instead of barely walking it with alot of pressure. Completely different horse!
Thanks,
Melissa
Veterinary Referral List
As a former Ky state licensed Physical Therapist with a Masters degree in Physical Therapy and a Bachelors in Health Sciences, I have appreciated the acceptance and recognition of local veterinarians. I wanted to take the opportunity here to thank the following vets for their referrals in recent years:
Dr. Roger Magnusson · Dr. Fred Sprinkle · Dr. Jack Easley · Dr. Adrienne Robertson · Dr. Foster Northrup · Dr. Betty Boswell · Dr. James Beckman · Dr. Kerry Beckman · Dr. David Beckman · Dr. Chris Thompson · Dr. Rick Costelle · Dr. Jeff Willard
Meet Renee: Equither's most "unique" client.
