Susan’s Story

Susan has been an animal lover for as long as she can remember. Growing up with dogs and learning to ride at the local riding school from the age of 12, her passion for animals quickly grew.

Susan was lucky enough to be able to ride her older sister’s horse and eventually brought a horse of her own. As a teenager, Susan competed in pony club, dressage and showing. During this time, her horses received regular bodywork, something that fascinated her, especially watching the horses’ responses and subtle ways of communicating with the bodywork.

Life eventually took Susan down a different path and, for a time, horses were no longer part of her world. Eventually horses came back into Susan’s life. Susan wanted a nice quiet horse to plod around on. Now she was older and didn’t bounce as well as she once did, the idea of falling to often was terrifying. Susan brought a beautiful horse who seemed very quiet, however it turned out this horse had a lot of anxiety and struggled with the change of ownership and environment. What began as a challenge soon became a turning point. Supporting this horse led Susan on a journey of learning new skills, rediscovering her love for bodywork, and ultimately leaving her office job (in truth, she ran from it) to follow her heart into equine bodywork professionally.

Along the way, Susan realised just how beneficial bodywork is for all animals. She went on to study canine bodywork, knowing that dogs often hide pain and discomfort until it causes significant problems. Helping horses, dogs and all animals feel their best has since become Susan’s purpose and passion.

Certifications

Susan is fully insured and a member of the Equine Therapies Association of Australia (ETAA).

Certifications:

  • Level 1 – Equine Tensegrity Balancing Therapy
  • Level 2 – Equine Tensegrity Balancing Therapy
  • Certificate in Equine Sports Massage
  • Certificate in Equine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapy (EMFT)
  • Certificate in Equine Craniosacral Therapy
  • Certificate in Equine Kinesiology Taping
  • Certificate in Canine Myo-manipulative Functional Therapy (CMFT)
  • Certificate in Myofascial Release
  • Certificate in Canine Craniosacral Therapy
  • Certificate in Canine Kinesiology Taping
  • Certificate in Animal Neuro-myofascial Release

Currently Studying:

  • Lazaris Nerve Release Technique™ course
  • Diploma of Animal Osteopathy through the London Collage of Animal Osteopathy

Bit Fitting Certifications and training:

  • UK Bit Fit Introduction to bit and bridle fit
  • Neue Schule Certificate in Bits and Bitting Science
  • Bombers bits training
  • Bit Bank Australia accredited bit fitter

Courses Attended:

  • Interactive Tellington TTouch for Horses – Introduction – March 2022
  • Tellington TTouch Method Introduction Workshop – May 2022
  • Barefoot Trimming Workshop – May 2021 and May 2022
  • Dissection with Sharon May-Davis – April 2022
  • Tellington Method Groundwork Introduction Workshop – June 2022
  • Biomechanics Clinic with Dr Raquel Butler – July 2022
  • Dissection with Sharon May-Davis – August 2022
  • Horse-Saddle-Rider Connection Course (saddle fitting) with Paula Jefferies, Performance Saddle Fits – July/August 2022
  • Tellington TTouch Intermediate Workshop – November 2022
  • Masterton Method Weekend Seminar – 2023
  • Dissection – Movement, Body and Mind – May 2023