Christina is a passionate horsewoman, wellness practitioner, and educator and her involvement with horses began over 35 years ago. Christina’s experience includes riding and competing in a variety of disciplines, teaching group & private lessons, judging events, and training horses of varying ages and abilities.
She holds a B.S. in Animal & Veterinary Sciences and an M.A. in Education. Christina is a previously Master Certified Instructor in Western, English & Jumping and served as a Riding & Horsemanship Director for many years. Christina is currently a certified practitioner in Equine Bodywork and Massage through the School of Applied Integrative Therapy, a 500-hour program. She is also board certified by the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM).
Through her career as a recreation and fitness specialist, Christina has been a certified personal trainer and performance based fitness instructor for over 25 years, has been certified to teach snowboarding, mountain biking, obstacle course racing, and watersports, and served as an endurance race director. These experiences combined with her horsemanship background have led to a special interest in horse and rider biomechanics. This understanding of movement and how horse and rider teams affect one another is a primary consideration as Christina develops an overall picture of each individual horse’s needs. Through ongoing collaboration with veterinarians, farriers, instructors and trainers, she is always seeking out the best options for each of her clients.
The School of Applied Integrative Therapy, a 500-hour certification course, is approved by both the National Board for Certification of Animal Acupressure and Massage (NBCAAM) and the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB).
National Board of Certification For Animal Acupressure and Massage – (NBCAAM) supports the world of animal massage and acupressure by setting high standards for entry into the field, ensuring animal owners have highly trained practitioners available.
Story of Grace Equine
Grace is a very special dog. I have had several rescue dogs over the years, but none have come to me as shut down or with as much baggage as Grace had when she arrived. She was 2 years old and had experienced a very difficult, scary, and unfair start to her life. Grace housed fear and anxiety inside of her that at times were incredibly debilitating. I watched as very simple incidents would prove so stressful that they would not only manifest emotionally or mentally, but physically as well.
Throughout Grace’s rehabilitation, she taught me the vital importance of a holistic approach to understanding and managing our well-being. Day after day Grace would remind me of the reciprocal relationship between mental, emotional and physical health. She would quietly show me that without an ongoing and adaptable balance between the three, reaching the most optimal expression of our selves was just not possible.
With much care, patience, and consistency I have watched Grace flourish into an amazing companion. She is well adjusted, happy, playful, loyal and the epitome of resilience and adaptability. I believe that we can help our horses reach their greatest potential, just as Grace did, by intentionally supporting every aspect of their overall well being. I approach all of my clients with this idea as my foundation.
Through thoughtful assessment, focused & specified bodywork, integrative husbandry & training practices, and collaboration with your horse’s care team, my goal is to support your horse in reaching his or her fullest potential at all of life’s stages.
In honor of Grace’s contribution to my growth as an equine wellness practitioner and a good human, I chose to name my business after her.
