Debranne sees equine anatomy with the eyes of both a body worker and an artist. Her teaching is infused with her basic delight in both the anatomical precision that excellent bodywork requires and the dynamic variation that teaching anatomy on (mostly living, nibbling, opinionated) horses often presents! Her knack for seeing the bones and muscles with an artist’s eye and her unique way of taking the body apart, from the skin down to the bones, and putting it back together again — as a colored drawing, as an “air massage,” or as a painting done in chalk on a live horse — is a perspective that fuels her work as a practitioner of equine body work and sports massage and makes her a much sought-after teacher. Her “Painted Horse,” which has served as the backbone for presenting equine anatomy since Equinology started in 1994, was showcased in United Kingdom’s BBC television program “Country File” in 2001.

Her book, Anatomy of Equine Bodywork; the Equinology® Approach was published in 2018 and holds her 30+ years of her learning experiences, knowledge, techniques and applications. It contains contributions from Dr. Peter Flood, Dr. Kerry Ridgway, Dr. Barb Crabbe, Kalyani Premkumar and Dr. Joanna Robson. Celia Strain (art director of Equus Magazine), Laurie O’Keefe and Catherine Twomey all highly sought-after medical illustrator support this book’s text with their fresh illustrations. In 2019 she published the app: Equine Anatomy Learning Aid which supports this text and the Equinology courses. Currently she is working on several smaller books which will be available in 2021. She and her colleague Dr. Nicole Rombach are currently creating 2 new apps for the horse world.

Debranne’s first exposure to hands-on work with horses came through her then Sonoma County-based trainer, Gayle Hunt, who took her to one of Linda Tellington-Jones clinic. This led to one of those “light bulb” moments which Debranne has in turn provided for so many of her own students. Debranne is the first to say that all of the instructors who teach for Equinology have been extremely influential to her, but she is also quick to acknowledge the late Dr. Kerry Ridgway, DVM (instructor and practitioner extraordinaire in acupuncture, animal manipulation and saddle fit) and the late Australian, Dr. Des Greaves (licensed acupuncturist, homeopath, osteopath, and chiropractor) as two of her most significant mentors, along with a cranky 16-year old Thoroughbred mare named Ronamead.

Before dedicating herself to developing Equinology’s curriculum and faculty and teaching, Debranne owned and operated a small sport horse lay-up and boarding facility for six years. It was during this time that she discovered the benefits of equine sports massage for the rehabilitation and preventative care of these equine athletes. In 1993, she sold the ranch to enable her to work on an established monthly clientele of various disciplines, which included: dressage, hunters, jumpers, endurance, cutting, pleasure, as well as the geriatric retiree.

Since 1994, she has been the lead instructor for more than 200 equine sports massage and anatomy courses to more than 2,000 course participants in the US, Canada, UK, South Africa, New Zealand and Canada. She holds the Equinology® Master Equine Body Worker Certification, a certification which takes participants over 1600 hours of coursework to complete. She is the author and facilitator of the unique Equinology® Equine Body Worker Certification Course (equine sports massage, stretching and specialized techniques), which is the signature course for Equinology. This course serves as the professional qualification in the BSc in Equine Sports Therapy presented by Writtle Agricultural College and University of Essex, United Kingdom. In September 2019, Writtle University awarded Debranne an Honorary Master of Sciences Degree in recognition for services to education in the equine sector.

Debranne is also the co-founder and past Chair of the United States division of the International Equine Body Worker Association (IEBWA); a leading international association that aims to support and foster equine body work practices and ethics. She is currently the Division Head of the IEBWA for USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Debranne is a regularly invited lecturer and guest speaker for demonstrations and lectures in anatomy, stretching and massage at colleges, universities, private educational institution and various equestrian facilities and venues.

In addition to authoring Equinology’s Equine Body Work Certification courses and developing the EEBW, EEBW Level II, EEBW Level III and MEEBW certifications which are conferred on Equinology’s successful graduates, she has been featured in multiple international media publications including:

• United Kingdom: Horse and Hound, Practical Horseman and Horse and Rider
• Australia: Endurance Magazine and Hoofbeats
• United States: Horse and Rider, Ride!, Riding Magazine and Holistic Horse
• New Zealand: Horse and Pony

Debranne has been additionally featured in various regional newspapers as well as on web sites.
Listed below is a partial list of courses attended to complement and enhance Debranne’s current occupation. In addition to classroom theory hours, hundreds of additional hours have been spent assisting and learning under various instructors and doctors in health care and riding instruction. Hours listed are instructor contact hours only: most courses required case studies and externships following course completion.
Acupressure Convention – w/ Dr. Caine, DVM & Dr. D. Giniaux, MV, Biology
CESMAS (Conference on Equine Sports Medicine and Science)- Saumur (2002) and Oslo (2004),
Conformation clinics including Sporthorse Judging -Glen Ellen, CA
Diagnosing Back & Tendon Issues – Dr. JM Denoix, MV and Dr K. Allen, DVM, 16 hours,
Diagnosis of Poor Performance – Dr. A. Couroucé-Malblanc, MV and Dr. E. Hammer, MV,
Dr. Desmond Greaves -Maryborough, Australia-mentor in complementary equine modalities
Equiken; Anatomy in Clay by Zahourek Systems Anatomy-4 sessions, 160 hours,
Equine Acupressure – Dr Peggy Fleming, DVM-1 session, 72 hours,
Equine Acupressure -Dr Kerry Ridgway, DVM-1 session, 72 hours,
Equine Acupressure -Susan Tenney, CMT, EBW-2 sessions, 80 hours,
Equine Biomechanics & Applied Anatomy -Deb Bennett-1 session, 16 hours,
Equine Biomechanics -Barb Crabbe, DVM-3 sessions, 120 hours,
Equine Biomechanics -Dr. Hilary Clayton-3 sessions, 66 hours,
Equine CranioSacral Techniques I by Upledger Institute USA-1 session, 24 hours,
Equine Dentistry – Dr Mitch Benson, DVM-2 sessions, 16 hours,
Equine Dissection- Dr. Narelle Stubbs and Nicole Rombach- 2 sessions 52 hours,
Equine Dissection (Head & Neck)-Dr. Deb Bennett, PhD – 1 session, 24 hours ,
Equine Dissection – Dr. Deb Bennett, PhD -2 sessions, 80 hours,
Equine Exercise Physiology – Dr. Hilary Clayton, DVM- 2 sessions, 64 hours,
Equine Lameness – Dr. Michael Ross, DVM-1 session, 6 hours,
Equine Lamenes – Dr. Carrie Schlachter DVM- 1 session, 24 hours,
Equine Locomotion Conference – Michigan State University (2005),
Equine Myofascial Release -Ruth Golladay, CMT, ESMT, PT – 2 sessions, 80 hours,
Equine Nervous System & Function -Chris Pasquini, DVM-1 session, 40 hours,
Equine Nutrition – Dr. Carey A Williams, PhD -1 session, 24 hours,
Equine Nutrition -Dr Robert Bray, Phd -2 sessions, 48 hours,
Equine Postural Release – Zarna Carter- 1 session, 14 hours,
Equine Sports Medicine & Science – Dr. Steven Wickler, DVM- 1 session, 32 hours,
Essential Oils – Catherine Bird- 1 session, 24 hours,
Farrier Science and the Current Trends -Patrick Reilly- 2 sessions, 32 hours,
Gait Abnormalities -Dr Bob Norrie, DVM- 3 sessions, 72 hours,
Hands on Horse Care- Diana Thompson,
Horse Handling Skills for the Equinology® Equine Body Worker- Terry Church- 2 sessions, 48 hours,
Horse Handling Skills for the Equinology® Equine Body Worker Tina Hutton- 1 session, 24 hours,
Master Equinology® Equine Body Worker certification Equinology, Inc.,
Monitoring of Health and Performance in Sports Horses – Dr. Anne Couroucé-Malblanc and DrA. Lindholm, MV,
Physical Therapy & Stretching -Nancy Spencer CFI, 2 sessions, 48 hours,
Principles of Farrier Science -Ed Laney, California-2 sessions, 48 hours,
Principles of Farrier Science -Stuart Greenberg-college semester, 3 units,
Reiki Level One certification -QLD Australia
Saddle Fitting – Dr Kerry Ridgway, DVM- 3 sessions, 72 hours,
Saddle Fitting -Andrew Foster, England-seminar,
TTEAM – Linda Tellington Jones-seminar,
Ultrasonography of Equine Articulations – Dr Jean-Marie Denoix, MV, Zoology

Debranne currently resides at Lake Berryessa, CA with her husband, Paul Hougard. Paul is “Mr. Equinology” and the flagship of running the education company office

CONTACT INFORMATION
Address: Napa, CA
Phone: (707) 377-4313
Email: equinologyoffice@gmail.com

Brenda’s childhood love was training and showing horses. She has taken this knowledge about working with large, potentially dangerous animals and applied it to training dogs with problem behaviors. Unsatisfied with the results of “traditional” dog training, Brenda studied marine mammal training, exotic animal training and learned about wolf pack behavior. Puzzled by the lack of answers in dog lore and literature, and because traditional dog training techniques did not offer the tools needed to deal with aggressive dogs, in particular, she became an expert in behavior modification and positive reinforcement.

For more information on Brenda’s work and publications please visit her website at: http://www.brendaaloff.com

Dr. Atckison grew up in Southern California. She credits her Dad for getting her into horses and together they spent many weekends trail riding. In addition to pleasure riding, Lisa spent many years riding and showing Hunters until she left home for college. Taking a break from riding to focus on studies and her career she now enjoys riding with her husband, Jim, whether it’s riding at home, trail or working cattle with friends.

Dr. Atckison completed her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1997 and her DVM from the University of California, Davis in 2001. After graduation, she completed a medical and surgical internship at Peninsula Equine and continued as an associate veterinarian until moving back to Southern California where she worked with David Wheat DVM. She moved to the Napa Valley in 2005 working alongside Dr. Claudia Sonder at NVVH. In 2010, Dr. Atckison started her own practice in Sonoma.

Dr. Atckison became certified in Acupuncture in 2007 and in animal Chiropractic in 2010 through the IVCA. She uses an integrative approach to wellness to provide comprehensive care to her patients and enjoys being an integral part of your horse’s heath and success both at home and in the show arena.

Dr. Atckison has a strong interest in Sports Medicine, Lameness and Imaging. She is an active ISELP (International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology) member and has attended various other sports medicine meetings over the years with some of the nation’s most distinguished clinicians and lectures.

When Lisa is not working she enjoys spending time with her husband Jim, and their herd at home, dog Tucker and cats. She is an avid gardener and loves to cook.

CREDENTIALS

• TX Licensed Massage Therapist
• TX Licensed Massage Therapy Instructor
• Approved Continuing Education provider for NCBTMB
• Clinical Trigger Point Therapist
• Canine Massage Practitioner
• Equine Massage Practitioner
• Reiki Practitioner (Master Level)
• Healing Touch for Animals Practitioner (Level 3)
• Craniosacral Therapy (Level 2)

In 2006, Anne founded Solution Saddles in order to research and develop a saddle design that would really make a difference to performance.

In 2009, she founded The Saddle Research Trust to promote the welfare of the ridden horse and to raise awareness of the widely underestimated issues surrounding saddles, welfare, and performance. The SRT is now internationally recognized for its groundbreaking work.

Anne completed her Ph.D. studies, specializing in the scientific investigation of the horse, saddle and rider interaction.

Dr. Hilary Clayton —equestrian, veterinarian, author, researcher, and clinician — is known internationally for her ongoing contribution to the understanding of equine biomechanics particularly relating to performance and conditioning. Dr. Clayton’s targeted studies in bitting, saddle fit biometrics, kinematics and kinetics, and locomotion have provided valuable insight into the mechanics of equine sports, the interaction between rider and horse, and the effects of various rehabilitation techniques.

Dr. Clayton has served as the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine since July, 1997. She grew up in England, graduated as a veterinarian from Glasgow University and has worked in veterinary colleges in the UK, The Netherlands, Canada and the US. Dr. Clayton is an MSU faculty member in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and holds academic appointments in the Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and the Department of Materials Science and Mechanics in the College of Engineering. She is a past president of the Association for Equine Sports Medicine and is vice president of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. She has been inducted into the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame, the Saskatoon sports Hall of Fame and the Midwest Dressage Association Hall of Fame.

Her current post as Dressage Chair at MSU is unique in the world. The Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center is a state-of-the art equine sports and lameness facility where Dr. Clayton conducts her research and teaches classes. Since the center opened in the year 2000, incredible progress has been made culminating in world-renowned research to benefit performance and soundness of equine athletes. While the purpose of the performance center is specifically to research all aspects of the relationship between veterinary medicine and dressage performance, with special emphasis on the prevention and treatment of lameness, certainly the work they are doing there benefits all horses and humans seeking success in elite sport.

A lifelong rider, Dr. Clayton competed extensively in eventing, show jumping and dressage. Active in the sport of dressage, Dr. Clayton is a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist, and is a certified equestrian coach in the UK and Canada. She has been a member of the Canadian National Coaching Committees for the sports of dressage, jumping, and eventing, and is currently a member of the USEF Dressage Committee.

By the way, Hilary competed successfully in Grand Prix Dressage on an MSU-bred Arabian horse MSU MAGIC J+, and is currently competing with MSU FANFARE+ at third level, both of whom have never been shod! Her farrier is Cappi Roghan, who applies the barefoot trim recommended by hoof anatomy expert and colleague Robert Bowker DVM, which has been the topic of one of her research studies.

Dr. Hilary Clayton General Publications
Annual Reports
McPhail’s annual research reports give an overview of the activities in the Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center during the past year, introduce the faculty, staff and students, and describe the results of recent research studies conducted at Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center.

Visit McPhail’s website to download their informative Annual Reports
http://cvm.msu.edu/research/research-centers/mcphail-equine-performance-center/copy_of_publications

Magazine Articles
Dr. Clayton has written numerous articles for equestrian magazines in which she shares her insights into the sport of dressage that she has gained through her many experiences, both as a rider and researcher.
Dressage Today
USDF Connection

Books

• The Dynamic Horse, Hilary M. Clayton (2004)
• Conditioning Sport Horses, Hilary M. Clayton (1991)
• Activate Your Horse’s Core, Narelle C. Stubbs and Hilary M. Clayton (2008)

Published by: Sport Horse Publications
http://www.SportHorsePublications.com/

From the SportHorsePublications website: Dr. Hilary M. Clayton is a horsewoman, veterinarian and researcher. She grew up in England, graduated as a veterinarian from Glasgow University and has worked in veterinary colleges in the UK, The Netherlands, Canada and the US. She has done extensive research on locomotor mechanics, exercise physiology and conditioning programs for equine athletes. Dr. Clayton is the first incumbent of the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a past president of the Association for Equine Sports Medicine and a member of the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame.

Equine Locomotion , Willem Back and Hilary M. Clayton (2001)
Published by: W.B. Saunders, London

Clinical Anatomy of the Horse, H.M. Clayton, P.F. Flood, and D.S. Rosenstein (2005)
Color Atlas of Large Animal Applied Clinical Anatomy , H.M. Clayton and P. F. Flood (1995)
Published by: Mosby Year Book Europe, London

Visit this link for a complete list of publications by Dr. Hilary Clayton
http://cvm.msu.edu/research/research-centers/mcphail-equine-performance-center

Dr. Barb Crabbe is a graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and completed an internship in large animal medicine and surgery at Washington State University. She also did graduate work in biomechanics at UC Davis, where she studied patterns of locomotion in exercising horses.

Currently, Dr. Crabbe is a private equine practitioner and owner of Pacific Crest Sporthorse in Oregon City, Oregon. Her primary area of interest is equine lameness and gait analysis, especially as it relates to the dressage horse. Additionally, she breeds and raises Hanoverian and Dutch Warmblood sport horses, and has developed an interest in advanced reproductive technologies.

Dr. Crabbe is a contributing editor to Horse and Rider magazine and has been a frequent contributor to Dressage Today magazine. Her articles have won numerous American Horse Publications awards. She is an avid Dressage rider and USDF silver medalist who has won a multiple USDF regional championships as well as Horse of the Year titles. In addition, she is a graduate with distinction from the USDF-L judges program.

Dr. Crabbe currently serves on the Board of Directors for Forward Stride, a therapeutic riding program, and is the driving force behind Team Green, a program that facilitates recycling at A-rated Hunter/Jumper shows throughout the Pacific Northwest. She is a former board member of the Northwest Equine Practitioners Association and the Oregon Dressage Society and has served on the breeding technology committee for the American Hanoverian Society.

She resides in Oregon City, Oregon with her husband Bob, a board certified veterinary internist and two children, Katie and Jamie who both compete on the A-circuit in Hunters and Equitation.

Eleanor Kellon, VMD of Equine Nutritional Solutions, Robesonia, Pennsylvania, is one of a handful of experts in the field of applications of nutraceuticals for horses. She is an authority in the field of equine nutrition as well as conditions affecting performance horses. Dr. Kellon is the co-owner of the almost 10,000 member Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance group on Yahoo. She is owner of Equine Nutritional Solutions, a nutritional consulting firm which also hosts 16 online courses on nutrition and horse care. Her work has led to unique nutraceutical approaches for horses with skin and respiratory allergies, degenerative as well as injury related tendon and ligament problems, chronic laminitis and performance issues. She is past veterinary and contributing editor to John Lyons Perfect Horse and Horse Journal magazines, has written 8 books and thousands of articles on equine nutrition, care and health issues.

Background:
An Honors Graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, Dr. Kellon completed her internship and residency in Large Animal Medicine and Surgery at the renowned University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center. She is currently a Staff Veterinarian for Uckele Health and Nutrition, Inc.

Lay Publications:
Dr. Kellon routinely writes four to six articles a month. A prolific writer, her articles have appeared in magazines such as The Chronicle of The Horse, Hoofbeats, Practical Horseman, Equus, Horse Journal, and John Lyons Perfect Horse. She has written over 1500 magazine articles, most concerning nutrition. Professional Publications: Dr. Kellon has also contributed to professional publications and professional meetings. Her topics frequently include muscle disorders, thyroid disorders, and nutrition. Her most recent have been: Contributing author on laminitis and dietary therapy of insulin resistance in Equine Podiatry, WB Saunders Co, 2006. Use of the Herb Gynostemma Pentaphyllum and the Blue-Green Algae Spirulina Plentensis in the Horse. Third European Equine Nutrition and Health Congress, Gent, Belgium, March 2006. Iron Status in Hyperinsulinemic/Insulin Resistant Horses. Third European Equine Nutrition and Health Congress, Gent, Belgium, March 2006. Treatment of Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Compendium of Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian, Vol 26(2) February 2004.

Books:
As a best-selling author, her books are compelling, easy to read and informative.  They include:

• The Older Horse, Breakthrough Publications
• Keeping the Older Horse Young, Breakthrough Publications
• Raising and Feeding the Perfect Horse, Belvoir Publications
• Guide to First Aid for Horses, Breakthrough Publications
• Equine Supplements and Nutraceuticals, Breakthrough Pubilcations
• Equine Drugs and Vaccines, Breakthrough Publications
• Horse Owners Veterinary Advisor and Record Book, Breakthrough Publications
• Horse Journal Guide to Equine Supplements and Nutraceuticals, Globe-Pequot Press

Globe-Pequot Press Field Trials:
Best known for her field trials, Dr. Kellon continues to break new ground with her findings. A few are summarized below. In 2000, Dr. Kellon published, in Horse Journal, the results of the first field trial on Chastetree Berry (Vitex Agnus Castus) for horses with Cushings syndrome. For more information, visit: http://www.equiworld.com/uk/horsecare/veterinary/cushingssyndrome/

In 2000, Horse Journal published Dr. Kellon’s field trial on the use of magnesium supplementation in horses with cresty necks and laminitis. In June 2000, Dr. Kellon published, in Horse Journal, the first warning against feeding organophosphates to horses. Ultimately, this created awareness amongst horse owners and brought about some changes in common feeding practices.

In March 2006, Dr. Kellon was a guest speaker at the European Equine Health and Nutrition Congress in Belgium. Her presentations included “The use of Jiaogulan and Spirulina in Horses” and “Iron Status of Hyperinsulinemic/Insulin Resistant Horses”. For more information on Jiaogulan for laminitic horses, visit: http://www.naturalhorsetrim.com/Jiaogulan.htm

In Aug. 2006, Horse Journal published Dr. Kellon’s article on DSLD’s Devastation, which included the results of a field trial treatment plan to help alleviate the pain and symptoms of this disease.

In Dec. 2007, Horse Journal published an article on the use of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in horses with chronic laminitis. This was another ground-breaking field trial on the use of supplements for a chronic condition.

Pergolide:
In March 2007 the FDA removed pergolide from the market, a drug that has been very successful in the management of Equine Cushing’s disease. Dr. Kellon spearheaded a nationwide effort to urge companies who market and distribute Pergolide to keep this drug available for veterinary use. She was relentless in her communications with the FDA until they announced on May 11 that they would allow bulk pergolide to be used in compounding pergolide for use in horses.

Feed Recall:
Recently, Dr. Kellon has been involved in informing readership of the feed recall in the eastern United States. Always an advocate for the horses, she has kept the public up-to-date on the developments in this very serious health risk.

Educator:
Dr. Kellon has created on-line courses, specializing in horse care, nutrition, and management. Her classes are very informative for both the lay person and professional alike. With links to additional reading, the professional can achieve an in-depth understanding of the concepts presented.

Professional Experience:
Dr. Kellon currently works as a writer, teacher and internal medicine/nutrition consultant. Dr. Kellon has experience in private practice, including management of a breeding farm and rehabilitation facilities. She also has extensive experience with performance horses, including eventing, fox hunting, racing, and showing. Dr. Kellon, and her husband, Andy, bred, trained and raced Standardbreds for 25 years. They currently maintain a small retirement and research herd.

Ruth, a Texan, received her graduate degree in physical therapy from The University of Iowa in 1972 and opened a private practice in Dallas in
1978. She then attended The Institute of Natural Healing Sciences in Colleyville, Texas, in 1991, for her massage therapy training. She is Nationally Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Body Work and state licensed. Additionally, she obtained her Equinology Equine Body Worker certification in 2004 and, In 2022 Ruth became a Certified Animal Aromatherapy Specialist.
Ruth began her Myofascial Release education in 1987, has taken all John Barnes MFR courses (including equine), and was a Senior Instructor/Coordinator, Co-lecturer and Primary Lecturer for John Barnes, teaching over 130 courses for him from 1988-2002. From 1999 until her resignation in June 2001, she was the Primary Lecturer for the Barnes Equine MFR courses.
In 1990 Ruth opened Equine Therapeutic Center which was based at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia from 1998-2018. It is now based in the Dallas, Texas area from April through October and in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas from November through March. In both locations Ruth provides therapy for horse and rider. She uses her biomechanical knowledge to assist in determining a problem with the horse (or human) and then primarily utilizes Myofascial Release to decrease the symptoms and/or dysfunction. In addition, she uses certified pure tested grade essential oils, laser, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, Red Light Acupoint Therapy, and specialized taping techniques. To assist owner, trainer and/or rider in a home program of care she also includes exercises, including stabilization and core exercises for the horse and rider.
Ruth started teaching for Equinology, Inc. in 1999. She has taught Myofascial Release for horses at facilities in California, Virginia, Texas, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Additionally she has taught the Equinology, Inc. Equine Body Worker Certification Courses in the United States, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, Canine MFR in Canada and England, and human MFR in England.

Ruth’s book, Facilitated Healing through Myofascial Release – Putting the Pieces Together for Horse and Rider was first released in 2001. The revised second edition is now available through animalmfr@gmail.com. She has also released a second book, Canine Myofascial Release which is available at the same email.

Nicole attained the ITEC human massage qualification in 1997, the Equinology Equine Body Worker ® certification in 1998 and the Equinology Master Equine Body Worker ® certification in 1999 and has since taken most of the courses in the Equinology Extension certification series. She also completed the post-graduate and Master of Science degree programmes in Animal Manipulation from the McTimoney College of Chiropractic and University of Wales in the United Kingdom. She earned her PhD in 2013 from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Her main interest lies in the effect of complementary therapies on equine performance, and the subject for her doctoral research was investigation into equine neck pain from the perspectives of pathology, neuromotor control and equine behaviour associated with spinal dysfunction.

Nicole is the president of Equinenergy Ltd. (www.equinenergy.com) and Caninenergy Ltd . (www.caninenergy.com) in the United Kingdom. From 2003 to 2009 she was based in São Paulo, Brazil where she worked in direct liaison with various veterinary clinics, focusing on sports therapy for performance horses from novice to Olympic level. She travelled to national competition centres and private clients throughout Brazil and in other South American countries. In addition, she carried out infrared thermographic imaging (thermography) in conjunction with equine veterinarians to aid their diagnostic procedures. She also uses thermography to assess hoof balance, saddlefit and changes in thermal patterns following sports therapy sessions.

Nicole regularly lectures at various universities and for professional associations. She travels within the USA and to Europe and Brazil on a regular basis, to teach some of the modules of the Equinology course curriculum and to work on her established clientele of horses and dogs. She is currently based in Petaluma, California. In addition to clinical consultations, she is the Course Development Liaison Manager for Equinology, Inc., in charge of national and international expansion of the Equinology course curriculum.

In her spare time she produces her own horses for dressage and showjumping competitions, and she holds Brazilian state and national amateur championship titles.

Dr Carrie Schlachter, VMD, IVC, is recognized as one of the leading clinicians in the field of equine sports medicine and rehabilitation. In addition, her clinical knowledge and experience is vast, making her the ideal candidate to lecture and instruct on the subjects of equine anatomy, pathology, lameness, diagnostic imaging and clinical rehabilitation.

Dr. Schlachter’s practice focuses on integrative sports medicine, rehabilitation and injury prevention. She founded and designed Circle Oak Equine’s rehabilitation and fitness programs and then set up new practice focusing on developing monitoring protocols for injury prevention in the sports horse.

Dr Schlachter achieved her board certification in equine sports medicine and rehabilitation through the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and serves on their examination committee as well as on the American Association of Equine Practitioners Education committee.

Dr. Schlachter grew up riding horses in the competitive ‘A’ circuit on the East Coast and has almost 35 years of experience with horses as a rider, veterinarian, and owner. Educated at the University of Pennsylvania’s Veterinary School and New Bolton Center, she received the Charles F. Reid Clinical Excellence Award for Sports Medicine and Imaging as well as numerous scholarships. She is a former member of the Large Animal Services External Advisory Board of the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Hospital. She participates in multiple advanced imaging educational workshops every year and is actively pursuing her board certification in equine sports medicine and rehabilitation through the ACVSMR.

For many years in general practice, Dr. Schlachter nurtured her interest in sports medicine, particularly in diagnostic ultrasound. To increase her diagnostic and treatment options, she has broadened her expertise to include chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture as well as regenerative medicine therapies such as IRAP, PRP, and bone marrow-derived stem cells.

Dr. Schlachter enjoys teaching for Equinology and its associates around the world, as well as lecturing on equine sports medicine, rehabilitation and digital diagnostic imaging. Together with her colleagues, Debranne Pattillo and Dr Nicole Rombach, she founded the Academy of Animal Sport Science, which offers a certification program in Animal Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation for Licensed Professionals.

Dr. Mila Speciani, Veterinarian, Equinology Equine Body Worker®, lives and works across Northern Italy running her freelance practice.

The majority of her daily practice includes dogs and horses, and she integrates natural medicine, sports medicine, natural management and gentle horsemanship, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation in order to provide health and wellness to animal athletes and companions.

She graduated with full marks in 2006 at “University of Parma – Veterinary Medicine Department” thanks to a final graduation work about “Ultrasonographic evaluation of thoracolumbar spine of the horse.”

Dr. Mila Speciani speaks 4 languages (Italian, English, German and Spanish) and built up her background through international experiences – among them:
Externships at Santa Lucia Farm, Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, San Marcos Equine Practice (California, USA);
EEBW® certified at the beginning of 2007;
Certified by Holistic School on Natural Horse Management and Natural Barefoot Trimming (with Dr. Sabioni, Imola, Italy);
Equine Physiotherapy, Preventive Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ultrasound and PMF-Magnetic Field Therapy (with Dr. Amon, San Rossore Racetrack, Pisa, Italy);
Equine Sport Medicine and TECAR® Therapy (with Dr. Lattanzio, Milan, Italy).

After three-year of postgraduate school, she graduated CUM LAUDE on June 11th, 2011 as Doctor Expert in Homeopathy, Homotoxicology, and Integrated Therapies. Graduation final work: “Integration among homotoxicology, homeomesotherapy, homeosiniatry and physical therapy in Veterinary Medicine.” Her final dissertation made her earn as well the recognition of the Internationale Gesellschaft für Homotoxikologie (Baden Baden, Germany).

In 2013 she completed an Equine Kinesio Taping course of studies (Fundamentals & Advanced – KT1 & KT2) certified by Kinesio Taping Association International (Instructor Dr. Sybille Molle).

In 2014 Mila enriched her knowledge of Myofascial Release by attending seminars and being further mentored by Ruth Mitchell-Golladay (PT, CMT, NCTMB, EEBW®).

She’s now further specializing in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management (GP Cert WVA&CPM – course of study 2017-2019).

Dr. Speciani is instructor and lecturer for world-renowned institutions, regularly teaches courses and seminars, and recently published peer-reviewed articles concerning her scientific areas of expertise.

Former show jumper on national and low international junior and young rider level, she now keeps on riding as an amateur dressage rider, integrating her medical and equestrian knowledge with gentle horsemanship principles.

I taught the EQ100: Equinology® Equine Body Worker Certification and EQ400: Equine Stretching courses and brought many specialist lectures, veterinarians and physical therapists to SA for the first time.

We emigrated to New Zealand in 2010 with a 2yo and a baby on the way. I continued to teach for Equinology in NZ and flew to South Africa to teach up until selling the South Africa business in 2016. At this point, we moved to Gisborne.

Today I find my time shared between my daughters, our menagerie of animals, teaching full time, riding and competing my two horses, and fitting in a few special clients and their horses. 2022 will see me train with Debranne Pattillo to teach Equinology’s EQ900 Anatomy Discovery Workshop (Clay and Hands-On) in the future.

I have 20 years of experience in the bodywork field. Get in touch if you are within the Tairawhiti/Gisborne area or perhaps, for groups, we can make a plan.

Photo courtesy of Lynne Murray