Erin at age 13, Colonial Equestrian Centre, with Mocha, the horse who started it all. (Mocha would suffer a chronic and undiagnosed lameness, and his owner hired an Equine Massage Therapist to make him more comfortable - Erin's first exposure to the world of alternative and complementary therapy for horses).
A young Erin learning the "carrot stretches" with Mocha, as shown to her by the equine massage therapist treating him at the time
Erin and Brass with Class, American Saddlebred, winning at a hunter/jumper schooling show, Colonial Equestrian Centre, age 17
Erin competing in Cross-country at Pony Club "D" Rally with Second Guess, American Saddlebred mare
Erin showing Lianna D M Skipper, welsh pony, at the Royal Winter Fair, c. 2003
QUALIFICATIONS - EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
2002 and earlier - rider, barn worker at various hunter/jumper farms; rode, attended lessons, clinics and camp, competed in dressage, showjumping, hunter and eventing, and games, in Pony Club shows, trained pony to drive, competed in pleasure driving shows. Became interested in dressage conditioning for overall well-being of the horse. Campaigned several show horses at the Bronze level, trained horses up from green to First Level and competed in the Open Divisions in driving.
2002 - completed an intensive course in Equine Sports Massage Therapy under Jodi Pendry, R.M.T., C.E.M.T. ( Certified by Equissage, USA). Course topics included Basic Myology, Osteology, Massage Theory, Hydrotherapy, and the study of Equine Ambulation.
2002-2006 - Worked full-time, 6 days/week as Standardbred racehorse groom at Millar Farms, Newmarket, ON where I had the opportunity to study many equine lamenesses and apply concepts learned in the course. Practiced massage therapy on a regular basis, gaining invaluable experience and honing my skills. Learned about a myriad of veterinary practices including: X-ray, Ultrasound, Flouroscope, MRI, Nuclear Scintography, joint injections, and more through regular visits to the vet with the horses. Applied magnetic therapy, hydrotherapy, and stretching exercise in addition to massage therapy. Had an excellent opportunity to work with many gifted animals, learning much about the daily care and management of the athletic horse.
2003 - competed at the Royal Winter Fair with driving pony, Lianna DM Skipper, placing in every class we entered. Also began participating in Combined Driving shows around this time.
2004 - attended "Centered Riding & Driving" and "Anatomy In Motion" Clinic displaying the Visible Horse and Visible Rider, with Susan E. Harris, Peggy Brown, Sue Leffler, ON.
2004 - completed "Introduction to Acupressure" course, Durham College, Oshawa, ON.
2004 - completed "Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy" course, Durham College, Oshawa, ON.
2004-2006 - Traveled to races throughout Ontario with Standardbred Stakes horses, continuing to practice massage therapy on these horses as well as for private clientele.
2007 - 2009 began jogging racehorses for various trainers, and warming up at the racetracks. Continued applying therapeutic massage to many horses in need.
2009 - achieved Ontario Racing Commission Standardbred Trainer's "A" licence, which qualifies me to train and operate a public stable.
2009 - campaigned an aged pacer, owned by myself, around the "B" tracks across Ontario. In his short season, he exceeded all expectations set for him. (This horse had many soundness issues).
2010 - completed "Functional Anatomy" online course at University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. 2011-current - continuing to work in the standardbred racing industry while managing a Greenhawk tack store and training my now retired racehorse in dressage. 2014 - completed "Level One Do It Yourself Canine Massage" course with Shari Seymour, Gores Landing, ON. 2012 - 2014 - education continued in Classical Dressage, working at a dressage farm as well as training my dog in agility, competing in sanctioned dog trials in agility, earning championship titles in go-to-ground, barn and brush hunt, trailing and locating and more.