Equine Massage: An Interview with Taryn
Stillwell
by Gina McKnight
No duplication without permission.
This
summer, my dapple Quarter horse, Mac (ornery Mac), sprained his front right
shoulder. He hobbled around for a few days, then I decided to call our local
Equine Massage Therapist, Taryn Stillwell. This was my first time hiring an equine
therapist. The results have been amazing. Now, Taryn is the official therapist
for my stables and has worked on both of my horses – Zubie and Mac.
Today,
Taryn arrived at my barn to give Mac a second treatment – to make sure he is
completely sound. It was an early morning appointment and just last night Taryn
flew in from Florida, servicing equines there. She’s a trooper and always
dependable. Besides that, her massage technique and barn manners are top
drawer.
Taryn
is the proprietor of Yarnell Equine Massage, servicing the Ohio valley as well
as clientele in Florida, working in the Wellington and Ocala areas since 2016.
Taryn lives in Junction City, Ohio, just about a thirty-minute drive from my
stable. Taryn writes, “My passion for horses began at a young age, and I always
knew my career path would somehow revolve around that love. After graduating
from Hocking College with an Associates degree in Equine Health and
Complimentary Therapies in 2014, I hit the ground running with big goals. In
just a few short years, I take great pride in being known as one of Ohio's
premier therapists and being the chosen professional to many well-known riders
including Jesse and Stacy Westfall and Luke Gingerich.”
Welcome, Taryn!
GM: When was your first
encounter with a horse?
TS: I
have been blessed to have been around horses most of my life. My parents made
the mistake of setting me on the back of our miniature horse we owned at the
time, Sunny, at about four years old and walking me around the garage. The
"bug" bit me immediately and the passion grew from there. Not long
after the initial encounter, I was enrolled in riding lessons in various
disciplines, attended horseback riding summer camp, and took every opportunity
I could to be around horses. A short time after that, my parents found my
perfect first horse. She was a little paint mare, Kalisa, who was being used as
a therapy horse at the time. Over the next few years, that little mare taught
me more than I ever expected.
GM: What
horses do you currently stable?
TS: I
currently own two geldings. Senor Blancopepper, Sgt. Pepper, is my 20-year-old
heart horse. He came into my life 14 years ago when I was transitioning back to
barrel racing from western pleasure. In his prime, 2009-2010, he carried me
around the country - as far west as Ft. Worth and Oklahoma City. Some
highlights include: 2009 APHA Reserve World Champion in Novice Youth Barrel
Racing, 2010 Pinto World Championships Open Gymkhana Highpoint Champion, and an
IBRA National Finalist that same year.
In
2012, my world was shaken. While at a friend’s house for a few days, Sgt. took
a bullet ricochet straight into the bottom joint in the hock. That wound then
got infected with an anaerobic infection The Ohio State University had only
seen this once before, and in that case, it was eating bone and fatal at two weeks. They
weren't sure that they would be able to save him, and if they did, they assured
me he would most likely only be pasture sound. Thanks to financial help from my
Dad and my grandparents, we told them to do anything possible to save this
horse. After two weeks, Sgt. was released to come home. He qualified three
years later for the NBHA World Championships and remains sound to this day. Though
I don't have as much time as I'd like to ride, he lives happily out in the
field and will, one day, take my kids to the top of the Peewee division.
I also
own an 11-year-old appendix gelding, Braggs Hot Cat. Cat was raced on the track
in his younger days. When digging into his racing career, I learned that he
lost every race he was entered in. He would lead the race most of the way, and
then look back at the rest of the pack and wait for them to catch up. His track
career was short lived. Though he may not be the brightest bulb in the pack, he
has the sweetest personality, is trustworthy, and has the athletic ability to
go far as a barrel horse.
Recently,
I added a 10-year-old gelding donkey to my herd. Chico truly adds an element of
personality on our farm that I didn't know was missing. He is loved!
GM: I’ve
seen the photo of Chico! He’s adorable. And congratulations on your success!
You have an impressive horse history! How long have you been an equine massage
therapist?
TS: I
have been working in the field for six years. I was blessed to begin working
while I was still in school, proved myself to a local chiropractor that is one
of the best in the industry, and he really jump-started my career for me. In
July of 2018, I took the leap of faith to leave my full-time job at Tractor
Supply Company to work full-time for myself. Though that was a terrifying step
to make, it turned out to be the best decision I have ever made. I currently
service all of Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, and Florida.
There is no place I won't go, as long as minimums are met to cover my expenses.
My goal is to be the Equine Massage Therapist for Team USA!
GM: Taryn,
I’ve seen you in action! You are amazing. Certainly, you will reach your goal. Where
did you learn your trade?
TS: This
is the part of the story I love to tell. Being an equine massage therapist was
never on my radar. I was always told growing up and as a teenager, there are
no jobs in the horse industry, pick something else. I listened to that
advice for a few years. My Dad, now retired, was a Lieutenant for Westerville
Fire Department, my cousin was a county deputy, and various other family
members are first responders as well. I decided to follow in their footsteps
and pursue a career in law enforcement. In 2011, I started at Hocking College
for exactly that. After one year, I realized that wasn't where my calling was.
Discouraged and confused as to what my purpose in this life was, I made the
decision to pursue a career in the horse industry. I changed to the Equine
Health and Complimentary Therapies program with the hopes of becoming an equine
chiropractor. I believe it was my first semester in the program, one of the
classes was Equine Massage. Little did I know that's where it all would begin.
At the time, the instructor tried to get me to drop the class on the grounds
that I was currently in anatomy and physiology, not already completed
and that the class would be too hard for me to pass. I missed one grade
point the entire semester and began working while still in the class. I still
laugh about that one.
I'm
thankful for the in-depth anatomy and physiology education that I received at
Hocking College. It gave me the fundamentals needed to be a successful
professional in the horse industry. Since graduation, and over the course of
hundreds of horses, I have formed my own technique that focuses on the
performance enhancement and muscular rehabilitation of the horse. I do deep
tissue therapy, and my specialty is with performance horses of all disciplines.
GM: Of
all the horses you have worked with, what has been the worst-case scenario to
success?
TS: This
old gelding, Ranger, that I got called to work on just after Memorial Day of
2018. This guy was a retired Amish buggy horse that broke his hip at some
point, and the current owner obtained him out of that situation. The hip had
"healed" but he just wasn't right. For years, she reached
out to countless professionals to try to help this guy. All of the vets,
farriers, friends, etc. that looked at him all recommended euthanasia due to
quality of life, but the owner just didn't think Ranger was saying he was
ready. Finally, she had a chiropractor out. He also suggested euthanasia but
gave this owner my information to see if I could possibly help.
When I
first saw Ranger and set a hand on him, I immediately told the owner that I
didn't think there was much I could do for him and that maybe all of those
professionals were right, but I also agreed that I would give it a shot. He was
severely underweight, though the vet had looked at him and confirmed that his
teeth were fine, etc., and didn't have any body mass to work with.
Discussing the weight issue, knowing that the teeth were fine, and Ranger had
no visible reason to not be eating his grain, I asked if she had tried changing
the feed? Maybe he just didn't like it? Yepp! He was started on a senior feed
and has since put on several hundred pounds! The ole guy just didn't like the
feed!
Over
the next few months, amazing changes started to take place. Ranger started with
countless muscles contracted and not functional, and slowly I started to get
them to release. I decided to have the owner start to walk him a few times a
week. Though he lived in the pasture, movement was minimal, so handwalking
would encourage him to stride out more than he does on his own. That then
progressed to her riding him at a walk bareback to be able to push him forward
a little easier. Every session, I was seeing more and more release. The walks
started out with five minutes and are now at 20 minutes every other day! The
horse that everyone said put down is now being ridden!
Here we
are a year later, and the amount of change in this horse is incredible. I just
received a video from the flabbergasted owner of Ranger running with the herd
to the top of the hill out in the pasture. He may not last all at that speed
long before he breaks down to a walk, but to see him doing that at all is
incredible and, per the owner, he has never done that since I got him! He
also can pick up all four feet for the farrier, who used to struggle with the
back feet as a result of the injury and surrounding contractions. I see Ranger
every four weeks and we continue to take consistent steps forward. Though
massage therapy made a life changing difference for this horse, I credit a good
portion of the success we have seen to the owner. Her devotion to this horse is
what has given me the opportunities I have with him. Ranger is a prime example
of the importance of the "team" concept between professional and
owner. Each time I see Ranger, I post an update on my business Facebook page,
Yarnell Equine Massage, because so many people have taken an interest in his
journey.
GM: For
horse owners who don’t know, how should they prepare their horse for therapy?
What should they expect from the treatment, and what do they need to do
afterward?
TS: I
am used to working in all conditions, so I am pretty easy to please. A horse
free of crusty mud does make my job easier. The mud reduces my ability to slide
my fingers across the surface and apply the correct pressure when needed. Over
the winter, a warm horse is easier to work on than a cold horse. A short lunge
to get the heart rate up circulates the blood and warms the muscles up. Through
the summer, this isn't as important. Fly spray is appreciated though, as a
constantly stomping and twitching horse is difficult to work on.
For the
session itself, I prefer to work wherever the horse will stand most quiet. For
some horses this is in the stall, others it may be in crossties, etc. I am not
picky. Some horses react to discomfort by moving away, so some movement is
normal and not grounds for discipline or frustration. My feet move, too.
As far
as during the session, I work front to back, top to bottom. I will address all
superficial muscles one by one, working to alleviate as much tension as I can
in that session. Once I'm satisfied with the release throughout, I will
transition to a variety of stretches that focus on poll release, if needed, and
a deeper release of the front end. Once finished, I will observe the horse at a
walk for a short period, to ensure that what I felt with my hands matches the
motion and that I didn't miss anything. I generally recommend turnout post
session. Movement is key for these horses so that mentally they can realize
what hurt before may not hurt now. Horses are smart and learn how to protect
themselves. Walking and turnout helps prevent them from tensing back up.
In
cases with significant widespread tension or contraction, multiple sessions may
be needed, but my goal is to give you as the owner, stretches and tools to be
able to continue progress on your own, minimizing the need for multiple
sessions and being able to get the horse onto a maintenance routine
faster.
GM: The
"old" cowboys probably never had their horses treated by a massage
therapist. However, in history, racehorses have been known to receive
treatments to help them perform on the track. When should a horse owner
consider the need for massage therapy and how often?
TS: There
are a lot of factors that determine when you need a massage therapist that I
think people don't always realize. First and foremost, if your chiropractor is
at your barn regularly and always finds the same things "out",
usually it’s because a muscle pulled it that way. If they haven't mentioned
that to you as an owner, find a new chiropractor. They are taking your money
because it will continue to be a repeat issue, instead of having the best
interest of the horse in mind and helping you find a solution that truly fixes
it.
Second,
if your trained horse suddenly starts having behavioral issues such as cross
firing at the canter, refusing jumps, not backing up, ducking barrels, etc., it’s
probably muscle! Finished horses don't act up for no reason.
Third,
if your horse does any of the following, you probably need a massage therapist:
dragging the back toes, lack of flexibility one or both directions, backing
crooked, tripping, bucking especially during gait transitions, trail horses zig-zagging up and down hills, unlevel knees or inability to even pick knees up in
jumpers, lack of forward "flick" in dressage, the list goes on and
on. Massage therapy, at least with the type I offer, is so much more than a
relaxing rubdown. It is a therapy session that is vital for maintaining an
athletes ability to do its job.
As far
as how often, it varies. I see my upper level endurance horses every four weeks
through season. A recreational ride that's worked a few days a week,
maintenance sessions are no more than 12 weeks apart.
GM: Do
you have advice for those looking to pursue a career as an equine massage
therapist?
TS: If
this is truly what you want to do, study. Get the anatomy base and then
apprentice with a professional to learn the technique. You will build your
credibility as a professional when you can tell the owners what the horse is
doing, good and bad, under saddle based off of your findings in the muscles,
without them giving you any hints. This comes from a thorough knowledge of
anatomy and biomechanics, as well as studying, evaluating, and watching
hundreds of horses to be able to link tension severity to function.
A
college degree is worth more than a weeklong certification, and years in the
field is worth more than a fresh out of school student. Be aware of what market
rate is in your area and price yourself accordingly. Market rate in my area is
$60-$75/ session. I started out of school at $35. It didn't cover my gas or
expenses, but it got my hands on a lot of horses to learn and grow. Over 6
years I have been able to raise it slowly to compensate for experience and continuing
education.
If you
have to drive an hour and a half one way to do one horse, do it and work to the
best of your ability. That one-horse turns to two, turns to a barn full, and
then you’re doing their neighbors as well. Word of mouth is your best friend
and in this industry it’s all who you know, or who knows you.
Be
ethical. Always keep the best interest of the horse in mind. Give the owners
the tools to continue your work. Make it your goal to only need to be there
every few months. Again, this is an ethics and credibility thing.
Be
ready to sacrifice everything. Any business owner will tell you that success
doesn't come without sacrifice. 2018, before I left my full-time job, a 15-hour
day was short. I worked Monday- Friday 7-3 at TSC, and then would hit the road
and invest another 8-10 hours into my clientele. I am incredibly thankful for a
husband that took care of my animals and the house as well as tolerated my
absence as I worked 15-18 hour days. There are days I would be walking into a
barn two hours from home at 10PM, but I had a smile on my face every single
day. Friends disappeared because I could no longer invest time in a social
life, and don't get me wrong, there were times I struggled with that! But I had
my goals and I kept pushing forward. That perseverance gave me the opportunity
to work full time for myself, which few therapists succeed at. Now, coming up
on a year later, I am scheduled almost a month out and am back to working 12-15
hour days. However, this "growing pain" I'm feeling right now is
preparing me to bring a second therapist on, so I will persevere knowing the
plans in store.
Lastly,
be smart. Learn how to use your body. This is NOT an easy field and if you
don't learn how to take the weight off of your hands and wrists, you'll have
physical issues within a matter of years. I went on vacation in March and when
I came home, I did 43 horses in a week. By Friday morning, I was sore in my
traps and my core, but not my hands and wrists. Learn how to lock your arms in
a way that puts the stress on larger muscle areas instead of isolated joints.
GM: As
an equine massage therapist, have you encountered horses that do not do well
with massage therapy?
TS: Not
really. Some horses are more antsy than others, but patience is key and
generally by the second or third session they settle down and realize your
there to help. Horses that have significant tension and soreness can be
reactive as you palpate, but experience teaches you to alter your pressure and
work up as the horse tolerates. Flexibility in your methods allows for widespread
success. I had one mare a few years back that, out of the blue, started double
barrel firing repeatedly at me. Thankfully I was able to push away and get to
safety without incident, but I was left frustrated because I had been working
on the same spot for several minutes with no reaction. They ended up hauling
her to the vet a week or so later and found that she had a pinched nerve up by
her sacrum. When I was working, she shifted in a way that made that nerve fire
and she kicked out. So, when explosive reactions happen, it’s important to look
at all avenues.
GM: What
does horsemanship mean to you?
TS: Horsemanship
is the ability to adapt to the needs of the horse by being flexible in your
methods, while continuing in the pursuit of a realistic goal.
Connect with Taryn on facebook @yarnellequinemassage.
Gina McKnight is a freelance writer from Ohio USA
www.gmcknight.com
