About Sharon
I remember watching a friend of mine at her riding lesson when I was 11 years old and telling my parents that I wanted to do this too!
I have always been an animal lover and this started my life-long love affair with equines. I began taking lessons at a Hunter/Jumper farm of privately owned horses that also had an outstanding lesson string. I ultimately competed in Junior Hunters and Equitation, showing throughout Central New York during high school. I worked at the farm on the weekends and after school, earning “credit” so I could have additional lessons/instruction each week. When I headed off to college, I rode on my college equestrian team, competing in the North East and Ontario, Canada. I graduated college with a degree in Economics, married (my college sweetheart) and settled into the business world, working in Corporate Sales/Marketing.
After a number of years, I saw an ad for a Working Student Position at a Dressage Farm in Massachusetts with a dressage trainer and judge, and thought, “Hey, this would be fun to learn dressage! I could take a year off from the ’real world’. And I could be around horses again.” The year flew by, I loved the daily horse care, the daily dressage lessons and just being around the animals I had so much reverence and love for. I vowed that when my working student days were over, and I went back to work in the business world, I would have my very own horse one day. My wish came true a couple years later when I purchased a Thoroughbred gelding in my late 20s.
I continued with dressage instruction, rode in USDF dressage shows at First Level, went on hunter paces with friends, and rode in several 2-Phase events. Since we had purchased a house with a barn shortly after I bought my horse, I was able to bring my horse home! I was thrilled to start trail riding from our farm. We started a family and I was able to share the joy of horses with our kids. Our daughter began riding very young and soon joined our local Pony Club. In addition to my own horse activities, I became a Pony Club mom, taking my daughter to lessons, events, competitions and camps. Over the next three decades, there were many horses and ponies at our farm. It was a fun and busy time: I was now working locally in Real Estate, raising kids, riding and loving the daily care of our equines at home.
With our adult kids on their own and having retired from Real Estate, the days at home grew less hectic and I really wanted to dive deep into all aspects of horse wellness. I attended several barefoot trimming programs and then completed several months across the country at Farrier School. My goal with this education was to feel confident handling the trimming/shoeing for my own horses, one of which I had noticed was worried/nervous when the hoof care provider would shoe or later even just trim (barefoot). Farrier School provided me with such a great framework in equine science and allowed me to feel confident providing hoof care for my own horses/ponies. I trimmed for a handful friends as well, but just handle my own horse now. A horse’s feet and body are completely connected. Changes to the hoof can impact how the horse travels/moves as well as how the horse uses its body.
Then I began a deep dive into the study of the equine body and various bodywork modalities. I became a Certified Equine Massage Therapist, gaining a solid foundation in equine anatomy, physiology and postural assessment, and the principles of sports massage and myofascial release techniques.
Many years prior I had purchased Jim’s Masterson Method book and video and saw firsthand how this bodywork helps horses: by focusing on paying attention to what the horse has to say about his own body. This bodywork made such a profound difference for my own horse, that I decided to take the Weekend Course, Advanced Course, completing Fieldwork, Mentoring and Coaching, and onto Certification, becoming a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner. The Masterson Method techniques allow the nervous system to release deep core and postural muscles and connective tissue.
In addition, I have pursued hands-on training with Equine Bowen, as well as red light therapy (photobiomodulation). It is a privilege and an honor to help horses feel better, whether that is a competitive sport horse or a retired pasture mate.
I have extensive life-long experience with Thoroughbreds, as well as sensitive horses in general. I am committed to improving your horse’s overall comfort and reducing accumulated tension, ultimately making handling, training and riding much easier.
“I just wanted to reach out and say “thank you” again. Not just for the bodywork on my horse, but for your willingness to share your knowledge. One of the best things has been watching you work with him, and seeing him with fresh eyes. He really is a sweet boy and it is easy to lose sight of that when I am dealing with some of the day to day challenges. You gave me a fresh perspective on some of his behaviors that has been really helpful.”
— B