Tina has been riding and involved with horses her whole life.. in fact her mother rode while she was pregnant with Tina so even longer!

Like many children growing up in rural Alberta Tina joined 4H and then later Pony Club. It seems no matter what stage of life Tina was at, horses were always an integral part of it.

Following high school Tina searched for a way to make an impact on the horse industry and the animals that she loved. Her eagerness to learn led her to explore courses in massage and equine health care which captured her passion. She then enrolled in the Diploma Program at the BC College of Equine Therapy.

Tina's first solo ride at 9 months

Tina working on a horse

During her time at the BC College of Equine Therapy, Tina built a foundation of lifelong learning. She believes that a strong understanding off anatomy and physiology is essential in order to be of value as a therapist. Tina studied hard and worked in the evenings and on week-end with live horses, broadening her understanding and gaining hands on experience that put her knowledge to good use.

After graduating from college Tina realized that to truly be the best sports therapist that she could, her life would be about learning.  One of the greatest teachers she has ever studied with, Dr Kerry Ridgway has a saying, “Today’s truths are tomorrow’s fallacies”.  The more one learns about the function of the body the more you realize there is so much to learn and so much that has yet to be discovered.  A journey of life long learning is what Tina is proud to be embarking on.  Since the introduction of Inhand Equine Therapy in 1996 Tina has been blessed to work with some of the brightest and best in the equine world.

At the same time Tina was growing her private practice focusing on top dressage and show jumping horses. She gained valuable experience working with Equine Dentists, Veterinarians, Farriers and others in helping to solve health issues in these valuable animals. Even today a large part of Tina's practice still includes these top equine athletes but has expanded to include those participating in other sports as well.

Tina understands the unique demands and issues horses and riders are faced with because she is a rider herself.  Tina actively competes at a national level in Dressage.  Tina and her previous mount Faith were showing successfully at fourth level when a tragic injury forced Faith into a career as a brood mare.  Every black cloud does have a silver lining, not only did Faiths injury teach Tina a lot but it allowed her to bring a new horse into her life, a horse that is proving to be a soul connection that Tina truly cherishes.  She and her mount Amado Sirena (a 2003 Andalusian mare) have had a very successful show carrier together. In 2007 Tina and Sirena began there showing together and were champion at three national level shows and capped of the year as provincial champions at training level.  The 2008 show season would be a different year for showing as Tina and her husband Peter were blessed with the arrival of there beautiful daughter Madeline in June.  With one 2008 show under there belt, Tina and Sirena stole the show winning the provincial championship at first level and reserve champion for the western regional’s.  Tina and Sirena also won the honor of being high score adult amateur for the 2008 provincials.  Tina is excited to move up to second level and see what the 2009 show season will bring.

Tina and her husband Peter also breed horses and are very proud to show off there young stock to prospective buyers.  Tina and Peter breed for temperament and strive to produce a modern typed athletic foal that the professional and adult amateur alike will admire.

As Tina's eye improved and she gained experience she began to view horse health as an interrelated set of components. She felt that although she could help a horse perform better through massage and spinal adjustments, that often there were other related issues that needed to be addressed.

Tina and Faith at Kestrel Ridge Farm

Tina working on a horse

Tina began studying other modalities in order to gain a better understanding of how she could further impact performance and well-being. The results of using this combination of components has been so successful that Tina now incorporates these modalitiesin her sessions.

Tina has been practicing for since 1996 and specializes in the optimization of health and enhancement of performance in equine and canine athletes.

Thank-you!