Caroline O’Brien

Caroline graduated from the D'Arcy Lane Institute, London, Ontario, Canada in 2004. D'Arcy Lane offers the most intensive program of its kind in Equine Massage Therapy in North America.

Part of what made the program unique was the students were taught to consider themselves as an extension of veterinary health care and not an alternative. I worked with veterinarians to minimise rehabilitation time and enhance performance.

The program covered Anatomy which is the cornerstone to practising Equine Massage Therapy. Physiology, the normal functioning of the equine body systems.

Pathology, identifying equine diseases. Kinesiology, understanding conformation, gait, movement when assessment and development is applied for treatment of the horse.

Caroline O'Brien - Animal Care Therapist

Hydrotherapy, the principles of hot and cold to various injuries. Equine behaviour, learning about normal and abnormal increases the ability to understand equine communication.

During the break of 2003, I spent time in France and Austria practising equine massage therapy on show jumping horses, observing their behaviour, watching all the time for signs of strain and injury. I'm a firm believer in how the horse’s eye presents itself is a reflection of how they feel.

I've had the privilege of working alongside Austria's finest veterinarian Dr Edward Schindele who was always encouraging me and was so patient when it came to my hundreds of questions. I learned a lot from him and will be eternally grateful. Following my stay in Austria, I returned to Canada to complete my studies.

Soon after graduating, I completed an internship program at KESMARC Kentucky, the world leader in Equine Rehabilitation, what an amazing experience, to have some of the world’s best-thoroughbred racehorses under your charge and in the company of such talented veterinary practitioners.

In April 2014, I completed a Phlebotomy course.

August 2014 I received a distinction for canine first aid responder from Creedons College. I continue to invest my time in animal health care. September 2015 I invested in a class IV Therapeutic Laser from K Laser USA, the laser is FDA cleared for therapeutic treatment that manages pain and inflammation while accelerating tissue regeneration.

I added this piece of equipment to my practice because I want to provide an effective and safe treatment option for my patients to heal quickly, recover fully, and reduce pain effectively.

To this day, I never stop learning, each foal, pony and horse, young or old, whatever the discipline, starting out in life, hobby or competition has its own unique issues, each one needing assistance to perform at their best or in the case of injury, a speedy recovery.

Caroline O Brien, EMT