Lee Ann Sommerfeld — CESMT, MMCP

I am often asked; how did I get into doing Equine Bodywork? It’s fair to say that I have taken a circuitous route. Yes, I was horsey as a kid. I was 3, it was winter, and I sat on a furry pony named Cricket. That was all it took. Hooked on horses! At 11, I got my first horse. An amazingly patient Morgan/ Quarter mare named Gypsy. We were country folk, so I had to earn my saddle by learning to ride without one. Not sure about that approach, but back then we drank water out of a hose and lived to tell about it.

At 19, I moved onto a ranch in Steamboat Springs, CO and lived an idyllic existence shared with an Arab mare named Tara. She took good care of me as we traversed some pretty steep terrain in the Yampa Valley. At 44, I bought a “fixer upper” named Cass. She was an Anglo/Arab cross with lots of “undisclosed” issues. None of which I was properly equipped to deal with. I found her in deplorable conditions and just wanted to save her. It is truly a miracle I am here to tell this tale as she was explosive and very talented at ripping flesh with her teeth. I have learned the hard way about horses in pain, leadership or lack thereof, giving your power and lots of money over to a bad trainer and coming out the other side a more informed, sensitive and dedicated advocate for the horse.

As for my background in anatomy, in 2002 I became an NASM certified personal trainer. I loved studying anatomy and physiology and creating exercise programs to help folks progress on their fitness journeys. About a year into this, I met Joe DeAntonis, an M.A.T. instructor (Muscle Activation Technique) and cadaver anatomy teacher. After studying with him for over two years, a whole new world had opened; full of gamma loops, neurons and lots of biomechanics! Yes, those are very intricate technical things, but I’m a nerd and was very excited to uncover part of the mystery of how bodies work. This proved to be a solid foundation for my future in equine bodywork. As I was trying to rehab Cass, I revisited the techniques I had used with people. This led me into Acupressure with the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure. Initially,I became certified with Equissage as an Equine Sports Massage Therapist. (CESMT) From there I discovered the Masterson Method which was the perfect recipe of integrated therapies I was looking for. I became a certified Masterson Method Practitioner (MMCP) and I have never looked back.

I totally believe in the efficacy of bodywork for horses and people. Pain in our horses is real and all too common. We do regular maintenance on our cars, why not our horses? Just because he isn’t on three legs doesn’t mean everything is fine. Proper dental care, hoof care, nutrition, varied exercise, saddle fit, bridle fit, bitting, and general welfare are NOT OPTIONS! They are ALL part of the deserving care of our horses. I am passionate about continuing my education and find myself still traveling the western road learning as much as I can, from wherever I can to better serve my client’s horses. Every horse is an individual. And every horse teaches me something. The beauty of this whole endeavor is that there is no end. That’s a good thing for the insatiably curious.