Leslie A. Kennedy, MMCP, ABT, TPT, CLT-U

My familiarity with bodywork therapy is grounded on an accumulation of years of riding including training with Olympic riders and coaches, studying horses, working with equine veterinarians, chiropractors and equine massage therapists; but most of all my deep love, and respect for the horse. Looking out for their well being beckoned to me in developing Equine Dynamic Bodywurks.

‘My Horses, My Teachers’, is one of several wonderful books written by Colonel Alois Podhajsky, former Director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. “Horses are my teachers”, he said. For me, how accurate his statement has proven to be. I had the good fortune to train under a student of Podhajsky’s whose teachings continue to greatly influence my values today.

Horses are wonderful animals. For the most part they always try, seldom complain, do the best they can with the situations we, as humans, put them in. Without a voice other than to act out, shut down, become uncomfortable and even exhibit lameness, the horse stoically carries on. As muscle asymmetry accumulates, it often goes unrecognized until there is a behavioural and/or physical problem. It is my quest to support equine athletes, from whom as riders and trainers we expect so much.

Earlier in my career I trained many difficult and not so difficult horses of all breeds, conformation, temperaments and disciplines. My experiences have proven to be a great resource for me to draw on as I evolve into Equine Sports Therapy.

I am a former Grand Prix Dressage competitor, EC Gold medalist, current EC and USEF Senior Dressage Judge, F.E.I. Dressage Steward and Western Dressage Judge; I am a certified coach through the British Horse Society as well as Equine Canada. I continue to train my lovely Dutch Warmblood toward Grand Prix Dressage.

As an avid horsewoman of long standing within the equine industry, I have developed a keen eye for biomechanics, muscle asymmetry, lameness, stiffness, tension, and behavioural issues which could be attributed to muscle imbalance eventually resulting in poor performance and/or poor attitude. (Source)

Recommend this Service or Practitioner