Cheryl Withrow, Certified Equine Massage Therapist
(2009) I met Cheryl by chance, the horse she was working on seemed to be really enjoying his therapy. I had tried a number of massage therapists and my horses never "asked" for them to come back, i.e. I never really felt a difference the next day. My young advanced horse, Henry, had been feeling a little tight so I asked Cheryl to come and work on him. The next day I knew I would have her back again because I could really feel a difference in him. My horses were so consistently happy with her treatments it became a weekly event. Other then Cheryl's outstanding massaging ability, she was always very flexible with her scheduling, reliable and honest. If I had a competition she would always re arranged her schedule so she could work on the boys before we left. She was always honest about how a horse was feeling. She worked on one of my younger horses and was pretty quick to say, "there's not much wrong with him". Every horse she did she let me know what she felt which really helped me with what to work on the next week. I'm in FL for the winter and I know the boys will miss her!
(2007) Max loves Cheryl - to the extent that he looks unhappy and possessive
when she touches another horse. And with good reason - Cheryl makes him
feel very, very good. Max is an EPSM horse with some muscle soreness
issues that make massage an important part of his care. Cheryl is
incredibly knowledgeable and competent - Max has very little soreness at this
point. She gives great feedback, both verbal and written. The
reports after each session, along with her guidance on how to continue the work
she has done in the neediest places, maximize the effectiveness of her massage
therapy. Max and I recommend her highly.
~Betsy Siebeck - Pomfret VT
(PHOTO COMING SOON)
(2007) When Cheryl worked
on Charlie, my 14 yo Arab/Paint, she immediately found his sore spots, and
worked gently but persistently leaving Charlie with much more suppleness and
flexibility. Cheryl has an innate ability to watch the horse in motion
and identify areas of concern, making her massage more targeted and effective
than a general "treat-all" method. As a human massage
therapist, I can also attest to her approach of not over-stressing over-worked
muscles by pounding into them. She has the patience to work through the
layers of muscle slowly, inviting them to relax, instead of trying to force
them to relax. I am grateful for the knowledge that she has passed on to
me, and Charlie is grateful too!
~Lou White
(PHOTO COMING SOON)
Talena and I would highly recommend Cheryl !
~Nancy Russell, Near River Farm Arabians
http://www.nearriverarabians.com/farm.htm
(2007) Cheryl started to come to my barn to work on a number of horses in 2006. After seeing the results I asked her to start working on my Stallion "Toro". He quickly fell in love with her (as do all of the horses). It has been such a helpful addition to our training program. It is equally helpful with my own horse and with students horses as well. Cheryl is so insightful and her knowledge of how each muscle works has really helped me in the overall approach to strengthening and development with Toro. I especially enjoy the fact that we can talk about the changes from visit to visit, to be able to dissect how each movement that I train is affecting him. Toro is an FEI level horse at a young age and her massage work really helps to keep him from becoming too sore or tight. Now both Toro and I look forward to her visits to Rivendell.
~Emily Kannenstine, Rivendell Stables - Woodstock VT and Palm City, FL
USDF Gold Medalist, Training & competing through Grand Prix
http://www.emilykannenstine.com
(2008)"......I never ever dreamed of having him in such good shape after such a short period of time. I started to ride him in February and he had May off. We are starting to see an athlete in him, Thank you Cheryl....."
-Nane Doll-Peyron
South Royalton VT and Wellington, FL
(PHOTO COMING SOON!)
(2008) Cheryl Withrow is an integral part of my horse's rehabilitation
plan to recover from an injury to her left hind and groin area. Cheryl has been
working with her biweekly for several months now and there has been a
substantial increase in the health of her muscles. My mare (GiGi) is
finally starting back to work and is doing so in a much better place than if
she had not had the massage therapy to help rehabilitate, loosen and reactivate
several of the muscles she injured.
Cheryl always leaves helpful written feedback and diagrams
that highlight the tight and sore muscle areas which help to track
problem areas and progress.
Cheryl views the horse holistically and has a keen understanding of how certain
issues translate into muscle development and health.
~Terri
Satterlee
Ludlow, VT
CVDA
Vice President
who would rather have a
mud treatment than ride some days.
Sad, but true.
Adeline & I working through serpentines - one
of the most effective exercises for softening the muscles
of the poll, neck, shoulder and a great warm up for the
back and hind end.
