The Horse Therapist

Home About Shows Links Contact Us

ABOUT JANIS

Janis Cook is an educator and a practitioner of equine massage, recovery exercise programs and saddle fitting. Her related studies include a Diploma in Biological Sciences, massage therapy at Grant MacEwan College and Equine Massage Training at the Academy of Equine Sports Therapy. She has successfully completed Advanced Equine Therapy courses and is a Qualified Saddle Fitter (Society of Master Saddlers,UK).

The Horse Therapist was started in 1994, and Janis has since established an international clientele, including members of the Canadian and US Equestrian Teams. She lectures and works across Canada and is the saddle fitter for Equi-Products Tack Store in Calgary, Alberta. She presently lives in Okotoks, Alberta.

Janis has worked with trainers and riders from both the USET and CET Teams, including Laura Kraut, Lisa Carlsen, Leslie Burr Howard and Jay Hayes, and is also a regular therapist at the Spruce Meadows tournaments in Calgary, Alberta. She is also the team therapist for the Canadian NAYRC Team and regularly attends Indio from January-March.

Mission Statement

To provide quality care, restore wellness and maintain healthy, happy, competitive horses through equine sport therapy techniques, individualized maintenance programs and rider/owner/trainer participation.

About Massage

Use Massage therapy to identify compensation patterns.

Identify the interferences:

mechanical
biomechanical
structure
environment

Identify less efficient muscle groups according to function.

Develop gymnastic exercise programs to increase strength and flexibility.

Throughout all stages incorporate passive stretching to increase range of motion.

Work towards symmetry and suppleness.

Above all, ask the horse to work in comfort.

MUSCLES, FATIGUE BY WORK OR INJURY, WILL BE RESTORED MUCH MORE RAPIDLY AND THOROUGHLY BY MASSAGE THERAPY THAN BY REST ALONE.