Equine Sports Therapy

"The very essence of the horse is found in the way it moves." - Jack Meagher

Certified by Jack Meagher and Jo Ann Wilson in the Meagher Method of Sportsmassage

Karen Gardner is accomplished in her use of the Original Meagher Method of Sportsmassage created by Jack Meagher as well as incorporating other advanced deep pressure techniques into her equine practise.

These methods properly prepare the muscles to be engaged and exercise is the follow up to this work. Karen's work is used to prevent problems and to correct those that have already developed.

Karen prepares horses before competitions and performances which gives them the edge they need - a greater stride length and better articulation of joint movement for greater ease and an end to discomfort.

Endorsements

"Karen Gardner is the best! She has been working on my stallions for years. Karen, I thank you and my boys thank you! They move so much looser and more fluid and they enjoy you working on them. We always look forward to your next treatments!"

Gabriella "Gabby" Herrmann
The Original Herrmanns' Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria

"For the last seven months, I have had the pleasure of working with Karen Gardner. Karen has worked in the Boston Police Stables as an Equine Sports Therapist. My assigned Police Mount Shorty is a seven-year-old Clydesdale/Thoroughbred Cross. Shorty had suffered an injury to his right rear rump, which was impeding his duties as a police horse. Karen gave therapy to Shorty on a weekly basis resulting in his healing without Shorty having to come off the patrol schedule. I am very pleased with the work Karen has done. I find her very knowledgeable, helpful, and would recommend her services as an Equine Therapist."

Police Officer Gerard E. Boyce, Boston Police Department

"I arrived in Boston a week before we were to open with The Big Apple Circus. I could barley move my neck, and was getting no sleep at all from the pain. Rather than go to the hospital my boyfriend recommended Karen who had done wonders for him! I went and my world changed! Not only did she completely fix my problems, she also did wonders for my horses!!! She is a miracle worker!!!!and now, also a great friend! The world needs more humans like this amazing woman!"

Jenny Vidbel
Vidbel Liberty Horsemanship
Big Apple Circus

"Karen has provided massage therapy for myself and my horses in the past. She has an unbelievable knowledge of injuries to the human body and had helped me with my chronic back and SI injuries. She also had a good approach with injuries in the horse providing much insight into where their muscles were stressed and overused. I think her unique background as a dancer brings great insight in managing overuse and chronic injuries with massage."

Marge Sidman
Adult Amateur Equestrian

"It is my pleasure to write this reference regarding Karen Gardner, a licensed massage therapist. Karen studied individually with me in order to learn the Meagher Method of sportsmassage in its application with horses.Her apprenticeship included learning equine anatomy and physiology, biomechanics in motion, contraindications, and the application of the Meagher Method of sportsmassage with competition horses of various disciplines. Karen has achieved a strong working knowledge of the logic and technique of the Meagher Method in tandem with her ability to analyze problems in motion. Not only does Karen possess a working knowledge of the requirements for free motion and the strategies to achieve that objective, she demonstrates a strong professional manner with high standards and ethics. It was a pleasure to work with Karen over several months and I highly recommend her as an equine sportsmassage therapist specializing in the Meagher Method."

Jo Ann Wilson, M.Ed., LMT
2012 Olympic Games, London England

"Dear Karen, This letter is to thank you for massaging Cadet using the Meagher Method. As you know, prior to the massages, Cadet was consistently uncomfortable through his back and hind end as well as traveling with his head in the air and his nose out too much. Since the massages, he now is much more comfortable, his head is in the correct position and he now travels on the bit. He seems happier and his disposition in the stall has also improved. Thank you again for all your help and I look forward to having you use your massage techniques on my horses as needed in the future."

Christine M. Nava, Timber Hill Stable, Kingston, MA