Meet Abbie

Animals have been my passion for years

Ever since I was old enough to understand that adults need jobs, I have always said I wanted to be a vet. I love animals, I love helping them, and what could be better than being surrounded by them all day long? Obviously, I ended up going in a different direction, but my love of animals is still going strong. From sneaking home kittens, aiding injured wildlife, and helping out on my aunt's dairy farm, I still make an effort to make animals a part of my everyday life. During high school I was an active member of the FFA, I took every agriculture class they had to offer, and even went to a nearby college to take their summer vet camp several years in a row.

I never imagined having horses

Having not grown up in the horse world, I had no idea where to start when it came to horses. There are so many disciplines to choose from, barns to go to, and the cost alone was enough to scare me away. After dipping my toes in at a few guided trail barns, I started helping out at a local boarding facility in exchange for experience. As soon as I was able to, I got my first job and started saving up to support my new-found passion. My first horse, Sally, was a 15 year old mustang mare that had sat for many years. I still have her today along with my gelding, Red.

I started working for Katrina Hiller at 19

After 6 years of owning my first horse, I took a job as a groom for a nearby dressage trainer. The tour was overwhelming and I felt like I was in over my head. I had never dealt with horses like the ones that lived at this barn. Their wardrobes were more complicated than mine and their schedules were more full. These horses did more in a day than I did in a week. Nonetheless, they were horses and I was in love. I didn't have any "fancy" experience, but I was willing to learn. I started in 2018 and am still with Katie today.

Becoming a bodyworker

In 2022 I headed to Maine and spent a week learning from Jo-Ann Wilson of Wilson Meagher Sports Therapy. Jo-Ann had worked alongside Jack Meagher who had a monumental impact on equine massage during his lifetime. I'm honored I had the opportunity to learn with one of the best and I continue to expand my education every chance I get. I believe it is important to understand the horse as a whole as well as how us as riders can affect them both positively and negatively.

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