One of my first memories of horses is when I was in kindergarten. My father had just taken a horse that my paternal Grandpa had “rescued,” a 2-year-old malnourished Quarter Horse mare who was as red as a copper penny. That week in school I recall learning the alphabet and we were studying the letter “P”; a copper penny was the illustration to help us remember the letter. So, when we were trying to come up with a name for her, it only seemed that “Penny” was the appropriate choice.
I grew up on close to 100 acres in Hocking County. The land had rolling hills, valleys, meadows, and trees galore. On these trails is where I learned to ride and I suppose the love of the horse began for me. At one point in time we had over 10 horses ranging from 4H horses, trail horses, broodmare and foal pairs and occasionally my maternal grandfather that owned the land would run Hereford cattle with the horses. I showed in 4H and open horse shows, trail rode all over the Hocking Hills, and helped Dad and friends develop and train many youngsters.
A grade horse, Strawberry, from my dad’s sister, would end up being my mount for many years. She was the first mare on the farm that had a foal, Cocoa, she taught me and many friends how to ride, and she was the first horse I fell off and broke my wrist. Strawberry would let me climb on her bareback in the pasture and took such great care of me over the years. A pencil sketch of her from the veterinarian that helped her across the Rainbow Bridge hangs in my family room with her tail draped around the frame. She was my first friend!
Upon high school graduation I attended The Ohio State University to study Animal Science/Equine Science to pursue a career in the equine field. While there, I was a member of the equestrian team and had the opportunity to compete and succeed at all levels, Regionals, Zones, and Nationals as a western horsemanship rider. I also took an internship of a lifetime and went to work for the 6666’s Ranch in Guthrie, TX for six months which provided me even more horse exposure.
My career started in the veterinary distribution field and then evolved to working in the field exclusively with equine veterinarians as a pharmaceutical representative covering the Midwest. My family began and my role during my children’s younger years brought me home out of the equine field for a few years until a part time veterinary assistant job came along. For seven years I worked as an equine veterinary dental assistant in Central Ohio. I handled so many horses and met so many amazing people during those years. Many of the clients were high level performance horses (an industry I wasn’t that familiar with until then) and I saw that beyond needing dental/veterinary care, these animals were athletes, and something might be missing from their maintenance care: bodywork. My passion for giving back to them led me to research equine massage schools and in the spring of 2017, I became a Certified Equine Massage Therapist (CEMT).
I cannot remember a time in my life that I wasn’t working with horses, riding them, caring for them, or most importantly respecting and loving them and being grateful that they allow me to be in their presence.
…Spring Brook was Born
During my time working as a veterinary assistant, I had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful like-minded equestrians, one of whom allowed me the opportunity to enjoy her horses outside of work. Not having any horses of my own at the time, I jumped at the chance for additional experience. They were retired show horses that still needed exercise beyond what their owner was able to provide.
I found my heart asking, “What can I give back to these geldings who give so much to me— therapy, exercise, companionship?” Simultaneously, I realized the patients in the equine practice were athletes and I could give something in return. It was at that point in late 2016 that I decided equine massage would be a skill set I could use “at home” while others would also benefit from my new practice. In the spring of 2017, I became a Certified Equine Massage Therapist through Animal Dynamics with Don and Lisa Doran in Ocala, FL and have been working on horses “at home” as well as starting my own business.
A loose translation of my family name, Maibach, Spring Brook honors my late father and grandfather as they helped ignite my passion for everything equine. Horses have given me so much in life— life lessons, longtime friendships, wins and losses, companionship, someone to talk to when no human “gets it,” unforgettable experiences, heartbreaks, patience (handy as a parent), and love. So, when I am working on your horse, I give to it what all those horses current and past have given to me. It goes beyond just the bodywork.
Whether your horse is a trail riding companion, a national dressage champion, rehabbing from an injury, or you just want to give them a gift to tell them “thanks,” I look forward to working with your equine partner.
Spring Brook Equine Bodywork 