Bobbie White

Bobbie White graduated from the Salt Lake City campus of the Utah College of Massage Therapy in December of 1999. Bobbie’s intention of becoming a massage therapist was focused in the healing of animals, primarily equine massage therapy. Upon graduation, Bobbie started her own practice, Bobbie White Equine Sports Massage in Riverton, Utah. She later moved her business to Meridian, Idaho and changed the company name to EquineAbility. She recently sent the following letter to the Career Services Corporate Offices of the Utah College of Massage Therapy Family of Schools regarding her work in Tucson, Arizona for a horse show:

"I came to UCMT with the goal of becoming an Equine Massage Therapist. There are no standardized or accredited programs for Equine Massage as of yet in the United States, so I felt I would be a better therapist if I first completed a program that was designed for humans. My main interest at the beginning of the course was to learn all of the technical aspects of massage, the anatomy, biomechanics, strokes, etc. I did learn those things but by far the most important thing I learned was something that I did not anticipate or even fully appreciate until now.

"My instructors not only taught me the technical and mechanical aspects of massage but they encouraged me to allow myself to listen to what I was feeling, that my intent, my empathy and compassion were as important to the work as was the practical knowledge that I had gained.

"That brings me to where I am now. I have realized my goal and am currently providing massage to a variety of equine athletes around the country with incredible results. One horse that I worked on recently so touched me and came to exemplify why I do this work and why I believe in it so strongly. I wanted to share this story with you because I wanted the people who helped me develop this skill to know that I really did get it, I really did leave there with a deeper understanding of myself and that has made all of the difference.

"I spent all of February and part of March 2001 at a Hunter-Jumper horse show circuit in Tucson, Arizona where I worked on horses that were competing over fences and in the hack classes. With over 650 horses in attendance, the competition was very tough, there was a lot of prize money and exhibitors from all over the United States. I had the opportunity to work on horses that were in incredible shape, and were performing at a very high level. It was exhilarating and very fulfilling to help these horses be more comfortable, achieve greater range of motion and length of stride, and to keep them injury free and competitive throughout the six week event.

"Although I enjoyed all of the horses that I worked on and feel that I made a difference in their performance, one stands out.

"His name is Keno; he is an eighteen-year-old, dark brown thoroughbred who stands about 16.1 hands (65 inches.) Keno has been a show horse most of his life, competing in the open jumping and Grand Prix events. He as been all over the country and was shown at the prestigious Pan American Games in his younger years. Although he is very talented, he is somewhat difficult to ride. He has a habit of changing speeds and even breaking from a gallop to a trot in front of fences that are as high as five feet and as wide as eight feet. This makes it almost impossible to get him to the fence correctly.

"Keno was for sale about three years ago and because of his age and the ‘rideability’ problems that he presented, he was passed over several times. He was just to complicated for most people to invest in him. Fortunately, he found his way to a woman who had also had some difficulties and she saw something that made her believe in him.

"Mary Jo managed to buy him. When I saw her at this show she was not able to ride him due to some physical injuries that she suffered throughout the many years spent showing horses and just the knocks that come from a life that had not always been easy. Her son, Tim, who is a highly regarded rider, was taking over the reins for her. I watched, as Mary Jo would prepare Keno, the hours she spent warming him up, mixing his special feed and keeping his stall and tack immaculate. A woman who weighs less than 100 pounds, is in her 60’s and suffers from severe back and neck issues did all of these things, but she always put him first no matter what the toll was on her. I had such respect for that. This was more than wanting a blue ribbon; she loves this horse and has such faith in him that she would go any distance to give him a fair chance at success.

"Keno had been showing and was not jumping clear rounds, having two or three rails down in his classes, costing him faults and resulting in not placing. I was asked to work on him.

"The first time I worked on Keno he was obedient but was very sore and like most of the horses on their first time, a little bewildered about what was going on. As the show went on for the next five weeks, I continued working on him at least twice a week. He warmed up easier and recovered much faster as a result of the extensive bodywork, his performance in the show ring improved as well. He went from not placing in his classes to winning 2nds, 3rds and 4ths. We were all thrilled!

"Keno and I developed a kind of connection that I had not experienced before. I would usually go to work on him in the evenings when the barns were quiet and done for the day. Normally restless, he would stand quietly in the stall without his halter and let me work, his head almost to the ground, his eyes soft, breathing deeply, occasionally bringing his neck around to watch. Always trusting, always grateful, always dignified.

"Sundays are Grand Prix days. Vibrant colored poles, water jumps, multicolored flags and big fences. Keno had been entered in the previous weeks and done well, placing in the top five. This was the last week, the last chance. There were 32 horses entered in the Grand Prix this day, contenders for $25,000 in prize money. All very competitive, all in great shape and all considerably younger than Keno, but none with as much heart as he.

"Keno was to go 24th in the order, Mary Jo had been injured and was unable to warm him up that day so Tim’s wife, Susan got him ready and I did some pre-event massage on him. The time came for Tim to go into the ring for his round, there was one clear round so far and seven horses to go after Keno. My heart was in my throat as I watched him make his way around a very technical course of 16 fences. In less than 90 seconds it was over and he had gone clean, making it two clear rounds and ensuring a timed jump off. They came out of the ring and a jubilant Tim jumped off and hugged me, telling me that Keno felt great, like there was nothing he couldn’t jump.

"At the end of the first round there were only two horses that went clean, so we got ready for the jump off. A shorter, tighter course against the clock would decide the winner. Keno was second to go in the jump off.

"The first horse and rider went into the ring and at the sound of the starter whistle began their round by crossing the automatic timer and going for the first fence. They had one rail down costing them four faults, but they had a fast time. Keno and Tim rode into the ring. Mary Jo and Susan, as well as a crowd of hundreds and myself watched in silence. My heart was pounding and I know Mary Jo was anxious as she watched her son and the horse that she had such faith and hopes in gallop towards the clock to start the time. It was up to them now.

"They were over the first fence with a little bit of a rub on the top pole, but it stayed up. From there on Keno was careful and clean. He had three fences left until the end of the course when he misgauged his stride and caught the top rail with a hind foot bringing it to the ground with a thud. Now he too had four faults and the only way he would seize the win would be if his time was faster than the first horse.

"The crowd was silent until one woman had the presence of mind to look at the time readout on the clock and yelled at Tim to hurry. He landed from the next to last fence and asked Keno for speed, practically running full out to the last fence. They sailed over the fence and raced the distance to stop the clock. Both contestants had four faults, but Keno stopped the clock [half a] second faster. He had won, this was his day!

"The once silent and respectful gallery of onlookers erupted. They to had seen this aged gentleman give his all for victory, and he had earned their respect and their joy at his win.

"Needless to say, I was moved to tears. I was so proud of him and felt so honored to have been a part of his team. I was especially pleased for Mary Jo, the one person who had faith in Keno all along was rewarded with the satisfaction of knowing that she followed her heart and he returned her faith in him.

"A victory lap around the arena with the blue ribbon hanging from his bridle, Keno shaking his head like it was all a funny game, acting more like a teenager than a senior citizen.

"After the celebrations and congratulations, and everyone had gone, I made one last visit to the stall where I had spent many hours. Keno stood in the middle of his deeply bedded stall with his blankets on and his legs wrapped with liniment and bandages. He greeted me as always, ears forward, eyes bright and shining, a little nicker and his soft muzzle to my face. I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugged him hard and told him how proud I was of him, but that I was not surprised. He had made me a believer from the first time I saw him and I told him so. I left him with a kiss on the forehead and a thank you form me to him, and I believe from him to me.