Equine Posture & Movement Analysis - Equine Structural Bodywork & Massage - Saddle Fitting
Asheville, WNC,
Equine Posture & Movement Analysis - Equine Structural Bodywork & Massage - Saddle Fitting
Asheville, WNC,
Kelly Snyder is an LMBT and Equine Functional Posture & Movement Specialist serving clients in much of Western NC. She is trained and certified in Structural Integration and Neuromuscular Therapy. She is also a professional saddle fitter who has been thoroughly trained by world-renowned, expert saddle-fitter and saddle designer, Ron Friedson of Pegasus Saddles.
For over 10 years Kelly has been successfully using Structural Integration and Neuromuscular Therapy along with other massage and bodywork modalities to treat her clients’ abnormal compensatory postures*, myofascial trigger points, and overall knots, aches, and pains. Left untreated, these postural compensation patterns can lead to painful issues such as kissing spine, hunter’s bump and premature arthritis. These patterns can also create other issues like impaired proprioception which can lead to tripping, and stress-related behavioral problems like rearing, bucking, biting and cribbing.
Poor posture, aka, *Abnormal Compensatory Posture (ACP) can be directly connected to poor movement. Reasons behind a horse developing an ACP are many, but can include:
hoof imbalance
poor saddle fit
rider imbalance
certain riding and training techniques
improper use of certain riding and training techniques
injury
sickness
On average, one of the biggest deterrents Kelly has found to improving a horse's posture and movement is hoof balance, which is why she spent time apprenticing with veteran WNC farrier, John Banks, and attended the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization's barefoot trimming course. She incorporates checking for hoof balance in her evaluations when beginning to work with a new client and will often continue to observe a horse's hoof balance throughout follow up sessions.
Kelly also incorporates proper saddle fitting and the implementation of certain non-interfering riding techniques to achieve her goal of bringing horses into balanced, optimal, pain-free movement.
Training and Education:
* Apprenticeship with Catherine Hunter, Sacred Connections Equestrian, 2009 - 2012
* Certified in Equine Structural Integration from Equine Natural Movement School, 2013
* Apprenticeship with Jack Boyd, Asheville Structural Integration, 2012 - 2013
* Certified in Neuromuscular Therapy, Reiki 1, Swedish and Prenatal Massage from WNC School of Massage, 2014
* Saddle Fit apprenticeship with Ron Friedson, Pegasus Saddles, 2017 - 2021
* Advanced Equine Structural Integration Training, 2016
* Equine Structural Integration Module 1 Instructor Training, 2017
* Apprenticeship with veteran farrier, John Banks, 2019 - 2021
* Equine Infrared Training from United Infrared, INC., 2022
* Barefoot Hoofcare Skills Course, Equine Lameness Prevention Organization, 2025
For more information or to schedule an appointment call or email:
828-423-8881
***Structural Bodywork and Massage are not a substitute for veterinary care! Please call your veterinarian if you feel your horse is ill or injured.***
"I highly recommend Kelly for her expertise in equine structural integration, her kind and loving manner, and her intuitive energy healing capabilities."
- Laura Nelson, Equine Facilitated Learning Coach
"Kelly was one of the most dedicated and talented students that I have ever worked with. Kelly's expertise with equine structural integration probably surpasses my own due to her strong equestrian background."
- Jack Boyd, Asheville Structural Integration
"I was amazed at the changes Timber displayed physically and mentally during his sessions! Physically just to look at him from the first session to the last was a drastic change. He came out every week looking more filled out, bigger, and softer all over."
- Michelle Mallonee
"Since working with Kelly, I have noticed a difference in my co-therapist, Jenny. I noticed that with a reduction in pain and stiffness, Jenny's attitude towards work has significantly improved."
- Rebecca Stares, Spirited Connections Equine Facilitated Counseling
"Kelly Snyder has a passion for horses that is evident when you watch her work. The way she connects with the horses is beautiful. Her work is steady, deliberate, effective and informed by an innate, intuitive sensitivity. I highly recommend her."
- Joseph Freeman, founder Equine Natural Movement School
"Obe has become more elastic longitudinally through her spine - I can feel this in the transition between collected work and extended work. I can also see this in her tail carriage - up and away from her body rather than clamped."
- Jennifer Hippensteel