About Stacy Hockel, CESMT, CSF

I’ve had the pleasure of working with horses for over 40 years. Starting at a young age, I’ve ridden everything from reining horses, dressage, hunters and eventing. I currently am loving the world of eventing. I have always loved working with the young horses, teaching them from the “ground up” to happily working under saddle. I’ve worked with people of all ages to teach them the fundamentals of horsemanship and balanced riding.  I have many years of experience managing stables and caring for the whole horse’s well being. I attended Lakeshore Technical Institute for Equine Management and was a Certified Veterinary Technician for over 12 years, so I have been immersed in all areas of the horse’s world which brings me a balanced evaluation mindset.  Since gaining my certification in Equine Sports Massage, it has been my goal to help horses and their owners resolve performance issues and emotional stumbling blocks  linked to compromised muscle function, stress, and strain as well as to offer a scheduled maintenance program for all horses to prevent future injury or declined performance.

I am dedicated to working with my clients and their horses to bring freedom in their gait, liberation in their mind and bring an overall peace between partners.  I firmly believe all this can be accomplished through comprehensive and thoughtful bodywork.

I also have the privilege to apprentice with George Gullikson and learn the art of saddle fitting and gaining my certification. I have visited England and worked with Master saddlers in Walsall including Baines saddlery.

I have found that saddle fitting is truly an art and does not fit into a box of 9 or 10 points to the perfect fit. The influence of the rider, the temperament and movement of the horse and the equipment being used, all play a role in making the perfect fit. Saddle fitting is an on-going process, there is no such thing as ‘fit for life’; horses are athletes and are ever changing and so must our equipment.

I work closely with veterinarians that offer chiropractic, dental and acupuncture services when your horse needs additional intensive services. I am on a continuous quest of education, furthering my knowledge of training, biomechanics, anatomy and bodywork techniques. I have also taken advanced courses and seminars with Dino Freddard, Dr. Deb Bennett, Dr. Hilary Clayton, Dr. Mike Buskohl, Dr. Gerd Hausmann, the Masterson Method and online continuing education.

I have a passion for what I do and love seeing the results in happy, relaxed horses and comfortable, well balanced riders.